Ep 53: The Leaves Sprout! Naruto Shippuuden Special

Naruto tells Sasuke that Orochimaru plans to take over his body but Sasuke doesn't care. He and Oro are no match for Itachi, so if sacrificing his body to Oro means defeating itachi he would do it a million times over. Yamato gets up, saying he needs to get serious. Sasuke is the same as Oro,and a rogue ninja can't be allowed to roam free. Sasuke is stopped by Oro, who tells him not to use "that technique." Sasuke tells him to beat it. Kabuto appears and reprimands Sasuke for speaking rudely to Oro and reminds him they need Konoha to help eliminate Akatsuki. If other Akatsuki members interfere, then he'd have more trouble taking revenge. Sasuke says that's pathetic, but Kabuto says even increasing your chances by 1% is important. Sasuke sheathes his sword. The three disappear as if consumed bottom up by flames.

The team is dejected at their failed mission. Naruto thinks how he is still too weak and cries. Sakura says crying won't bring Sasuke back and they have to get stronger together. Sai says they still have six months left and a team of three is stronger than a team of two. The team returns to Konoha to report to Tsunade.

Jiraiya reports to Kakashi. Original mission was to capture Sasori's spy, but Kabuto already had the jutsu lifted by Oro. Naruto turned into his Kyuubi state. Oro withdrew and Yamato's clone followed. Found Sasuke, but Naruto was no match since he was damaged by Kyuubi. Kakashi says positively that now that Naruto realizes the difference in their power, he'd be even more revved up for training. Jiraiya scoffs, but agrees. Kakashi's happy they all returned safely.

The two advisors discuss Naruto and how they're lucky he returned and how he should be kept in the village, but they know they can't keep restrict him. Tsuande places the team on standby at home till the next mission.

Naruto asks Sakura on a date, but Sakura reminds him they're suppose to be on standby.

Yamato reports to Tsunade about Sai's mission to target Sasuke. Yamato gives Tsunade an evelope which Danzou gave to Sai to give to Oro, a list of all their ANBU agents which are supposed to be top secret. Tsunade orders Shizune to post new guards at the file storage area and change all the access password immediately. She's worried about sabotage from the inside. Yamato has one more thing to tell them.

Danzou repreminds Sai for failing his mission. Sai asks to stay with team Kakashi for a while longer and smiles. Tsunade already told Danzou she wants Sai to stay. Danzou warns Sai that emotions lead to war. Sai thinks back on Naruto's words. At home, Sai sits down to paint then he hears Naruto calling him for their next mission.

Later Naruto returns home and thinks back to when they had their team picture taken. Naruto and Sasuke argued while Sakura asks to leave Naruto out of the picture.

Review: Just reviewing what's happened so far.

Notes: Kakashi's an optimist, or at least he pretends to be.

Thoughts:
So the info Danzou gave Oro is real? If Danzou's plan was to assassinate Sasuke, and protect the Leaf, why give potential damaging infor in case the plan failed?
What is Sasuke's special technique alluded to by Orochimaru?