~Wild Wild Imagination~

Rewatching Naruto #89:

Jiraiya taught Naruto the third phase as they made their way to find Tsunade. Meanwhile, Orochimaru suggested a deal to Tsunade. He would revive her dead lover and younger brother in return for her healing his arms. He also confessed that he was intending to destroy Konoha once and for all. Shizune was aghast. Orochimaru also reminded Tsunade that he knew her fear for blood.

Rewatching Naruto #55 - #59:

#55 - Mainly Sakura and Ino's visiting of Lee who tried to train himself despite his serious injury. Includes minor anime filler of Shikamaru and Asuma asking Chaoji to help in Shikamaru's Chuunin exam training in exchange for BBQ as well as Shikamaru's training with Chaoji; Neji's training with Tenten; Shino's training with Kurenei and Kiba. Original manga portion of Jiraiya's monitoring of Naruto's training with summoning technique also involved.

#56 - Includes anime minor filler of Jiraiya taking Naruto to hotspring, ramen and getting him to hug a girl (Sakura) before sending him to a cliff where he pushed Naruto down so as to lure Kyuubi's chakra.

#57 - Includes anime minor filler of Bunta challenging Naruto to stay onto his back beyond sunset so as to accept him. All fillers make the plot more balanced as compared to manga primary plot.

#58 - Involves creating of scary atmosphere when Gaara sneaked into the hospital to kill Lee. Includes slight amendment compared to manga when Sakura also visited Lee before Gaara's arrival and her attempt to visit Naruto which failed because Naruto and Shikamaru had went to save Lee from Gaara.

#59 - Eve of the final Chuunin exam when Naruto was treated to a large bowl of ramen with lots of seafood by Ayumi and her dad. Shikamaru, Ino and Chaoji's dads were also out drinking at a restaurant until Shikamaru came along to drag his dad home so that he could help his son in the preparation of exam. Naruto's anxiety and loneliness was also reflected in the anime version when he returned home alone. Also include anime filler when Naruto was late for the commencement and Konohamaru made the matter worse by leading him to the wrong path. In the end, Naruto made a surprise entrance when he was pursued by a herd of bulls to the venue.

Naruto and Shikamaru had more interactions in the anime version. Wish 'Naruto Shippuuden' can have such minor fillers in anime as well. Sigh...

Been rewatching Naruto #01 till recently #09 since last Sunday coz I had not watch properly during the first few parts till Naruto/Jiraiya's accompanying Tsunade/Shizune back to Konoha for Tsunade to take over the role as the 5th Hokage.