The 4th great ninja war keeps on course. Naruto and B decided to enter, and get away from the island they were. Naruto is surprised because they jump from an island to the ground, which is actually the Land of Kumogakure. On their way to the battlefield, Naruto enters the Nine Tails Fox mode to gain speed, but B tells him not to get tired now, he'll need strength later. At the headquarters, when the Raikage learns that both escaped, he decides to stop them by force. He recruits Tsunade, who chooses to leave Shikaku in charge while they are out. Meanwhile, the daimyos are comfortably playing cards in their safe house. Black Zetsu finally finds them, but the pretty Mizukage stops him. She is joined by her squad of shinobi, including Chojuro. Black Zetsu attacks by using growing plants all the ground around. At the same time, he senses the Kyuubi's and Hachibi's chakra, so inmediatly warns Obito by sending a white Zetsu. In their talk, it's revealed that the idea was to capture the daimyos to force the two jinchurikis into the battle. Now that they entered anyway, Obito tells Zetsu to maintain the attack to the Mizukage's position, in order to divide the Alliance's forces, and keep them distracted. Obito then decides to seal a substitute. At the coast, Choji, Choza, Shikamaru, Darui, Kitsuchi and others finally defeated all their enemies. Kakuzu is crushed by Choji, Dan is trapped inside a barrier, while the white Zetsus are all dead. Tenten has been using the Bashosen fan for a while, but uses so much energy that leaves her exhausted (so she is healed by a med ninja). But just when the victory at the coast was certain, Obito appears out of sudden, and summons the Gedo Mazo statue. The giant humanoid creature made of stone goes on a rampage and most be stopped by Choza and his son, the only ones with similar size. Shikamaru recalls a conversation with Temari, while Darui remembers Gaara's information passed to the Raikage: they realize that the Gedo Mazo statue contains the chakra of the seven captured Bijuus plus the Hachibi's piece of tentacle. Choji and Choza are not able to stop it anymore, so then, several shinobis are attacked and die. Obito takes his chance to reach the container and the pot where Kinkaku and Ginkaku are sealed. He easily defeats the two guards, but Darui faces him. Shikamaru takes the opportunity to paralyze Tobi with his shadow possesion jutsu, as he is well aware of his intentions (of obtaining the small part of the Kyuubi's chakra from the twins to seal inside the Gedo Mazo). Obito recognizes his intelligence, and then, the giant statue jumps towards their position. Obviously the villain had all planned, as Shikamaru is forced to get away and break the jutsu. Choji saves him from the crush, while Kitsuchi saves Darui. But in the meantime, Obito stealed the container and the pot. Right then, the Gedo Mazo statue disappears, after being called back. At his hideout, Obito thinks how close he is from the Infinite Tsukuyomi. At the coast, the surviving ninjas gather and reorganize as the night arrives. Kakuzu and Hizashi are sealed, while Dan remains trapped. Kabuto realized what Obito did, and also decides to take a rest for the night, calling back all his remaining pawns: Chiyo, Kimimaro, the Kages, the left six swordsmen of the Mist, among others. Each group retreat to rest and the leaders decide to keep guards watching during the night. Gaara and Onoki for one side, Mifune and Kankuro's, Darui and Kitsuchi's group at the coast, Neji and his division, Kakashi and Gai's squad. At the headquarters, Inoichi and Ao make the recount of casualties of the first day: 40000 shinobi died while 50000 enemies defeated (including white zetsus and reanimated ninjas I guess). And as Ao remarks, that's the bad part, the Alliance loses persons while the enemy loses clones and people already dead. So, what's the lesson of this recap and first day of war? Which is the point? I have no idea. This is an anime with a powerful story of nations, ninjas and shinobis, but at this point, it all has lost the sense. The story says that 40000 unnamed shinobis died (yet not one single character known). All red shirts. What for if the enemy army includes only clones of a white creature and reanimated ninjas who already died. Besides, if Obito has the power of seven Bijuus, inside the Gedo Mazo statue, which is obviously unstoppable by anyone including Naruto and Killer B, then why he needed an army of Zetsus. Why he needed Kabuto? Such power can destroy a whole village, like Nagato said before. I'm lost on this arc. Plus, sealing the Kyuubi's chakra from Kinkaku and Ginkaku, two shinobis who were dead doesn't make much sense. If the story was coherent, such chakra should disappear when the twins die. How it was recovered? How entered in their DNA? All this leaves a lot of unanswered questions. And at the end, using the Gedo Mazo statue is like a cheat because nobody can stop it. Obito could easily win the war by releasing such creature anytime he wants.
Then, despite all that, there were some good parts on the episode. Choji and Choza's strength is admirable. Tenten using the fan tells she is so good with weapons that she can control anyone she wants. It's funny how she looked addicted to the fan, like she could finally be recognized by her talent. Shikamaru deducing Obito's plan was great. It's always good to see how his mind works faster than others. Shikaku being in charge of the headquarters proves the respect he gained. The Raikage agreed with Tsunade's decision. Both Nara are valuable characters for the storyline. So overall, despite the little pros and the many holes, the episode keeps the viewer entertained. That's why I rate with seven and not lower. Likable characters sometimes can save the plot.
Then, despite all that, there were some good parts on the episode. Choji and Choza's strength is admirable. Tenten using the fan tells she is so good with weapons that she can control anyone she wants. It's funny how she looked addicted to the fan, like she could finally be recognized by her talent. Shikamaru deducing Obito's plan was great. It's always good to see how his mind works faster than others. Shikaku being in charge of the headquarters proves the respect he gained. The Raikage agreed with Tsunade's decision. Both Nara are valuable characters for the storyline. So overall, despite the little pros and the many holes, the episode keeps the viewer entertained. That's why I rate with seven and not lower. Likable characters sometimes can save the plot.
