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.

Instead of returning to the Hidden Leaf, Sasuke sets out with Chino and Nowaki to investigate the cause of the exploding humans.