Kakuzu's Abilities

Yamato marvels at the raw power of Naruto's Wind Release: Rasengan, yet cautions that it would falter against Sasuke's fire. He lays out the five elemental natures and how each holds an advantage over one and a weakness to another. Wind, he notes, loses to fire but overcomes lightning, meaning Naruto's technique would be brushed aside by Sasuke's flames while beating his Chidori. Naruto flips this around, deciding his rare wind makes him the perfect partner for Sasuke since it would feed his fire. Sakura and Sai, who had been watching, step into the canyon Naruto carved out and ask whether he has mastered the jutsu; Yamato answers that he still needs more time.

On the other front, Kakuzu hardens his frame with Earth Release: Earth Spear to weather Chōji's Spiked Human Bullet Tank. With Shikamaru straining to hold Hidan through his Shadow Imitation Technique, Kakuzu readies a finishing move, but Kakashi slips in behind and drives his Lightning Cutter into Kakuzu's heart. Kakuzu endures it, kicks Kakashi off, and strips away his Akatsuki robe to expose his true body: flesh bound by threads with four masks riding his back, one pierced by the Lightning Cutter. When he releases all four masks, the damaged one dies, tipping Kakashi off to their vulnerability.

Hidan, released from the shadow jutsu, trades blows with Kakashi, while Kakuzu exploits his partner's immortality and hits both with Wind Release: Pressure Damage. He then targets the others, now joined by Ino, with Lightning Release: False Darkness. Kakashi absorbs and blocks the strike at great cost to his arms. Hidan applauds him for surviving both techniques, and Kakuzu answers with Fire Release: Intelligent Hard Work aimed at all four shinobi.

This episode belongs to Shippuden's Akatsuki Suppression Mission arc and adapts chapters 333 and 334. It pairs the opening Closer with the ending Long Kiss Goodbye.