The battles against the two terrible Akatsuki are finally over. Naruto lies on the ground exhausted, so Choji and Ino go to aid him. Ino performs her med nin jutsu, while Yamato and Kakashi still observe the results of Naruto's jutsu. Kakashi thinks about how he may have surpassed him, and that he has come this far for Sasuke. Then, Yamato tells them to return to Konoha, and Kakashi goes to finish Kakuzu. The old monster, now basically inert, can't believe he was defeated by some younglings. Kakashi tells him that instead, they see him as an old man who lost his mind, and the new generations surpass the older ones. Then, he uses a chidori to finish him. This first part showed the aftermath of Naruto's attack. What's important is Naruto's state, he obviously collapsed not only because of the fight, also given his previous exhaustion from the training. Yamato was surprised that Naruto could perform the rasenshuriken three times in the battle, while in training he did it two times. This tells that by using the new jutsu one time, won't affect him this much, the problems will come if he uses it several times. About Kakashi's words, one of the reasons of Naruto's progress might be reaching Sasuke, but I think that the main one is or should be follow the steps of his father. He said that he trusted his pupil to surpass the 4th Hokage, and though Naruto doesn't know who he is yet, it's clear that it was a strong motivation.
Then, back at Konoha, the two teams meet Tsunade, who congratulates them for the mission. Still, she tells that there are other Akatsuki somewhere yet, and sends them to take a break and get some rest. She also observes Naruto's injury and sends him to the hospital. He says he's ok, but Sakura tells he's not, she'll take him anyway for a check up. When they leave, Tsunade and Shizune talk about the damage in Naruto's right arm, and the autopsy of Kakuzu, whose body was brought back by Kakashi. Later is analyzed that the body suffered multiple cuts at the level of cells, therefore, the chakra connections were shattered. Tsunade then explains Kakashi and Yamato that the damage caused by Naruto's jutsu, goes beyond her medical techniques. And given the state of his arm, he shouldn't use the rasenshuriken. Yamato then thinks that such powerful jutsu has its price. At the hospital, Sakura is in charge of her partner, she sees that the bruises are not that bad, but his arm is broken. She says he was too rash, and heals his arm the best way she can. Then, she puts the bandages, and tells him to use the jutsu as last resource, only in emergencies. He jokingly says there's no problem as long as she is there to cure him. She answers that the medical ninjutsu can't make miracles. Still, getting serious and aware of his wound, he tells her that he likes her how she's now, he likes feeling that they're together searching for Sasuke. She's surprised and smiles. These moments between them were really nice. Like in all the previous arcs in Shippuden, Sakura shows to care about Naruto, be there for him, bandage and heal him every time. By this point, she has become like a sort of wife, because she indeed loves him, and knows him better than anyone. And though she punches him occasionally, she just shows her true self, by being "rough" with cherish, for his sake. For example, here she took him to the hospital jokingly by force, it's natural in their relationship, like a game they know. He knows her personality, accepts her and loves her anyway. Besides, he is not being hurt by her given his strength (and the Kyuubi's chakra), they know that. I praise the writer's job here, he added a few moments not depicted in the manga that make more complete the storyline. Also, to include Tsunade's worries is another good point, it's obvious she'd notice the effects of the jutsu in Naruto. The autopsy of Kakuzu was the perfect proof, and marks the mission accomplished (bring the Akatsuki dead or alive).
Then, there's another part: Shikamaru, Ino and Choji walk back to their homes. But Shikamaru realizes he has to do something first, and leaves them, to Ino's distress. Choji instead understands better his friend. He goes to the cemetery and meets Kurenai at Asuma's grave. He leaves the lighter there, while she talks about how much he might miss him. She knows he was Asuma's favourite student, his company to play shogi. Shikamaru says he misses him, and that he learned all the things from his sensei, the important ones and the not, including shogi. He wonders how he didn't get to know him that much, Asuma was kind but somehow distant, but he was a great model to follow. He always helped him when he got in trouble, but now is how time to grow up. Shikamaru tells her that he'll be the tutor of Asuma's baby, he will take care of his king. Kurenai seems surprised while she rubs her belly, and thanks him. Later, Shikamaru plays shogi with his father, who is a better player than Asuma. He recalls what his sensei said about him being like a knight who can skip spaces, so Shikaku is amazed by how well Asuma knew him. When Shikaku asks about the king, Shikamaru answers that they're all the young kids who carry the destiny of the village. Shikaku is glad that his son now understands it, but as he wins the match, tells him that he's not strong enough yet to protect the king. This part of the episode was excellent. The perfect ending for Shikamaru's role in this arc. To finally know, confirm that Kurenai carries Asuma's baby is what makes his death even more saddest and memorable. These were the last words from Asuma for Shikamaru, the revelation of the identity of the king, and his king, his own son. He left Shikamaru in charge of him. At the end, the two terrible Akatsuki are gone, but they left a son without a father, and a widow mother. This makes Shikamaru's story excellent, as he becomes the protector of his sensei's heir and legacy. The identity of the king just what anyone should expect. That's why in the past Asuma didn't want his pupil on the front line, he was the pawn to sacrifice, to protect the king. The older ones must protect the younger ones, because they're the future. And it's good for Shikamaru to have his father to remind him that he's not old enough yet to become a sacrifice. He still has a long way to run.
