The Labyrinth of Distorted Reflection

Back in Konoha, Tsunade studies the crystallized insect and tells Shizune that Orochimaru's servant must wield Crystal Release, a power long believed impossible. Out in the field, Team Yamato loses the trail since Kakashi left no markers, so Sai launches an ink bird to scout while Naruto slips away to train in secret. A creeping mist brings him a glimpse of Yūkimaru, the boy from the hot springs, who vanishes once Naruto assures him that home is wherever people care about you. Sakura, doubting the encounter, hurries him back after Yamato locates one of Shino's beetles.

Frustrated by her team's failures, Guren launches her own scheme, sealing Team 8 inside a jade crystal dome. A crystal mirror lets her spawn six clones, and the trap warps everything: Shino's insects seize up, and Hinata's Byakugan only shows her allies reflected endlessly. The clones press the attack with blades grown from their arms, and though Hinata downs one, another locks her inside a crystal prison. Guren then warns the others that pushing further will shatter Hinata into fragments.

Outside, Team Yamato cannot crack the barrier. Sai reports the dome spans a kilometer with a sealed top and no weak point, and Yamato's Wood Release fails against crystal that reaches underground as well. Confident in fresh training, Naruto summons Gamakichi and Gamatatsu, startling Sai, and fuses his wind chakra with Gamatatsu's water blast to form the Wind Release: Toad Gun, which finally pierces the crystal.

Tsunade confirms the enemy uses Crystal Release. Guren traps Team 8 under a mirrored jade dome and takes Hinata hostage in a crystal prison after producing six clones. Team Yamato finds the barrier seamless until Naruto unveils the Wind Release: Toad Gun with Gamakichi and Gamatatsu, breaking through at last. Naruto also has a quiet second meeting with Yūkimaru.

The ninety-seventh episode of Naruto: Shippūden falls within the Three-Tails' Appearance arc. It premiered in Japan on February 19, 2009, and reached English audiences on October 8, 2011. The opening theme is Closer and the ending is Bacchikoi. The story showcases Crystal Release as a rare, uncopyable ability that even the Sharingan cannot replicate.