Kita ze Inbou! - キタぜ陰謀!

[ Episode 47: Infiltration! The Venomous Snake's Nest ]

Was it just me or was this rather normal-paced (excusing the flashbacks)? It’ll probably be the “just me” reply but that hardly matters. Why? Of course because we got to see the return of the avenger (there must be a better title than that, right?). He who is (or was?) the definition of Emo. That one who once (still?) lacked hatred. The one who likes to play around with his Sharingan like it’s some sort of toy. Yup. That sounds like Sasuke to me. He’s quite the mean fellow as always (not a surprise). He should have at least greeted Sai semi-normally instead of coming across as a complete douche. Though I guess being around people like Orochimaru and Kabuto he can’t help it. And what was with him staying in the dark? It seems like someone has become even more anti-social than they already were three years ago. But enough about that bloke and onto other things that interest me more. Like Sakura’s measurements, her choice of shampoo or body-wash, and whether she prefers it fast or slow. And by it I mean building her relationship with Naruto. There’s no innuendo there. Really.

What intrigues me is how Naruto and Sakura swallowed those seeds so easily. They’re trackers. What? If they get lost I’m thinking that screaming would do just fine since those darkness-lovers surely already know that they’ve found the base already and have infiltrated it. Keep your wood seeds Yamato until they become really useful. You know, for purposes stalking someone like say Anko (remember her?) or throwing one on Sasuke so you’ll know where he is when flees the hideout. Obviously he’s not going to get caught nor is he going give up three years of intensifying his hatred to go back to Konoha to enjoy a bowl of ramen or walk around with his chest out around at the shinobi academy trying to attract loli (or shota) bait.

All in all, I enjoyed this episode more than most. I especially loved how they ended the last scene with Sakura, Naruto, and Yamato running in Sai’s direction with Kabuto on the same pathway. The use of music was topnotch. I could have done without the shocked look on Sai’s face though since it doesn’t help his claim of being “completely without emotions”. If you hear a noise at the door then stop what you’re doing and shove the book in your hands in your bag or under the bed. It’s something most teen guys learn early.

This episode of Shippuuden is one of those episode I do not know how to treat. For one, it wasn’t really boring and I actually enjoyed watching it this time around, but on the other hand, it was still slow paced and uneventful. I can overall say that I like it, but to a certain extent. Sasuke’s first “real” appearance after 46 episodes wasn’t exactly something to write home about, as it’s meant to foreshadow the events that about to occur. It’s nice to see Sai, the emotionless ANBU, freaking out after being sucked in Sasuke’s Sharingan. You can easily tell that Sasuke changed, but not only in power, but in attitude as well. He was never really friendly, but now he doesn’t have any manners to begin with.

Naruto and co. had little to do this episode, but at least the writers saved us the meaningless time of them looking for the hideout, which is an improvement to what they did last arc with Kakashi and Naruto (how can you chase a guy for 10 episodes?). Sai and Sasuke were pretty much the reasons why this episode wasn’t bad and I believe that next episode, when Naruto’s gang will converse with Sai after his betrayal, we are finally going to have some background on that character, but something meaningful this time around. 6.5/10