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Kakashi gives Naruto and Sakura a test to see how far they had improved. Meanwhile, two Akatsuki members, Deidara and Sasori, arrive at the entrance of the Sunagakure to capture the One-Tailed Shukaku's host, Gaara.

Naruto and Sakura defeat Kakashi in the survival challenge. Tsunade assigns them to a three-man squad led by Kakashi, who tells them they are now his equals.

Naruto returns to Konoha after a two-and-a-half-year training journey with Jiraiya and is reunited with Sakura.

In order to protect his village from Deidara's explosive clay, Gaara uses his chakra to create a giant sand shield.

Sakura and Naruto both demonstrate their newly acquired skills. Meanwhile, Deidara commences his attack on Sunagakure and is confronted by Gaara.

Gaara is quick to detect Deidara's presence, and an aerial battle ensues with Deidara on his giant bird and Gaara atop sand.

Gaara, his strength completely exhausted, is whisked away by Deidara. Kankuro ignores Baki's efforts to stop him and immediately sets out in pursuit with a platoon to rescue Gaara.

On her way to the Sand Village, Temari encounters Kakashi and his team. Kakashi admonishes Naruto when he tries to rush ahead...

Kabuto carries out a surprise attack on Team Kakashi to take back Sai, but a change has come over Sai since Sakura pointed out his contradictions.

Team Kakashi is able to find Sai with Yamato guiding them. They immediately begin questioning Sai about Danzo's plans for destroying the Leaf Village, and surprisingly, Sai divulges everything.

The new Team Kakashi heads for Tenchikyo. To Naruto, Sai is just temporarily filling in for Sasuke. When Sai shows his contempt for Sasuke, the antagonism comes to a head.

Sakura comes across Sai working on an abstract painting. He tells her that he's unable to give it a title. Bothered by his manner, Sakura finds an unusual picture book among Sai's things.

The greatest advantage of the puppets created from humans is that one can take over the jutsu that the human used while alive. Hence, the puppet of the Third Kazekage has the special ability to convert chakra into magnetic power. Chiyo and Sakura take cover, and Sasori wastes no time unleashing a ruthless attack. Chiyo fights back to protect Sakura, but in an instant the Father and Mother puppets are sealed by the Iron Sand. As Sasori rushes in for the final blow, Sakura makes a decision.

Sakura is caught by Sasori's tactic and surrounded by a poison cloud. But she uses a Paper Bomb to blow herself free from the poisonous fumes.

Naruto, while nursing his injuries caused by the release of the Nine-Tailed Fox, searches frantically for Sasuke. Seeing this, Sai recalls the feelings he once had for his older brother and finally manages to complete his unfinished picture.

The Sand ninja fight against time to treat Kankuro. Even the Sand's poison expert, Granny Chiyo, is baffled. The only hope lies with the reinforcements sent by Tsunade.

Teams Kakashi and Guy take a short rest. Granny Chiyo watches Naruto dozing off and is reminded of Sasori as a child. The pursuit resumes, and when Chiyo wonders why Naruto puts such effort into rescuing Gaara...

At last, the showdown between the old woman and her grandson begins. Sakura is confused by Sasori's strange appearance, and Granny Chiyo explains that this is Hiruko...

Pakkun finds the hideout of the Akatsuki. Team Kakashi and Temari prepare to set out to get Gaara back, but Temari is ordered to stay behind and help guard the village.

Team Kakashi encounter Itachi Uchiha, who had dealt them a bitter defeat in the past. Kakashi warns everyone not to look into Itachi's Sharingan Eyes.

Sakura treats a critically ill Kankuro. After extensive training she's now a full-fledged Medic Ninja, and Sakura amazes everyone with her sure, steady hands.

Chiyo and Kakashi realize that the attack was just a diversion, and that the Akatsuki have already begun the process of extracting the Tailed Beast from Gaara. Granny Chiyo explains to Naruto and Sakura the connection between the Tailed Beast and the Jinchûriki...

An urgent message from the Sand Village detailing the Akatsuki's kidnapping of the Kazekage reaches the Hidden Leaf Village. Tsunade wastes no time in ordering Team Kakashi to the Sand Village.

Granny Chiyo and Sakura rescue Naruto from Itachi's genjutsu. Without a moment's delay, Kakashi begins a counterattack.

Guy prepares to use a forbidden secret jutsu. Meanwhile, Naruto falls under Itachi's genjutsu, and all the anti-genjutsu training he underwent with Jiraiya races through Naruto's mind.