Naruto Starts New 'Sasuke Retrieval Arc' With The Series' Best Story Arc In Years
An experienced Editor representing Canada via ScreenRant's Team Anime, J.R. has been reading manga since the first printing of Shonen Jump in North America. This passion drove him to write about anime, manga, and manhwa since 2022, having recently served as Lead Anime Editor for ComicBook.com.
His favorite moments in media coverage include reviewing the series premieres of Zom 100 and Bleach: TYBW Part 2 back-to-back and briefly meeting Junji Ito at a VIZ gallery event in 2023.
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The turning points of the Naruto franchise timeline have famously included some massive showcases of character growth and shifts in the status quo. It's included major trajectory changes, as well, with some characters' decisions leaving ripple effects and mental scars felt by the stars years later. Perhaps the most famous case of this by the end of Naruto Part 1 was the Sasuke Retrieval Arc, where a still-new Chunin Shikamaru Nara is tasked with leading his trusted team of genin to intercept the Sound Four and prevent Sasuke Uchiha from defecting from his village. It featured some fantastic battles and an emotional march toward defeat as Sasuke famously got away.
Despite such a sad ending undercutting the team punching above their weight class in progressively courageous battles, the Sasuke Retrieval Arc, or Sasuke Recovery Mission, is looked fondly upon in the Naruto fandom. Now, as the latest sequel series resumes monthly new releases, Boruto: Two Blue Vortex is flipping the script on this classic arc, where Sasuke's daughter, Sarada, is now the one in need of rescue, with the irony being that its supposed runaway "traitor" is the one ready to do the saving. Boruto Uzumaki just got the perfect setup to do what Naruto never could, and bring his teammate back home on the same arc she's taken away, while staring down foes far more dangerous than the Sound Four in the process.
A New Uchiha Recovery Mission Is Underway For The Naruto Timeline
Reeling after the events of the previous chapter, Boruto: Two Blue Vortex chapter 37 sees Boruto desperate to find Sarada after she's taken away by Code. He initially even planned to have her hold marked metal objects to act as a chakra waypoint for him to instantly reach using his Flying Raijin Jutsu. But with Code savvy to Boruto's schemes, these were quickly discarded before taking Sarada through the Claw Marks. Sarada thought of everything, though, quickly tearing her right Uchiha clan insignia earring from her ear with the wound now clearly visible, which was the real reason she used her Ohirume upon being subdued by Code. Her gravitational pull just left Boruto one desperate breadcrumb.
Thus, Sarada is in the hands of the enemy much like Sasuke suddenly was with Orochimaru's forces once upon a time, but with far different reasons guiding them along. Sarada's self-sacrificing dedication to the mission and clear, unwavering belief that Boruto would find her, creates a sort of sequel to the story of how Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki fell in love, swapping strands of hair with a chakra-marked earring. It'll be a compelling precision test for Boruto's jutsu, while also leading him into the belly of the beast, all while Koji Kashin desperately tries to keep Jura occupied in Konoha and prevent everyone from being consumed.
Technically speaking, if Sarada succeeds in killing Hidari and bringing out his Thorn Soul Bulb, she'd even be able to bring Sasuke back into play, making this a particularly fun Sasuke Retrieval Arc sequel in the process.
The Sound Four Has Nothing On Sarada's Captors
In the interest of further differentiating from the Sasuke Retrieval Arc, Sarada appears ready to capitalize on the discord between Code and Hidari, who each have different plans for what to do with their captive. Sarada intends on letting Hidari and Code weaken each other to allow her to take both down, provided Jura doesn't return. But even one of these opponents, let alone both of them, scales far above the Sound Four as they absolutely should, as Boruto has now handily passed into its post-timeskip era. Add to that the potential intervention of Jura if he catches wind of the plan, and it'll be absolute pandemonium, but these three forces (four if Boruto joins) alone are enough for an explosive clash.
Hidden Leaf Village · Chunin Exam
Naruto
Trivia Challenge
🔥 Jinchūriki Believe it!
🔴 Sharingan Copy ninja
🌀 Jutsu Rasengan!
🌿 Village Will of Fire
⚡ Bonds Unbreakable
01
Naruto Uzumaki carries an immense burden — a powerful Tailed Beast sealed inside him since birth by the Fourth Hokage. This fox demon’s chakra gives Naruto extraordinary power but also makes him an outcast. What is the name of this Nine-Tailed Beast?
