Shikamaru and Temari enter Tsunade’s office. Sakura tells them to look whose back and they’re happy to see Naruto. Shikamaru tells Naruto he looks like he has changed but Sakura tells him he hasn’t. Jiraiya gets a jealous look on his face because no one has said anything to him since they returned. Naruto wonders if his opponent is supposed to be Shikamaru, but Shikamaru says he has just come to pick up some documents. Naruto looks at Temari and wonders if she is his opponent (he also wonders who she is). Tsunade tells Naruto that Shikamaru and Temari aren’t his opponents and then points out the window. Naruto looks out the window and sees Kakashi reading a book. Kakashi tells Naruto he has gotten big. Naruto tells Kakashi he hasn’t changed at all and then pulls out a present. Tsunade tells Sakura that the sight of Naruto and Kakashi is nostalgic. Kakashi freaks out when he sees his present (A book by Jiraiya called, “Make-Out Tactics”). Naruto tells Kakashi that this book is the first new book from the Make-Out Paradise series in three years. He goes on to say that he thought it was boring but he knew Kakashi would enjoy it. Jiraiya thinks to himself how Naruto can’t possibly understand how interesting his book is and then mentions and that Make-Out Paradise isn’t even in circulation yet. Kakashi opens the book and then Tsunade tells him to stop goofing around. Naruto realizes his opponent is supposed to be Kakashi but then Kakashi says no. Kakashi greets Sakura and then says he is going to fight against Sakura and Naruto. Tsunade asks the two how far they can go with Kakashi as their opponent and she will decide what to do with them depending on the results. Kakashi says usually they would start immediately but he knows Naruto must be tired. Naruto says he is not tired. Kakashi disappears saying he will meet them at the third training ground. Shizune wonders why Kakashi was in a hurry and everyone realizes it’s because he wanted to read his new book. Jiraiya thinks to himself that is only natural because he got one of his unreleased books.

Later that day, Naruto walks through the village with Sakura, Shikamaru, and Temari. Naruto complains about Kakashi wanting to read his book rather than seeing the results of their training. Sakura says because Kakashi is stalling they can come up with a plan. Naruto turns to Shikamaru and Temari and asks them if they’re on a date. Shikamaru says it’s not like that and Temari says she would never go on a date with him. Temari goes on to say that the Chuunin Exams are coming up and she has to go back and forth between the villages in preparation. Shikamaru tells Naruto that he has to be a guide for Temari. Naruto thinks of the Exams briefly and then Shikamaru asks Naruto what he is going to do. Naruto wonders what he is talking about and then Shikamaru tells him he is the only one in their age group (besides Sasuke) who hasn’t become a chuunin yet. Naruto freaks out and asks Sakura if she is a chuunin. Sakura says she has. Shikamaru tells Naruto that Neji and Kankuro have become jounin. Naruto then asks about Gaara…

On a balcony in the Sand Village, Baki alerts the Kazekage that the meeting is about to start. The camera pans upwards and we see Gaara. Gaara tells Baki ok.

Naruto at first seems a little down that Gaara has become a Kage and he hasn’t. His attitude then changes and he points to the stone faces saying he will become Hokage. Sakura thinks to herself that maybe Naruto has grown up a little bit after all.

On a roof top Kakashi is reading his new book. Jiraiya appears and asks Kakashi how it is and says it is his greatest work. Later on Jiraiya and Kakashi take a walk through the village. Jiraiya says he will return Naruto to him as promised. Kakashi says he hopes that Naruto has improved. Jiraiya asks Kakashi if he thinks he will have problems with him and then points out that Naruto will crush him if he isn’t careful. Kakashi replies that he will be able to depend on him then. Jiraiya then gains a serious attitude and says “they” (referring to Akatsuki) are starting to move.

In the sand village the meeting has begun. Baki reads a report that says the village has stabilized in the past few years, relations with other villages have improved, and the adoption of the training program for new recruits from the Leaf Village has been a success. One man says he looks forward to seeing the results at the Chuunin Exams. A man named Yuura says there are bad rumors going around now at the time of the exams. Baki asks what they are. Yuura asks if he has heard of an organized called Akatsuki.

Jiraiya appears and tells us that the latest edition of his book series has been released and he would like to ask a certain someone their opinion of the book. We see Kakashi laughing and Jiraiya grabs his attention. Jiraiya asks Kakashi how it is and Kakashi says,

“I’ve only read the prologue, but…To put it bluntly, this level of drama, fluttering of the heart, burning tragedy, the evil secrets, and the beautiful love of a man and a women is truly wonderful!”-Kakashi

Jiraiya agrees and says he hasn’t signed his book yet. Jiraiya gets mad that Kakashi isn’t paying attention so he decides to announce the “present keyword”. Kakashi and Jiraiya use the summoning jutsu and we learn the keyword is, “Pu”.

In a restaurant Kakashi and Jiraiya discuss Akatsuki.

Yuura explains that Akatsuki is made up of ten S-level criminals that are listed in the bingo book. Yuura goes on to say one of the members is Itachi Uchiha who killed his own clan and a former member of the Seven Shinobi Swordsmen, Kisame Hoshigaki, “The Hidden Mist Village’s Monster”. Yuura goes on to mention that Orochimaru was once a member and then brings up his record.

