Team 7 has changed, and only two members remain. Sai is named as Sasuke's replacement, and when he meets Naruto and Sakura, who were quietly waiting for their new teammates, he insults Naruto by saying he's not a man given their previous encounter (Naruto couldn't hurt him, so he thinks he's weak). Sakura holds Naruto so he won't pick a fight, but when she scolds Sai for his comment, he insults her forehead. Now Yamato intervenes to stop Sakura, and tells them to introduce themselves properly, they'll be teammates. Here, Naruto and Sakura hold the same upset expression towards Sai, who maintains a fake stupid smile. They leave to prepare for the mission, and Sakura thinks Sai has something like Sasuke. Naruto says Sasuke was greater, and Sakura agrees smiling at him. This just tells they now share the same thoughts about their former teammate, and about Sai. They know the differences, and that Sai was rude to both of them. And it's true, Sai so far is a dislikable character. He is remembered by an ANBU about Danzo's secret mission, and that he must have no emotions, be always watching. The ANBU side is new for the viewer, I never thought there could be someone like Danzo, who teaches those hunters to be ruthless persons. And Kakashi who is a former ANBU, doesn't look like someone that cold or without emotions. Anyway, Sai doesn't start as a good character, he's very different compared to the old gang, besides it looks like his personality can bring more comedy. His dressing is bad (he should have covered his belly and mid back, he dresses like Ino yet he's supposed to be a ruthless ANBU young man). The old Sasuke is indeed better. Still, Sai will make progress as a character despite this start.
The other part of the episode shows how Jiraiya warns Yamato, Kakashi and Tsunade about what happens when Naruto's cloak reaches four tails: he loses control and once he injured seriously his sensei. This was something similar to what happened before vs Deidara, and Yamato can supress the Kyuubi's chakra somehow. It's curious how the hermit toad tells how his life has been in real danger twice (the other one when Tsunade hitted him for spying girls), considering his life experience. The story doesn't add much to what he said before, and somehow makes everyone think how the nine tailed Fox is an evil being. This vision will change at the end, the Fox is just an animal who takes any chance to unleash his power after being imprisoned for so long. The fact that only Yamato can supress him is kind of convenient, the seal paper idea was better. Then, Sakura reaches Tsunade and updates her about Sai, how bad things started. The Hokage tells her to take care of Naruto, while Danzo appears to ask who will be Sai's captain. She answers without saying his name (Tenzo aka Yamato), and he leaves, glad about the choice. This is how Sakura met Danzo, and Tsunade explains that he was a rival for Hiruzen while running for Hokage, that his ideology opposes to hers and Hashirama's (the First Hokage, Tsunade's grandfather). Shizune reminds Sakura about the mission, so she hurries to meet the team at the gates. They leave, again with Naruto and Sakura holding the same expression towards Sai. It was an interesting finale, as more information from Danzo and the past Hokage was revealed. Hashirama's story will be revealed later, and so why he's regarded as moderate. Danzo is a good character, one of the few harsh persons at Konoha, I think he deserved to be introduced on the first part, thay way could have been showed his dialogues with Hiruzen.
The other part of the episode shows how Jiraiya warns Yamato, Kakashi and Tsunade about what happens when Naruto's cloak reaches four tails: he loses control and once he injured seriously his sensei. This was something similar to what happened before vs Deidara, and Yamato can supress the Kyuubi's chakra somehow. It's curious how the hermit toad tells how his life has been in real danger twice (the other one when Tsunade hitted him for spying girls), considering his life experience. The story doesn't add much to what he said before, and somehow makes everyone think how the nine tailed Fox is an evil being. This vision will change at the end, the Fox is just an animal who takes any chance to unleash his power after being imprisoned for so long. The fact that only Yamato can supress him is kind of convenient, the seal paper idea was better. Then, Sakura reaches Tsunade and updates her about Sai, how bad things started. The Hokage tells her to take care of Naruto, while Danzo appears to ask who will be Sai's captain. She answers without saying his name (Tenzo aka Yamato), and he leaves, glad about the choice. This is how Sakura met Danzo, and Tsunade explains that he was a rival for Hiruzen while running for Hokage, that his ideology opposes to hers and Hashirama's (the First Hokage, Tsunade's grandfather). Shizune reminds Sakura about the mission, so she hurries to meet the team at the gates. They leave, again with Naruto and Sakura holding the same expression towards Sai. It was an interesting finale, as more information from Danzo and the past Hokage was revealed. Hashirama's story will be revealed later, and so why he's regarded as moderate. Danzo is a good character, one of the few harsh persons at Konoha, I think he deserved to be introduced on the first part, thay way could have been showed his dialogues with Hiruzen.
