Ep 75. The Old Monk's Prayer

The Old Monk's Prayer is the 75th episode of the second season of Naruto Shippuden. As the story continues, the leaf ninjas are trying to prevent Sasuke from joining Orochimaru. Sasuke, who is dead set on reviving his clan, has been approached by Orochimaru, who has promised him the power he needs. Naruto and the others enlist the help of Orochimaru’s former minions to stop him from getting to Sasuke, but their efforts have gone in vain so far.

The episode begins with Orochimaru sending another of his minions, Guren, to retrieve the crystal that will help Sasuke reach Orochimaru's base. Guren is accompanied by her chimera squad, but the leaf ninjas ambush them. The battle between Guren and the leaf ninjas is intense, but the latter team manages to get hold of the crystal that Guren was carrying. However, once they reach the safe zone, they find out that something is not right with the crystal. It is emitting a strange chakra that is causing the team members to lose their consciousness. Shino, who is immune to the crystal’s effect, reveals that it is a crystal made of human souls and Orochimaru plans to use it for the revival of the Fourth Hokage.

In the next scene, Hiruzen, the third Hokage, is seen paying his respects to the dead. He is particularly concerned about Danzo and the destruction that his actions have brought onto Konoha. He then meets an old monk, who tells him that the souls of the dead are not at peace and that he is praying for them. Hiruzen listens attentively and then realizes that they need to do something to stop Orochimaru from unleashing his plan. The monk offers to help Hiruzen, but the latter declines and tells him to continue with his prayers.

Meanwhile, Naruto and his team prepare to head out to stop Orochimaru from reviving the Fourth Hokage. They discuss their plans to approach the base from the underground tunnel and avoid falling prey to the traps that Orochimaru has laid out. Hiruzen, who has been keeping a watch on the team, decides to help them by creating an opening in the base so that they can enter undetected. He is determined to stop Orochimaru from bringing back the Fourth Hokage at any cost.

The scene then changes to Kabuto and Orochimaru, who have been informed about the leaf ninjas approaching the base. Orochimaru is confident that they can handle the situation, but Kabuto is skeptical. He is worried about the crystal that the leaf ninjas have taken away and wonders if it will cause problems for their plan.

The leaf ninjas enter the base through the tunnel, but they are quickly detected by Orochimaru’s minions. A fierce battle ensues, and the ninjas use all their skills to overcome the opposition. They finally reach the room where the Fourth Hokage is kept, but discover that Orochimaru has already started the revival process. The crystal that they had taken away earlier is being used to create the body for the Fourth Hokage’s soul.

As the leaf ninjas try to stop Orochimaru, they are confronted by Kabuto and Guren, who are prepared to fight to the death. Naruto and the others engage in a fierce battle with their opponents, and the fate of Konoha rests on their shoulders.

The Old Monk’s Prayer is packed with action and suspense, and the storyline keeps viewers hooked till the very end. The episode delves into the inner workings of Orochimaru’s plan and highlights the lengths that some will go to achieve their goals. It also portrays the loyalty and determination of the leaf ninjas, who are willing to risk everything to protect their village. Overall, The Old Monk’s Prayer is a must-watch episode for all Naruto Shippuden fans.