Here begins a new arc on Naruto's storyline. A meeting is held with the Lord of the Land of Fire (a guy who looks like a dumb whiny rich man), and his counselors, while Shikaku, an ANBU, Danzo, Koharu and Homura, represent Konoha. A counselor tells that they will invest money and resources to rebuild Konoha, yet Danzo wants the Lord to decide the next Hokage inmediatly. The Lord would wait for Tsunade to wake, but Danzo refuses, and Koharu says she is partially guilty for what happened. Here I want to make a small comment. I think that this meeting wasn't in the manga, still, Koharu was delusional. To blame Tsunade for what Pain caused it's the most ridiculous thing to say. Why not blame Akatsuki? Tsunade gave her life for the village, and this is how they pay her. Then, when the Lord asks who could be, Shikaku suggests Kakashi, he very aware of Danzo's intentions. Though the Lord and the counselors agree, Danzo reacts and convinces them that the predecessors did everything wrong, including Jiraiya, who was Pain's sensei. He says he will be the Hokage and change the village's ruling for good. The Lord, dominated by fear, accepts it, even though Shikaku questions Danzo's harsh attitude. In the meantime, Shizune cares, and watches the sleeping Tsunade in a tent. Sakura, Naruto and Kakashi know that she is in a coma because she protected Konoha with her life. Soon, the team sent by the Raikage arrives at the village. They are surprised by the destruction, and after being updated, the cold blonde Samui simply asks to see the Hokage to deliver the letter. She is led to the tent, where Shizune tells her about Tsunade's state. She wants to receive the letter, as Samui demands an answer, even by a sub Hokage, but suddenly, Danzo appears, saying he is the 6th Hokage. This leaves Shizune stunned, but Samui gives him the letter anyway, which is about Sasuke's crimes. Danzo gives the answer Samui wanted. News fly fast, Sai is forced to abandon his mission with Anko, while Kiba goes to tell Kakashi, Naruto and Sakura about the new Hokage. They are shocked, Sakura can't believe what they did to Tsunade. Kiba also tells that Danzo gave the permission to eliminate Sasuke, something Tsunade never clarified. Naruto and Sakura are outraged, both want to talk to Danzo, so Kakashi calms them down. He tells that nothing said will change Danzo's mind, besides, he wants Naruto as the jinchuriki locked inside Konoha. Later, Sai meets Danzo, who orders him to keep watching Naruto. When Sai asks his intentions, Danzo simply says that Naruto now is the hero of Konoha, he is more trustful and untouchable, still, must be watched because he is the jinchuriki. Sai understands and leaves. Then, Naruto and Sakura casually find him, and ask him everything about Danzo. But Sai cannot talk because he has a curse mark on his tongue, that way, even if captured, he or anyone from Root won't divulge information about Danzo. That's extreme (Sakura can't believe how cruel it is), but it's the reality of those who protect Konoha from the shadows, according to Sai. When they mention the order to eliminate Sasuke, Sai is surprised, he didn't know. Suddenly, Omoi and Karui appear, and demands them information about the Uchiha. Karui threatens with a sword, so a brief fight starts. Naruto defends and counter attacks with Sai's sword, but in the middle, Omoi hits Sakura, forcing him to rescue her. Then, they tell what he did to killer B, their sensei, and want justice (or revenge like Pain said). The three are shocked to hear this, nor Naruto or Sakura can't believe it. And worst, when they hear that Sasuke joined Akatsuki. The Kumogakure ninjas confirm everything is true, and demand answers. Sai tells them that the information they look should have been given (by Danzo), so they tell that Samui has it, but they are looking their own sources. Sakura cries, while Naruto is still with her, and asks if their sensei is a jinchuriki. Naruto then tells that he one too, and that Akatsuki captures them alive. He agrees to tell them everything he knows about Akatsuki, and to help them to save Killer B. He then tells Sakura that he will handle this. All this part had its tense moments, the unfair, the ridiculous, the stunning. Anyway, the decline is evident when compared to the arcs of Gaara's rescue or Hidan and Kakuzu. Sasuke's issue is once again on the table. He basically ruins Naruto and Sakura as characters. This because they wanted to convince Danzo of something impossible. What Kakashi said was the truth, any other village would have taken worst measures against a deserter. Still, nor Danzo or Samui or the Raikage should question Tsunade's decision. She sent the best she could to stop, or retrieve Sasuke as a prisoner. But he was protected by Orochimaru, and then by Akatsuki (Kisame, Itachi and Tobi) so what else she was supposed to do? Send an army of ANBU? Sasuke was as dangerous as other Akatsuki, so it would have been useless. Naruto's obsession at least made him more compromised with the mission. Tsunade's decisions were adequate. Then, considering the confrontation with Karui and Omoi, it's incredible because at the end it's all a misunderstanding. Killer B actually faked his capture, and escaped, otherwise, this scandal wouldn't exist. These two ninjas don't know that their sensei actually gave the beaten of his life to Sasuke, and he got away with it. He caused him an humilliation. So all this is for nothing. Still, Naruto and Sakura's reaction is exaggerated as usual. Showing her crying is ridiculous, Sasuke has been absent for more than three years, he is way on the past now. He showed he was nothing close to what they remembered. About Sasuke, Kishimoto failed big time. Then, Danzo being appointed as Hokage turns out to be bad for the plotline. He has become a dislikable character, complex and dark, he is not the person to represent a village like Konoha. No matter what Sai says about protecting the village from the dark, there is no way to justify him. Some of his decisions can make sense, but what the future will show, makes him a gory figure. His background could have been better, but it was terribly made at the end.
To finish, the misleaded Taka group are on their way to Konoha, until Obito stops them. He tells that they failed to capture the Hachibi, Killer B fooled them. Sasuke then remembers, he thinks he saw everything with his Sharingan until he realizes that when he cut the tentacle to save Karin, that was the key moment. Though Sasuke says that they left Akatsuki, and intends to go anyway to Konoha, Obito stops him. Sasuke tries to attack him with chidori but he goes though him like everyone. Obito then explains him what happened with Pain, the attack, and the recently called Kage Summit, all because the scandal at Kumogakure (and well, Yugito's capture contributed too). So, he gives them a new task to release them, while Zetsu informs all that Danzo is the new Hokage. Sasuke is stunned. This part simply shows Sasuke's humilliation. First, because he realizes that Killer B fooled him. And second, because he realizes that he can't touch Obito. He has to follow his orders, and is being manipulated again. Itachi tried to warn him, not to be reckless, or to not rely too much on himself.
To finish, the misleaded Taka group are on their way to Konoha, until Obito stops them. He tells that they failed to capture the Hachibi, Killer B fooled them. Sasuke then remembers, he thinks he saw everything with his Sharingan until he realizes that when he cut the tentacle to save Karin, that was the key moment. Though Sasuke says that they left Akatsuki, and intends to go anyway to Konoha, Obito stops him. Sasuke tries to attack him with chidori but he goes though him like everyone. Obito then explains him what happened with Pain, the attack, and the recently called Kage Summit, all because the scandal at Kumogakure (and well, Yugito's capture contributed too). So, he gives them a new task to release them, while Zetsu informs all that Danzo is the new Hokage. Sasuke is stunned. This part simply shows Sasuke's humilliation. First, because he realizes that Killer B fooled him. And second, because he realizes that he can't touch Obito. He has to follow his orders, and is being manipulated again. Itachi tried to warn him, not to be reckless, or to not rely too much on himself.
