An urgent message from the Sand Village detailing the Akatsuki’s kidnapping of the Kazekage reaches the Hidden Leaf Village. Tsunade wastes no time in ordering Team Kakashi to the Sand Village.

Chiyo and Kakashi realize that the attack was just a diversion, and that the Akatsuki have already begun the process of extracting the Tailed Beast from Gaara.

Sakura counters the Iron Sand attack of the Third Kazekage puppet with superhuman strength.

Gaara and his rescuers make a triumphant return to the Hidden Sand Village.

Yamato and the team enter Sai's room and confront him while Kabuto makes his way there as well. Sai tells Team Kakashi that not only was he to help with Konoha's destruction but also act as a spy against Orochimaru. Yamato reveals the secret of "Root"- its members were trained like Kirigakure's students in that they had to kill their friends so as to eliminate their emotions. Sakura returns Sai's book to him, remarking that he still has emotions because he treasures it. Sai then tells the group about his bond with his brother. Finally the team decides what to do about Sai's betrayal outside the lair. In doing so, Naruto tells the group about his own bonds and about how far he's willing to go to bring Sasuke back.

Motoi confesses to Naruto and Yamato that he attempted to kill Bee during their childhood because of his father's death due to the sealing of the Eight Tails 30 years ago.

Kabuto and a reanimated Deidara attempt to grab hold of the jinchuriki, but are stopped by the Tsuchikage, who has come to protect Naruto.

The super-secret mission to find Naruto and Hinata a wedding gift proves to be difficult for Shikamaru. Choji has found the perfect gift, which adds to Shikamaru's panic. But then Choji mentions something in passing and Shikamaru gets an idea. All he needs now is to enlist Temari's help!