Jinchūriki of the Sand

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Jinchūriki of the Sand
Deidara sends explosive clay birds at Gaara.
Premiere date:	1 March 2007
Episode Length:	22.5 minutes
Episode Code:	4
Episode Airdate:	1 March 2007

Jinchūriki of the Sand is an episode of the anime Naruto Shippuden. It is the fourth episode of the second season.

[edit] Plot

The episode opens with Deidara, confronted by Gaara, taking to the skies over Sunagakure. He is chased incessantly by Gaara's sand attacks, but he manages to evade them. Eventually Gaara uses Desert Suspension to raise himself into the air, facing Deidara directly.

A sand ninja, spotting the conflict, notifies Kankuro. He doesn't understand how the Akatsuki members infiltrated Yura's defenses, at which point the ninja informs him contact with Yura has been lost. Meanwhile, Yura watches the conflict with Sasori, who remarks that Deidara is taking too long.

The action then returns to Kakashi's bell test, where Naruto and Sakura are continuing to put the pressure on Kakashi. He decides he needs to start using Ninjutsu against the pair. He demonstrates Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique, Earth Release: Inner Decapitation Technique and Water Release: Water Dragon Blast Technique in quick succession. Much to Naruto and Sakura's annoyance, Kakashi's hand seals are done much too quickly for them to intercept his attacks.

The action returns to Gaara, who has summoned a Shukaku-like hand to crush Deidara with. However, Deidara is once again too elusive, and is able to dodge Gaara's attacks. He creates more explosive birds, but they are easily deflected by Gaara's sand. However Deidara remarks: "I know your game now".

Meanwhile, Sakura and Naruto are discussing their sensei, and how he seems unbeatable. Suddenly, Naruto comes up with a way to defeat him, and whispers the plan to Sakura. She is delighted by the idea and admits, "Naruto, you are the Number One Unpredictable Ninja".

In Sunagakure, the stalemate continues. Deidara makes another set of birds, but this time makes them much faster, with two pairs of wings. This time Gaara is not able to knock them away, and they explode at point-blank range.

The scene switches to Naruto and Sakura, who reveal themselves to Kakashi and "attack" head on. Kakashi is confused as to what they're planning, until Naruto begins to spoil the ending of the new "Make-Out Tactics" book. Kakashi is forced to put his hands over his ears (stopping him from making hand seals). Not only that, as his Sharingan gives him the ability to lip-read, he is forced to shut his eyes. Naruto and Sakura use this opportunity to grab the bells, completing the task.

Gaara, meanwhile, is shown to be unhurt, his automatic sand defense having protected him. An impressed Deidara looks on. Suddenly, a massive wave of sand rises behind an apparently unprepared Deidara and Gaara prepares to kill him with his Desert Prison as the episode finishes.