Ep 36: The New Team Kakashi Sets Out!
Naruto Shippuuden Special Part 1

Naruto gets ready to leave on his mission. At front gate of Konoha the team meets and sets off.

Some time later.Naruto stares at Sai thinking he kind of looks and acts like Sasuke. Sai threatens Naruto and they start arguing. Yamato reprimands them for their lack of teamwork. Naruto refuses to accept Sai as Sasuke's replacement which is fine with Sai who calls Sasuke a gutless little homo. Sakura stops Naruto from attacking. She apologizes for Naruto then.

Meanwhile Shizune worries about Naruto and Sai. Tsunade says it's her fault since Sai is Danzou's subordinate and tells her to research him while Sakura will take care of Naruto and Sai.

Sakura punches Sai, knocking him back several yards, saying she doesn't care if he doesn't forgive her. Sai is impressed that she tricked him with her fake smile. She warns him not to talk trash against Sasuke or she'll punch him for real.

Before anything else can happen Yamato calls forth Four Column Prison and a huge slotted box appears. He threatens to imprison them if there are any more problems, or they can go to a hot springs . Sakura notes it's a technique only the First can use.

Break: Naruto comes out from a painting to give the first secret word "Ba".

At the hot springs , Yamato tries to get the guys to bond. Sakura is on the girls' side listening to Naruto rant at Sai. All the women around her giggle. Yamato is about to head back to his room and sees Naruto approaching the women's side. He warns Naruto with the story about Jiraiya getting beaten up by Tsunade. Back in the room Yamato goes over his equipment and takes out three seeds from a pouch.

Dinner is a feast paid by Yamato. Naruto and Sakura want Yamato to continue to be their team leader! Meanwhile poor Kakashi is still on IV drips since he can't move his arms and legs. Yamato explains they are staying the night to improve their teamwork.

The next morning, Sai is already up and leaves the resort. Sakura gets up and looks out the window. She sees Sai with his briefcase.

Break: Investigation squad - Naruto and Sakura host. Why can Yamato use wood techniques? Sakura explains wood element ninjutsu transforms chakra itself into life energy. It's specialized and an original ability only the First Hokage could use.

Review: Yamato shows how he differs from Kakashi.

Notes: Yamato says, "I prefer to handle situations with diplomacy, but I'm not adverse to controlling people with fear."

Thoughts:

Poor Kakashi, so easily traded for a meal.

Wood techniques transform chakra into life energy. Only the First Hokage was able to use it. Does this mean no other ninja ever, anywhere? Is it an advanced blood line? Why can't Tsunade or the Second Hokage do it? Or is it just a special advanced technique? But Sandaime couldn't do it either.