As the Suna ninja search for their Kazekage, Gaara appears and orders for the continuation of the Chuunin Exams. He later communicates with Fugi via sand clone, making the latter realise that Houichi had failed in his assassination and had been defeated. As Gaara talks about his changes as a person and his hopes for the village, Fugi slowly realises that he had misjudged Gaara. Feeling ashamed of his actions in attempting to usurp Gaara, he commits seppuku. Meanwhile, Matsuri challenges Shira to a battle in order to see whether the will of the Kazekage has passed on to them, as his students…