✓ Correct! Kurama is the Nine-Tailed Fox sealed within Naruto by his father, the Fourth Hokage. Initially a source of fear and hatred, Kurama eventually becomes one of Naruto’s closest allies. Their bond is one of the most emotional arcs in the entire series.
✗ Substitution jutsu failed! The answer is Kurama. Shukaku is the One-Tail sealed in Gaara, Matatabi is the Two-Tails, and Gyuki is the Eight-Tails sealed in Killer Bee. Kurama, the Nine-Tailed Fox, is Naruto’s legendary partner.
02
Naruto’s greatest rival is a prodigy from a prestigious clan who possesses a powerful eye technique called the Sharingan. Consumed by a desire for vengeance against his older brother, he defects from the Hidden Leaf Village. Who is this rival?
✓ Correct! Sasuke Uchiha is Naruto’s eternal rival and best friend. After the Uchiha massacre, Sasuke’s obsession with killing his brother Itachi drives him to leave the village and seek power at any cost. Their rivalry is the emotional backbone of the entire series.
✗ Substitution jutsu failed! The answer is Sasuke Uchiha. Neji is a Hyuga clan genius with the Byakugan, Gaara is the Sand Village’s jinchūriki, and Rock Lee is the taijutsu specialist. Only Sasuke wields the Sharingan and defects to join Orochimaru.
03
Naruto’s signature jutsu is a spinning sphere of concentrated chakra formed in the palm of his hand. Originally created by the Fourth Hokage and taught to Naruto by Jiraiya, it becomes the foundation for many of his most powerful attacks. What is this technique called?
✓ Correct! The Rasengan is a pure chakra manipulation technique that doesn’t require hand signs. Created by Minato Namikaze and passed down through Jiraiya to Naruto, it evolves into many variations including the devastating Rasenshuriken with added Wind Release nature transformation.
✗ Substitution jutsu failed! The answer is the Rasengan. The Chidori is Sasuke and Kakashi’s lightning technique, Shadow Clone Jutsu is a different Naruto staple, and the Lava Rasenshuriken is a late-series variant. The base Rasengan is Naruto’s iconic spinning chakra sphere.
04
Team 7’s leader is a mysterious, mask-wearing jonin known as the “Copy Ninja” for his ability to replicate over a thousand jutsu using his borrowed Sharingan eye. He’s always reading a certain novel. Who is this legendary sensei?
✓ Correct! Kakashi Hatake, the Copy Ninja of the Sharingan, leads Team 7 (Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura). His Sharingan was a gift from his dying friend Obito Uchiha. Always cool under pressure and perpetually reading Make-Out Paradise, Kakashi eventually becomes the Sixth Hokage.
✗ Substitution jutsu failed! The answer is Kakashi Hatake. Might Guy leads Team Guy, Asuma leads Team 10, and Jiraiya is one of the Legendary Sannin who later trains Naruto. Only Kakashi is the masked Copy Ninja with a borrowed Sharingan who leads Team 7.
05
Sasuke’s older brother massacred nearly the entire Uchiha clan in a single night, then joined the criminal organization Akatsuki. It was later revealed he did it all on orders from the village to prevent a coup — sacrificing everything to protect his brother. Who is this tragic figure?
✓ Correct! Itachi Uchiha is one of Naruto’s most complex characters. A pacifist genius forced into an impossible choice, he bore the hatred of the entire world — including his beloved brother Sasuke — to protect the Hidden Leaf from civil war. His final words to Sasuke remain iconic.
✗ Substitution jutsu failed! The answer is Itachi Uchiha. Madara is the legendary clan founder, Obito is the masked man behind much of the war, and Shisui was Itachi’s best friend. Itachi alone carried out the massacre to prevent the Uchiha coup and protect Sasuke.
06
From the very first episode, Naruto declares his lifelong dream to earn the respect of his village and prove his worth. He vows to achieve the highest rank in the Hidden Leaf — its supreme leader. What is this title that Naruto dreams of?
✓ Correct! Hokage is the title of the Hidden Leaf Village’s leader, and Naruto’s dream of becoming Hokage drives the entire series. After years of struggle, he finally achieves his dream and becomes the Seventh Hokage in Boruto: Naruto Next Generations.
