Puppet Master vs. Puppet Master
Episode 26 · Naruto Shippuden
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Filler or Canon?
Yes — Naruto Shippuden Episode 26 is canon. It adapts the original manga and is essential to the main story. Do not skip it. The best pure puppet battle in the franchise — a fight choreographed around physics and threads instead of energy beams, and Sakura's finest hour.
Series
Naruto Shippuden
Episode
026 / 500
Status
Manga Canon
Arc
Kazekage Rescue
Anim. Tier
S — Notable
KAZEKAGE RESCUE · EP 1–32 · 32 EPISODESYOU ARE HERE · 26 OF 32
Episode Summary
Inside Sasori's lair, the rescue mission becomes a numbers problem: Sakura and the elder Chiyo against Sasori's masterpiece collection — one hundred armed puppets pulled from a single scroll. Chiyo answers with the White Secret Technique: Ten Puppets of Chikamatsu, the squad that once conquered a castle, and the cavern turns into a storm of chakra threads, hidden blades and sealing orbs. Sakura, guided by threads herself, becomes the fist of the formation. Ten versus one hundred, with Gaara's deadline bleeding away outside.
Frequently Asked
What arc is it in?
It's part of the Kazekage Rescue arc.
Can I skip it?
No, this is essential canon — do not skip it.
Kazekage Rescue · Ep 1–32 · 32 episodes
001HomecomingMixed Canon/Filler002The Akatsuki Makes Its MoveMixed Canon/Filler003The Results of TrainingMixed Canon/Filler004The Jinchuriki of the SandMixed Canon/Filler005The Kazekage Stands TallMixed Canon/Filler006Mission ClearedMixed Canon/Filler007Dash, KankuroMixed Canon/Filler008Team Kakashi DeploysMixed Canon/Filler009The Jinchuriki's TearsMixed Canon/Filler010Sealing Jutsu: Nine Phantom DragonsMixed Canon/Filler011The Medical Ninja's StudentMixed Canon/Filler012The Retired Shinobi's DeterminationMixed Canon/Filler013A Meeting With DestinyMixed Canon/Filler014Naruto's GrowthMixed Canon/Filler015The Secret Weapon: Itachi!Mixed Canon/Filler016The Secret of the Jinchuriki!Mixed Canon/Filler017The Death of Gaara!Mixed Canon/Filler018Charge Tactic! Button Hook Entry!Mixed Canon/Filler019Traps Activated! Team Guy's EnemiesMixed Canon/Filler020Hiruko vs. Two Kunoichi!Manga Canon021Sasori's Real FaceManga Canon022A Jōnin's Hidden SkillsManga Canon023Puppet Master vs. Puppet MasterManga Canon024The Third KazekageMixed Canon/Filler025Three Minutes Between Life and DeathMixed Canon/Filler
026Puppet Master vs. Puppet MasterSManga Canon
027Impossible DreamManga Canon028Beasts: Alive Again!Manga Canon029New Team Kakashi: Infiltrating the BaseManga Canon030AestheticManga Canon031HeritageManga Canon032Return of the KazekageManga Canon720 episodes — canon, mixed, filler and best animation moments.
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