Kakashi asks Jiraiya why Akatsuki has begun taking such drastic actions all of a sudden and what are they after. Jiraiya says he doesn’t know why all of a sudden they have begun moving but he knows they are after the Kyuubi inside of Naruto. Jiraiya goes on to say he knows they’re planning on doing something bad and that he has given this information to the head of security in other countries in hopes that they could set up a policing system of some kind.

Baki asks Yuura how he knows about this organization and Yuura says the Legendary Sannin, Jiraiya, told him. Yuura tells the men that he has increased security around the village and has positioned ANBU at strategic points. Yuura tells them that Akatsuki wear black cloaks with red clouds and his men have been ordered to kill such people on sight with full force. Baki adjourns the meeting and the men begin exiting, except for Gaara.

In the hallway, a man tells Yuura that he would expect nothing less from him. Yuura says he has been working for the council for four years now and for the sake of the village he must do what he can. Yuura begins sweating and a seal inside of his body breaks. Yuura stops and grabs his head. The other man asks what is wrong and Yuura says he hasn’t been getting much sleep. The man walks away and Yuura realizes what just happened.

In the desert, two men in black cloaks with red clouds approach the sand village. The taller man talks to the shorter one about how they’re taking care of these people first instead of the ones Orochimaru fought against and how there is a traitor inside of the Sand Village. The shorter man tells the taller one how he had no idea what would happen after he used that jutsu on him. The shorter man then interrupts and asks the taller one if he will be okay with what is in the bag. The shorter man says their opponent is a Jinchuuriki (Jinchuuriki are the hosts of the tailed demons, Naruto and the Kyuubi, Gaara and Shukaku). The taller man says all of his pieces are works of art and he is carrying his specialty…The taller man opens his bag and moves his hand inside. His hand has a mouth in it that opens up. The taller man says they’re just going up against a little shrimp. The man slips his hand inside his bag and devours some clay.

Inside his office, Gaara notices something.

At the third training ground, Naruto and Sakura are waiting for Kakashi. Naruto wonders how long he is going to take. Sakura says he has always been like that. Kakashi appears and says on his way he saw an old lady that needed some help. Naruto and Sakura tell him he is lying. The three walk past the three poles that we see early in Part I (What Naruto got tied to). Naruto says the place is nostalgic and then thinks back to the bell exercise. Kakashi realizes where they’re at was where Naruto and Sakura had their first training exercise. Sakura says they were team 7 and Naruto says they were a three man-cell. Kakashi says back then they had Sasuke. Sakura thinks back to the night Sasuke left. Naruto thinks back to his battle with Sasuke at the Valley of End. Kakashi looks at the two and sees them both on the ground, sad. Kakashi pulls out two bells which brings them back to the present and tells them he is going to see how much they have improved. Kakashi then asks if they have given up on Sasuke yet. Naruto and Sakura say they haven’t. Kakashi says the rules are the same as before. Kakashi begins to tell them to come at him with a killing intent if they want the bells but Naruto and Sakura finish his sentence for him. Kakashi tells them they have until tomorrow to get the bells. Naruto tightens his headband and Sakura slips on some gloves. Kakashi closes his book and asks them if they’re ready. Naruto asks Kakashi if he isn’t going to read his book this time and Sakura asks if he has finished. Kakashi says he’ll have to put his hobby aside this time and be serious. Kakashi lifts his headband, revealing his sharingan.

At the Sand Village gate, bells are heard ringing. A guard hears the bells and looks into the distance, seeing two figures dressed in black cloaks with red clouds on them…realizing they are Akatsuki members! The man says to himself that he must alert Captain Yuura but then sees Yuura next to him. The man tells Yuura that two guys from Akatsuki have appeared. Yuura says he knows and not to worry, because everything will be over soon.

The two Akatsuki members arrive at the gate. Yuura appears in front of them and the camera zooms out, revealing dead Sand Ninja. The short Akatsuki member tells a bloodied Yuura that he did a good job and then asks if he remembers who he is. Yuura kneels and tells “Sasori” that he does.

From the forest, Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Shizune look on at Naruto, Sakura, and Kakashi. Naruto charges at Kakashi.

At a table Shizune tells Tsunade it is about time for a decisive battle. Tsunade asks Shizune what she thinks about the battle and Shizune explains that she wants to see Sakura do her best but she doesn’t think she’ll be able to defeat Kakashi. Tsunade sighs and asks Shizune if she doesn’t think her “junior/younger sister” can win. Shizune says that’s not what she meant. Tsunade stands up and says she is going to bet on Sakura’s victory. Shizune tells Tsunade to wait because she is going to bet on Sakura’s victory. Tsunade thinks to herself that Shizune fell for it and then says she is going to bet on Kakashi. Tsunade tells Shizune there is no going back on the bet now and whoever wins doesn’t have to go to work tomorrow. Shizune tells Tsunade that she tricked her and Tsunade walks away saying she is going to announce the “present keyword”. Tsunade pulls the lever on a gambling machine which reveals Orochimaru’s face. Tsunade punches his face and then pulls the lever once more. The keyword is “U”.

Notes: -During Tsunade’s present keyword announcement, the fact that Tsunade bet on Kakashi will mean he will lose because she never wins at gambling unless something bad is about to happen.
-The taller Akatsuki member is called (Spoiler Alert!) Deidara and the shorter one, as revealed, Sasori.
-This episode was part of an hour long special. It aired with episode 1.