Naruto Shippuden starts with fresh air. Animation looks different and the characters grew up. But first, I have to state something about this "Pilot". It starts with a flashforward (to 50 episodes later) to the moment when Naruto, Sakura, and the not yet known Sai and Yamato meet Sasuke. Honestly I didn't like this detail, it took 10 minutes from Naruto and Jiraiya's return to Konoha. Besides, showed a different Sasuke, and a weaker Naruto, like in the first part. The only interesting part was how the Kyuubi recognized the Sharingan and Madara Uchiha on Sasuke, calling it a cursed clan with an evil chakra. The part of Naruto saying how he can become Hokage if he can't save a friend always was annoying to me. Like if he didn't learn nothing from Tsunade.
Anyway, as for the real Pilot, the 2nd part of the episode: Konohamaru and his pals Udon and Moegi are on a D mission to catch a cat. After this, he asks Iruka a harder mission but that's not possible. Later, the three encounter Sakura, and they go to the gates of the village to check on arrivals (Tsunade asked her, as she's waiting for the protagonist to return). Izumo and Kotetsu tells them/her that "he" is waiting for them. When they meet, there's joy, Naruto gets down from a tower when he hears Sakura's voice, and both are really glad to see each other. Turns out that now he is taller than her, and she asks if she looks more woman or different. He naïvely says no, which upsets her, and so comes Jiraiya's comment about how his pupil doesn't get women. Konohamaru shows a jutsu sexy to Naruto, but he replies that he's not a kid anymore. Everything has changed, and Sakura blushes to see how her teammate grew up and matured. This was very well done, because it implies how Naruto and Sakura matured in 2 and a half years: He's not a boy anymore, he wouldn't use the jutsu sexy like he did before, and he'll prove it during all Shippuden. And Sakura seemingly moved on from her crush on Sasuke, as she is mature enough to recognize the shinobi Naruto has become and to start looking at him on a different way. Then, obviously Naruto suggests a better improved jutsu sexy to compete with Konohamaru, but there's no doubt that it was written for comical purpose, to make everyone believe (including Sakura who punches him) that he hasn't changed at all. But as the rest of Shippuden proves, Naruto actually grew up, and Sakura also did.
At the end, they go along Jiraiya and meet Tsunade and Shizune, who tells them that "someone" was waiting to test their strength: Kakashi. It was a great way to start the 2nd part, especially because everyone was waiting to see Naruto back. And it was showed who were the most eager persons to see him: Iruka, Tsunade, Sakura, Konohamaru and Kakashi (and Teuchi from the ramen shop).
Anyway, as for the real Pilot, the 2nd part of the episode: Konohamaru and his pals Udon and Moegi are on a D mission to catch a cat. After this, he asks Iruka a harder mission but that's not possible. Later, the three encounter Sakura, and they go to the gates of the village to check on arrivals (Tsunade asked her, as she's waiting for the protagonist to return). Izumo and Kotetsu tells them/her that "he" is waiting for them. When they meet, there's joy, Naruto gets down from a tower when he hears Sakura's voice, and both are really glad to see each other. Turns out that now he is taller than her, and she asks if she looks more woman or different. He naïvely says no, which upsets her, and so comes Jiraiya's comment about how his pupil doesn't get women. Konohamaru shows a jutsu sexy to Naruto, but he replies that he's not a kid anymore. Everything has changed, and Sakura blushes to see how her teammate grew up and matured. This was very well done, because it implies how Naruto and Sakura matured in 2 and a half years: He's not a boy anymore, he wouldn't use the jutsu sexy like he did before, and he'll prove it during all Shippuden. And Sakura seemingly moved on from her crush on Sasuke, as she is mature enough to recognize the shinobi Naruto has become and to start looking at him on a different way. Then, obviously Naruto suggests a better improved jutsu sexy to compete with Konohamaru, but there's no doubt that it was written for comical purpose, to make everyone believe (including Sakura who punches him) that he hasn't changed at all. But as the rest of Shippuden proves, Naruto actually grew up, and Sakura also did.
At the end, they go along Jiraiya and meet Tsunade and Shizune, who tells them that "someone" was waiting to test their strength: Kakashi. It was a great way to start the 2nd part, especially because everyone was waiting to see Naruto back. And it was showed who were the most eager persons to see him: Iruka, Tsunade, Sakura, Konohamaru and Kakashi (and Teuchi from the ramen shop).
