Chapter 310: "Title" – Naruto doubles over in agony from his failure,

thinking he's powerless. Sakura begins to cry and states they couldn't
bring him back. She then says though, that they're still together and
they'll get stronger together as well. Sai states they have six months.
He himself is strong and three is better than two. Naruto chuckles and
he and Sakura begin to perk up. Yamato tells them to move out. A
short while later the team stands before Tsunade. Naruto promises
they're not giving up, and she states that's fine, she already has a
mission for them. Later Sai kneels before Danzou. The old man is
surprised by Sai's mission failure. Sai asks a favor, to keep his name
and to stay with Team Kakashi for the time being. Danzou says Sai will
need to ask Tsunade; he then notices Sai's smile. He then warns Sai
that emotions can lead to war. Sai thinks of Sasuke's words of hatred
for his brother, but he then thinks of how Naruto stated he connected
with Sasuke. In Sai's apartment he holds a scroll marked "Comrade"
and he remembers Naruto others words, demanding to know if Sai
even knew what that word meant. Sai smiles and begins to paint a
picture; he then thinks of his brother. Outside Naruto yells for Sai to
hurry. Sai puts down the brush and we move to the window seal. With
the window frame to the outside world appearing like a painting, Sai
joins the group while "Comrade" sits below it, marking his new
beginning among friends.

Chapter 311: "Nickname" – In the Konoha reading center, Sai is

intently reading books on good communication and relations. He notes
passages on the usage of honorifics and nicknames. Sakura walks by
holding a book and notices Sai. She asks if he is looking for art books,
Sai says no and blushes. Sakura notices the book titles and
understands. She asks Sai if he wants to come see Kakashi-sensei with
her and Naruto. Elsewhere Naruto sits and thinks over Sasuke's
statements. Sakura yells to Naruto and the trio meets. Naruto is
surprised Sai is coming, and comments that it hurts his chance to go
on a date with Sakura. Sakura says any time like that should be used
training in ninjutsu. He also needs to work on training his mind too,
since he's an idiot. Naruto hunches over dejected. Sai thinks over how
Sakura talks to Naruto informally. Sai blushes and asks if he can join
the discussion. He states how he read how to open ones heart and
make friends by referring to people by their last names or nicknames.
Naruto tells him not to worry about it, and Sakura asks if he read that
in one of the books. He states yes and he couldn't think of any
nicknames. Sakura understands and states he could base them on
their characteristics, like "Idiot-Naruto." Naruto says that's too harsh.
Sai understands and Sakura thinks over how much closer they've
gotten. Sai states his thanks and then offers... "Ugly". Sakura smiles
and then freaks yelling Shannaro!! Naruto tries to hold her back and
tells Sai he went too far. Sai doesn't understand. A short while later
the trio stands before Kakashi's hospital bed. Both Naruto and Sai
nurse bruises on their cheeks. Kakashi offers his greeting to Sai and
then asks Sakura privately what happened. He is surprised a fight
broke out this early. Sakura says everything is okay. Sai sizes up
Kakashi and he figures while he heard about Kakashi while in Root,
Kakashi probably heard of him too. Kakashi says he heard about the
mission and Sasuke from Yamato. Naruto states there's not much time
and that he wasn't strong enough. Sakura states Sasuke's speed and
strength weren't normal and that in her training with Tsunade she
learned it may be kinjutsu or drugs. Also Kabuto does experiments she
can't even find in her book. Kakashi states they have to get stronger.
He used his downtime to think of just how to do that, but this
particular method is suited to Naruto. A training regimen which could
even help Naruto surpass Kakashi himself...

