This episode was the best made for a while. Though doesn't contain much canon material, the writing was very good. Begins with the classic score from Konoha in Shippuden, as the carver is about to make Danzo's rock face on the mountain. But he is interrupted by a boy, who tells him the news about Danzo's death. The carver is frustrated, he memorized Danzo's face perfectly. First funny moment of the day. Then, Kakashi takes Karin to Ibiki at the interrogatory department. He updates him about where she was and that she witnessed Danzo's last battle. Some shinobi take her, as she starts demanding water and food so she can talk. Ibiki tells Kakashi that the chain of command is on confusion, someone must take the lead role. He knows, and then goes to meet with Homura and Koharu. This part is canon: they tell Kakashi that they agree to recommend him as the next Hokage. Homura is surprised that he tells to be ready, but Kakashi knows his personality doesn't fit for the position. Koharu finally says that Danzo, despite his ambition, did everything for the village, Hiruzen upfront, and Danzo from the shadows. They ask him not to do eveything alone. Kakahi doesn't answer, seems to agree and leaves. This part was well done, especially the detail of the carver. Who would have thought that it was a one man's job. A boy seemingly helps him. A hole was filled. Then, showing Karin being taken to Ibiki served to fill gaps on the storyline. About Homura and Koharu, well, as they said, they are the last surviving persons from the one times. They are the only ones alive who saw Tobirama, the 2nd Hokage. Experience they have, they lived a lot. Sadly they were usually written to be obtuse, especially Koharu. About Hiruzen's times, that was a long period, and it had peaceful great parts, and also bad terrible events, like the war, and the Uchiha's massacre.
In the meantime, Naruto tells the rest of the Konoha eleven group what is going to happen with Sasuke. He asks them to let him take care of the Uchiha. Tenten protests, Shino calls him stubborn, while Kiba asks for more details, like Neji. Naruto insists, and Shikamaru asks if he doesn't want to let them intervene to protect Sasuke (the smartest guy of the group). Naruto denies it, and Neji asks why he didn't finished Sasuke if he was weak after fighting the Kages and Danzo. Here Sakura defends Naruto, saying that "Madara" was present. Kiba still doesn't understands how Sasuke got away if Naruto is so powerful, the hero who defeated Pain. But he says it's different, and that given his actual level, no one can face Sasuke except for him. Sakura wonders what is he hiding, and Naruto simply insists to the others on his decision, and leaves. Here there were some implications. Shikamaru suspects Naruto's intentions about Sasuke. As Kiba said they all agreed that Sasuke must be killed, but Naruto doesn't mention that he still wants to "save" Sasuke or that he would accept dying with him. Only Sakura knows this. So, Naruto is hiding the truth to his ten friends because he knows they won't understand the situation. They don't know the truth about Itachi, and even if they did, it's unclear what they would think. The fact of the matter is that Kakashi knows the truth about Itachi, but also saw Sasuke attempting to kill Sakura twice, and is more experienced than Naruto. He knows that Sasuke must be eliminated, he made that decision. So, no matter if Naruto lies to his friends, he is somehow alone. Another remark is that Sakura is the only one who knows what happened. She defended Naruto when Neji questioned him, so, she is the only person he can talk to, besides Kakashi. This should strength their relationship, and is a big difference with the others. Something I criticize to Hinata's fans, is that they acclaim her and like her as a love interest for Naruto, when the reality is that they don't share anything. Here, there was a moment when they saw each other, after episode 166 (Hinata's confession), and nothing happened. She didn't say a word. No one knows what she thinks about Sasuke, though it's implied that she agrees with Neji and the others. Here, like always, the only confident for Naruto is Sakura. The only one who can defend him is her.
