In Konoha, Kakashi Hatake rests in a hospital, while Sakura Haruno tells Tsunade that the deceased Akatsuki member Sasori told her that he was supposed to meet a spy within Orochimaru's ranks at the Tenchi Bridge in ten days' time. As four days had already passed, Naruto Uzumaki realizes the need of another teammate and so, starting searching Konoha for a willing recruit. He runs into Team 8, but they are unable to help, as they are assigned a mission of their own. Later, just as Choji agrees to help Naruto, the two and Shikamaru are attacked by Sai.