"For My Friend" (友のために, Tomo no Tame ni) is episode 261 of the Naruto: Shippūden anime.
Synopsis[]
As Tobi prepares to unleash the White Zetsu Army on the Allied Shinobi Forces, Kabuto deploys his resurrected army to fight. Haku ponders why he is still alive yet unable to move his body as Zabuza explains that they have been resurrected and that he has no respect for any individual who summons the dead to do their bidding. Asuma is brought back to life as well, along with Dan Katō, Tsunade's former lover, to assist them with Itachi and the jinchūriki of the tailed beasts tagging along as well.
Back at the Mountains' Graveyard hideout, Kabuto places Deidara, Sasori, Chūkichi, and Shin into a Surprise Attack and Diversion Platoon. Sasori is dismayed about the Akatsuki having lost so many members and how Zetsu and Tobi are the only ones left alive. Meanwhile, Tokuma notices the White Zetsu Army mobilising and alerts Anko, who instructs the other members of the Infiltration and Reconnaissance Party to report the intel back to the Allied Forces while she provides a distraction. However, she is easily subdued and poisoned by Kabuto, while Deidara goes after her teammates.
In Kumogakure, fights break out between the shinobi as they find themselves unable to trust their newfound allies, with Konoha-nin blaming Suna for their involvement in the Konoha Crush that led to the Third Hokage's death while Kiri holds Iwa responsible for the Tragedy of Yosuga Pass. However, Gaara breaks up their fight and reveals to them that he once held the same anger and contempt that they do, and that he wanted to kill everyone in the world because of it, although he was saved by a certain someone. Gaara remembers his fight with Naruto and reveals to everyone that he was saved by the fellow jinchūriki, despite them being enemies, and that he made a friend. Gaara tells them that they must put aside their conflicts with the other villages as they share a common enemy now — the Akatsuki — who have attacked each one of their villages in some way, and that if any of them still harbour resentment towards Suna, then they may fight him after the war. He then asks them to provide him with strength to save the friend who once saved him, as the latter is the Akatsuki's target, and his speech boosts the troops' morale, causing them to apologise to one another and follow Gaara as the Fourth Shinobi World War begins.
As the Fifth Mizukage spearheads the Daimyō Protection Squad, Naruto and Killer B continue their training on the Island Turtle, with Naruto managing to successfully balance wooden blocks using his Nine-Tails Chakra Mode. However, B tells him that his training is not over yet and that there is one more thing he must do.
