# What is the best Naruto arc of all time?

> Spanning the original series to the final war, these story arcs cover every high — triumph, tragedy, and game-changing plot twists. Which arc still gives you chills?

*By YPB Team · Published May 16, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/what-is-the-best-naruto-arc-of-all-time*

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## Current results (0 votes)

1. **Pain's Assault**
   Nagato attacks Konoha and nearly destroys it, culminating in Naruto's triumphant return and one of the most emotionally powerful moments in the series.
2. **Chunin Exams**
   The tournament arc that introduced fan-favorite characters and delivered iconic battles including Rock Lee vs Gaara and Naruto vs Neji.
3. **Land of Waves**
   The very first major arc, introducing Zabuza and Haku in a story about sacrifice and the true meaning of being a ninja.
4. **Fourth Shinobi World War**
   The climactic war that brought back legendary shinobi through Edo Tensei and set the stage for the final battle against Madara and Kaguya.
5. **Sasuke Retrieval**
   Team 7 fractures as Naruto races to stop Sasuke from defecting to Orochimaru, ending in their first devastating one-on-one clash.
6. **Five Kage Summit**
   Sasuke crashes the summit, Madara is finally revealed, and the entire shinobi world is drawn into open war.
7. **Kazekage Rescue**
   Shippuden's opening arc sends Team 7 to save Gaara from the Akatsuki, reintroducing an older Naruto with a shocking new power level.
8. **Itachi Pursuit**
   Team Hebi hunts Itachi while the truth behind the Uchiha Massacre is finally revealed in one of the series' greatest plot twists.
9. **Invasion of Konoha**
   Orochimaru's scheme unfolds during the Chunin Exams, drawing the Sand Village into a siege that kills the Third Hokage.
10. **Tale of Jiraiya the Gallant**
   Jiraiya infiltrates the Rain Village alone to face Pain, delivering one of the most gut-wrenching sendoffs in anime history.
11. **Akatsuki Suppression**
   Shikamaru faces Hidan and Kakuzu in a brutal arc that costs Team 10 a beloved member and showcases Shikamaru's genius at its best.
12. **Birth of Ten-Tails Jinchuriki**
   Madara seizes the Ten-Tails and ascends to godlike power, pushing every major character to their absolute limit.

Tags: tv shows, animation, japan, naruto