Ep. 20: Chiyo and Sakura battle Sasori's Hiruko puppet while Deidara observes Naruto's transformation.
Aired on July 19, 2007
Chiyo informs Sakura that Sasori is a former Hidden Sand puppeteer who betrayed his village. The pair confronts the real Sasori hiding within his scorpion puppet, Hiruko, dodging his lethal poison needle attacks. Chiyo paralyzes the puppet's tail while Sakura uses her immense strength to break the shell, forcing Sasori to emerge. Meanwhile, Deidara witnesses Naruto activating his Nine-Tails chakra. This scene is part of the Kazekage Rescue Mission arc, specifically episode 20 out of 32.
Episodes
- Ep. 16 · Kisame and Itachi prepare to extract Shukaku while Naruto vows to save Gaara.
- Ep. 17 · Gaara's apparent demise as Akatsuki completes the Shukaku sealing ritual.
- Ep. 18 · Neji reveals the Akatsuki gathering while the teams coordinate to breach the sealed cave barrier.
- Ep. 19 · Team Guy Battles Clones While Naruto Pursues Deidara for Gaara
- Ep. 20 · Chiyo and Sakura battle Sasori's Hiruko puppet while Deidara observes Naruto's transformation.
- Ep. 21 · Sasori reveals his true form and summons the Third Kazekage puppet to attack Chiyo and Sakura.
- Ep. 22 · Chiyo Summons Sasori's Parents to Aid the Kazekage Rescue Mission
- Ep. 23 · Chiyo uses Sasori's parent puppets to shield Sakura from the Third Kazekage's iron sand.
- Ep. 24 · Sakura confronts Sasori's Iron Pyramid while Team Guy battles clones outside the cave.