What did you say?!
You mean to say that only rookies went after Sasuke?!
It really couldn't be helped...
the situation in the Village being how it is...
Hey, hey!
Your mission has already been assigned!
Uh, I'm gonna go do an errand and will be back shortly...
Don't worry.
Geez...
Summoning Jutsu!
First of all, I want you guys to fan out in all directions
in pursuit of Naruto and Sasuke's scent.
Naruto and Sasuke you said?
Did something happen to the two of them?
I'll explain later... Right now, time is of essence.
Okay.
As soon as you confirm that you've detected the scent,
call me and I'll be there immediately.
All right! Scatter!
Well, I guess since she saw them fight before her very eyes...
it's useless to tell her not to worry.
Please let me get there in time!
Sasuke!
Are you going to run away from me?!
Yo...loser.
It's you this time, huh?
I couldn't do it. I was not able to stop Sasuke...
I think... the one who can stop Sasuke...
the one who can save Sasuke is...
Naruto...you are the only one.
Naruto...this is my... once in a lifetime...favor to ask...
Please...Please bring Sasuke back!
What's with that face?
You asked Sakura for a hint the other day, what did she tell you?
Shall we go?
Yup.
Why...?
Who knows, my body moved on its own.
You rescue Sakura, no matter what!
Sasuke...You...
I could still distract him for a little while...
I lost everything once.
I don't want to see my precious comrades die in front of me anymore.
Why...?
Why is it...Sasuke?
Why did you become like this?!
You!
Whatever happens to me, what does that have to do with you?
I have my own way.
No matter who it is,
nobody has the right to tell me what to do.
I will tell you the truth.
I'm done fooling around with you guys of the Leaf.
Go home.
Everyone...
Everyone risked their lives to come after you, you know!
Good job for them.
Lastly, I will tell you the most important thing.
Sasuke is neither a close friend of mine nor is he someone I like.
But Sasuke is a shinobi of the Village Hidden in the Leaves...
A comrade.
That's why we will rescue him by risking our lives.
This is the Leaf way.
How do you take your comrades of the Leaf?!
Wake up already!
Did I become stronger staying with those so-called comrades?
I am going to where Orochimaru is.
Orochimaru is the person who killed the Third Hokage
and tried to crush The Leaf Village!
Do you think he will give you the power freely?
He just wants your body as a vessel!
You might not be able to come back. You might get killed.
You think I'd easily let you go to such a place?!
That doesn't matter to me...
If my goal is accomplished, then that's all that matters.
If you intend to get in that way...
Then it can't be helped...
You're not gonna be able to! I'll take you back even by force!
Why are you laughing?!
You were laughing at that time too.
That time...?
That time you wanted to fight me, right?
That was...
That was not the kind of fight I wanted.
Even now...this is not...
I don't care about your circumstances.
What...is this power?
If it is like that now... if I release this curse mark...
I wonder how much power...
I awakened long ago...
From my idiotic self who dreams about a lax peaceful future...
hanging out with comrades.
That's why I left the village!
That's why I sought power!
My dream is not in the future.
My dream is in the past...
That's the only place it exists.
Wow, Brother!
You hit the target right in the middle, even the one behind the rock!
All right, me too!
Sasuke, let's go home.
Geez...You said that you would teach me a new shuriken jutsu.
There is an important mission tomorrow and I need to prepare for that.
Liar...
Forgive me, Sasuke... Another time.
Brother, watch me!
Hey! If you push yourself...
Why is the one who twisted his ankle laughing?
Could it be that you are trying to take the easy way?
That's not true...
I'm happy thinking about
how I'm finally going to the Academy starting tomorrow.
Oh...
What's up?
This is the place... where Father works, right?
Yeah...The headquarters of the Leaf Police Force.
I was curious about it from before,
but why's the Uchiha Clan crest on the Police Force mark?
Oh...so you noticed, huh?
Of course...
Yeah...Let me see... To put it simply...
it seems the previous generations of the Uchiha Clan
set up and established the Police Force.
So they used their own crest for the symbol mark of this organization.
From olden times, the Uchiha Clan has always been
in charge of protecting the public and the peace of this village.
The Uchiha crest is a testament to the proud clan.
The Uchiha Clan has gotten small now.
