The Sealed Power
Shizune approaches , concerned she hasn't eaten all day. Tsunade attributes it to not being able to put down 's novel about the younger generation of Konohagakure. Shizune offers to bring her dinner, and Tsunade resumes reading. questions the masked man's motives. He says that by changing how a village such as Konohagakure operates, the other hidden villages will follow, changing the world for the better. The masked man requests Neji to see what he means. Neji agrees to hear him out, and when tries to interfere, the masked man paralyses him. Neji promises to return to Naruto once he has seen what the masked man wants, and the two depart.
Jiraiya ventures into 's hideout, and comes across a bandaged individual. Team Jiraiya reports to the masked man about the incident with the children, including how the Konoha genin eventually helped them, despite the directives of their mission. The masked men ponders about it, and instructs them to resume surveillance. Neji asks if the Konoha genin are his team-mates, which the masked man confirms, and asks Neji if he wants to see if they can change the future of shinobi. Naruto tries in vain to access the Nine-Tails' chakra. and discuss the mission's situation. and search for Neji and , which smells from a distance. spots Neji and the masked man observing Sasuke and Sakura, as well as . Sasuke detects Sasori's presence and attacks, and Sasori begins to fight the two. Teams and head out towards Sasuke and Sakura. Lee and Tenten are attacked with explosive tags, directing them towards the same location. Sasori lands a hit on Sasuke, poisoning him. The Nine-Tails tries to convince Naruto to open the seal so it can use its chakra to aid Naruto. Jiraiya suddenly appears to Naruto.

