Ep 35: Unwanted Addition

Before Naruto and Sai could clash again, Yamato stops them and tells them he'll be replacing Kakashi. Sai apologizes for before and says he was just testing Naruto's strength since they'll be on the same team. Naruto's placated at first until Sai insults him again. Sakura stops Naruto from fighting and reprimands both of them. Sai then insults her and now Yamato has to restrain her from fighting him.

Jiraiya visits Kakashi and gives him two volumes of the deluxe edition of Makeout Paradise as they wait for Tsunade.

The new team introduce themselves. Yamato explains the mission to head to Heaven and Earth Bridge to meet with the Akatsuki spy. Maybe they'll get info on Orochimaru and Sasuke if they capture the spy. The team plans to assemble at the main gate in an hour.

Naruto complains about Sai but Sakura thinks he kind of looks like Sasuke. Naruto almost says Sasuke's cooler, then changes it to better.

At home, Sai packs up his stuff, including a book of drawings. One side has a drawing that looks like him. Someone suddenly attacks, but it's just an ANBU from Root who gives him an envelope with a top secret mission from Danzou. They hear a noise and the ANBU quickly throws his kunai - it's a cat! The ANBU asks Sai if he's still carrying that notebook around and reminds him that in Root you have no name, no emotions, no past, no future, there is only the mission.

Yamato, Tsunade, and Jiraiya meet in Kakashi's room (Kakashi giggles over Makeout Paradise). Kakashi recognizes Yamato. They're there to discuss Naruto. Jiraiya explains there are times when the Kyuubi chakra flows out of Naruto body and starts to take on the Demon Fox's form - the Demon Fox's Cloak. Yamato ask if this happens often. Kakashi says it happened on the last mission when Naruto's emotions intensified. Before the second tail completely took form, Kakashi was able to suppress the chakra with a seal given to him by Jiraiya. If it's allowed to continue, it can go up to nine tails. Jiraiya takes off his top clothes and lifts his shirt saying there has only been two times he has been close to death. The first was when six ribs and both arms were broken and several of his internal organs were severely damaged. He was trying to peek at the girls in the hot springs so Tsunade beat him up. Second time, he shows a massive scar on his chest, the fourth tail formed.

Sakura finishes packing and catches up with Tsunade first before leaving. Tsunade also has something to ask her about Sai. She asks her to keep Naruto under control. Danzou enters the room. He asks if Tsunade selected a truly gifted ANBU to serve as captain of Sai's team. Tsunade mentions she selected the best person she had who had been working since The Third was in charge. Danzou responds he hopes he's not tainted by the cowardly Third with his hatred of confrontation, just as her grandfather tainted the Third. After Danzou leaves, Tsunade explains to Sakura that a long time ago Danzou fought against the Third for the title of Hokage. He's the leader of a powerful military faction and Sai's superior.

The team meet up and finally head out.

End: Jiraiya hosts Konoha famous literature, but he just talks just about his books. He's currently working out movie rights to Icha Icha Tactics. Naruto accuses him of showing only his own books. Jiraiya admits it and causes a large frog to fall on Naruto.

Review: Sai's insults are crude but funny.

Notes:

That is the purpose of Root - to exist underground, unseen, supporting the great tree called Konoha. Root comes from its purpose to support Konoha the tree.

Danzou sees Sandaime as cowardly.

Thoughts:

Stray cats and other animals are not safe in Konoha!

Jiraiya has been close to death only two times, both from his Konoha friends. With friends like that who needs enemies?

It seems that the Third was chosen as the Hokage successor when he was quite young so Danzou probably fought for the position after Yondaime died and the Third was retired. But then when did he lose an arm? You can't really be Hokage without both arms to do jutsu.