But even now, nearly all members belong to this first force here.
And contribute to maintaining peace in the village.
Only even more exceptional shinobi can crack down on the crimes
committed by shinobi, so...
Sure enough, father's awesome!
Are you going to enter the Police Force, too?
Well...I'm not sure...
Why not?!
When I grow up, I'm also going to enter the Police Force, so!
Father's also coming to tomorrow's entrance ceremony.
It's the first step to my dream.
That's right.
You're late...What were you doing?
Father...
I have something to talk to you about. Come quickly.
About tomorrow's special mission...
I've decided to go with you, too.
Tomorrow?
If you complete this mission, Itachi...
your entrance into the ANBU Black Ops is almost assured!
You understand, right?
You don't have to be so worried. More importantly...
Umm...Father...
Tomorrow's my...
Tomorrow's mission will be a very important mission not just for you,
but for the Uchiha Clan!
I'm quitting tomorrow's mission, after all
What're you doing talking insanity?!
You should know how important a day tomorrow is!
I'm going to Sasuke's Academy entrance ceremony tomorrow...
The general rule is for relatives to attend the Academy entrance ceremony.
There was the notice, right...Father?
I get it already.
I'll go to the Academy...
Your left leg...
Be sure to ice it.
Right...
Everyone! Congratulations on your entrance!
From here on, please work very hard towards striving for the shinobi path.
And I'd like you to bring further prosperi to the Hidden Village in the Leaf.
Gee...I remember the time when Itachi entered.
Just what I'd expect from his brother.
Thank you for your help with both boys.
Oh, it's nothing like that.
The first prodigy since the beginning of the Academy...
There were no students as exceptional as that boy.
That's a bit too much praise.
Not at all...
I'm hopeful for you, too.
Become a fine shinobi like your big brother.
Yes.
Hey...That's Uchiha, right?
Yeah.
I wonder...if he's awesome, too.
Hmm...Must be.
Recess at last! What a drag. I'm still not used to this place...
You want some too, Shikamaru?
I mean, all of your recesses have become meal times.
That's my boy...
I've great confidence you'll make it great in ANBU.
This won't do!
Won't do!
Really...
You should rest your body on your days off at least.
You don't have to push it.
I heard...that Big Brother graduated from the Academy in just one year.
The times are different, then and now.
Besides, that kid is a bit special, so...
Now, I'm going to hand out the report cards for the first half.
Do a fine job in this vein like your big brother.
Father...I wanted you to say, "That's my boy," to me...
What did you say?
What do you mean you can't participate in the assembly tomorrow?!
You don't understand your own position!
I'm setting out on a mission tomorrow.
What're they doing this late at night with the lights off?
What mission?!
I can't say... It's a top secret mission.
Itachi...You also have the role of the pipe which connects the clan
with the keystone of the village.
You know that, don't you?
Yeah...
Keep that well in mind! And come to tomorrow's assembly!
Sasuke...
Get to bed after you've gone to the bathroom.
Right...
What're you doing hanging around this late at night?
Get to bed!
Okay.
Father only thinks about you, Big Brother.
Am I loathsome to you?
It's okay.
It's logical for shinobi to be ill thought of by people, so...
That's not how I feel...
Brother's right. I really do...think ill of him...
Excellence is not easy at all.
If you have power, you become alienated and also arrogant.
Even if you're coveted and sought after at first.
But, we only have each other for siblings.
I will continue to exist with you as a wall you must get over...
Even if I'm ill-thought of... That's what a big brother is.
Is Itachi home?!
I have something to talk to you about. Come out!
Why's everyone gathered here?
There are two people who didn't come to yesterday's assembly.
Why didn't you come?!
He didn't go to the assembly Father was talking about last night, after all.
I understand that when you enter ANBU,
you get roped into various troublesome things.
Your father also said something like that in your defense.
But for us, we don't intend to treat you special.
Understood. I shall be careful next time.
Now I'm going to have to ask you to leave.
Right...But before that, there's a little more I want to ask you...
It's about Shisui Uchiha who threw himself into the Nakano River to kill himself.
Threw himself?!
The other person who didn't come to the assembly is that Shisui.
As I recall, you adored him like a real older brother.
I see...I hadn't seen him at all recently
That's too bad.
