‘Naruto Shippuden’ Episode 491 Recap: Shikamaru Outsmarted; Episode 492 Teases Gengo Capturing Konoha Ninjas

In "Naruto Shippuden" episode 491, Shikamaru Narra and his team infiltrate successfully infiltrated the Land of Silence in an effort to rescue Sai. Gengo, the main antagonist in the Shikamaru Shinden, sets a trap that snared Shikamaru's team. Episode 492 teases that Shikamaru is indeed been captured.

Long been acknowledged as the best tactician of his generation, Shikamaru of the Naa clan was sent on a secret mission to locate Sai, a ninja from the Konoha Village. According to the Newfound Reads Sai has been investigating the Land of Silence for quite some time when he vanished after confirming that the Land of Silence had become a refuge for rouge ninjas.

Games & Anime reports that Shikamaru, along with two skilled ANBU operators named Soku and Ro, devised a plan to infiltrate the Land of Silence which they managed to do in "Naruto Shippuden" episode 490. However, in episode 491, Gengo sets a trap in order to expose the Shikamaru and his team.

Despite Shikamaru's reputation as the best tactician in Konoha, he was outsmarted by Gengo who used Sai as bait to reveal his presence. While Shikamaru and his team effected their rescue attempt flawlessly and according to their plan, Sai siding with Gengo was something Shikamaru did not anticipate.

In the upcoming episode 492 of "Naruto Shippuden," the chapter teases that Shikamaru and his team are in trouble. However, the fact that the Konoha team is merely in trouble means they still have a chance to successfully complete their mission.

The teaser of the upcoming "Naruto Shippuden" episode episode confirms that Shikamaru is taken into custody. The fact that he was not killed instantly bares testament to Shikamaru's skills which may be of use to Gengo. The antagonist may be planning to utilize Shikamaru's ninja talents once he is awakened just like what happened to Sai.

"Naruto Shippuden" episode 491 was aired last January 26 and has a title of "Shikamaru's Story, A Cloud Drifiting in the Silent Dark, Part 3: Recklessness." "Naruto Shippuden" episode 492 will be aired on February 2 and is entitled "Shikamaru's Story, A Cloud Drifiting in the Silent Dark, Part 4: Cloud of Suspicion."

Will Shikamaru and his team escape the clutches of Gengo? Will they free Sai from Gengo's influence? How was Sai "awakened?" Will they defeat Gengo and succeed in this mission? Do they have more tactics and tricks hiding in their sleeves? Find out more about the upcoming "Naruto Shippuden" episodes by tuning in!