To finish, on this episode was showed a couple of scenes with Sasuke training, and Orochimaru and Kabuto talking about their next moves. Anyway, this is filler, so I won't mind much that part. The introduction of Guren is remarkable only for the viewer who wants to see the next filler arc.
Then, back at Konoha, the two teams meet Tsunade, who congratulates them for the mission. Still, she tells that there are other Akatsuki somewhere yet, and sends them to take a break and get some rest. She also observes Naruto's injury and sends him to the hospital. He says he's ok, but Sakura tells he's not, she'll take him anyway for a check up. When they leave, Tsunade and Shizune talk about the damage in Naruto's right arm, and the autopsy of Kakuzu, whose body was brought back by Kakashi. Later is analyzed that the body suffered multiple cuts at the level of cells, therefore, the chakra connections were shattered. Tsunade then explains Kakashi and Yamato that the damage caused by Naruto's jutsu, goes beyond her medical techniques. And given the state of his arm, he shouldn't use the rasenshuriken. Yamato then thinks that such powerful jutsu has its price. At the hospital, Sakura is in charge of her partner, she sees that the bruises are not that bad, but his arm is broken. She says he was too rash, and heals his arm the best way she can. Then, she puts the bandages, and tells him to use the jutsu as last resource, only in emergencies. He jokingly says there's no problem as long as she is there to cure him. She answers that the medical ninjutsu can't make miracles. Still, getting serious and aware of his wound, he tells her that he likes her how she's now, he likes feeling that they're together searching for Sasuke. She's surprised and smiles. These moments between them were really nice. Like in all the previous arcs in Shippuden, Sakura shows to care about Naruto, be there for him, bandage and heal him every time. By this point, she has become like a sort of wife, because she indeed loves him, and knows him better than anyone. And though she punches him occasionally, she just shows her true self, by being "rough" with cherish, for his sake. For example, here she took him to the hospital jokingly by force, it's natural in their relationship, like a game they know. He knows her personality, accepts her and loves her anyway. Besides, he is not being hurt by her given his strength (and the Kyuubi's chakra), they know that. I praise the writer's job here, he added a few moments not depicted in the manga that make more complete the storyline. Also, to include Tsunade's worries is another good point, it's obvious she'd notice the effects of the jutsu in Naruto. The autopsy of Kakuzu was the perfect proof, and marks the mission accomplished (bring the Akatsuki dead or alive).
Then, there's another part: Shikamaru, Ino and Choji walk back to their homes. But Shikamaru realizes he has to do something first, and leaves them, to Ino's distress. Choji instead understands better his friend. He goes to the cemetery and meets Kurenai at Asuma's grave. He leaves the lighter there, while she talks about how much he might miss him. She knows he was Asuma's favourite student, his company to play shogi. Shikamaru says he misses him, and that he learned all the things from his sensei, the important ones and the not, including shogi. He wonders how he didn't get to know him that much, Asuma was kind but somehow distant, but he was a great model to follow. He always helped him when he got in trouble, but now is how time to grow up. Shikamaru tells her that he'll be the tutor of Asuma's baby, he will take care of his king. Kurenai seems surprised while she rubs her belly, and thanks him. Later, Shikamaru plays shogi with his father, who is a better player than Asuma. He recalls what his sensei said about him being like a knight who can skip spaces, so Shikaku is amazed by how well Asuma knew him. When Shikaku asks about the king, Shikamaru answers that they're all the young kids who carry the destiny of the village. Shikaku is glad that his son now understands it, but as he wins the match, tells him that he's not strong enough yet to protect the king. This part of the episode was excellent. The perfect ending for Shikamaru's role in this arc. To finally know, confirm that Kurenai carries Asuma's baby is what makes his death even more saddest and memorable. These were the last words from Asuma for Shikamaru, the revelation of the identity of the king, and his king, his own son. He left Shikamaru in charge of him. At the end, the two terrible Akatsuki are gone, but they left a son without a father, and a widow mother. This makes Shikamaru's story excellent, as he becomes the protector of his sensei's heir and legacy. The identity of the king just what anyone should expect. That's why in the past Asuma didn't want his pupil on the front line, he was the pawn to sacrifice, to protect the king. The older ones must protect the younger ones, because they're the future. And it's good for Shikamaru to have his father to remind him that he's not old enough yet to become a sacrifice. He still has a long way to run.
To finish, on this episode was showed a couple of scenes with Sasuke training, and Orochimaru and Kabuto talking about their next moves. Anyway, this is filler, so I won't mind much that part. The introduction of Guren is remarkable only for the viewer who wants to see the next filler arc.
