Naruto Shipuuden 74 Summary

Picking up where the last episode left off Naruto continues his training with Kage Bunshins on the waterfall, before taking a break to let an exhausted, yet determined, Yamato rest. The scene then cuts to the opening, the highlight of today's episode, with new scenes of Hidan and Kakuzu's fight against Shikamaru and Asuma.With the opening done we are taken to Hidan and Kakuzu who is still carrying a dead Chiriku on his back. Kakuzu orders Hidan to share the load, who promptly refuses. Kakuzu then promises to kill Hidan, who scoffs off his threat. Heading back to the village we see Asuma taking a stroll and Kurenai watering her plants before cutting to Sakura watching Naruto continue his training. She then thinks that maybe Naruto will not need the Soldier Pills anymore, before being surprised by Sai. He and Sakura discuss Naruto's training and his apparent niceness before leaving Naruto Sakura Soldier Pills. Kakashi remarks on their progress as a Team before giving Naruto the Soldier Pills, with disastrous results. Naruto then returns to his training with Sakura dropping off more pills the following day. On her way back, Sakura has a conversation with Iruka, who is very proud of his students, especially Naruto, leaving her some words of wisdom.Outside of the Konoha Gate the surviving Monk makes his way. He explains the situation to Tsunade and Shizune who believe Akatsuki is targeting ares where the Jinchuuriki may be hidden. Tsunade assembles twenty of the platoons with the orders to capture or kill the Akatsuki Team. Asuma asks what happened to Chiriku becoming visibly upset with the news. The teams take off with determination, while Team Asuma decides to check out the Fire Temple, after making a stop outside of Kurenai's apartment. On the way Shikamaru asks who Chiriku was with Asuka explaining they fought together as part of the 12 Ninja Guardians.Cutting back to Konoha a melancholy Sakura watches over their Team Seven photo reminiscing about the Tree Test and how much things have changed with tears falling. Sakura starts to feel insignificant before remembering its her feelings for Naruto that are important. The episode ends with a resting Naruto seeing the same shooting star Sakura saw and after saying Sasuke, Naruto starts his training again, renewed with determination.