Naruto demands to know how Nagato, a fellow student of Jiraiya, became so consumed by hatred. The episode ends as Nagato begins to recount his "bloody and painful" past, setting up the flashbacks of the following episodes. English Dub Voice Cast

Naruto finally defeats the Deva Path and chooses to confront the "real" Pain (Nagato) through words rather than just force. Key Plot Summary

, titled "The Two Students" , serves as the emotional bridge between the high-octane battle with Pain and the philosophical climax of the arc. Episode Overview Original Air Date (Japan): July 22, 2010. English Dub Release: March 23, 2013.

Vic Mignogna (Real Body) and Troy Baker (Pain/Tendō) Konan: Dorothy Elias-Fahn Sakura Haruno: Kate Higgins Shikaku Nara: Jonathan Fahn Production & Themes

Critics often highlight this episode as the turning point where Naruto shifts from a standard shonen protagonist who solves problems through fighting to one who seeks to understand the "cycle of hatred".