Then, a great filler part follows: as Kakashi walks through the streets of Konoha, Gai finds him. He proposes a challenge, as rivals, a race to reach the Hokage's faces. Kakashi doubts at first, but realizing the real reason behind the challenge, accepts. They start at the gates, and run through the village in reconstruction. They are seen by Shikamaru and Choji (who are eating snacks, and debate about Naruto's intentions), Kiba and Shino, Neji (who realizes why they are racing even though Kakashi is about to be Hokage) and Tenten. Naruto and Sakura are walking, as she says that the others may not be fine with his resolve. He asks her if she is, so Sakura answers that she thinks he has a plan, so she puts her faith on him. Right then, they see Kakashi and Gai running like mad men. The rivals finally make to the finish line, where Lee is waiting. They pass, and it looked like a draw, but Lee proclaims Kakashi's victory. Gai congratulates Kakashi with a bouquet, not for the race, but for becoming Hokage. He thinks then they won't have much time for challenges like this. Kakashi tells that they will, and says how glad he is to have him around. He asks for his help to run Konoha, so Gai and Lee cry in joy. Then, the rock carver calls him to make a model of his face. At one point, he asks him to take off his mask, to Kakashi's dismay (but the viewer can't see his face). Before going to the meeting, Kakashi finds Shikaku and wonders is he wouldn't be a better option for Hokage. Shikaku refuses, as he is old enough to retire, and let his son take the lead (considering Shikaku is the father of Shikamaru, he is from the same generation than Minato, the 4th Hokage). Kakashi's idea wasn't crazy, considering how future episodes give Shikaku more protagonism. At the end, the meeting with the Daimyo goes normal, until he wonders if Kakashi should be named the 6th or the 7th Hokage, given Danzo's demise. Koharu tries to protest but Homura stops her. Still, before the Lord can tell his answer while Kakashi waits, Gai suddenly appears to reveal the latest news. Turns out that Shizune felt something on Tsunade, the 5th Hokage is awake!!! Shizune cries in joy holding her, while Kakashi seems relieved somehow. And the carver, who was about to start his work again, is frustrated again to hear the news. The episode had a great ending. They made believe everyone until the last minute that Kakashi would be Hokage. The setting was funny, meaningful. Kakashi and Gai had proved to be real friends, who spend time together, play games, their called challenges. Even if not everything is canon, it's perfect filling part. A comic relief that shows what friendship is about. Gai wasn't envious of him, he supported his friend, and comforts himself by thinking that one day he will surpass him. But also, he conforms himself about his own power, and skills, that Kakashi recognizes. Then, Tsunade's awakening came at the right time. I would have liked to see Kakashi as Hokage, but for some reason, Tsunade felt a better option. If she wasn't meant to die during Pain's attack, then the best way for her to remain Hokage for several years. It's like Naruto and Sakura need her. Jiraiya's gone, so she must remain alive. The fact that Shizune stayed with her pretty much all the time, says that Tsunade has become like a mother, or a sister to her. Looks like Shizune's parents are not alive (and Dan was her uncle), so Tsunade is all she has. She is the 5th Hokage's Friend. Then, Naruto and Sakura's conversation simply proved my point, she is the only one he can talk to. Sadly it wasn't longer. Still, it's good to see them spending time together.
In the meantime, Naruto tells the rest of the Konoha eleven group what is going to happen with Sasuke. He asks them to let him take care of the Uchiha. Tenten protests, Shino calls him stubborn, while Kiba asks for more details, like Neji. Naruto insists, and Shikamaru asks if he doesn't want to let them intervene to protect Sasuke (the smartest guy of the group). Naruto denies it, and Neji asks why he didn't finished Sasuke if he was weak after fighting the Kages and Danzo. Here Sakura defends Naruto, saying that "Madara" was present. Kiba still doesn't understands how Sasuke got away if Naruto is so powerful, the hero who defeated Pain. But he says it's different, and that given his actual level, no one can face Sasuke except for him. Sakura wonders what is he hiding, and Naruto simply insists to the others on his decision, and leaves. Here there were some implications. Shikamaru suspects Naruto's intentions about Sasuke. As Kiba said they all agreed that Sasuke must be killed, but Naruto doesn't mention that he still wants to "save" Sasuke or that he would accept dying with him. Only Sakura knows this. So, Naruto is hiding the truth to his ten friends because he knows they won't understand the situation. They don't know the truth about Itachi, and even if they did, it's unclear what they would think. The fact of the matter is that Kakashi knows the truth about Itachi, but also saw Sasuke attempting to kill Sakura twice, and is more experienced than Naruto. He knows that Sasuke must be eliminated, he made that decision. So, no matter if Naruto lies to his friends, he is somehow alone. Another remark is that Sakura is the only one who knows what happened. She defended Naruto when Neji questioned him, so, she is the only person he can talk to, besides Kakashi. This should strength their relationship, and is a big difference with the others. Something I criticize to Hinata's fans, is that they acclaim her and like her as a love interest for Naruto, when the reality is that they don't share anything. Here, there was a moment when they saw each other, after episode 166 (Hinata's confession), and nothing happened. She didn't say a word. No one knows what she thinks about Sasuke, though it's implied that she agrees with Neji and the others. Here, like always, the only confident for Naruto is Sakura. The only one who can defend him is her.