And we the Police Force have decided to launch an all-out investigation.
Investigation?!
This is the will Shisui wrote.
The analysis of the handwriting has been completed.
No mistake, he did indeed write it.
If there are no murder leads, then what's the investigation?
It'd be easy for a person who can use Sharingan to copy handwriting, you see...
The most adept Uchiha.
The man feared as Shisui, "the Instantaneous Man.
He was a man who would take the lead no matter what the mission
if it was for the sake of the clan.
It's tough to think that
such a man would leave something like this and kill himself.
You shouldn't judge people... only on looks and speculation.
For the time being, I leave the will with you.
Take that and you request cooperation in the investigation from ANBU Black Ops.
Understood...
I hope we get a lead.
Also, we have a different route to ANBU Black Ops.
We'll know right away if you do something like crushing the investigation request.
Why don't you just come right out and say it?
You suspect me, right?
Yeah. That's right, you little punk...
Listen up, Itachi.
Just try doing something like betraying the clan and...
it'll cost you!
I told you before.
You shouldn't judge people... only on looks and speculation.
It's because you take the liberty to judge me as patient and take me lightly.
Clan...Clan...
You measure incorrectly the size of your own vessels
and don't know the depth of mine, so you grovel there...
I've never seen him like this...
Half a year after entering ANBU...
the strangeness of your behavior couldn't be overlooked.
What the hell are you thinking?
Fixated on the organization,
fixated on the clan, fixated on the name.
It's a dreadful thing that constrains ones and labels one's own vessel.
And it's a foolish thing...
that fear and hate... what one has never seen or known...
Stop, Itachi!
What the hell's the matter with you?!
Itachi... You've been a little strange lately.
My vessel is dismayed at this foolish clan!
Because you're fixated on insignificant things like clans...
you lose sight of what's truly important.
True change cannot be made if stuck within the restrictions of regulations,
and constrained predictions and imagination...
Saying such arrogant things!
Enough! You'll be imprisoned if you say any more foolish nonsense.
Why...Big Brother?
What do you say?!
I can't tolerate it anymore... Captain, order imprisonment!
Big Brother! Stop it already!
I'm not the one who killed Shisui.
But I apologize for my numerous slips of the tongue.
I'm very sorry...
Recently, it seems he's been up to his ears in ANBU Black Ops missions
and was a little tired...
Captain!
The ANBU Black Ops is a force under the direct control of Lord Hokage...
Even we the Police Force can't arrest him, if we don't have an arrest warrant.
I will take the responsibility and monitor him.
Please...
Understood...
What was up... with those eyes of Big Brother's?
That wasn't... just an ordinary Sharingan.
And...quite a bit of time's passed since then...
but things are still kind of awkward between him and Father.
Good morning, Father...
Yeah, good morning.
It's boring with just school classes.
I'm always number one, so...
Fire Style: Fire Ball Jutsu!
W-Wow...
This is the fundamental jutsu of the Uchiha.
The Sign is as I taught you earlier.
You build up chakra,
stop it once at around between the mouth and the chest area,
and spew it out at once after that.
Try it.
Okay!
Father...is teaching me jutsu himself.
Finally...Father has also recognized me!
I must live up to his expectations!
Fire Style: Fire Ball Jutsu!
Sure enough, it won't go like it did with Itachi, huh?
It might've still been too soon for you.
A member of the Uchiha Clan is not recognized as full fledged
until they can use the Fire Style.
The Uchiha crest...
means those who possess the Uchiha that controls fire.
Fire Style: Fire Ball Jutsu!
Today for sure!
Fire Style: Fire Ball Jutsu!
Sasuke...!
Wait a minute.
What is it?
What...?
Oh...Don't move.
Okay, finished!
Mother...
Hmm?
No...It's nothing.
Okay...
Fire Style: Fire Ball Jutsu!
I'm just, getting started. Damn it! One more time!
Fire Style: Fire Ball Jutsu!
Father!
Hmm?
One more time...
Please join me.
It's still too soon for you.
Even if I were to teach you for only after a week...
It's not that...
I've gotten...the hang of the jutsu.
So I want you to see it.
Failure is not an option!
Fire Style: Fire Ball Jutsu!
That's my boy.
You've done well.
