Spoiler-Safe Summary

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Naruto Shippuden features Naruto working to master a powerful technique amidst news of significant threats by the Akatsuki, who pursue all Tailed Beasts for their overarching goal.

Full Plot Summary

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Naruto struggles to combine the shape and elemental manipulation in the Rasengan, and feels discouraged. Elsewhere, the Akatsuki begin sealing the Two-Tails. Following Hidan’s dissent, their "leader" reveals the organization's plan to establish a war monopoly, beginning with smaller villages that need help to defend themselves, while obtaining all nine Tailed Beasts for their ultimate goal: world domination. Meanwhile, news of Asuma's death reaches Konoha just as Naruto, inspired by Kakashi, realizes the solution is to use two shadow clones instead of one to stabilize the Rasengan and infuse wind nature chakra into it. Shikamaru, after informing Tsunade of Asuma’s death, says he will personally inform Kurenai, since he has a message from Asuma.