The New Target

Worn out from a long shift at Konoha's gate, Izumo and Kotetsu feel a rumble that turns out to be Might Guy sprinting into the village at full tilt with Kakashi slung across his back. Guy crows about finishing first, then needles Lee by ranking him behind the unconscious Kakashi, reducing his student to tears. Naruto, Sakura, Tenten, and Neji arrive in time to see it. The group hurries Kakashi to the hospital, where Tsunade explains that overusing his Mangekyō Sharingan against the Akatsuki has left him bedridden for a full week.

Sakura slips off to a balcony to brief Tsunade and Shizune on Sasori's final words: a spy of Orochimaru's is due to meet him at the Tenchi Bridge in Kusagakure six days out. Tsunade warns it could be an Akatsuki trap baited with Orochimaru's name, but Sakura insists on going. The Hokage signs off, noting that with Kakashi out of action Sakura must recruit someone new. Shizune argues that Naruto should stay clear of anything touching the Akatsuki and offers her own squad, yet Tsunade counters that the shared drive to rescue Sasuke is exactly what sets Naruto and Sakura apart.

Perched on the roof, Naruto overhears the whole discussion and announces he will find the replacement himself. Wandering the village, he muses aloud that the recruit needs to be strong, a genuine friend, and not so good-looking as to distract Sakura. Shino, unrecognised at first, overhears him, an oversight the insect user takes to heart. Kiba then drops in astride a now-grown Akamaru, and Naruto greets both instantly, much to Shino's chagrin. Team 8 is already booked for a job, though, and Hinata faints twice during the exchange when Naruto addresses her directly.

Shikamaru is tied up supervising the Chūnin Exams, but Chōji turns up with his lunch and volunteers despite his own assignment alongside Asuma and Ino. A jab about Chōji's weight earns Naruto a tackle from Shikamaru and an expanding arm from Chōji, right as a beast made of ink charges the group. Chōji smashes it apart, and the trio spots the culprit, a Konoha shinobi named Sai, observing from a distance. Shikamaru pins him with his Shadow Imitation Technique and hands the situation to Naruto, but Sai paints six more creatures and sends them surging forward.

The episode opens the Tenchi Bridge Reconnaissance Mission arc and adapts chapters 282 and 283. It is the first to fall after the events of Naruto Shippūden the Movie, though because the films are treated as non-canon, that timing is only loosely acknowledged.