Konohamaru's team asks Neji to talk about Naruto's heroism. Instead, Neji tells them about an incident during the Chunin exams three years prior. While Orochimaru attacked Konoha, two rogue ninja take advantage of the commotion and kidnap Hinata. Neji, Tenten, Kiba, and Akamaru rush out to save her. They're in trouble until Hiashi shows up and saves them, telling Neji that he's the beloved memory of Hiashi's younger brother. Neji realizes Naruto's speech about destiny was right; he isn't just a slave to the clan name. Konohamaru's team complains that Naruto wasn't in the story at all, and Neji cryptically answers that Naruto was the most important part.

The Fourth Company continue their fight against the reanimated Kage. Gaara and Ohnoki team up to hold off Second Tsuchikage Mu, while the remaining shinobi take on the Second Mizukage, who is willing to be sealed away.

Time is running out for the Leaf shinobi whose souls are trapped inside the Sound Four’s barrier. Ino and Shino exhaust their own chakra to keep their friends alive.

The weather-controlling enemy is revealed to be Yota, a boy who came to the Leaf Village years ago and befriended the local kids, including Naruto.