Naruto Shippuden Episode 490 〈Instant〉

: This episode is based on the Shikamaru Hiden light novel. While sometimes labeled as "filler" by fans, it is considered anime canon as it bridges the gap between the Fourth Great Ninja War and the series finale

: Shikamaru, accompanied by ANBU members Hinoko (also known as Soku) and Rō , disguises the team as traveling merchants to bypass a heavily guarded checkpoint at Tobari village .

: Shikamaru manages to obtain information about Sai's last known location by playing shōgi with a patron at a local inn . Naruto Shippuden Episode 490

, titled " Dark Clouds " (暗雲, An'un ), is the second episode of the Shikamaru Hiden: A Cloud Drifting in Silent Darkness story arc . It originally aired on January 19, 2017 . Episode Plot Summary

: The mission is complicated by the discovery of incapacitated shinobi outside the inn, leading to a lockdown where everyone's identification must be verified . Key Characters : This episode is based on the Shikamaru Hiden light novel

: You can watch it on platforms like Crunchyroll .

Following a cryptic message from Sai, who has disappeared while investigating the , Shikamaru Nara leads a secret mission to find him . , titled " Dark Clouds " (暗雲, An'un

: The lead strategist struggling with the weight of leadership and the isolation caused by the mission's secrecy .