Naruto Vol. 38

Naruto confronts Kakuzu with Wind Release: Rasenshuriken. After an initial failure, he uses shadow clones to create an opening and strikes Kakuzu directly. The technique causes extensive microscopic damage throughout Kakuzu’s chakra network, leaving him unable to fight. Kakashi destroys his final heart, ending the battle.

Medical examination shows that the Rasenshuriken also damages Naruto’s arm, leading Tsunade to forbid him from using it again in its current form. Team 10 later visits Asuma’s grave, where Shikamaru accepts responsibility for protecting Asuma and Kurenai’s unborn child.

Meanwhile, Sasuke attacks the weakened Orochimaru. When Orochimaru begins his body-transfer ritual, Sasuke reverses the process with his Sharingan and absorbs him. Free from his master, Sasuke recruits Suigetsu Hōzuki and Karin, then travels to a northern hideout to obtain his final intended teammate, Jūgo.