Ep 21. Sasori's Real Face

In Naruto Shippuden season 1 episode 21, titled "Sasori's Real Face," the story enters a new phase as Sakura and Chiyo continue their fight against Sasori. The duo manages to damage Sasori's puppet, but they realize that they must unveil Sasori's true face and defeat him to finish the battle once and for all.

The fight between Sakura and Sasori, which began in the previous episode, intensifies as Sasori manages to counter Sakura's attacks. However, with Chiyo's help, Sakura manages to pierce Sasori's puppet's heart with her strength-enhanced punch. Sasori manages to survive, but he recognizes Sakura's skills, stating that she is worthy of possessing his battle puppets.

Nonetheless, Chiyo tells Sasori that the reason they came was not to gain his puppet's control, but to kill him. To accomplish this goal, they must unveil Sasori's real face and defeat him. Sasori hesitates at first, revealing that he has transformed his body into a puppet and that no part of his original flesh remains. Nonetheless, after Chiyo convinces him, he unveils his real face, revealing a familiar figure from the past.

Meanwhile, Naruto and his team continue their pursuit of the Akatsuki for their mission. Their journey proves to be challenging as they encounter various obstacles, including traps set by the Akatsuki. In the episode, Naruto, Yamato, and Sai also encounter Kabuto, who reveals that Orochimaru was the one who originally created Sasori's puppet, adding more complexity to the already complicated plot.

Back to Sakura and Chiyo's battle, Sasori unleashes his ultimate weapon, the "Third Kazekage Puppet," which was crafted from the Third Kazekage, Sasori's former master and the strongest ninja of Sunagakure. Sasori reveals that he has transformed the Third Kazekage's iron sand into the puppet and modified it to possess the Kazekage's abilities. With the new puppet, Sasori manages to take control of the battle. However, Chiyo reveals that she knows the Third Kazekage's abilities and uses her knowledge to help Sakura gain the upper hand.

As the episode progresses, the backstory of Sasori and Chiyo is revealed. The past between the two characters is deeply intertwined, and their current battle has many emotional undercurrents. The flashbacks provide the viewers with a glimpse of Sasori's life, including his reasons for transforming himself into a puppet and his connections with other Naruto characters. The show manages to provide an emotional depth to its characters, making the audience feel invested in their fates.

All in all, Naruto Shippuden season 1 episode 21, "Sasori's Real Face," is an intense battle episode that showcases both the strengths and weaknesses of the characters. The animation is dazzling, and the show manages to provide a balance between action and emotions, making it a must-watch for fans of the series. The episode is a turning point for the story, and it leaves the viewers eager to know what will happen next.