The assault to Konoha goes on. Sakura and Choji go to the hospital after seeing the many injured people and destruction around town. There, a medic ninja says that since Shizune is absent, there's no one in charge and asks her to take care of the hospital. She sees the many hurt people, bandaged, damaged, and doubts because of the responsibility. But she thinks what Tsunade would do, and when Choji offers her food pills, she starts giving them to the injured people. She then orders the people who can walk to go to the shelters, and for the rest, she divides in three groups, from mildly injured to severely wounded. She inmediatly starts healing people. Choji, searchs for his father, and goes to the battlefield. This part was great, showed Sakura being useful and respected thanks to her learning from Tsunade. The shinobi considers her highly because the Hokage chose her to be her student, and after three years, the medic ninja surely respect her for what she can do. Sakura is doing one of the most important parts when a village is attacked by healing everyone and directing a hospital. She is growing as a person here, much more than any others of her generation. Choji is as kind as always, as he took the food pills thinking about the people who need it, and not himself. Then, Shikamaru finds Kurenai and saves her from a creature by using his shadow and paper bombs. He tells her that he couldn't face Asuma if something happens to her or the baby, and wants to accompany her to the tunnels that lead to Konoha shelters. Shikamaru here manages to keep his promise to Asuma, and also control a safe way to the shelters by accompanying Kurenai. The character is always good.
As for the rest, Homura and Koharu from the Konoha council, are updated and influenced by Danzo to suggest Tsunade against calling Naruto. They think that keeping the jinchuriki away from Akatsuki is the best for the world and will help Konoha (looks like they think Pain will leave the village if Naruto is out). But when the two do this, she gets upset and reminds them that Hiruzen, Jiraiya and even Chiyo trusted Naruto, he is not a kid anymore or a weapon to use and hide, he is a shinobi willing to protect Konoha with his life. This is remembered with several flashbacks (including Jiraiya's words of leaving a legacy for the next generations, and another with Hiruzen's words about the Will of Fire), and moments of the present, showing the young ninja protecting the village, Sakura in the hospital, Kurenai along others close to enter the shelters. So, having their suggestion rejected, Homura and Koharu let her do what she wants. Then, Shizune comes in and tells the Hokage what she discovered. She agrees on what it means, and sends her with an ANBU team to talk to Inoichi, that way, with the complete information they can solve the mystery. Tsunade finally sends the messenger toad to tell Naruto about the attack, and goes to the roof to help the people. There, she invokes Katsuyu and sends her to every place in the village to heal and save people, using her chakra. A team of shinobi is there to protect her as well (Hayate's sister including). But a problem happens in the office while nobody is around: Danzo kills the messenger toad right in time so Naruto won't know about the assault. In the meantime, at Mount Myoboku, Gamakichi is surprised about Naruto's progress while mastering gen jutsu: he could stay quiet and balanced on the higher spire. Looks like he is done with this, and is ready for the next. About this part, the moment between Tsunade and the council is a known plotline, for some reason, the two old shinobis usually listen to Danzo. It's like they don't use their mind, like they don't think, just do what he says. The flasbacks were a bit overused except for some. Still, was good to remember Chiyo, Hiruzen and Jiraiya. Tsunade's moment on the roof, and the future prove that she wants to protect the village with her life. So it's weird the attitude from Homura and Koharu. These are two tertiary characters with zero development. Danzo is like a bad mind in Konoha, an exception to the goodness in the village. He wants to protect it, but he puts his ambitions first.
The episode finishes with Kakashi saving Iruka from Tendo Pain. Both obviously refused to say anything about Naruto's location. Kakashi allowed Iruka to leave with a rescued man, while he handles the Akatsuki. He also says that he knows his plan, that he divided two teams to distract and search. Was good to see Iruka saving people, he always puts others first. Still, I'd have liked to see Iruka in action. I know he can't defeat Pain, but his skills and techniques were never really shown. Then, I don't think that putting Kakashi on a fight with Tendo Pain was a great idea.
As for the rest, Homura and Koharu from the Konoha council, are updated and influenced by Danzo to suggest Tsunade against calling Naruto. They think that keeping the jinchuriki away from Akatsuki is the best for the world and will help Konoha (looks like they think Pain will leave the village if Naruto is out). But when the two do this, she gets upset and reminds them that Hiruzen, Jiraiya and even Chiyo trusted Naruto, he is not a kid anymore or a weapon to use and hide, he is a shinobi willing to protect Konoha with his life. This is remembered with several flashbacks (including Jiraiya's words of leaving a legacy for the next generations, and another with Hiruzen's words about the Will of Fire), and moments of the present, showing the young ninja protecting the village, Sakura in the hospital, Kurenai along others close to enter the shelters. So, having their suggestion rejected, Homura and Koharu let her do what she wants. Then, Shizune comes in and tells the Hokage what she discovered. She agrees on what it means, and sends her with an ANBU team to talk to Inoichi, that way, with the complete information they can solve the mystery. Tsunade finally sends the messenger toad to tell Naruto about the attack, and goes to the roof to help the people. There, she invokes Katsuyu and sends her to every place in the village to heal and save people, using her chakra. A team of shinobi is there to protect her as well (Hayate's sister including). But a problem happens in the office while nobody is around: Danzo kills the messenger toad right in time so Naruto won't know about the assault. In the meantime, at Mount Myoboku, Gamakichi is surprised about Naruto's progress while mastering gen jutsu: he could stay quiet and balanced on the higher spire. Looks like he is done with this, and is ready for the next. About this part, the moment between Tsunade and the council is a known plotline, for some reason, the two old shinobis usually listen to Danzo. It's like they don't use their mind, like they don't think, just do what he says. The flasbacks were a bit overused except for some. Still, was good to remember Chiyo, Hiruzen and Jiraiya. Tsunade's moment on the roof, and the future prove that she wants to protect the village with her life. So it's weird the attitude from Homura and Koharu. These are two tertiary characters with zero development. Danzo is like a bad mind in Konoha, an exception to the goodness in the village. He wants to protect it, but he puts his ambitions first.
The episode finishes with Kakashi saving Iruka from Tendo Pain. Both obviously refused to say anything about Naruto's location. Kakashi allowed Iruka to leave with a rescued man, while he handles the Akatsuki. He also says that he knows his plan, that he divided two teams to distract and search. Was good to see Iruka saving people, he always puts others first. Still, I'd have liked to see Iruka in action. I know he can't defeat Pain, but his skills and techniques were never really shown. Then, I don't think that putting Kakashi on a fight with Tendo Pain was a great idea.
