Twelve Guardian Ninja (Arc)

The Twelve Guardian Ninja Arc is from Part II of the series, and spans from episodes 54 to 71 of the Naruto: Shippūden anime. The anime DVDs for this arc call it "Twelve Guardian Ninja." The arc expands upon the Twelve Guardian Ninja and Naruto's wind training through the introduction of a boy named Sora.

Summary
Naruto Uzumaki awakens from a nightmare, in which a monster attacks an unknown place. While Sai attempts to learn emotions by reading books at the library, Sakura Haruno sees him and realizes his genuine attempt to make bonds, invites him to visit Kakashi Hatake in the hospital, with her and Naruto. In front of the hospital, Sai attempts to put his new knowledge to the test by making nicknames for Sakura and Naruto, which only causes Sakura to beat him up. When they meet Kakashi, Naruto and Sakura tell Kakashi of their previous mission and of Sasuke's strength. Kakashi states that he thought this would happen and that he has thought of a way to strength Naruto, in a short amount of time. The next day Naruto and Kakashi meet on the training ground, and he explains that the method to speed up training his Naruto's Multiple Shadow Clone Technique, as what ever the clones learn, the original also learns. Kakashi states the purpose of this training is to create a new justu, using both Nature Transformation and Shape Transformation. Naruto learns that he has an affinity to wind, a good element for battle. Yamato realizes that he will also be helping Naruto train. Naruto's first step of training is using only his chakra to cut a leaf. His clones had a varied result, looking for help Naruto looks for Asuma Sarutobi as Asuma also has a wind affinity. With Asuma's help all of Naruto's clones succeed in cutting their leaves. Meanwhile, a mysterious group stands in front of a destroyed village. Naruto's team has a mission to stop the grave robing of four bodies. On the way to the fire temple, Naruto accidently stumbles into one of robbed graves. Naruto then meets a boy named Sora and they both think the other is the grave robber, causing a fight, with Sora having the advantage due to his wind techniques, and taijustu skills. They are eventually stopped, by Chiriku head monk and they arrive at the fire temple. At the temple, Naruto learns that Sora has suffered the same isolation due to his power like Naruto in his childhood, and that bodies being robbed are former Twelve Guardian Ninja, motivating Naruto further. Team Kakashi along with Chiriku and Sora find the four bodies, but are lead to a trap, separating them and pitting each member except Sakura and Chiriku against an opponent. Yamato is paired with Fudō, Sai with Fuen, Naruto with Fūka and Sora with Kazuma. While Yamato is able to escape, without harm, while the others are not so lucky, Sai also escaped but broke his arm in the process and Naruto and Sora were overpowered by their opponents.

Episodes