Episode 8 & 9 - Team Kakashi deployed "Shutsugeki, Kakashi han" (出撃、カカシ班) & Jinchuriki tears "Jinchūriki no namida" (人柱力の涙)

Kankuro's attacks are all nullified by Sasori's scorpion-like tail. He eventually pierces Kankuro with his tail, inflicting him with a slow-acting poison. Kankuro is puzzled at how easily Sasori counters his fighting style. Sasori reveals that he himself used to be from Sunagakure and that Kankuro's puppets are his own creations. In response to the Akatsuki assault, Sunagakure sends a distress call to Konoha.

Kankuro is brought back to the village but he is feeling the effects of Sasori's deadly poison. The village's medics are helpless finding a cure. Baki decides to seek help from the village's elders, Chiyo and Ebizo. Meanwhile, Konoha receives the emergency message from Sunagakure. Tsunade chooses to send Kakashi, Naruto and Sakura to respond to the Sand's need. Along the way, Sakura learns for the first time that Naruto's body contains the demon fox.