A quieter chapter closing out the Kazekage rescue, as the teams mourn Chiyo, head home, and a new recruit named Sai is slotted into Team 7.
Summary
Word of Gaara's safe recovery reaches Konoha, where Shizune questions whether it was wise to knowingly send Naruto up against Akatsuki. Tsunade answers that only a fellow jinchūriki could genuinely connect with Gaara. Over in Sunagakure, Team 7 gathers with Team Guy at Chiyo's funeral before setting off.
Key Events
The visitors say their farewells to the three Sand Siblings, and Naruto shares a silent handshake with Gaara. Worn out from straining his Mangekyō Sharingan, Kakashi cannot walk on his own, so Guy hoists him onto his back for the return trip, an arrangement that unsettles the members of both teams.
Notes
Far off, Tobi stumbles onto Deidara's severed arm with its ring still fixed to it and assumes his partner has perished. Deidara turns up very much alive, demands the limb back, and attacks when Tobi refuses. Meanwhile in Konoha, a youth called Sai is told he will be joining Team 7. This is chapter 281, collected in volume 32 under the Kazekage Rescue Mission, released in November 2005, and published by Viz as "The Search for Sasuke!!".
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Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to Chiyo at the end of the Kazekage rescue?
Team 7 gathers with Team Guy in Sunagakure to mourn Chiyo at her funeral before setting off for home.
Why does Guy carry Kakashi on his back in this chapter?
Kakashi is too worn out from straining his Mangekyo Sharingan to walk on his own, so Guy hoists him onto his back for the return trip, an arrangement that unsettles the members of both teams.
What does Tsunade say about sending Naruto to face Akatsuki?
Tsunade tells Shizune that only a fellow jinchuriki like Naruto could genuinely connect with Gaara, justifying her decision to send him.
Who joins Team 7 in "The Road to Sasuke!!"?
Back in Konoha, a youth named Sai is told he will be joining Team 7.
What happens between Tobi and Deidara in this chapter?
Tobi finds Deidara's severed arm still wearing its Akatsuki ring and assumes his partner has died, but Deidara turns up alive, demands the limb back, and attacks when Tobi refuses.
Sources & Information
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