This episode is mixed with filler and canon material. For the canon part: Naruto, Sakura, and Sai are having a meal at Ichiraku. But Naruto struggles to eat the ramen because he can't use his right arm all bandaged. Sakura remembers what Naruto told her in the hospital, and knows well how damaged is his arm, so she decides to sit closer, and offers to feed him with the chopsticks. Naruto blushes and is gladly surprised by her offer, and just when he's about to accept, Sai takes the chopsticks and interrupts him. Obviously Naruto reacts angrily, Sakura tries to calm him down, Sai explains that friends must help each other, that's what the book says, so Naruto shouts him to forget about books and try to understand the situation. And right then, Kakashi appears and asks what's going on. Sakura tells him, then somehow, the sensei ends up feeding Naruto. This little part had a great start, and once again a comedic result that blows up Naruto's happiness. Sakura's decision to feed Naruto in the mouth show how much she progressed as character. Given what happened with his training, and her caring, healing, the memory of what he said at the hospital, all made her think about what's going to make him happy. And she accepts to make him happy because she's realizing little by little that they're becoming closer to each other, and she's fine with it. Her feelings for Naruto are growing as they spend more time together. This is the correct development for Sakura's character. A simple moment, a simple gesture means a lot. Also, Naruto rarely blushes in the whole story, or almost never. This also tells how much he still loves Sakura, she's the only one who causes him such emotions and happiness. Plus, his angry reaction towards Sai, tells he never doubted her offer, he was surprised but glad. This is important because later in Shippuden is going to happen a change. But now, anyone can tell that Naruto loves Sakura like he always did, and any nice, close romantic gesture from her, is true happiness for him. Then, back to the story, Sakura tells Kakashi how's that this time he didn't get to the hospital. Their sensei is sad about the picture his pupils got, but recognizes if they wouldn't have appeared in the right time to battle Kakuzu, he would have been forced to use the Mangekyo Sharingan, and now he'd be at the hospital. He pretends to laugh while Naruto remains serious given his broken arm. Then, Kakashi praises his progress, as they are at the same level now, but also mentions the risks of the jutsu given its power. Still, Naruto tells he knows his limits, is well aware of the consequences of the rasenshuriken. Sakura is glad to hear that, same as Kakashi. This simple line tells how much he grew up in the recent past. Naruto finally acknowledges his limits, the barrier of what his body can resist. He won't keep with the persistant attitude if it hurts him, he's maturing. Then, the next situation brings comedy as Konohamaru appears to show Naruto the new jutsu sexy with a clone. Sadly, it's always the same, Naruto has fun with the distraction, Sakura gets upset, and this time Moegi punches Konohamaru. Curious fact, in the manga, Konohamaru does the jutsu sexy to Sakura, only for her to react the same way Naruto did. Also, the roles got reversed as Naruto shouted at Konohamaru to not show disgusting things. Though it's comedy, the manga just tells Naruto and Sakura and pretty similar.
The filler part shows for one side, Jiraiya, who visits Tsunade and Naruto. After learning about the rasenshuriken, and the broken arm, Ero sennin promises Naruto to take him on a short trip to heal his arm and train to perform a safer jutsu, and more effective. Naruto showed some frustration about how great is the rasenshuriken and what it caused to him, but still accepted Jiraiya's offer. The interactions between them were needed in Shippuden, it felt like they didn't share much moments together. Jiraiya appeared more in Naruto than in Shippuden, that's a failure. Later I'll explain the reason. Still, I suggest any viewer to watch this little trip with Jiraiya and Naruto. Is filler, but it's worth considering what's going to happen in the future arcs.
The other side of filler show the beginning of the arc involving Guren and Yukimaru. This also includes the mission Tsunade gives to Kakashi and team 8, in order to locate Orochimaru. However, people can skip the arc if wanted.
The filler part shows for one side, Jiraiya, who visits Tsunade and Naruto. After learning about the rasenshuriken, and the broken arm, Ero sennin promises Naruto to take him on a short trip to heal his arm and train to perform a safer jutsu, and more effective. Naruto showed some frustration about how great is the rasenshuriken and what it caused to him, but still accepted Jiraiya's offer. The interactions between them were needed in Shippuden, it felt like they didn't share much moments together. Jiraiya appeared more in Naruto than in Shippuden, that's a failure. Later I'll explain the reason. Still, I suggest any viewer to watch this little trip with Jiraiya and Naruto. Is filler, but it's worth considering what's going to happen in the future arcs.
The other side of filler show the beginning of the arc involving Guren and Yukimaru. This also includes the mission Tsunade gives to Kakashi and team 8, in order to locate Orochimaru. However, people can skip the arc if wanted.
