Kabuto comments that Naruto's state is a consequence of his desperation to bring back Sasuke. Sakura begins to cry and approaches Naruto but is injured when his attention turns to her. Yamato uses the mokuton jutsu to bind Naruto before he does any more harm. Kabuto heals Sakura, reasoning that the Konoha ninja are not Orochimaru's enemies because they are also fighting Akatsuki. Yamato uses the abilities of the 1st Hokage to forcibly return Naruto to his normal state. Meanwhile Sai confronts Orochimaru with a message from Danzo. Orochimaru responds by piercing Sai with Kusanagi.

The temple monks explain that the tombs hold the loyal bodyguards of Fire Country's feudal lord. Naruto observes Sora sparring with other monks and becomes offended upon realizing he is holding back. Naruto challenges Sora, but just as the matter is about to get serious, another monk stops him. Naruto realizes Sora is despised by the other monks as he was himself and wishes to befriend him. Naruto visits Sora again and observes him practicing his wind jutsu in earnest, hoping to get strong enough to avenge his father. They later return to the temple to receive news that another tomb has been robbed.

Konoha's ninja fight off the revived zombie members of the Kohaku clan. The four Guardian Ninjas, Seito, Tōu, Nauma and Kitane, are also revived. Asuma realizes that they are planning to use Limelight, a jutsu in which the four create a lightning blast powerful enough to destroy Konoha. Asuma sends Sakura and Yamato after the other three while he remains behind to battle Kitane, but Fuen tackles Sakura and Fudo fights Yamato. Meanwhile, Naruto catches up to Sora, but Sora runs off in search of Furido. Naruto tries to pursue him, but is assailed by Fuuka. Soon after, Sora reaches Furido, who admits that he had planned to destroy Konoha.

The second stage of Naruto's training continues, while Tsunade sends out twenty teams composed of four ninja each to deal with the Akatsuki members in the Fire Country. Shikamaru leaves with Asuma, Izumo and Kotetsu, whereas Ino and Choji leave with Raido and Aoba. After putting in considerable effort, Naruto clears the second stage of his training, but collapses from hunger and exhaustion almost immediately afterward.

With careful planning, the group manages to find and trap Hidan and Kakuzu. However, things seem to be going a bit too smoothly.