Sakon explains that Sasuke must take an enhancement pill to power his seal to level 2. However, in order to control Level 2, his body must grow accustomed to the seal or it will consume him and he'll die. The Sound Four assure him that they can prevent the side effects associated with the pill. Instead of dying, he'll fall into a coma. When he emerges from the procedure, he'll be just as powerful as them. Sasuke pops the pill into his mouth and collapses. The Sound nin then place his limp body into a barrel and seal it with Shikokumujin (Four Seals of the Dark Mist). Sakon adds an additional seal, Fuukoku houin (Dark seal).
Four Konoha jounin are returning from a mission when they sense the Sound Four. Raido and Genma leave Shi*une and Iwashi to confront the Sound nins. A battle ensures.
When Genma and Raido don't return, Shi*une decides to go check on her teammates as Naruto and co. chase Sasuke. Kiba catches the scent of blood nearby as Shi*une and Iwashi find Genma and Raido lying badly hurt. Shi*une heals the wounded jounin while Iwashi contemplates going after the Sound nins. Genma warns him not to.
Kiba then catches the scent of the Four and Sasuke and Shikamaru decides to follow them rather than stop at the battle area to collect information. He tells the boys not to let their guard down. If there was a battle, the Sound Four probably have traps set up.
Sure enough, they soon see a few explosive notes creating a barrier. If a person was to enter the field, they would explode.
Back in Konoha, Lee looks up at the long staircase below the Hokage carvings and prepares to train. Tsunade stops him before he gets far and tells him that his body needs rest to recover. If he overexerts himself now, he won't heal. She then gives him medicine and sends him away.
As the boys cautiously make their way through the barrage of traps the Sound nins set, Naruto almost triggers a wire. Shikamaru Shadow Binds just in time, but he and Neji deduce that their targets must be resting nearby. Sure enough, Neji Byakugans and sees them up ahead.
The Sound Four rest after using their Level 2 curse. Shikamaru commands the boys to split into two groups, while Neji tries to check on the status of Sasuke. He can't see through the barrel but suspects Sasuke is still alive. Suddenly, Sakon hurls a kunai at them and the explosion tag ignites.