✗ Substitution jutsu failed! The answer is Hokage. The Kazekage leads the Sand Village, Jonin Commander is a military rank, and Anbu Captain leads black ops. The Hokage is the Hidden Leaf’s supreme leader — and Naruto’s lifelong dream since he was a lonely academy student.
07
Naruto’s father was the Fourth Hokage, known as the “Yellow Flash of the Leaf” for his incredible speed using the Flying Thunder God technique. He sacrificed his life to seal the Nine-Tails inside his newborn son. What is his name?
✓ Correct! Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage and Yellow Flash, sacrificed himself using the Reaper Death Seal to seal Kurama inside baby Naruto. His love for his son and faith in Naruto’s potential made him one of the series’ most selfless characters.
✗ Substitution jutsu failed! The answer is Minato Namikaze. Hiruzen Sarutobi is the Third Hokage, Tobirama Senju is the Second, and Hashirama Senju is the First. Minato, the Fourth Hokage, is Naruto’s father who sealed the Nine-Tails at the cost of his own life.
08
A shy, kind-hearted kunoichi from the Hyuga clan admired Naruto from afar since their academy days. She boldly confessed her love while fighting Pain to protect him, and eventually became his wife. Who is this character?
✓ Correct! Hinata Hyuga went from a timid girl who could barely speak around Naruto to a fierce warrior who stood against Pain to protect him. Her confession during the Pain arc is one of the series’ most emotional moments. They marry in The Last: Naruto the Movie and have two children, Boruto and Himawari.
✗ Substitution jutsu failed! The answer is Hinata Hyuga. Sakura is Naruto’s teammate who loves Sasuke, Ino is Sakura’s rival from the Yamanaka clan, and Temari is a Sand Village kunoichi who marries Shikamaru. Only Hinata loved Naruto from the very beginning.
Mission Complete Your Ninja Record
/ 8
Are you Hokage material — or still at the academy practicing clone jutsu?
Hidari bears Sasuke's chakra template, while Code's White Karma with the power to manipulate the Ten-Tails, while Sarada's Mangekyo Sharingan is capable of potentially vaporizing either or both of them. Adding Boruto to the mix would make it almost certain one of them isn't emerging alive, with Hidari's stock continuing to vanish by the moment following earlier hints at Code's potential cooperation. The Mamushi Arc only just recently finished, too, so there's a strong possibility that things won't neatly wrap up even if Boruto reaches Sarada's location when Boruto: Two Blue Vortex chapter 38 drops on Tuesday, October 20, 2026. But Sarada's new gambit has huge potential, with devastating consequences to her and Konoha if she fails.
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- First Film
- Naruto the Movie: Ninja Clash in the Land of Snow
- Latest Film
- Boruto: Naruto the Movie
- First TV Show
- Naruto
- Latest TV Show
- Boruto: Naruto Next Generations
- First Episode Air Date
- October 3, 2002
- Cast
- Junko Takeuchi, Maile Flanagan, Noriaki Sugiyama, Chie Nakamura, Kazuhiko Inoue, Nana Mizuki, Hideo Ishikawa, Yûko Sanpei
Naruto is a franchise spawned from the manga series penned by Masashi Kishimoto that began in 1999. Generating several tv series, games, movies, and more, Naruto follows the exploits of a young outcast ninja harboring the spirit of a demon fox who seeks to become the Hokage, the leader of his ninja village, to break the stigma against him. Upon the conclusion of the initial series, Naruto expanded into Boruto, following many series protagonists' children and returning faces.
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- Writer
- Masashi Kishimoto
- Writers
- Masashi Kishimoto
- Penciler(s)
- Mikio Ikemoto
- Inker(s)
- Mikio Ikemoto
- Colorist(s)
- Mikio Ikemoto
- Publisher(s)
- Viz Media
Years after fleeing his village with Sasuke, Boruto returns to confront the dark changes that have occurred. With memories altered and Kawaki now seen as the hero, Boruto faces a world where he is the outcast. The two rivals must settle their differences as their Otsutsuki powers grow more dangerous.
KioskNews shows a cleaned-up reading view extracted from the publisher’s page — the original always lives on their site, not ours.