The 32-episode season isn't a mistake; it's a vibe . It is a series that knows you have been waiting for two years, and it refuses to rush your reunion with these characters.
The plot immediately kicks into high gear when news arrives that Gaara—the new Kazekage of the Sand Village—has been kidnapped by the Akatsuki. Naruto and Team 7 (Sakura and Kakashi, with Temari and others supporting) rush to save him.
Because Season 1 is longer than a standard anime cour (quarter-year), it manages to pack in two major story arcs. Here is a quick breakdown of what you will watch in these first 32 episodes: