The narrative shifts to the Academy, where Naruto and Sasuke are shown in their first sparring match. While Sasuke wins easily, Naruto notices the immense hatred in Sasuke's eyes—a pain similar to his own but directed differently.

, titled "Meeting," is a nostalgic recap episode that originally aired in English on August 30, 2014. It marks the beginning of a four-week special anniversary arc designed to retell the story of Naruto and Sasuke’s bond with updated, modern animation before the Fourth Shinobi World War begins in earnest. Plot Overview

Some fans felt the filler scenes made the Third Hokage appear "cold" for his refusal to talk to Naruto about his parents.

The episode serves as a "remastered" look at the early days of the series, primarily through flashbacks.

Hiruzen Sarutobi visits Naruto to deliver his monthly allowance. In a poignant moment, Naruto asks about his parents, but Hiruzen avoids the topic, stating that talking about the dead won’t bring them back.

The episode introduced a new opening theme focused on the upcoming war and a well-received ending theme highlighting the Naruto vs. Sasuke rivalry. Meeting (episode 257) | Narutopedia | Fandom