Chapter 312: "Silent Approaching Threat!!" – Kakashi explains

the training will be different than anything before. It will help Naruto
develop an ultimate ninjutsu which he can call his own, but it will take
a very long time and won't come easy. Naruto states they don't have
that much time but Kakashi states he has that worked out. Suddenly
Team 10 enters and Asuma asks how Kakashi is doing. Shikamaru asks
if they've done the mission already and then notices Sai. Sai offers a
greeting. In Tsunade's office an ANBU brings a report. Shizune states
Akatsuki is moving again and will be getting close. Tsunade states it's
time for Konoha to stop messing around and use this opportunity to
take them out for good. Back at the hospital the Sai situation is
explained and he asks them to treat him as a friend. Ino comments to
Sakura that Sai is kinda cute like Sasuke. Sakura whispers back that
he acts completely different than he looks, and he's socially clueless.
Shikamaru tells Naruto he'll help out next time since the Chuunin
Exams are now over. Asuma tells the group to go get something to eat
while he talks to Kakashi. Naruto interjects that he thought it was
training time. Kakashi says they can do that later. In the Yakiniku,
Sakura asks where Shikamaru is, Chouji says he went to help his dad.
Ino comments it's strange since he is usually on time for meetings. Ino
states they should formally introduce themselves. Sai smiles and
thinks he better come up with some nicknames fast. Sai tells Chouji
it's nice to meet him... and begins to quickly think. Sakura and Naruto
freak thinking Sai will say fatty. Sai begins to say just that when
Naruto grabs his mouth and warns him not to. Sai then turns to Ino
and thinks how women really hate it when he speaks the truth, so he'll
do the reverse. He calls her Beautiful-san. Ino blushes and Sakura
explodes with anger at the difference in their names. Elsewhere a
kunoichi is desperately running. A huge scythe emerges from the
shadows to strike at her. A hidden voice comments how his attack
speed is the slowest in Akatsuki. The kunoichi from Hidden Cloud then
states her recognition of the group. Two figures emerge, one bearing
the San ring and the other the Kito ring. Kito ring states she is the last
and she's not that bad. He then tells his partner, Hidan from an
unknown Hidden village, that this is the two-tails Jinchuuriki, and that
they should be careful. Hidan then tells his partner, Kakuzu from
Hidden Waterfall, that he knows and he wants her to kill him just to
get it over with...

Chapter 313: "The New Duo!!" – Hidan asks his partner to wait
while he prays. Kakuzu is annoyed but Hidan explains he has to. The
kunoichi states she is the one in control and destroys all the entrances.
Hidan states they weren't paying enough attention and Kakuzu states
it’s just as well. The kunoichi identifies herself as Yugito. Hidan gets
annoyed by her boasts and begins to talk of a bloodlust, Kakuzu tells
him to cram it and focus. Hidan explains in his evil god belief system
they must kill all, and the mission goes against that. Yugito is confused
and when Hidan just asks her to come quietly. She refuses and begins
to change into her Jinchuuriki form. Chakra swirls and quickly
resembles a huge feral feline. Hidan offers his surprise and the beast
swipes. Kakuzu reaches up to stop the blow. It then emits a fiery ball
out of its mouth and Hidan jumps away. Soon the building itself
collapses and Hidan jokes of not being able to stand the heat. He takes
refuge in the rubble and states he's trapped like a rat to the two tailed
demon feline known as a living ghost. In Konoha, Kakashi asks what
Asuma wanted but Kurenai enters and Asuma takes his leave. He
states he'll tell Kakashi later. Back at the fight Hidan rests impaled on
the ground on his religious symbol. He turns from black to his normal
tone and Kakuzu offers his annoyance at this constant sacrifice. Hidan
states he has to and it's blasphemy to skip. He pulls the spike out and
we see blood-drenched Yugito high on a wall, with a spike impaling
both her hands. Kakuzu pulls out a map with multiple countries marks
with X's. He then states their final target is the Fire Country...

