Yeah last episode he looked like an idiot. Kakashi was executing speed attacks and Gai just was doing Bruce Lee impressions. This episode he did his speed dash punch, that send that Sound-nin through the wall.

Also I think we can now confirm that the White Cloaked ANBU isn't Anko. He has a male voice. Someone in the Naruto Anime forum thought it was her, since we don't see her at all anymore in the manga after this.

I don't remember that mudslide stuff happening in the manga either...the rest of the fight was alright though. I have been waiting for this for a while.