Naruto Shippuden Episode 23 May 2026

Chiyo realizes the chilling truth: Sasori’s youthful appearance is a result of him turning his own body into a puppet, a desperate attempt to achieve "eternal art" and escape the pain of loss. Why It Matters

If you still think of Sakura as a "burden," this is the episode where that narrative dies. Naruto Shippuden Episode 23

Despite Chiyo having only one working arm, Sakura trusts her completely to weave her through the lethal Iron Sand attacks, allowing Sakura to get close enough to unleash her Chakra Enhanced Strength . In a stunning show of resolve, Sakura offers

In a stunning show of resolve, Sakura offers herself as a "living puppet" for Chiyo to control. The Heart of the Tragedy: Father and Mother

Flashbacks reveal a young Sasori creating these puppets to simulate a parental hug he would never truly receive.

Many viewers on Reddit note that while Sakura was technically a Chunin, her performance against an S-rank shinobi like Sasori cemented her as a top-tier kunoichi. The Heart of the Tragedy: Father and Mother

The episode’s title refers to the first two puppets Sasori ever created—modeled after the parents he lost to Konoha’s "White Fang," Sakumo Hatake.