Then, a great filler part follows: as Kakashi walks through the streets of Konoha, Gai finds him. He proposes a challenge, as rivals, a race to reach the Hokage's faces. Kakashi doubts at first, but realizing the real reason behind the challenge, accepts. They start at the gates, and run through the village in reconstruction. They are seen by Shikamaru and Choji (who are eating snacks, and debate about Naruto's intentions), Kiba and Shino, Neji (who realizes why they are racing even though Kakashi is about to be Hokage) and Tenten. Naruto and Sakura are walking, as she says that the others may not be fine with his resolve. He asks her if she is, so Sakura answers that she thinks he has a plan, so she puts her faith on him. Right then, they see Kakashi and Gai running like mad men. The rivals finally make to the finish line, where Lee is waiting. They pass, and it looked like a draw, but Lee proclaims Kakashi's victory. Gai congratulates Kakashi with a bouquet, not for the race, but for becoming Hokage. He thinks then they won't have much time for challenges like this. Kakashi tells that they will, and says how glad he is to have him around. He asks for his help to run Konoha, so Gai and Lee cry in joy. Then, the rock carver calls him to make a model of his face. At one point, he asks him to take off his mask, to Kakashi's dismay (but the viewer can't see his face). Before going to the meeting, Kakashi finds Shikaku and wonders is he wouldn't be a better option for Hokage. Shikaku refuses, as he is old enough to retire, and let his son take the lead (considering Shikaku is the father of Shikamaru, he is from the same generation than Minato, the 4th Hokage). Kakashi's idea wasn't crazy, considering how future episodes give Shikaku more protagonism. At the end, the meeting with the Daimyo goes normal, until he wonders if Kakashi should be named the 6th or the 7th Hokage, given Danzo's demise. Koharu tries to protest but Homura stops her. Still, before the Lord can tell his answer while Kakashi waits, Gai suddenly appears to reveal the latest news. Turns out that Shizune felt something on Tsunade, the 5th Hokage is awake!!! Shizune cries in joy holding her, while Kakashi seems relieved somehow. And the carver, who was about to start his work again, is frustrated again to hear the news. The episode had a great ending. They made believe everyone until the last minute that Kakashi would be Hokage. The setting was funny, meaningful. Kakashi and Gai had proved to be real friends, who spend time together, play games, their called challenges. Even if not everything is canon, it's perfect filling part. A comic relief that shows what friendship is about. Gai wasn't envious of him, he supported his friend, and comforts himself by thinking that one day he will surpass him. But also, he conforms himself about his own power, and skills, that Kakashi recognizes. Then, Tsunade's awakening came at the right time. I would have liked to see Kakashi as Hokage, but for some reason, Tsunade felt a better option. If she wasn't meant to die during Pain's attack, then the best way for her to remain Hokage for several years. It's like Naruto and Sakura need her. Jiraiya's gone, so she must remain alive. The fact that Shizune stayed with her pretty much all the time, says that Tsunade has become like a mother, or a sister to her. Looks like Shizune's parents are not alive (and Dan was her uncle), so Tsunade is all she has. She is the 5th Hokage's Friend. Then, Naruto and Sakura's conversation simply proved my point, she is the only one he can talk to. Sadly it wasn't longer. Still, it's good to see them spending time together.
