At Suna, Baki and the rest of the village awaits at the entrance for the Kazekage. Gaara, Naruto and the whole group arrive at the sunrise, they receive a warm welcome. Everyone claps and cheers for the safe return, Baki is the first to meet them. The people make a hallway for them, but Gaara wisely decides that Chiyo's body, taken by Ebiso, Sakura, and some Suna shinobi, must enter first. Baki orders a minute of silence for Chiyo, and then the rest proceed to enter the village. Gaara walks held by Kankuro and Naruto, while a tired Kakashi is held by Gai. This welcome scene was magnificent. Sends a very good feeling to see Gaara welcomed as a hero, as a acclaimed leader, and he deserves it. Everyone saw how he gave eveything, he sacrificed himself to save each person when Deidara attacked. He took all the blast, and Suna people remember that. And considering the viewer won't see Naruto as Hokage in Shippuden, this gives an idea. Also, when Baki thanked Naruto, he honestly told that he wasn't the hero, he almost did nothing (according to him), instead, he said that Chiyo should be thanked. I loved his modesty here, it's true that Chiyo made the sacrifice, but were Naruto's tears and commitment, what moved her to make that sacrifice. At Konoha, when Tsunade receives the message from Suna which reveals the outcome of the mission, Shizune wonders if it was a risk to send Naruto. But Tsunade explains that she sent him because he understands Gaara better than anyone, and because the power he has to make people trust him. Tsunade was one of the first persons to change thanks to him, she already knows what he is capable of.
Then, Kankuro and Temari ask both teams to stay a little, but Naruto, Sakura and Kakashi tell that they must report the complete story to the Hokage. Plus, they want to be at Konoha to protect it in case the Akatsuki appear. Before parting, they go with Ebiso to visit Chiyo's grave. They silently say goodbye, while Ebiso tells how his sister deserves the grave so people will remember her. Naruto and Sakura stay there a little longer, staring at it, and at last Sakura leaves after placing her hand over the grave. This scene was really nice (with an amazing score again), granny Chiyo deserved that sign of respect. To bury a person and visit the grave is always an important sign, gesture, where people can show their tribute, respect, feeling for the person who passed away. It's not to be forgotten easily. Plus, showed another moment where Naruto and Sakura are connected by a common experience. Both of them met Chiyo, and felt a bond towards her, each one for their own reasons, Sakura because their experience in the battle, and mutual care, Naruto because how he touched her and how she helped to save Gaara, someone like him. I mention this because it's another step in the development of their relationship, common experiences they cannot share with nobody else. Then, they all share a farewell with Gaara, Kankuro and Temari. Naruto tells he's not good at this, so Gaara offers his hands, and helps him with the sand, so they can shake them. It was a symbolic scene, as the alliance between Suna and Konoha, the true friendship between Naruto and Gaara. Another brilliant moment that this arc showed, with a perfect score. Then, the Konoha teams depart, and Gai decides to charge Kakashi on his back, given how exhausted he is. As he runs, Naruto, Sakura, Tenten and Neji feel embarrased for the situation, unlike Lee, who praises Gai for training. This was comical relief.
To finish, there were 3 character introductions. First, it's revealed that Deidara survived the blast, as he used a clay clone. He's surprised that the Konoha teams survived, but he took the chance to hide and escape. Then, Zetsu and the mysterious Tobi aka Obito visit the place where Sasori died, and recover the Akatsuki ring. Zetsu is surprised to finally see Sasori's true face, while Tobi plays a character pretending to be dumb. Later they meet Deidara, who recovers his right arm (the one he lost because of Kakashi's kamui). Tobi jokes about it, and Zetsu is serious because Naruto escaped. About this, I don't get Tobi's act. Zetsu always knew who he was, and Madara's plan, so pretending that he's a rookie who wants to join Akatsuki makes no sense. They could have painted him as a common member like the others. Anyway, the other introductions are Danzo and Sai. Danzo tells that Sai will be named in Kakashi's team.
Then, Kankuro and Temari ask both teams to stay a little, but Naruto, Sakura and Kakashi tell that they must report the complete story to the Hokage. Plus, they want to be at Konoha to protect it in case the Akatsuki appear. Before parting, they go with Ebiso to visit Chiyo's grave. They silently say goodbye, while Ebiso tells how his sister deserves the grave so people will remember her. Naruto and Sakura stay there a little longer, staring at it, and at last Sakura leaves after placing her hand over the grave. This scene was really nice (with an amazing score again), granny Chiyo deserved that sign of respect. To bury a person and visit the grave is always an important sign, gesture, where people can show their tribute, respect, feeling for the person who passed away. It's not to be forgotten easily. Plus, showed another moment where Naruto and Sakura are connected by a common experience. Both of them met Chiyo, and felt a bond towards her, each one for their own reasons, Sakura because their experience in the battle, and mutual care, Naruto because how he touched her and how she helped to save Gaara, someone like him. I mention this because it's another step in the development of their relationship, common experiences they cannot share with nobody else. Then, they all share a farewell with Gaara, Kankuro and Temari. Naruto tells he's not good at this, so Gaara offers his hands, and helps him with the sand, so they can shake them. It was a symbolic scene, as the alliance between Suna and Konoha, the true friendship between Naruto and Gaara. Another brilliant moment that this arc showed, with a perfect score. Then, the Konoha teams depart, and Gai decides to charge Kakashi on his back, given how exhausted he is. As he runs, Naruto, Sakura, Tenten and Neji feel embarrased for the situation, unlike Lee, who praises Gai for training. This was comical relief.
To finish, there were 3 character introductions. First, it's revealed that Deidara survived the blast, as he used a clay clone. He's surprised that the Konoha teams survived, but he took the chance to hide and escape. Then, Zetsu and the mysterious Tobi aka Obito visit the place where Sasori died, and recover the Akatsuki ring. Zetsu is surprised to finally see Sasori's true face, while Tobi plays a character pretending to be dumb. Later they meet Deidara, who recovers his right arm (the one he lost because of Kakashi's kamui). Tobi jokes about it, and Zetsu is serious because Naruto escaped. About this, I don't get Tobi's act. Zetsu always knew who he was, and Madara's plan, so pretending that he's a rookie who wants to join Akatsuki makes no sense. They could have painted him as a common member like the others. Anyway, the other introductions are Danzo and Sai. Danzo tells that Sai will be named in Kakashi's team.
