Naruto Shippūden: Season 4
Season 4 Lore Primer
Key plot threads, lore context, and character stakes you need to remember before diving into this season.
- Directly follows the overarching narrative developments of Naruto Shippūden Season 3.
- Faction dynamics and core character alliances shift under escalating external stakes.
- Crucial mysteries introduced previously reach key turning points and narrative reckonings.
- Sets up serialized story arcs that build directly toward the climactic season finale.
Episode Guide
Season 4 Progress Shield
The Quietly Approaching Threat
Aug 21, 2008
Asuma apologizes at the grave of the Third Hokage for not understanding his advice concerning what the "king" of the Fire Country is. At the hospital, Naruto and Sai recover, despi
Akatsuki's Invasion
Aug 28, 2008
Naruto proceeds to the next step of his training, the cutting of a waterfall. Hidan and Kakuzu reach the Fire Temple and fight Chiriku, so as to obtain the bounty on his head. Afte
Under the Starry Sky
Sep 4, 2008
The second stage of Naruto's training continues, while Tsunade sends out twenty teams composed of four ninja each to deal with the Akatsuki members in the Fire Country. Shikamaru l
The Old Monk's Prayer
Sep 11, 2008
Asuma mourns Chiriku's death, and realizes that Hidan and Kakuzu are trying to claim the bounty on his head. Meanwhile, Hidan and Kakuzu take Chiriku in for their payment. Meanwhil
The Next Step
Sep 25, 2008
Kakashi reveals that while he knows how to perform Rasengan, he cannot combine his own lightning-based chakra. He adds that even the Fourth Hokage, who created the move, could not
Climbing Silver
Sep 25, 2008
Asuma’s team reaches the bounty station and ambushes Hidan. Izumo and Kotetsu attack Hidan, but are unable to kill him despite stabbing his vital organs. Asuma tells his teammates
The Judgment
Oct 2, 2008
Asuma’s fire jutsu strikes Hidan, but much to the team's surprise, Asuma is also burned. Hidan reveals his ability: By ingesting an opponent’s blood and standing in a ritual circle
Unfulfilled Scream
Oct 2, 2008
Team Asuma continues their battle with Akatsuki's Hiden and Kakuzu.
Last Words
Oct 16, 2008
A call from the Akatsuki leader forces Hidan and Kakuzu to fall back, but in the wake of the aftermath, not everyone makes it back to Konoha alive.
The Sad News
Oct 23, 2008
While Akatsuki discusses the true goals of their organization, Naruto continues his training. Meanwhile, Tsunade receives the tragic news.
Team Ten
Oct 30, 2008
All of Konoha mourns the tragic loss of Asuma Sarutobi. Knowing that Hidan and Kakuzu are bound to return, Shikamaru, Choji, and Ino prepare to head off to take revenge upon the du
Target: Locked On
Nov 6, 2008
With careful planning, the group manages to find and trap Hidan and Kakuzu. However, things seem to be going a bit too smoothly.
Kakuzu's Abilities
Nov 13, 2008
When Kakashi strikes Kakuzu through the heart, the battle seems to be over. However, when Kakuzu not only survives the attack, but also manages to escape from Shikamaru's trap, it
The Terrifying Secret
Nov 20, 2008
As Kakashi and the others continue to struggle against the Akatsuki duo, Kakuzu reveals that he has not one, but five hearts! In order to kill him, one must take out all five of hi
Shikamaru's Genius
Dec 4, 2008
Shikamaru continues his fight with Hidan. Hidan manages to injure Shikamaru and curses him the same way he did Asuma, but when Shikamaru survives Hidan's attack, Hidan realizes som
When You Curse Someone, You Dig Your Own Grave
Dec 4, 2008
Hidan falls into Shikamaru's trap, but now that he has Hidan cornered, can he find a way to defeat Hidan's immortality? Elsewhere, things are looking grim for Kakashi, Choji, and I
Wind Style: Rasen Shuriken!
Dec 11, 2008
Naruto challenges Kakuzu with his new technique, the Rasen Shuriken, but can he defeat Kakuzu when his technique isn't even complete yet?