Ep. 492: Shikamaru battles ink beasts, escapes captivity, and confronts Gengo's brainwashing tactics.
Shikamaru fights Sai's ink creations and wakes imprisoned, playing shogi while Sai visits. They discuss Shikamaru's presence instead of Team 7 members. Roh is imprisoned nearby while Hinoko undergoes brainwashing by Gengo. Shikamaru meets Gengo, who argues that peace stifles shinobi development, using a flower analogy and scent-induced memories to recruit followers. Shikamaru escapes, returning to find Rō and Hinoko transformed into guards. He blocks his hearing with chakra needles to resist Gengo's voice but is stopped by Sai's ink lion and struck on the head as Gengo flees. Ino and Choji arrive to help. Shikamaru doubts his reality until Temari slaps him for lying. Temari gives Shikamaru Asuma's chakra blades to clear a path to Gengo while Ino and Choji prepare to fight the converted guards.
Episodes
- Ep. 488 · Sasuke defeats Chino, who surrenders after Mizukage offers atonement work.
- Ep. 489 · Shikamaru faces boredom at his desk job while investigating missing ninja in the Land of Silence.
- Ep. 490 · Shikamaru, Soku, and Roh reach the Land of Silence and infiltrate Gengo's fort Tobari.
- Ep. 491 · Shikamaru and Roh investigate Gengo while Sai faces public execution
- Ep. 492 · Shikamaru battles ink beasts, escapes captivity, and confronts Gengo's brainwashing tactics.
- Ep. 493 · Shikamaru confronts Gengo in Fushuu Castle while allies break mental control.
- Ep. 494 · Naruto and Hinata’s wedding preparations involve missions and Iruka’s career dilemma
- Ep. 495 · Lee and Tenten Seek Wedding Gift Advice from Guy
- Ep. 496 · Shikamaru seeks a romantic honeymoon gift while Sakura and Ino hold a cooking contest judged by Choji.