Ep 12: The Retired Old Lady's Resolve

Pakkun runs through the forest and stops by a gorge with a river below and a gate across. He’s found the Akatsuki headquarters.

Gaara’s extraction continues.

At the Sand headquarters, Chiyo opens a chest and takes out two scrolls which she plans to use to fight Sasori. She says she's lived too long as it is.

Pakkun runs back to show Kakashi where the Akatsuki hideout is on a map. Kakashi has another assignment for him. Naruto wakes as Pakkun runs off.

Temari is informed they found Gaara and promises Kankurou she'll bring him back.

A messenger pigeon arrives.

Temari expects to join team Kakashi but Baki says her team will remain on border control. Those are the orders from their superiors in case it gets out that Gaara is gone since it might lead to attacks by other countries. Temari protests that someone from Sand must go. Chiyo appears on top of a building. She says since she's retired she can do what she wants. She leaps down and says she's been wanting to see her cute grandson. She heads off with Team Kakashi.

Team Gai has been running nonstop, but stops when they see Pakkun.

Sakura asks Naruto how long has Akatsuki been after him. Naruto replies he doesn't know. Kakashi explains they came three years ago for him. He thinks they waited until now since Jiraiya was with him. Chiyo says it takes a lot of preparation to extract a bijuu.

Pakkun explains to Gai that the eight ninja hounds split up to follow Akatsuki's scent. He followed it to River Country which lies between Konoha and Sand Village. Team Gai is closer than anyone else so they are to follow Pakkun.

Zetsu appears from a tree and relays the info to the other Akatsuki. He mentions Maito Gai and Itachi says he's a skilled Konoha shinobi who uses taijutsu, don't take him lightly. Kisame says they should use that technique.

Hidan has been having problems finding his Jinchuuriki and is starting to get pissed off. But Kisama has a score to settle. The leader comments the technique suits Kisame better anyway since he has the greatest amount of chakra in Akatsuki, but needs 30% of his chakra for the bijuu extraction. Kisame wants to get even for Gai kicking him. Itachi and Kisame are sitting somewhere out in the open. They concentrate and form hand seals.

Neji uses his byakugan to scout ahead. Behind them the enemy comes from underground with the sword acting like a shark fin. Kisame appears in front of them, but Gai doesn't know who he is.

Meanwhile Kakashi's team is watched by another Zetsu clone who informs the leader. The leader comments to Deidara that things are crazier than the last two times. Deidara defensively says this one was tougher. Sasori remarks Deidara’s techniques are not good for stealth missions. The leader decides Itachi will go up against the Konoha shinobi this time.

Neji notes Kisame has a ridiculous amount of chakra, He hasn't seen so much chakra since Naruto. Kisame comments Gai has a brain of an animal as Gai still doesn't remember him.

Itachi appears before Team Kakashi.

End: Photo Studio of Memories - Lee narrates shots of various chars when they were younger.

Review: Not much happens but Chiyo’s cool.

Notes:
Bijuu = mythical beast with tails
Ichibi = Sukaku
There are nine bijuu each with unique characteristics and powers and different number of tails, essentially enormous masses of chakra. They were used during the great ninja wars. Each nation's hidden village tried to obtain them, hoping to turn them into weapons. But their powers are beyond human understanding and control.

Thoughts:
Sakura doesn't know what a bijuu is and she’s supposed to be smart?