Confronts his past and his former friend. This episode highlights Iruka's role not just as a teacher, but as the first person to truly acknowledge Naruto.

This episode is part of the long stretch of filler that occurred after the Sasuke Recovery Mission. While not canon to the manga, it provides significant closure to the very first conflict of the series (Naruto vs. Mizuki in Episode 1).

Serves as a cautionary tale about seeking power through shortcuts and betrayal. His physical transformation and subsequent collapse mark his final appearance in the series. III. Production & Availability