This episode is divided in two parts basically. One is delayed chronologically in my opinion, and the other is too forward. The most important part is that finally is showed the reaction in Konoha to Jiraiya's death. Almost 20 episodes later, more than ten skipping fillers. The first critic is that they should have published this episode sooner. Anyway, the plotline starts with Naruto back home, lying on his bed, saddened and thoughtful about Sasuke's disappearance and Itachi's death. Here is revealed what Itachi talked to Naruto: he asked him what he would do if Sasuke returned to Konoha with the intention to destroy it. What if he can't bring Sasuke back and must confront him in order to protect Konoha? Would he prioritize Sasuke or Konoha? Naruto couldn't believe why the young Uchiha would do that in the future, so Itachi that he is young and easy to manipulate, to being influenced. Naruto then answers that he would find a way to protect Konoha without killing Sasuke. Itachi says he's still a kid, what he said doesn't make sense, a shinobi must take hard decisions sometimes. Naruto remembers what Jiraiya told him about Sasuke (similar words), but he tells he can't take back his words, he has no choice, that's his ninja way. Itachi smiles and sends a crow inside him, it's part of his power, but hopes that he won't have to use it. Naruto can't understand much what happened, and wonders where's Sasuke now. This small part closes somehow Itachi's arc. This tells that he prevented what Tobi could do to Sasuke, that he would manipulate him to destroy Konoha, against Itachi's wishes. What he wanted from Naruto is to take care of the situation, but it's unclear how. If I relate what Itachi did, well, he killed his parents (suffered but he did it), to protect Konoha and maintain peace. That was the hardest decision he made as a shinobi. He didn't kill Sasuke because he was innocent, just a kid, and he loved him as his brother, he was the King, like the Sarutobis would say. But now, how different would be that decision for Naruto? Sasuke is not a kid anymore, he may be influenced by Tobi, but he's not innocent. He is aware of what he does. Being reasonable, Naruto as a shinobi who wants to become Hokage like his father, should be able to take a hard decision, and kill Sasuke to protect the Hidden Leaf village, including the King (as Asuma describes him). The other option, is that Itachi entrusted Naruto his will to protect Konoha and Sasuke at the same time. And so, he was testing him to see if he could do it. When he smiled and passed to him the crow, he was glad to see that Naruto wanted Sasuke alive as well. Now, this is the ideal option, but no one should ignore what Sasuke does in the meantime. Is his life more important than Konoha and all the lives of the innocent children there? No. So the priority is clear, Sasuke's fate should depend on the eventual situation. On Naruto's universe, some villains are killed because they are brutal, serious assassins (Hidan, Kakuzu, Sasori, Orochimaru), and they don't regret nothing. The question will be how to measure Sasuke.
Then, Naruto is called by Kakashi, who accompanies to talk to Tsunade. In the road, they see Gamabunta and Gamakichi. Naruto wonders why they are there, and the giant toad tells his son that their leader (Fukasaku) will handle this. When they enter the Hokage's office, Tsunade, Shizune, Sakura, Sai, Fukasaku, Gerotora are waiting. They are all serious and Fukasaku is introduced as Jiraiya's master. The old toad recognizes Naruto as Jiraiya's student, so tells him the news, and what happened in Amegakure. During the talk, Naruto remains shocked and silent, while the others comment. Fukasaku mentions the Rinnegan from Nagato, surprising Shizune and Kakashi. Tsunade tells about the three orphans and how Jiraiya looked after them during the war. She struggles to learn what those kids became. Fukasaku also tells about the six Pains, and that whatever Jiraiya discovered about, wrote it in a number code on his back. Then, Naruto asks Tsunade why she let Jiraiya leave in such reckless mission, and blames her because she knew him better than anyone. Kakashi stops him, as she understands very well how he feels. Still, Naruto leaves saying that if Jiraiya was Hokage, he wouldn't have let her go on such mission. Sakura is worried, asks him where he is going, and wants to follow him, but Tsunade tells her that the best is to leave him alone. Fukasaku agrees and recognizes how much Naruto cherished his sensei. While he walks on the street, memories about their travels run on his mind. This was the most awaited moment since Jiraiya's death. The best part of the episode. Here Naruto lost not only his sensei, also his grandfather. Jiraiya was the closest man to his family, his parents, the person who spent most time with him during his whole life. He took care of him, and loved him like his grandson. This is Naruto's bigger loss since he didn't meet his parents. Blaming Tsunade was a reaction, but he knew well his sensei too, so he should know that Jiraiya died giving his best, with a smile on his face. He left a legacy for Naruto to follow. Like the flashback with Tsunade showed, that's something great old people can do. That's what the 3rd Hokage did, and Jiraiya learned from him. Then, Fukasaku's dialogues were very well written. Tsunade didn't say much, and didn't discuss with Naruto because she was feeling the grief like him. Sakura was once again perfectly written, she felt the sadness since the beginning, she knew how much this would affect Naruto. And she knew Jiraiya for being close to her partner and for being Tsunade's student. Being worried about Naruto was the natural reaction, even that need to try to comfort him, be there for him. That was Sakura's love. But as Tsunade knows, they need have their own grief and mourn.
