Alice overhears Jinpachi and Issei having a conversation about not being ""normal"". When she later run into her, they explain they've been having shared dreams, where they are two of seven scientists, Gyokuran and Enju, on a research station on the moon, secretly observing the Earth. Rin, a rather peculiar 7-year-old she was babysitting at the time becomes jealous of the fascination she shows for the two boys' story, and starts to harass her about it until she accidently pushes him over the balcony railing, leaving him in critical condition in the hospital.Rin recovers, but now apparently in love with Alice, he claims the two are to marry. Upon hearing this, Alice collapses… And has a dream where she lives on the moon base described by Issei and Jinpachi – as Mokuren. Later, Rin starts showing remarkable psychic powers, going off on his own to intimidate a biker gang leader into helping him.
Genre: Fantasy
The Next Step
Kakashi reveals that while he knows how to perform Rasengan, he cannot combine his own lightning-based chakra. He adds that even the Fourth Hokage, who created the move, could not combine his elemental chakra with the technique, but that Naruto might be able to. Asuma sends word to other teams about Akatsuki’s location and proceeds on despite his concern about Akatsuki’s strength. Kakuzu turns in Chiriku’s corpse despite Hidan’s complaints, and says that he is partnered with Hidan because he cannot kill him. The stress of the training causes Naruto to be enveloped in the Nine-tails's "Demon Fox's Cloak", but Yamato suppresses it.
The Old Monk's Prayer
Asuma mourns Chiriku's death, and realizes that Hidan and Kakuzu are trying to claim the bounty on his head. Meanwhile, Hidan and Kakuzu take Chiriku in for their payment. Meanwhile, Kakashi shows Naruto what the true goal of his training will be.
Under the Starry Sky
The second stage of Naruto's training continues, while Tsunade sends out twenty teams composed of four ninja each to deal with the Akatsuki members in the Fire Country. Shikamaru leaves with Asuma, Izumo and Kotetsu, whereas Ino and Choji leave with Raido and Aoba. After putting in considerable effort, Naruto clears the second stage of his training, but collapses from hunger and exhaustion almost immediately afterward.