Karui and Omoi of the Hidden Cloud press Naruto to give information regarding Sasuke. Naruto realizes they're motivated by wanting to save their captured master, but decides he cannot sell out his friend. Instead, Naruto offers himself as a punching bag for Karui and Omoi to abuse to their hearts' content.

To prevent the cycle of hatred bound to occur should Sasuke be killed, Naruto goes to the Raikage and begs him to forgive Sasuke, but the Raikage quickly dismisses the request.