Title
Their mission to bring back Sasuke a failure, the group returns to Konoha determined not to fail ever again. Meanwhile, Sai confronts Danzo with a personal request. After seeing how strong Sasuke has become, Yamato tells Naruto and Sakura that he did not want to injure Sasuke in front of them. But, unfortunately he says now he must get “serious” and that they will take Sasuke back to Konoha no matter what. Sasuke grows tired of the situation and forms a seal for an attack but is stopped by Orochimaru who suddenly appears. Orochimaru forbids Sasuke of using “that” attack but Sasuke tells Orochimaru to get lost. Kabuto then appears and scolds Sasuke for his language towards Orochimaru and then reasons with Sasuke as to why he should not kill Naruto and the others. Sasuke agrees with Kabuto that its better for Team Kakashi to help kill at least one more member of Akatsuki in order for his fight with Itachi to have a better chance of being one on one. After this dialogue, Sasuke, Orochimaru, and Kabuto leave the area. Naruto is left distraught after letting Sasuke get away again and now sees that he is weak compared to him. Sakura assures Naruto that she is still there with him and they will both get stronger together. Sai, tells them that three is better than two, and that he is pretty strong himself, offering his assistance to Team Kakashi even after this mission. Once back in Konoha, they report to Tsunade on what happened on their mission. After learning of Sai’s secret mission, she becomes enraged but at the same time realizes that Danzou only had Konoha’s safety in mind even though she did not agree with his course of action. Sai officially asks Danzou if he can remain part of Team Kakashi and Danzou tells him that Tsunade has already talked to him about that but warns Sai about the danger of emotions. Sai officially joins Naruto and Sakura as the new Team Kakashi, still lead temporarily by Yamato until Kakashi completely recovers.