From now on, improve yourself and soar large
so as not to bring shame to the crest on your back.
Right!
And...let me say one thing.
Don't chase after your older brother anymore.
Mother...?
Hmm?
What does Father really think of Big Brother and me?
What is it all of a sudden?
The other day, Father said to me, "That's my boy.
He'd always said that only to Big Brother.
So I was really happy.
I see...Good for you.
But lately, Father and Brother haven't been getting along, so...
I was thinking...
that I might just be a replacement for Big Brother.
Your older brother's your older brother. And you are you.
Your father cares deeply about you both.
Then why does he only think about Big Brother?!
That's not it...
Your father has to protect the Uchiha Clan
as a representative of the clan.
What about it?!
Itachi is just bigger than you and is your elder.
He'll naturally be entrusted
with that much more work for the clan, right?
Your father is the supervisor of the work, so...
it might be that his eyes were likely to go towards your older brother.
But, this is just between us.
When he's with me,
your father does nothing but talk about you.
He's just always sullen and awkward, so...
Today...
when school's over, help me train for a shuriken jutsu...
I'm busy...Have father teach you.
But you're better at shuriken jutsu, Elder Brother...
Even I can see that.
Forgive me Sasuke... Some other time, okay?
I don't have time to pay attention to you today.
You're always jabbing my forehead and saying "Forgive me, Sasuke."
You also say "not today," but there's never a day.
Father.
Huh?
Why doesn't Elder Brother pay any attention to me?
That guy's a little strange...
He's the type that doesn't really like to become intimate with people.
Why?
I don't know.
I am his father and still I can't read that boy...
Here!
Your boxed lunch, Sasuke!
If you're worried about doing shuriken jutsu practice,
I will watch you when you get home.
They're not practices, they're training
See you later!
Sasuke, are you on your way to school?
Yes.
I saw Itachi earlier on. He's really become a man.
He's already a top-notch shinobi.
He graduated at the head of his class at the Academy at the age of seven,
and attained chunin level at the age of ten, didn't he?
He became adept at using Sharingan at the age of eight.
Yes, I remember.
That boy is truly the pride of the Uchiha clan.
By the way, how old are you now, Sasuke?
I'm the same age as when Elder Brother graduated,
but I can't...
What's the matter?
Hey!
Stop talking nonsense!
Oh my, dear.
Sasuke, both you and Itachi come from the same Uchiha clan,
the pedigree of the Hidden Leaf Village
Have confidence!
You'll be an amazing shinobi just like Itachi one day.
Yeah!
See you later!
Do your best!
Study hard!
I won't lose to Elder Brother!
I'm pretty late...
What was that?
I had the feeling there was someone there...
W-What's this?!
What in the world is this?!
Uncle...Auntie...
There's somebody here!
Move!
Father! Mother!
Elder Brother!
Father and Mother are...!
Why? For what reason?!
Who in the world would do something like this...?
What are you doing, Big Brother?!
You pathetic younger brother...
Mangekyo Sharingan!
My legs...!
Stop!
Elder Brother!
Don't make me see this!
Why...?
Why did you, Elder Brother...?!
No!
No...
Auntie! Uncle!
Father! Mother!
Stop it! Elder Brother!
Don't kill Father and Mother!
Why...
Big Brother...Why did you?
In order to measure my vessel...
To measure your vessel?
Is that all?
Only for that reason... you killed everybody...?
You gotta be kidding!
I'm scared...
I'm scared!
Don't kill me...!
I don't believe it!
This is too unlike you, Big Brother. I mean...
The reason I acted as the big brother you desired was...
because I wanted to measure your vessel.
You have the potential to become my opponent
in order for me to measure my vessel.
You hated me...
and you continued to have the desire to surpass me.
That's exactly why I will allow you to live...
for my own benefit.
You are someone who could be able to use Mangekyo Sharingan just like me.
However, on one condition...
That you must kill your closest friend...
Y-You've gotta be kidding...
Just like I did...
Big Brother, you...killed Shisui?!
That's right...and because of that I obtained these eyes.
The main hall of Nakano Shrine...
Underneath the seventh tatami mat on the far right
is the secret gathering place of the Clan.
There you will find recorded the secret of...
the raison d'être of the Uchiha Clan's visual jutsu.
