The so-called comedy in this episode - mostly just Jiraiya being in the village - didn't work at all. The name Orochimaru seemed to mean something so maybe she knows something. The ending was rather interesting as Naruto was attacked, but the Shinobi who attacked immediately left. It's great though to be thrust into another mission with our star character though. Sasuke is truly missed in this line up, because with Sasuke it just seemed like they had the perfect balance. Stuff like arguments seem like they'll be a thing of the past now. The whole dynamic of this new team with Naruto and Sakura on the same team should be interesting since they're a bit closer since the last mission they went on. It would be great if maybe Sakura could learn something on this mission or sometime soon, because she is useless to the team to a degree, so her self-doubt isn't totally off the mark. It's funny how polite Sakura was to him, because it can be easy to forget just how legendary and respected Jiraiya is, but it looks like she'll soon start to see Naruto's way of thinking and realize that Jiraiya for the most part is just a pervy sage as Naruto calls him. While this episode is already showing signs of the "we've seen them do that before" syndrome, it adds a little twist with Sakura being there. Jiraiya It is nice to see Sakura tag along this time, because another Naruto and Jiraiya mission might be a bit too familiar and annoying. Jiraiya gets ambushed and chased by the whole village. The town seemed weird from the get-go as it gave off the look of a deserted town, but as Jiraiya is walking in there are red eyes peering out the windows. Women seem to lead to Jiraiya's downfall in this episode when he comes upon a bar where they scam people for money. We know Jiraiya a bit too well to think that he's going to do anything interesting with the money other than either spend it on women, food, drinks, or gambling (apparently being a legendary ninja doesn't make you much money). Poor Sakura is a newbie with traveling with Jiraiya and stupidly offers her money. So without as much as saying goodbye to anyone they head off When they get to a village, Jiraiya immediately takes Naruto's money. Instead of them going off on their own and becoming rogue ninjas Jiraiya is taking them along a secret mission to find the hidden sound village where rumor is Sasuke is being held. Naruto decides to go with her, but Jiraiya quickly stops them both.
![naruto s rank naruto s rank](https://comicvine.gamespot.com/a/uploads/scale_small/11112/111121983/4386276-5991956866-71mVv.jpg)
![naruto s rank naruto s rank](https://pics.awwmemes.com/eve-dayanime-rasen-uriken-is-an-s-rank-jutsu-4625807.png)
When Sakura comes into Naruto's room to see him, he is able to sense what she is up to, even though she did not tell him directly. She comes up with an idea to leave on her own and go searching for Sasuke. She now feels like most of this is her fault and that she has not been carrying her weight and helping. Sakura, on the other hand, is still unhappy that Sasuke is not back yet. He has caught rather fast though and brought back to the hospital where he needs to finish healing. Naruto sure is eager to get out of the hospital as the beginning of the episode shows him escaped, eating ramen. There are definitely some interesting elements, but maybe too many familiar elements in this episode.
![naruto s rank naruto s rank](https://assets.whatsnewonnetflix.com/external_assets/sggkh+[[lxx*9*44*43_8_muochl_mvg[wmn[zkr[e3[0kH8wzX7m3FTx6wFlteDRKNI]LF[ZZZZYF5cCiAVMhOKE0bsm51qZWwD]Da16o6cAHzEd72CTcx5kN]SDTVneHOkg*I8PH2NoFldjhuvOau94rgHasenx9UPPBcZz0b6vXehhhDDUNgFZlqK.jpg)
This episode starts with Naruto and Sakura on a new mission. After finishing such a big arc and with Naruto in the hospital I guess I was expecting a pointless episode, but apparently, I was wrong.