Ep. 8: Team Kakashi is dispatched on a mission to rescue the kidnapped Kazekage Gaara from the Akatsuki.
Aired on April 12, 2007
Kankuro attempts to attack Sasori, but Sasori uses his stinging tail to destroy Kankuro's puppets and injures him with a three-day poison. Sasori reveals he created Kankuro's puppets before leaving. Meanwhile, the Hidden Leaf receives an emergency letter from the Hidden Sand. An expert deciphers the message and reports to Tsunade that Gaara, the Kazekage of the Hidden Sand, has been attacked and kidnapped by the Akatsuki. Tsunade immediately understands the urgency and assigns Naruto, Sakura, and Kakashi to rescue Gaara. Naruto is angered by the situation and, wanting an S-rank mission, is prepared to do anything to rescue Gaara.
Episodes
- Ep. 4 · Gaara Defends Against Deidara While Naruto and Sakura Outsmart Kakashi
- Ep. 5 · Gaara battles Deidara while Naruto and Sakura rest and Iruka eat ramen.
- Ep. 6 · Gaara is captured by Deidara after blocking an explosion while Naruto reflects on his goals
- Ep. 7 · Kankuro confronts Sasori in the desert while allies depart for the Hidden Sand
- Ep. 8 · Team Kakashi is dispatched on a mission to rescue the kidnapped Kazekage Gaara from the Akatsuki.
- Ep. 9 · Hidden Sand repairs damage while Team Kakashi travels to find Gaara
- Ep. 10 · Deidara and Sasori arrive at the Akatsuki hideout to seal Shukaku while Tsunade sends Team Guy to aid Kakashi.
- Ep. 11 · Kakashi negotiates with Chiyo while Sakura extracts poison to craft an antidote under Tsunade's guidance.
- Ep. 12 · Chiyo's History and the Akatsuki's Counterattack Begin