73: Forbidden Secret Technique, Reaper Death Seal
Sarutobi is seen standing in the darkness while the reaper slowly prepares. Orochimaru attacks Sarutobi while waiting for this jutsu that he has not seen. Sarutobi pleads for the reaper to hurry, and the reaper continues to slowly prepare until he finally shoves his arm into Sarutobi's soul.
Sarutobi's clones quickly run down and grab the First and Second. Despite being hit several times, the clones do not let go. Sarutobi summons the reaper who reaches from inside of Sarutobi and grabs the soul of the First and Second. The darkness vanishes, and Orochimaru seemed worried. As their souls are pulled out, the First and Second apologize for what they had been forced to do. In turn, Sarutobi apologizes to them for sealing them in such a horrific way.
As the souls exit the body, the mud making up the body reveals the Sound genin, Zaku and Kin, who Orochimaru had used as a sacrifice. Sarutobi reflects on a conversation in which the First and Second had offered him advice and told him that he would be Hokage. Upon seeing the bodies of the Sound genin, Sarutobi is disgusted with Orochimaru. He says that he was meant to guide them, not toy with them!
The clones disappear, and Sarutobi calls for Enma and leaps at Orochimaru. After a few blows, Sarutobi manages to knock the Grass Long Sword away from Orochimaru. Enma extends to grab Orochimaru, but he is stopped by Orochimaru's Striking Shadow Snake. Before Orochimaru can react, Sarutobi grabs him and the reaper reaches for Orochimaru's soul. Orochimaru seems terrified. He knows that this is bad, but keeping an intact mind, he calls the Grass Long Sword with his fingers. Enma transforms into his normal form, the sword comes flying, and we see blood.
Back into the village, Sand and Leaf Shinobi battle. Ibiki is seen on a roof near the giant cobras. Just as Ibiki realizes that the situation is out of their hands, a voice calls out "Ninja Art: Summoning. Bring Down the House jutsu!" That is right, Jiraiya is here! The frog he has summoned completely smashed the cobra. Jiraiya warns that if they do not want to make the frog really mad, they will never bother the village again. Jiraiya realizes that this is the work of Orochimaru and asks Ibiki where Hokage is. Upon knowing where Hokage is, he knows what is happening.
Back to the arena, we see Enma struggle and grab the sword. Despite Enma's efforts, the sword has entered Sarutobi's back. Orochimaru asks why the old man did not dodge it, and Sarutobi explains the jutsu to Orochimaru. Orochimaru is terrified to find out that he cannot use his jutsu with his soul being pulled from his body. Sarutobi continues to explain the jutsu until Orochimaru sees the reaper. The reaper is cutting the souls of the First and Second and eating them. Orochimaru yells at Sarutobi and beings to fight back. He motions the Grass Long Sword slowly toward him.
Back to the Academy class, Konohamaru and his friends are traveling in a tunnel. His friends worry about it collapsing, but he comforts them, telling them that his grandpa told him it was built by people who knew what they were doing so they will be just fine.
Back to Kankuro carrying Gaara, we see as Sasuke catches up to them. Temari also catches up and apologizes for not making a long delay. Kankuro then remarks that anytime is important and that all the chakra that Sasuke must waste is all the better for them.
Naruto, Sakura, and Pakkun are still approaching from behind. Pakkun senses that Sasuke has caught up with Gaara and that there are many things, which are not human, converging on one spot ahead.
Temari attempts to fight off Sasuke again, but Kankuro tells her to go ahead with Gaara. She complies, but before Kankuro and Sasuke can fight, Shino shows up. He explains that he found Sasuke by using the scent of a beetle that he planted on Sasuke. He then explains that, like Sasuke chasing Gaara, Shino has an unfinished match with Kankuro. Shino claims that he will only be ten minutes with Kankuro, and Sasuke tells him not to waste his time coming because his work will be finished by then also.
Kankuro describes a horrible nightmare that awaits Shino. Shino cannot imagine it and asks Kankuro to show him. Upon hearing that, Kankuro explains that it is not him, but Gaara who is so terrifying.
Previous Episode: A Mistake From the Past, A Face Revealed
Next Episode: Astonishing Truth, Gaara's Identity Emerges
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