Season: 7

Naruto manages to find Shiranami's location but he discovers that the Shiranami he found was actually the ninja bandits disguised as him. Hotaru finds the real Shiranami where the latter convinces Hotaru not to have the forbidden jutsu removed, and takes her back to the Tsuchigumo Village. After Naruto is saved by Utakata from the ninja bandits, the two return to the Tsuchigumo Village, where they find that Shiranami has everyone in the village under his control.

Naruto and his team, along with Hotaru and Utakata, return to Mount Katsuragi to plan their next move. Tonbei reveals a way to remove the forbidden jutsu from Hotaru's body which would result in the jutsu losing it's power. Hotaru states that if a man named Shiranami returned, the clan would be restored. Naruto decides to look for Shiranami within two days. Little do they know, the man they are looking for is actually the one after the forbidden jutsu. Meanwhile, Utakata wonders if Tsurugi spoke the truth about his master.

Naruto, Sai, and Yamato arrive to save Hotaru and Utakata from the attacking ninja who they discover are Anbu from the Hidden Mist Village. Yamato attempts to negotiate alone with the head of the Mist Anbu, Tsurugi, and after their discussion, Tsurugi talks to Utakata alone. Tsurugi attempts to convince Utakata to return to the Hidden Mist Village but the latter refuses and remembers the horrible pain he suffered at the hands of his former master.

As Naruto heads back to the Tsuchigumo Clan village, Akaboshi and his group find Hotaru with the help of Hotaru's uncle. Hotaru manages to escape but the ninja bandits surround her in the forest. Utakata comes to her aid and manages to take her and escape from the ninja bandits. Akaboshi and his group are about to chase after them until their boss arrives and reveals to them that Utakata is in the Hidden Mist Village's Bingo Book.