In the woods, Team Kurenai fights Guren's men. Hinata and Kiba get stuck in a smoke screen prepared by Kigiri and Hinata is seriously injured by Nurari's attacks. Kakashi is stuck battling Gozu, and isn't able to finish him off because Gozu has the upper hand in speed and force. Just as Rinji and his team are about to kill Hinata, Kiba and Akamaru return to save her. They are then forced to retreat by the arrival of Shino and his insects. Meanwhile, Yūkimaru remembers his mother.