The secret of the raison d'étre...?
If you attain these eyes,
you will become the third person including myself
to utilize the Mangekyo Sharingan.
If that happens...
then there will have been meaning in my allowing you to live.
However...at present...
You are not worth killing.
My pathetic younger brother...
If you want to kill me, then begrudge me!
Hate me!
And live in an ugly manner...
Run away...run away... and cling to life...
And one day, when you have the same eyes as I do...
come and stand before me!
A dream...?
Yes...that's right.
The only one who survived... is that boy.
Didn't he have an older brother?
Yes, but he's gone missing...
It can't be true... That elite Uchiha Clan...
Hi, Sasuke! What did you come to buy today?
The main hall of Nakano Shrine...
Located underneath the seventh tatami mat on the far right
is our clan's secret gathering place...
I see...So that's what it is...
Hey, Shikamaru...
Wanna go to the candy shop after school?
Huh...No way.
You can do that'cuz your mother's nice,
but if my mother found out that I bought myself a snack before going home,
I'd be in big trouble.
Did you hear the news...
that entire Uchiha Clan was apparently murdered?
Yeah, my dad told me.
Apparently he's the only one who survived...
That's my boy.
With me, you're all your father talks about...
I wonder...what kind of things Father was saying to Mother...
If you want to kill me...
Begrudge me! Hate me!
If it's for the purpose of killing you,
I will rush headfirst into whatever darkness which may lie ahead!
I will obtain that power no matter what!
From this point onwards, I am an avenger!
Sasuke is now in depths of darkness...
If you stop in a place like this...
you won't be able to catch up with Sasuke.
Neji, it's just like you said.
That guy looks like he's in the depths of darkness right now...
He really hit me with his full strength! Damn it!
Don't you consider me... your comrade any longer?!
Don't all those things we did together in Squad Seven mean anything to you?!
It wasn't meaningless...
To me, you became my... closest friend.
We've become...friends?
Then...why?!
All the more reason why...
there's meaning in taking you down.
I don't fully understand but...
I understood that you want to fight me with your everything!
Sasuke...!
I already said this earlier but...
In truth, you were waiting for this too, weren't you?
Neither Kakashi nor Sakura are present right now.
So there's nobody here to stop us like that time before.
You...!
Chidori!
You idiot...
Same here! I'm gonna clobber you...
and take you back home even if I have to drag you!
Shadow Clone Jutsu!
Rasengan!
Damn...
He was able to counter
my full power of Chidori to that extent...
Naruto...!
Well, your limit is two blows... that's about it.
And if I try to use more than that...
what will happen?
The third blow won't initiate.
Remember that well.
If you try to initiate the jutsu forcibly...
not only will the Art not initiate properly,
but your chakra will become zero...
In the worst case scenario it will cost you your life!
Damn...I can't waste a blow...
It wouldn't serve any purpose if we cancel each other like earlier.
There's...no longer any mistake about this.
You...really intended...
You really intended to...
I will use numerous speedy techniques and jutsu to create an opening.
And then...I will make a hit with Chidori.
Sasuke...
Did you know, Naruto...
Top class ninja should be able to read each other's hearts
simply by an exchange of fists.
How about it?
Were you really able to read inside...
this heart of mine?
Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu!
Sasuke...I knew that you were always alone.
At first, I was relieved when I found out
that there was a guy similar to myself.
And it also made me happy...
To tell the truth, I really wanted to approach you right away.
But...I wasn't able to approach you...
- Awesome... - You're incredible...
You were always able to do everything.
And moreover, you were always being praised by everyone.
Because you and I were so different...
Because I didn't want to admit it, I decided to call you my rival.
I didn't want to lose to you...
and I felt that even more strongly...
because I was called a loser.
Even when we were in Squad Seven,
I continued to feel the same way the whole time.
I'm stubborn...
And wasn't able to express what I really felt...
What I really wanted was to become like you.
You were what I aspired to...so...
You are one of the ones I want to fight.
I was really happy when you said that!
Those were your first words... acknowledging me...
You and I both knew,
without us even having to have an exchange of fists!
From that time on...
Even without saying anything...
To me you're...
my closest friend.
However...you're trying to take me down for real.
Right now, I don't really know
whether you really meant what you said earlier or not.
