I think the "filler" was actually pretty decent. True, I don't like to see a anime stretched out where your starting to lose interest, but I don't think naruto is heading in that direction. You got to see a lot of Gai and Lee, and understand more about their relationship. Just because a anime doesn't have fighting in it for a time, doesn't make it not a good anime. A good anime has a deep plot to it, and pulls you into their lives. Don't get me wrong, yes fighting is very cool, but its not the basis of a good anime.