Under the Starry Sky

Synopsis
Tsunade deploys the Nijū Shōtai, twenty teams composed of four ninja each, to deal with and exterminate the Akatsuki members in the Land of Fire. Asuma is shocked to find out how Chiriku had been killed and reminisces on their past friendship as two of the Twelve Guardian Ninja. Shikamaru is paired with Asuma, Izumo and Kotetsu, whereas Ino and Chōji left with Raidō and Aoba. All the teams except for Asuma's report to Tsunade that their locations are clear, with no sign of the Akatsuki, prompting Tsunade to wonder where they are.

Meanwhile, Naruto is forced to take a break at night due to the fact that Yamato, who has been on standby the entire time, is extremely tired. At home, Sakura looks back fondly at the old photo of Team 7 and recalls when she was able to perform the Tree Climbing Practice while Naruto and Sasuke could not, and how the two have surpassed her. At the waterfall, Naruto attempts to sleep, but sees a shooting star and ponders back to the old Team 7 days. Not wanting to take a rest, he gets up and uses his Multiple Shadow Clone Technique to continue his training. By daytime, much to Yamato's surprise, Naruto manages to use his chakra to cut the flow of the waterfall in two, successfully passing the second stage.