* Orochimaru made it to Iburi cave. All he needs now is Yukimi's blood to survive. Young Yamato will protect his new friend and leave the cave, but Kakashi needs them to come back to trap Orochimaru in his own demise. Will Kakashi's plan work? Enjoy Naruto Shippuden episode 354 is entitled “Their Own Paths”. Join us in Naruto Forum for a meaningful discussion and enjoy this week's episode.Sticking to the mission he was assigned to, Kakashi needs to have Yukimi back at the cave acting as a bate to capture Orochimaru. Young Yamato befriended the girl and swore to protect her. Running away from the village market, Yukimi swirled around Tenzo (as she calls Yamato) in fog form to protect him. Few kunai thrown by Kakashi just missed them so Yamato claps his hands together to produce long wood logs and have them directed at approaching Kakashi.
Running through the forest Yamato again recalls his test tube friend from the time when he was being tested on by Orochimaru. The girl collapsed when her test tube cracked and liquid leaked out. Kakashi, running out of patience, jumped above Tenzo and Yukimi and fired up his Lightning Sword. Spotting this Yukimi pushed Tenzo away. Realizing that he may again kill an unarmed girl, like he did Rin, Kakashi controlled his hand and merely pushed Yukimi to the ground.
Yamato pulled out his kunai and attacked Kakashi. “Will you break the rules like Orochimaru betrayed the village?” Kakashi yelled. Suddenly they were both in a standoff; Kakashi’s kunai against Yamato’s. “Why her?” Yamato demanded. Kakashi explained in a calm but forceful manner, that turning into smoke will enable Orochimaru sneak across the village’s border.Yukimi recalled Orochimaru saving the lives of some of the people of the Iburi clan. Orochimaru convinced them all that some sacrifices have to be made but he could figure out how next generation could sunbathe in the outdoors. Yukimi remembers her friend Tenzo, how he was taken away… she is prepared to die for the next generation. Turning into the fog again, she dissipates and Kakashi convinces Tenzo to go save the girl and finish the mission.
At the cave, Yukimi spots Lord Orochimaru drinking the blood from one of the inhabitants. Many Iburi people were dead lying in their pools of blood. Making her feel guilty for leaving, Orochimaru stated that it is her fault they all had to die. “Now, I am going to have your blood” Orochimaru said limping towards her. There was a brief chase, but when Yukimi found the end of the path and realised she could no longer change into smoke, she was burned by small curse mark. Sounds of quickly approaching Tenzo, Kakashi and the dog ninja were getting stronger and the three rushed to save the girl.
Knowing that time is of essence Orochimaru extended his neck and wrapped it around Yukimi who was trying to escape. Then right in front of the two saviours, Orochimaru disappeared along with his pray into the ground. The dog ninja sniffed the ground and started tracking the bleeding Orochimaru. Soon all three spotted smoke gathering and shifting in one direction. This would mean that all Iburi clan dead decided to show them the way.Yukimi’s shrieks were heard in the walls of the caves. Kakashi took a careful aim and using his Lighting Style shattered a wall. When dust settled Kakashi spotted Orochimaru, attacked right away, but never actually hit him. As expected, Orochimaru was fast and sneaky and before they all knew he was far and gone through the roof of the cave.
Yukimi gave out a cry and her new curse mark burned red and orange in the back of her neck. Only Orochimaru could release his own curse mark, Kakashi knew. Yukimi turned into her smoke state and dissipated. Her smoke was shortly joined by much bigger smoke of all Iburi clan people who died that day. Even though Yukimi died, Yamato knew that he wanted to live to protect someone. He raised his head high and together with Kakashi, they left to pursue Orochimaru once more.
Orochimaru takes a refuge in Danzo’s quarters and Kakashi follows him there to complete his mission. Yamato, or Kinoe as he was named by Danzo, is ordered to join the skilful Anbu fighters on another mission. This time Kakashi’s life may be in danger. The title of the upcoming Naruto Shippuden 355 is “The Targetted Sharingan”.