Chapter 314: "Akatsuki's Invasion...!!" – Zetsu emerges, startling

the duo. He asks if they're finally done and Hidan is annoyed again at
someone insulting his religion. Zetsu states he can only trust in
himself, but Kakuzu says one can trust money. Hidan is annoyed,
stating Kakuzu's side-jobs always make them late. Kakuzu tells him to
be quiet, that he paired with Hidan because he knew his religious
practices would lead to money for the group. Zetsu tells them to move
on and he'll take care of the Nibi. Later the duo stands in front of the
Fire Temple. Hidan expresses reluctance at entering but Kakuzu
pushes forward, holding out his ring hand it turns black and the door
opens. Inside the monks hear the iron gates crashing down and rush
to alert Chiriku. They recognize the invaders as Akatsuki and Chiriku
arrives to face them. Kakuzu is pleased, stating the monk has a
bounty of 30 million ryou. Hidan expresses discomfort at killing a
monk but Kakuzu pushes on. Chiriku asks them to leave but they
stand firm. Kakuzu states the Fire Temple is highly revered, and the
monks have special abilities. This particular one is an elite of the 12
guards, chosen to protect the Fire Daimyou. He can be identified by his
"Fire" marked loincloth. He tells Hidan to not let down his guard and
his partner retorts he's seriously saying that again? In Konoha Naruto
is happy that Kakashi is training him again but Kakashi tells him the
happiness will end soon. He states the goal is a jutsu which surpasses
Rasengan. The two important principles are altering the chakra's shape
and nature. Rasengan alters the shape but not the nature, while
Chidori also alters the nature by changing it from chakra into an
electrical current. Naruto affirms understanding about altering its
nature but Kakashi thinks that's not exactly what he meant but he'll
get it. He then begins to states how they'll train in a short period of
time and we cut away to the Third Hokage memorial. Asuma stands
before it and states he understands what the old man meant. We focus
on his "Fire" loincloth with new understanding. He states leaving
Konoha behind and doing what he wanted was bad but he has no
regrets. It wasn't so bad being born into the Sarutobi clan, and you did
your duty old man. Back in the monastery it's totally destroyed. Hidan
is doing his ritual and states the Jinchuuriki wasn't there so they
should move on. Kakuzu says no, he has to turn in Chiriku's body for
the reward. A lone monk watches in the distance, he states he has to
warn Leaf. Kakuzu says the country is big so they need to be careful
and Hidan once again yells at him for always making them late.
Chapter 315: "Special Training!!" – Kakashi explains the shortcut is
Tajuu Kage Bunshin. Naruto is clueless so Kakashi explains. The Kage
Bunshin is an actual clone, and any experience gained by the clone is
passed back to the original. Naruto remains clueless so Kakashi shows
him. Kakashi makes a clone, and has Naruto make one too. The clones
go off into the woods and play a rock-scissors-paper game. The
original Naruto states he has no idea what's going on. The Naruto
clone disperses and the original suddenly obtains the memories that
he won the game. Kakashi asks if he finally understands and Naruto
states he's never noticed that feature before. And he asks how this
helps anyway. Kakashi explains that with each clone added to train, it
multiplies the training experienced. So a thousand clones could learn
in a week what would normally take one ninja numerous years. Naruto
asks if that's why Kakashi is so strong but he states no. Kage Bunshin
evenly splits the chakra, and he simply doesn't have the same stamina
or chakra level that Naruto does to attempt the training. Kakashi
explains Naruto has at least twice as much chakra, and if the Kyuubi
chakra is managed it could be 100 times that. An off panel voice states
that's why it's perfect for Naruto. Yamato has arrived to assist in
restraining the Kyuubi. Kakashi explains they are five basic types of
chakra, Fire, Wind, Water, Lightning and Earth; and each person’s
chakra tends to be one of these types. Yamato explains that the
Uchiha lean towards fire. Kakashi explains Chidori is an element of
lightning. Naruto states then that Sasuke is both Fire and Lightning.
Kakashi explains Naruto is a blank slate but his cards should help them
discover his chakra nature. The cards are specially treated to reveal
ones elemental type, imbue some chakra into it and it will change. The
paper will crumple if lightning, split if wind, burn if fire, fall apart if
earth, and become wet if water. Yamato explains it's made from
specially chakra-nurtured trees. Naruto takes the paper and flows his
chakra in... it splits! Kakashi states it's time for Wind Element training!

Chapter 316: "Training Starts!!" – Kakashi explains how Wind can

blow and cut through most anything. Naruto beams stating he's
awesome but his teachers tell him he's not there yet. Naruto then asks
what type of nature manipulation is Mokuton? Kakashi whispers to
Yamato. Yamato steps aside. Forming hand seals a huge earthen hill
rises up using Earth, and then using Water he forms a waterfall off of
it. Yamato explains he’s adept at both earth and water styles. Naruto
states then that he can use two styles too, and Kakashi explains most
Jounin level can. So Naruto asks if Wood means he has three. Yamato
explains Wood isn't a basic element. Kakashi states he uses both
simultaneously, earth chakra in one hand, water in the other. Naruto is
surprised and Yamato explains once learned it's fairly easy to use
multiple ones separately. Using them together though is another story.
Kakashi explains it usually takes a bloodline limit. The young man
named Haku had a bloodline allowing him to make an Ice element out
of Water and Wind. Such abilities can't be copied by Sharingan. Naruto
then asks about shadow and size manipulation, medical jutsu and
genjutsu. Kakashi states those will take awhile to explain. Yamato
states those involve dark and light nature manipulation, and they can
explained later. Kakashi tells Naruto to place a leaf between the palms
of his hands, and then slice it using chakra. Naruto asks how many
clones he'll need and Kakashi suggests this whole trees’ leaves worth.
Elsewhere Shikamaru and Asuma play shogi. Asuma makes a
particularly risky play and Shikamaru asks what the matter is. Asuma
explains sacrifices are sometimes needed to protect the king, and he's
finally realized what that means. Asuma states Shikamaru would be a
knight, capable of quick and strategic moves. Shikamaru asks what
that makes Asuma then, so he points to the pawn. Asuma asks if he
knows who the king is. Shikamaru states the Hokage? Asuma states
he thought so too, but no. Shikamaru then asks who, and Asuma
states the young man will figure it out in time. Back outside the tree is
bare of leaves and one clone has made a small tear in a leaf. Kakashi
thinks this may go quicker than he thought.

