This episode is different to the others, it had mostly a comedic tone. It shows a normal morning at Konoha, where Shikamaru wakes up before the alarm sounds, and he's too lazy to shut it down (what a feeling). Kiba and Akamaru scare a dog who was chasing a cat. And, while Izumo and Kotetsu guard Konoha entrance, as always, Gai comes running with Kakashi on his back. He claims the first spot, Lee comes next, but Gai tells him that Kakashi was second. Shortly after Neji, Tenten, Naruto and Sakura arrive, still embarrased by Gai's attitude. Anyway, Sakura says they should take their sensei to the hospital, given how tired he looks. There, Tsunade tells that he has to stay there for a week, because using the Mangekyo Sharingan caused such fatigue. A funny moment comes when Naruto tries to take a look to Kakashi's face, which is covered by sheets (there's a small glimpse of the cheeks, normal). Sakura notices this and with a simple look makes Naruto to stay quiet. Then, she follows Tsunade and tells her about Sasori's last words, the encounter with his spy on 6 says now (4 days passed already). The Hokage considers that it could be a trap, but Sakura doesn't believe it. Shizune thinks they should Naruto out of the mission, to keep him safe at Konoha, but Tsunade declines because he and Sakura are compromised in bringing Sasuke back, it's their common goal which makes the mission more important for them. Besides, to Shizune and Sakura's surprise, Naruto has followed them and listened the entire conversation, so he decides to look for another team member (Tsunade said they needed another one because they're short). And so, Naruto wanders by the streets a member who has to be good, friendly, but ugly enough for Sakura. Suddenly he encounters Shino, but he doesn't recognize him because he's wearing a jacket with a hood, and different glasses (at first, I couldn't recognize him either). Only when Shino talks a little about how known people may get hurt if he doesn't remember them, Naruto realizes. Then, Kiba and Akamaru appear. Naruto recognizes him inmediatly, and is surprised that Akamaru grew up from a puppy to a big dog in 2 years. Shino is upset because Naruto recognized Kiba instantly. These were funny moments, especially because of Shino. Then, they hear Hinata, and Naruto finds her hidden behind a verge. But she's stunned because he was absent for two years, and when she sees him, she faints. This was kind of funny too, as Shino is more upset because Naruto also recognized her instantly. The only difference is that now her hair is longer. Anyway, they take her next to a tree. Naruto asks the two of them to join him on a mission, but turns out they have one with Kurenai. When Hinata wakes up, he asks her, but she faints again. This was funny, but I have my personal opinion, seems like Hinata hasn't matured much, she behaves in front of Naruto, worst than 3 years before (Back then at least she could maintain a conversation with him). Anyway, Naruto leaves to look the one friend who would not disappoint him: Shikamaru. But he says he's busy with the exams, and Tsunade won't let him out of it. Then, Choji appears, he's a little bit taller and bigger, wears red, yet he's as kind as always. He tells Naruto that he'll talk to Asuma so that way he can let him join their mission, even though Shikamaru thinks that won't be possible because Asuma will have to ask permission to Tsunade. While they talk, Sai, who was over a roof watching, attacks them with ink beasts. Choji easily crushes them, while Shikamaru and Naruto plan a counterattack. This way the most comedic episode of Shippuden so far ends. The only familiar face left to appear is Ino, that will happen on next episode.
See also
Awards | FAQ | User Ratings | External Reviews | Metacritic Reviews