Thinking that we were friends...
That might have been...
That might have been just me...
It's too late now!
Naruto!
If that's the case...I'm...
really lame, aren't I...
I don't know why but...
I don't know why...
But I...
I...
don't want you...
you to be taken away by someone like Orochimaru!
You managed to divert it with your left hand,
but it was meaningless.
You won't be able to use any hand sign
or that jutsu earlier anymore.
This is the end!
That's Naruto?
What is this intimidating power?
And what was that red chakra earlier on?
Is this guy a monster?
What the heck are you?!
Your friend!
That's why I'm telling you
I'm not gonna let the likes of Orochimaru get you!
I'm telling you that I'll stop you...
even if it means breaking every bone in your arm and legs!
Fire Style: Fire Ball Jutsu!
Come on! Wake up, already!
If you don't come to your senses, I'll have to break your bones
so that you can't move and I'll take you home that way, Sasuke!
Shut up...
What the heck do you,
who has neither parents nor brothers, think you understand?
What makes you think that you, who's been all alone from the start,
can understand anything about me?!
It's because I have the ties that I feel this agony.
How could you possibly understand...
what it feels like to lose all that!
It's true that I can't understand...
how it feels to really have parents or brothers...
However...
It's my treat today... Eat your fill!
Yippee!
When I'm with Iruka Sensei, I imagine...
- Dig in! - Dig in!
Ninja, first of all, need to warm their inner man.
Hey! Hey! Don't get too carried away and overeat!
If this is... what it feels like to have a dad.
When I'm with you...
Idiot, idiot, idiot...
What was that, you loser?!
I'm not gonna lose to you, no matter what!
Go ahead and say whatever you want.
How about this?
Better not start feeling too comfortable.
I wonder...if having a brother feels something like that.
Why is it, Naruto...?
Why is it that you go to this extent for me?
For me it's a tie that I've finally been able to have!
That's why I'm gonna stop you.
It's too late, Naruto... It's already too late.
I can't go back anymore.
Come, Naruto!
In that case, I just have to cut that tie.
Cut, huh?
Then why wear that headband now?
I'll acknowledge you... You're strong.
And the reason for that is
you're someone who knows the pain of solitude as I do.
And that pain makes people stronger.
And for that very reason, by cutting that tie,
I will be able to obtain even greater strength.
I will fight you now on equal terms. However...
You won't even be able to inflict a scratch on my forehead.
That's something that won't change in the least.
It seems that whatever I say won't have any effect anymore, huh?
Sasuke!
I'm done with talking...
From here on, it's only fighting.
Come!
I'm able to see...
I'm now able to see this guy's movements...
which I wasn't able to see before.
I'm able to see them!
Damn it!
When he moves...
by the subtle movements in the way he exerts his strength...
I can vividly see an image of his next move.
With my level of "eyes,"
I don't need to use unnecessary chakra and can instead preserve it.
The Curse Mark takes too much chakra.
If I can see this much...
I can time my attacks to the images of Naruto's movements as I foresee them.
This is no good...
He's totally reading my movements.
Damn it!
Sasuke!
Fire Style: Dragon Flame Jutsu!
Sa-su-ke...
It's too late, Naruto.
It's too late now! Naruto!
You're weak, aren't you, kid?
You better be grateful to me...
and to the Fourth Hokage
who contained me within the likes of you!
What's going on?
What was that just now?
Even if I'm able to read Naruto's movements completely...
his chakra makes a separate move of its own.
It seems like the chakra itself is moving in accordance with its own will...
Even with my "eyes" I'm unable to read it completely.
That red chakra... that's not an ordinary chakra!
Your target is Naruto, after all.
To abduct Naruto is the No. 1 priority
placed by our organization, Akatsuki!
I see...
It appears that you have some kind of special power.
Now I understand!
Fire Style: Fire Ball Jutsu!
That chakra is protecting him?!
Calm down.
I won't be caught as long as I fight from distance.
Damn it...This is incredible!
All I can do is dodge...
Damn it, gimme a break...
If I get tainted by this power...
I don't even know what will happen to me in the end...
But, it can't be helped, can it, Naruto?
It is certainly true that you were special...
However...
I am even more special than you.
Sasuke!
By special...
By special, you meant that?!
