Naruto returns to the Leaf Village, and his teammates demand to know why he didn't finish Sasuke off when the latter was in such a weak state. Naruto tells them that when the time is right, he will deal with Sasuke personally. Meanwhile, a supposedly deceased member of Akastuki has infiltrated the Hidden Cloud Village.

The Ino-Shika-Cho trio is ordered by Shikaku to take down the reanimated Asuma. Remembering Asuma’s final words, Shikamaru and Ino are determined to stop their former teacher.