Team 10

While Asuma's funeral takes place, Shikamaru chooses to grieve at home instead of attending. Keeping a stoic face, he spends day after day seated outside, staring up at the sky. His father Shikaku tries to draw him out with a game of shogi and keeps circling back to Asuma's death, until Shikamaru snaps. Shikaku urges him to release everything he has been holding in and walks off, leaving his son to finally break down in tears.

Having let the grief out, Shikamaru uses the shogi pieces to map out a fresh strategy against Hidan and Kakuzu. When Choji and Ino ask whether he truly means to go through with it, he is a little surprised to learn they want revenge just as badly. He visits Asuma's grave to apologize for coming so late, and Team 10 sets out from Konoha under cover of night, only to be intercepted by Tsunade.

Tsunade rejects their plan of vengeance and, recalling the deaths of Nawaki and Dan Kato, tells them death is simply part of life and that they must grow up. She offers to slot Shikamaru into a four-person platoon of her choosing, but he insists this is something the three teammates must handle themselves. Producing Asuma's lighter, he says that as long as he holds it, his teacher still feels present.

When Tsunade points out that a proper squad needs four members, Kakashi, who has been listening in, steps forward to serve as Team 10's leader. He quietly explains to her that the three would leave with or without permission, so joining them lets him keep watch. Tsunade relents. Asked about Naruto's training, Kakashi raises a bandaged arm and assures Shikamaru that Naruto will manage, since Yamato is leading his other team. With that, the new Team 10 departs.

The episode adapts chapters 330 and 331 within the Akatsuki Suppression Mission arc. It first aired in Japan on October 30, 2008, and in English on June 4, 2011. The opening theme is Closer and the ending theme is Long Kiss Goodbye.