On the other part of the episode, the most forwarded, Sasuke and Jugo deliver the unconcious Killer B to Tobi. They go to recover given the damage received, and Sasuke says that after that he'll destroy Konoha. Then, Obito recalls Sasuke's motives: he wants revenge on the three old persons who forced Itachi to kill his parents and the entire Uchiha clan. He also wants to punish Konoha for living peacefully with Itachi's sacrifice. He says that to him, his brother's life is more important than Konoha, which is what Obito told about Itachi, that he felt that too. I already reviewed this, Sasuke is being manipulated, but he is also following his father's wishes. Still, if Sasuke is serious about killing anyone who doesn't like what he thinks, and about committing a massacre in Konoha, he is losing his head. And it would be worst than what Itachi thought. Then, Sasuke's mental status is becoming a serious issue. To finish, as bad news fly, the Raikage is told about the capture of killer b, and that an Uchiha was responsible. He swears he will retrieve his brother. One comment: the Raikage is going to be a fierce, a strong character.
Then, Naruto is called by Kakashi, who accompanies to talk to Tsunade. In the road, they see Gamabunta and Gamakichi. Naruto wonders why they are there, and the giant toad tells his son that their leader (Fukasaku) will handle this. When they enter the Hokage's office, Tsunade, Shizune, Sakura, Sai, Fukasaku, Gerotora are waiting. They are all serious and Fukasaku is introduced as Jiraiya's master. The old toad recognizes Naruto as Jiraiya's student, so tells him the news, and what happened in Amegakure. During the talk, Naruto remains shocked and silent, while the others comment. Fukasaku mentions the Rinnegan from Nagato, surprising Shizune and Kakashi. Tsunade tells about the three orphans and how Jiraiya looked after them during the war. She struggles to learn what those kids became. Fukasaku also tells about the six Pains, and that whatever Jiraiya discovered about, wrote it in a number code on his back. Then, Naruto asks Tsunade why she let Jiraiya leave in such reckless mission, and blames her because she knew him better than anyone. Kakashi stops him, as she understands very well how he feels. Still, Naruto leaves saying that if Jiraiya was Hokage, he wouldn't have let her go on such mission. Sakura is worried, asks him where he is going, and wants to follow him, but Tsunade tells her that the best is to leave him alone. Fukasaku agrees and recognizes how much Naruto cherished his sensei. While he walks on the street, memories about their travels run on his mind. This was the most awaited moment since Jiraiya's death. The best part of the episode. Here Naruto lost not only his sensei, also his grandfather. Jiraiya was the closest man to his family, his parents, the person who spent most time with him during his whole life. He took care of him, and loved him like his grandson. This is Naruto's bigger loss since he didn't meet his parents. Blaming Tsunade was a reaction, but he knew well his sensei too, so he should know that Jiraiya died giving his best, with a smile on his face. He left a legacy for Naruto to follow. Like the flashback with Tsunade showed, that's something great old people can do. That's what the 3rd Hokage did, and Jiraiya learned from him. Then, Fukasaku's dialogues were very well written. Tsunade didn't say much, and didn't discuss with Naruto because she was feeling the grief like him. Sakura was once again perfectly written, she felt the sadness since the beginning, she knew how much this would affect Naruto. And she knew Jiraiya for being close to her partner and for being Tsunade's student. Being worried about Naruto was the natural reaction, even that need to try to comfort him, be there for him. That was Sakura's love. But as Tsunade knows, they need have their own grief and mourn.
On the other part of the episode, the most forwarded, Sasuke and Jugo deliver the unconcious Killer B to Tobi. They go to recover given the damage received, and Sasuke says that after that he'll destroy Konoha. Then, Obito recalls Sasuke's motives: he wants revenge on the three old persons who forced Itachi to kill his parents and the entire Uchiha clan. He also wants to punish Konoha for living peacefully with Itachi's sacrifice. He says that to him, his brother's life is more important than Konoha, which is what Obito told about Itachi, that he felt that too. I already reviewed this, Sasuke is being manipulated, but he is also following his father's wishes. Still, if Sasuke is serious about killing anyone who doesn't like what he thinks, and about committing a massacre in Konoha, he is losing his head. And it would be worst than what Itachi thought. Then, Sasuke's mental status is becoming a serious issue. To finish, as bad news fly, the Raikage is told about the capture of killer b, and that an Uchiha was responsible. He swears he will retrieve his brother. One comment: the Raikage is going to be a fierce, a strong character.
