The Naruto manga has become one of the most successful manga of all time. The series ran for an impressive 699 chapters and was written by Masashi Kishimoto. Kishimoto drew inspiration from East Asian history and mythology to help inspire the story about a lonely, orphaned boy who longs to become his village's greatest ninja.

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Naruto's story is full of impressive twists and heartbreaking moments. The twists and turns in the story have helped make Naruto the best-selling manga it is today. Naruto has had to fight popular villains like Pain and Kaguya. Each of those villains was highlighted in their own arc. The various arcs work together to tell the story of Naruto's rise to the top.

10 Akatsuki Suppression Mission (32 Chapters)

Hidan Smiling As He's About To Attack Team Asuma in Naruto

This arc ran from chapter 311 to chapter 342. Hidan and Kakuzu had just joined the Akatsuki. They were given the mission to go after the Two-Tails' jinchuriki, Yugito. The two managed to successfully capture Yugito.

When Asuma's team engages in a fight with Hidan, they find themselves in a perilous situation. Asuma proves to be no match for Hidan and is mortally wounded. As Asuma dies, Shikamaru picks up a cigarette for the very first time.

9 Search For Tsunade (33 Chapters)

Tsunade, Naruto

This Part I story ran from chapter 139 to 171. The arc begins with Asuma and Kurenai coming across two strange ninja wandering around Konoha. The two ninja prove to be members of the Akatsuki, Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki.

Itachi and Kisame have come to Konoha to capture Naruto Uzumaki, likely targeting him for his status as a jinchuriki. When Itachi shows up at the hospital, Sasuke tries to stop his older brother. Itachi quickly manages to overpower the younger ninja. After the attack, Naruto and Jiraiya begin to search for Tsunade, a candidate to become hokage.

8 Prologue — Land Of Waves (33 Chapters)

Naruto Land of Waves Team 7

Running from chapters 1 through 33, this arc introduced the world to Naruto and the rest of Team 7. The arc begins with Naruto barely managing to graduate and embark on the journey of becoming a great ninja.

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He is placed on a team with Sakura and Sasuke, who are all placed under the leadership of Kakashi. For the first time in Naruto's life, he begins making connections with people and starts viewing his teammates as family. The team's mission to the Land of Waves shows them how dangerous being a ninja can be.

7 Kazekage Rescue Mission (37 Chapters)

Kazekage Gaara Naruto Shippuden Boruto Battles

This Part II story runs from chapters 245 to 281. The story begins with Naruto returning to the village after a two-year absence. He had been off training with Jiraiya, and he has finally returned to Konoha. Naruto is able to catch up with his old friends and learns that Gaara has become Kazekage.

Deidara and Sasori of the Akatsuki head to Sunagakure to capture Gaara. The duo successfully manages to take the Kazekage. Naruto and Team Kakashi head to Sunagakure after hearing about what happened to Gaara. Naruto is determined to rescue his friend.

6 Birth Of The Ten-Tails' Jinchuriki (38 Chapters)

Madara Uchiha vs Sakura and Sasuke

This arc ran from chapters 640 through 677. Existing towards the end of the series, the arc begins with Obito Uchiha becoming the Ten-Tails' Jinchuriki. Minato, Sasuke, Naruto, and Tobirami all team-up to try and stop him.

Obito experiences a moment of redemption as he reminisces about Rin with Kakashi and Minato. Meanwhile, Madara Uchiha becomes the jinchuriki of the Ten-Tails. The group engages in the fight of their lives as the world is placed in the Infinite Tsukuyomi. In the end, only Team 7 is left standing.

5 Pain's Assault (41 Chapters)

Hinata Protecting Naruto from Pain in Naruto Shippuden

Pain's attack against Konoha occurs in chapters 413 through 453. Pain, one of the most powerful members of the Akatsuki, begins to attack Konoha in search of Naruto. The ninja is away from the village. Pain uses his Six Paths to try and threaten Naruto's location out of the village's shinobi but no one is willing to give up Naruto's location.

Naruto returns to his village to face off against Pain. Pain manages to pin Naruto to the ground. Acting out of love, Hinata springs into battle. She desperately tries to rescue Naruto, only to be thrown like a rag doll. Naruto completely loses control after seeing the way Pain has treated his friend.

4 Fourth Shinobi World War: Confrontation (44 Chapters)

Naruto Sasuke Uchiha

Set at the beginning of the Fourth Shinobi War, this arc spans from chapter 516 to 559 in the manga. The shinobi of the world join together to fight against the Black Zetsu and various reincarnated warriors. Fallen shinobi like Nagato, Itachi, and Zabuza are brought back to fight in the war.

Naruto is away from the battle, training to use the Nine-Tails' chakra to his advantage. Sasuke recovers from his surgery, now able to use the Mangekyo Sharingan. The arc ends with Madara Uchiha being resurrected.

3 Sasuke Recovery Mission (67 Chapters)

Naruto & Sasuke First And Final Fight

This Part I mission was covered from chapters 172 to 238. The arc revolves around Konoha trying to prevent Sasuke from joining forces with Orochimaru. Sasuke's last encounter with his brother has forced him to strive for greater power.

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Sasuke had noticed how much Naruto had improved since they had graduated. Naruto had clearly improved his skills in a way that Sasuke hadn't. So, Sasuke leaves the village. Even though Naruto manages to track Sasuke down, he is unable to convince his friend to return. Sasuke wins their battle and leaves Naruto knocked out.

2 Fourth Shinobi World War: Climax (80 Chapters)

genjutsu sharingan Madara from Naruto

Climax tells the story of the end of the Fourth Shinobi War. The arc consists of 80 chapters and is covered from chapter 560 to 639. The allied forces have to face off against Kabuto, Tobi, and Madara as they fight for the fate of the world.

Sasuke teams up with his resurrected brother to defeat Kabuto and hopefully bring the war to an end. Tsunade uses her incredible power to stand against her grandfather's oldest friend and greatest enemy, Madara.

1 Chunin Exams (82 Chapters)

Chunin Exams Naruto

The second arc in Naruto stretches from chapter 34 to 115. Team 7 has to enter a life and death competition to determine whether or not they will advance from genin to chunin. Sasuke, Sakura, and Naruto have to put their skills on display to prove themselves.

The Chunin Exams not only test their knowledge and abilities but also pits them against the genin of other villages. The arc introduces Sasuke to Orochimaru's power. Team 7 meets their future enemy, Kabuto. Meanwhile, the sand ninja are planning an invasion into Konoha.

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