Sakura's Determination!

Naruto squares off with Arashi but is quickly ensnared, and when Sakura fears him dead he blows the cover of a sneak attack to reassure her. His second attempt is undone by his injuries, and he winds up caught in the Curse Mandala, a trap set to crush him. Sasame strikes at Arashi and briefly loosens his control, though the reprieve is short and he turns on her.

Sakura throws herself between them, declaring she will lay down her life to protect her friends, and Naruto refuses to let her die. Another distraction from Sasame lets Naruto tear loose, and the resulting blast hurls shrapnel into Arashi, breaking him free of his own bindings. He shields Sasame as the lair caves in, and when Jiraiya and Gamahiro appear he throws the girl to safety, explaining he cannot follow because he is a puppet. Before the group departs, he reveals that Sasuke lives, kept as a vessel until Orochimaru can be reborn in three years.

The Fūma clan pledges to rebuild their ruined town as everyone heads back to Konoha. There Shikamaru suggests to Tsunade that every small squad should include a medical ninja, and Tsunade agrees the idea has merit while noting how few possess the aptitude. Feeling she contributed little, Sakura asks to become Tsunade's student and learn healing, and Tsunade consents. The episode adapts chapter 236 and aired in Japan on 29 June 2005 and in English on 16 February 2008.