Ep 38: Simulation

Naruto complains about being teamed with Sai. Yamato makes a scary face. Sakura suggests she and Naruto should work together but Yamato says she's the only medical ninja so she has to stay with him (so he can protect her). Yamato notes the spy should be headed to the bridge now.

Naruto and Sai see the spy approach the bridge and Sasori from the other side. They meet in the middle. Sasori raises his right hand as signal. Naruto and Sai attack Yamato the spy. Sakura acts as Sasori.

Back at the meeting, Yamato talks about a simulation so he can see their skills and smooth out their rough spots in teamwork.

Next day, Naruto and Sai fight Yamato but when Sai helps Naruto with Rasengan, wood appears from the ground and grabs Sai. The Sai-Naruto clone transforms back to Naruto while the other Naruto attacks with rasengan. Real Sai looks on and summons a snake with ninpou, choujuu giga. The drawing comes to life and ties up both Naruto and Yamato. Then Sai runs off. Naruto is tied with a wood dummy replacement that says "You Fail." Sakura frees Naruto from the snake. Sai catches Yamato on his own.

Sai analyzes the fight and says Yamato noticed that he was hiding because Naruto was provoked into using his signature move with his Sai shadow clone, so Yamato used a replacement and retreated into the forest. Sai left Naruto tied up so he wouldn't get in the way. Naruto walks away, saying he'll never accept Sai, who responds by pointing out how Sasuke was a traitor. But instead of fighting Sai, Naruto says he'll do anything to save his friend, even team up with Sai. Sai wonders why Naruto cares about Sasuke so much and Sakura answers because Sasuke is like a brother to him so he should know how he feels. But Sai says he doesn't since he has no emotions and his brother is already dead. He didn't know what kind of expression to make then. Yamato tells the team to move on. Sakura wants to beat Sai since he insulted Sasuke, but Naruto said he'd work with him since he'll help to save Sasuke.

The team arrive at Heaven and Earth Bridge .

End: Sakura and Naruto host the We Investigate Anything Squad - Letter from Tazuna of Wave Country about the ninja class system. Jounin: There's only a few; Then Specialized Jounin for special missions; Chuunin; Genin

Review: The simulations were fun.

Notes: Sai notes Sakura is really strong to be able to break apart his snake.

Thoughts: Sai's ink snake rope appears to be stronger than a real snake or real rope.