I don't feel like I'm gonna lose.
Sasuke...you...
This body...
It looks like there's no time to waste.
I don't have any feeling in my left arm...
That power you have...
seems to involve some risks too, huh?
Did you know?
That this place...
is called the Final Valley.
I think this is the perfect stage, don't you think...Naruto?
Oh yeah...
I said there'd be no more talking, didn't I?
Well, in that case, how about we bring it to a close...?
This battle.
All our battles up to now!
- Rasengan! - Chidori!
It's started to rain! Will it erase the scent?
No problem.
We're already close. This way.
Was I too late...?
Naruto!
Why did things come to this?!
This is Sasuke's...
I didn't make it in time... please forgive me.
Naruto...
I know the kind of person you are...
You must have made a desperate effort.
Sasuke...
The Final Valley...
To think that Sasuke and Naruto would battle it out here...
How ironic...
Yeah...
When I look at the flow of this water,
it's as if I'm being confronted by an eternal, never ending battle...
Just like the fate of the two people depicted in these statues here
who founded the Village Hidden in the Leaves...
Naruto and Sasuke, as long as you both live...
You have to kill...
your closest friend!
I'm not gonna...
abide by everything you say!
I will get my hands on power doing it my own way!
I will surpass you doing it my own way!
Without fail!
The rain's...let up, hasn't it?
Yeah.
With that much rain,
I won't be able to pursue the scent anymore.
Naruto is more important now than pursuing Sasuke.
Yeah.
Kakashi Sensei...
Where's Sasuke?
Kakashi!
How is Naruto Uzumaki's condition?
He's okay.
What about Sasuke? Where's Sasuke Uchiha?!
How are the other genin?
Yes! By Lady Hokage's order,
the first and second medical corps have been dispatched...
The wounded from all areas have already been gathered.
They were convoyed after administering emergency treatment.
How are their conditions?
Yes! Shikamaru Nara has minor injuries...
Kiba Inuzuka has serious injuries, but it's not life threatening.
Neji Hyuga and Choji Akimichi are in serious condition...
At this point, there's no telling what will happen.
Everyone...
The ingredients and effects of the medicine
have been thoroughly researched.
Excellent...
Now bring the deer antler!
Yes, ma'am!
How is he...Big Sister?
No walks for him for quite a while...
The muscles of his limbs have been severely damaged.
You're a vet, right, Big Sister? Can't you somehow...?
It'll be okay.
It'll take time. But there's no threat to his life, so rest easy.
Walks for you are out of the question for quite a while, too!
Yeah, I know...
It'll soon be three hours... Please take over.
All right!
Although we're making this kid's hair into a conductor,
please don't mistake the cellular rate of the deficient parts!
Right!
As for the chakra control, handle it as if we're threading a needle!
Understood!
There's no point in you getting frustrated, right?
Missions come with sacrifice...
You took the mental training, right?
Training and actual battle are different, you know...
I know what missions are about...
And I thought I knew what the shinobi world is like.
I became a platoon leader for the first time on this mission.
With that, I understood...
I'm not cut out to be a shinobi.
Surprisingly fragile...for a man.
This time...
The only thing I was able to do as platoon leader...
was to believe in everyone.
I was naïve...
I didn't have enough power...
It's all my fault!
Are you afraid of getting hurt?
Shikamaru...
Are you going to be argued down by a girl and run away?
It's a drag...
I don't want to have arguments. I'm not a woman.
Yeah...But you're not a man, either.
You're just a coward!
Even if you quit being shinobi, the missions will continue.
Someone has to do it.
Your comrades will just be dispatched again...
under a different platoon leader.
And your comrades might die there.
But if at that time, you were the platoon leader...
your comrades might be saved from that happening to them.
If you reflect on this time, make use of the experience and learn,
you might be able to carry out missions with more perfection.
If you really think your comrades are important to you,
before you think about running away...
think about becoming more exceptional for the sake of your comrades!
That's what real comrades are, you coward!
He's okay, now!
The antidote has stopped the death of cells
caused by the side effects of the pills.
You were a big help this time, Shikaku!
The Nara Clan's secret medicinal preparation manual was very useful.
It must've been tough to make something like that...
It's the result of day to day study.
Thanks...
Lady Tsunade!