Chapter 317: "The Nightmare Begins" – A gigantic three-tailed

turtle emerges from the water. Tobi in an Akatsuki cloak states Deidara
can handle him. Deidara says no, being a full-fledged member means
taking him on by himself. Tobi takes off and the bijuu follows. He
states Kisame should be the one handling a water bijuu. Deidara forms
a clay fish which swims near the beast and explodes, sending Tobi
flying as well. Back in Konoha Yamato focuses on controlling the
Kyuubi's chakra, and Kakashi asks "Tenzou" how it's going. Yamato
says he's fine, and asks to be called his codename. The Naruto's are
happy one has learned to cut a leaf but they're a bit jealous. Naruto
asks Kakashi if there are any other Wind users, and Kakashi refers him
to Asuma. Elsewhere Asuma has lost in Shougi and must now pay for
their next meal. Naruto arrives and Asuma explains his surprise at his
element being Wind too. He tells Naruto he'll help him if he buys them
dinner and Shikamaru states that's cheating. Asuma pulls out his knife
and explains its' special metal focuses the users unique chakra. Naruto
is handed a knife and told to flow his chakra in. Asuma explains one
has to split your chakra and then rub it back together. Naruto asks
how these are better than normal cutting weapons. Asuma has them
throw the knives at a tree. Naruto's sticks, while Asuma's pierces the
tree and buries itself in a rock behind. Asuma explains that he held
back, and that a weapon like this gives a ninja an edge in battle. He
states Wind is for close and mid-range fighting. Naruto states his
thanks and the Kage Bunshin puffs away to Shikamaru’s surprise. The
other Narutos get their instant update from the dispersed clone. In the
Admin building the Fire Monk lays out what happened. Shizune states
they're looking for a Jinchuuriki. Tsunade strongly states they won't
leave the country and tells Shizune to contact the 20 platoons.

Chapter 318: "Favorable Training" – Kakashi tells Naruto to think

over his training and then disperse his clones. They disappear and
Yamato relaxes. Naruto looks at the barely torn leaf in his hand and
then passes out. Kakashi states he also obtains the mental fatigue as
well. Elsewhere Tobi stands on the belly of the defeated bijuu. Tobi
acts boastful and Deidara tells him his own art played a large part. He
states Tobi needs to shut his big mouth and keep his cool. He then
goes on to relate “cool” to art and Tobi interjects that Deidara has the
big mouth now. Deidara glares and an explosion happens off panel. At
the waterfall, the Narutos successfully split their leaves and then
disperse. He asks how long it will be to master the training and then
passes out. A short time later Naruto awakes and Kakashi tells him the
next step is to cut the waterfall. Yamato states he'll directly hit the
waterfall with his hand using his elemental Wind chakra. Kakashi
states if he can do this it can be used in combat. Naruto smiles and
asks if that means he can do nature manipulation now. Kakashi thinks
of how quickly Naruto has grown and the young man stands and does
Tajuu Kage Bunshin. Elsewhere Deidara pulls the Sanbi while Tobi lies
on its stomach. Deidara states the Sanbi was weak because it was wild
and didn't know how to use its powers. He then tells Tobi he doesn't
have to stay so quiet to which Tobi snores. An infuriated Deidara then
causes an explosion to awaken him. Elsewhere Kakuzu tells Hidan to
carry the monk to which Hidan says no, the monk was his thing. In
Konoha, Tsunade has assembled the 20 platoons. Asuma asks to the
whereabouts of Chiriku, and the monk says he died fighting the
intruders. She tells the platoons not to let Akatsuki leave the country.
They move out and Asuma tells his team of Shikamaru, Izumo and
Kotetsu they should head to the Fire Temple first...

Chapter 319: "The Motivation" – Asuma looks on at an apartment

window and tells his team to move out. Inside Kurenai senses
something, but when she turns to look out Asuma is gone. At the
waterfall, 11 Narutos in trunks stand near the waterfall training. He's
annoyed that the water isn't being affected and goes to Kakashi. His
sensei explains Naruto needs a lot of chakra in a few clones to split the
water, and at its current width it can only fit around 10 clones. He tells
Naruto to slow down. Naruto says he won't have such time in combat
but Kakashi says he needs to get it down first. Cutting a leaf would
normally take half a year, and it took the genius Sasuke several days
to learn to control lightning chakra. Naruto yells he needs to become
better than Sasuke. Kakashi whispers to Yamato, who then greatly
widens the waterfall. Naruto is surprised and Yamato nearly collapses.
He says he's fine but Kakashi notes he barely completed it. Naruto
then uses Tajuu Kage Bunshin. Elsewhere Sakura sits in her darkened
room. She looks at an old Team 7 photo and begins to cry. Naruto
rests and watches the night sky. He sees a falling star and grasps his
necklace, thinking of Sasuke. He sits up determined and does Tajuu
Kage Bunshin again. The next morning Yamato and Kakashi watch in
surprise as all the Shadow Clones manage to split the water. Yamato
can't believe what the training has done for Naruto. Kakashi states it's
not just the training; it's his feelings towards Sasuke as well.