Naruto is finally ready for the next stage of his training. Kakashi shows him that he knows how to make a rasengan too, but this upsets Naruto, who now thinks it's not as special as before. He thinks his work with Jiraiya wasn't that great then. But Kakashi doesn't mean to boast. He shows him the chidori, the two jutsus are different, the rasengan only involves the change of shape in chakra, the chidori involves the lightning nature. The next step for Naruto is to add the wind nature to the rasengan, for what I understood, to make it a sphere that blows and cuts like the wind. Kakashi also tells Naruto that the 4th Hokage invented the rasengan, but he intended to add the change of nature, only that he didn't get to do it. He thinks Naruto is the only one who can surpass the 4th Hokage. The protagonist is surprised, and he begins to try, now he is on his own, this justu is personal. Kakashi tells Yamato that he really meant what he said, about surpassing the 4th. This is another step to confirming the implied revelation that Naruro is the 4th Hokage's son. Jiraiya already said when he met Naruto how much he reminded him of his pupil, and looking at their image, hair color, eyes, it's clear. That's why Kakashi firmly believes in him, he knew his sensei well, and know he trusts his son to continue his legacy. Naruto obviously doesn't know this, and seemingly Yamato neither. Anyway, he makes hundreds of clones, and tries modifying the rasengan, but usually it turns out of control and blows the clones away. He thinks the problem is that he must look at the right and the left at the same time. Sakura and Sai come to check on Naruto's training as usual, they're amazed by the amount of clones. Sai is honest about the food pills, but she denies they're disgusting. She previously explained that they're a little bitter but she added tasty flavours. The pills are nutritious, full of medicine, still, when she eats one, she realizes Sai was right. This means she never ate one before, only tasted a piece. However, this was the brief comedic side of the episode, and continues their appearances during the last episodes.
As for the rest, Hidan and Kakuzu reach the recollection spot for the bounty at the bathroom from a lonely building. Turns out there are five spots in the Land of Fire, each team gets to the closer one from where they are. As logical, the team with Asuma reaches the spot where the enemy went, given they left the temple too. In the road, Shikamaru asks Asuma how close he was to Chiriku given that he quit smoking two days ago. Asuma admits that they were friends like Shikamaru and Choji are, appreciates his concern, but there's another reason of why he quit smoking. Anyway, Asuma tells he knew Chiriku's power, so he's aware that the Akatsuki may be really strong. The team with Raido, Aoba, Ino and Choji are on their way to another spot, Ino feels insecure about if they can defeat the Akatsuki. Choji calms her down, and reminds her that they'll meet Shikamaru's team surely. He trusts Asuma's lessons. Meanwhile, at the recollection spot, Hidan complains about the smell, not only from the bathroom, also from the dead bodies. Kakuzu, who is the most interested in money, and is in charge of Akatsuki's finances, collects the bounty. While he counts the money, Hidan decides to wait outside. Then Kakuzu tells the man in charge of the bounties, that he can't have another colleague than Hidan, because when bothered, his killer instinct makes him murder anyone, but Hidan is immortal. He also tells that they must capture the jinchuriki of nine tails at Konoha, and leaves. Outside, as Hidan waits, notices someone behind him, and thinks he's Kakuzu. But instead, a battle will begin. This part was very well done, it was kept the intrigue til the end about which team was going to find the Akatsuki. Also, the final confirmation about Hidan's immortality makes anyone think how it's possible, how it works. The fact that Asuma quit smoking doesn't seem that important given the situation, but considering the real reason, it is. One of the best arcs of all Shippuden without doubt.
As for the rest, Hidan and Kakuzu reach the recollection spot for the bounty at the bathroom from a lonely building. Turns out there are five spots in the Land of Fire, each team gets to the closer one from where they are. As logical, the team with Asuma reaches the spot where the enemy went, given they left the temple too. In the road, Shikamaru asks Asuma how close he was to Chiriku given that he quit smoking two days ago. Asuma admits that they were friends like Shikamaru and Choji are, appreciates his concern, but there's another reason of why he quit smoking. Anyway, Asuma tells he knew Chiriku's power, so he's aware that the Akatsuki may be really strong. The team with Raido, Aoba, Ino and Choji are on their way to another spot, Ino feels insecure about if they can defeat the Akatsuki. Choji calms her down, and reminds her that they'll meet Shikamaru's team surely. He trusts Asuma's lessons. Meanwhile, at the recollection spot, Hidan complains about the smell, not only from the bathroom, also from the dead bodies. Kakuzu, who is the most interested in money, and is in charge of Akatsuki's finances, collects the bounty. While he counts the money, Hidan decides to wait outside. Then Kakuzu tells the man in charge of the bounties, that he can't have another colleague than Hidan, because when bothered, his killer instinct makes him murder anyone, but Hidan is immortal. He also tells that they must capture the jinchuriki of nine tails at Konoha, and leaves. Outside, as Hidan waits, notices someone behind him, and thinks he's Kakuzu. But instead, a battle will begin. This part was very well done, it was kept the intrigue til the end about which team was going to find the Akatsuki. Also, the final confirmation about Hidan's immortality makes anyone think how it's possible, how it works. The fact that Asuma quit smoking doesn't seem that important given the situation, but considering the real reason, it is. One of the best arcs of all Shippuden without doubt.
