This could be considered the last great arc in Naruto, and here ends a good stage of all the story. The next episode shows the beginning of Pain's assault, which brings some strange plotholes on the storyline. What I mean, is that a slow unstable decline will begin after this episode. Anyway, here, Naruto continues his training to master the sen jutsu, this time, without the toad oil. But even with two clones, he can't keep the balance to concentrate natural energy and ends up behaving like a toad, forcing Fukasaku to use his cane. The old toad then decides to take him to the tall rock spires from the Mount Myoboku, and tells him that to progress on his training, he must remain quiet sitting on a rock table over the top of the spires. That way, if he moves even a little, he will fall. At first, Naruto tries but soon loses balance, so Fukasaku must save him with his tongue. After a few more falls, Fukasaku explains that Jiraiya trained on the same place when he was young inbetween his missions. The Sannin and Fukasaku spent a lot of times over the rock spires (like Tales of a Gutsy ninja shows), and the old toad remembers how persistant was the young Jiraiya, no matter the times he fell. Eventually, he made it, and dominated sen jutsu. Naruto is inspired to learn this about his sensei, and tells that he must make it like Jiraiya did. Time passes, and little by little, Naruto starts to get the idea, and stays longer without falling. Eventually, he manages to stay quiet and perfectly balanced, even despite the rain (this surprises Gamakichi, who often watches his friend training) And so, he becomes a sennin, entering Sage Mode, as Fukasaku notes when the orange surrounds Naruto's eyes changing like Jiraiya's eyes did before. When a bird poses on his shoulder, he loses control and falls, but this time, despite crushing on the ground, then he realizes that he is not hurt. Fukasaku explains that on Sage Mode, his strength, speed, awareness, agility increase, making him more invulnerable. He is surprised by his quick progress, and thinks that he can even surpass Jiraiya. Naruto thinks that he can try how the Rasenshuriken without hurting himself, but chooses not to tell anything to Fukasaku. Then, the old toad says that the next step for him to learn the frog fighting style, a tai jutsu special for Sage mode. They begin practising soon, fighting against each other, as Naruto gets used to his new speed and strength. In the night, he secretly goes to practice the Rasenshuriken on Sage mode, and during the day, he trains with Fukasaku. This part covered most of the episode, was very well done. Entertaining and always bringing back the memory of Jiraiya. He is the source of inspiration for Naruto, helping him to become stronger, to train hard and don't give up. The flashback moment was nice, playing that familiar score that enlightens the mood. There's only one thing that is not clear, is how long took Naruto to dominate sen jutsu. Here looked like a few days, but should be more likely to think that it took him at least a couple of weeks. Would be better to consider that time runs different on Mount Myoboku, otherwise it wouldn't be really hard to master sen jutsu. It must take time.
On the other hand, shinobis from Kumogakure follow the trail of Killer B. One of them, J, reachs Taka's hideout. There, Suigetsu is recovered inside a water tank, Jugo still looks like a boy, while Karin is awake and fine. Sasuke thinks that he may not need the Bijuus power after all, as he has the Mangekyo Sharingan, but when he tries to take a glass of water, he fails and feels an ache on his right eye. He realizes that the Mangekyo Sharingan has its effects. Then, Karin detects J's presence, so Jugo and Sasuke go to stop him. In the meantime, the Raikage sends a team to Konoha to demand explanations about the Uchiha's actions, and also considers calling a Kage Summit to deal with Akatsuki. The team consists in busty blonde serious Samui, the wrathful Karui, and the over analyzing Omoi. The Raikage also asks which are the news of J and the other shinobis who followed B's trail, and promises in tears that he will get his brother back. Omoi and Karui are B's pupils, so they also want him back. But then, on Taka's hideout, the Kumogakure shinobis find it empty with J unconcious (or dead) against a wall. The Kumogakure village is shown on a comedic tone compared to the others. The characters are lightful, made for jokes, and powerful. They are also good guys, away from evil activities, unlike Kirigakure or Iwagakure.
On the other hand, shinobis from Kumogakure follow the trail of Killer B. One of them, J, reachs Taka's hideout. There, Suigetsu is recovered inside a water tank, Jugo still looks like a boy, while Karin is awake and fine. Sasuke thinks that he may not need the Bijuus power after all, as he has the Mangekyo Sharingan, but when he tries to take a glass of water, he fails and feels an ache on his right eye. He realizes that the Mangekyo Sharingan has its effects. Then, Karin detects J's presence, so Jugo and Sasuke go to stop him. In the meantime, the Raikage sends a team to Konoha to demand explanations about the Uchiha's actions, and also considers calling a Kage Summit to deal with Akatsuki. The team consists in busty blonde serious Samui, the wrathful Karui, and the over analyzing Omoi. The Raikage also asks which are the news of J and the other shinobis who followed B's trail, and promises in tears that he will get his brother back. Omoi and Karui are B's pupils, so they also want him back. But then, on Taka's hideout, the Kumogakure shinobis find it empty with J unconcious (or dead) against a wall. The Kumogakure village is shown on a comedic tone compared to the others. The characters are lightful, made for jokes, and powerful. They are also good guys, away from evil activities, unlike Kirigakure or Iwagakure.
