Team Kakashi, Deployed / The Jinchuriki's Tears.Episode 8 Team Kakashi, Deployed: Kankuro fails to attack Sasori who uses his stinging tail to destroy Kankuro's puppets and injures Kankuro with the three day poison, before Sasori declares that he created Kankuro's puppets and leaves. Meanwhile, the Hidden Leaf receives the emergency letter from the Hidden Sand. An expert deciphers the letter and reports to Tsunade that Gaara, the Kazekage of the Hidden Sand has been attacked and kidnapped by the Akatsuki. Tsunade, immediately understanding the emergency, assigns Naruto, Sakura and Kakashi to rescue Gaara. Naruto is angered and wanting an S-rank mission is prepared to do anything to rescue Gaara.
Episode 9 The Jinchuriki's Tears: The Hidden Sand repairs the damages around the mountain area and removes the explosives set on the walls. Temari gets the bad news and worries about her brother and joins Team Kakashi. Naruto, Sakura, Kakashi and Temari move through the forest and recalls their past about Gaara and how he countered the tailed beast sealed within him, about the Chunin Exams and Sasuke. Naruto regrets that Itachi met Sasuke which led to a division in their previous Team 7. The Hidden Sand's medical ninjas fail to find a cure to Kankuro's poisoning. Baki witnesses Kankuro's suffering in the hospital, and informs Chiyo and her brother, Ebizo, the two elder Councillors of the village about the Akatsuki. The Hidden Sand's villagers discuss their loss and what they should do and plan the next step.