Neji Hyugan. His safety line has been secured.
And, there's some information...
Kakashi Hatake and Naruto Uzumaki have just now returned.
Although seriously injured, it seems it's not life threatening.
Two, huh?
Shikamaru... It seems the mission is a failure.
But, everyone is alive! That's the most important thing.
Next time for sure...
I'll carry out the mission perfectly!
Sasuke...You're the chosen one.
Whatever...Just give me "power."
Even though the form is different, it's still Lord Orochimaru before your eye
If you don't want to die, use more care in how you talk.
Wh-What? This quality of chakra...
Yes...My future is inside this kid...
Oh...You were awake, huh?
Shikamaru!
I'm going on ahead to Choji! What about you?
I'm going on ahead to... Naruto and Sasuke!
I see...So everyone's okay. That's good.
Then, Sasuke...
Yeah...he's gone.
Then, I still can't see him...?
Yeah...But Lady Tsunade said that he should regain consciousness soon.
Thank goodness...
It's really a great help that
Lady Tsunade returned to the Leaf Village.
If she hadn't, right about now, Choji would be...
The Lady Fifth...Hokage.
You've come to visit?
Information sure travels fast.
Sakura...
Naruto...
I heard you suffered quite a serious injury...
But you look well, considering.
I'm sorry...Sakura...
Why do you apologize?
Being you, you probably got reckless again, right?!
Jeez, you look like a mummy...
I'm sorry...I...
Hey...The weather's nice today. So open the curtains.
Sakura! I...
I'll keep my promise, no matter what!
I promised on my life. That's what I said, so I...!
It's okay already, Naruto...
Sakura! He...
I always...
said that, so...I...
I stick straight to what I say!
That's my Ninja Way!
Naruto...
Thanks, Naruto...
I'll get right to healing this injury and I've got to bring Sasuke back!
Wh-What was that?!
Per...Pervy Saget?!
Yo!
I've come today to tell you something important.
From here on, as my official disciple,
I'll train you to become a full fledged shinobi in three years.
Three years...?
I've received some credible information from a certain source
concerning the Akatsuki.
Akatsuki...
It seems that it will be three or four years
before they come after you next.
I don't care about that!
Talking about stuff that's so far down the road...
I don't have the time to be doing slowpoke training!
What do you mean?
If I don't go after Sasuke immediately,
he might be killed by Orochimaru!
It seems you've learned of the true purpose
for Orochimaru seeking Sasuke...
Huh?! Then that means you also knew?
I was looking into Orochimaru's Immortality Jutsu.
It seems with that jutsu,
he can't reincarnate into the next body for three years.
And unable to wait for Sasuke, he just recently reincarnated...
It'll be okay for three years from now... There is time.
That's not a lie, is it?!
Not a lie, is it?!
Nope...
However...
Forget about Sasuke...
Sasuke went to Orochimaru on his own accord.
No matter what you do, he won't change.
I've seen many shinobi, so I know...
Sasuke is the same kind as Orochimaru.
If you're thinking about bringing him back just forget it.
That's something an arrogant fool would do!
He may be nothing to you but he's my friend!
Would a friend hurt his comrade?!
Take a look at your current plight!
This is...!
Why? Why would you...?
We were called Sannin together...
Weren't we comrades since we were kids?!
In every regard, you're a foolish guy, Jiraiya...
You lack thought in everything you do.
That's why you didn't notice what I was doing.
Can't you rethink it, Orochimaru?
Absurd!
How can you be so stupid?!
No matter how much I wanted it...
in the end, there was no way he would come back.
After the agony, all that's left was my own powerlessness and regret.
I don't want you to go through the same thing...
If you're going to go after Sasuke, then there'll be no training.
I'll get ANBU Black Ops to watch you
and depending on the case, prohibit you from leaving the village.
You're not just an ordinary kid...
You possess the Nine-Tailed Fox, which the Akatsuki is after!
This is serious. I'll just have to do that...
if you're going to act on your own without listening to what I say.
Eventually, you're going to have to deal
with guys more troublesome than Orochimaru.
Give up on Sasuke.
Sooner or later this was going to happen.
Don't suffer anymore! Forget and dismiss him.
It's not just jutsu or power...
If you're a shinobi, develop eyes that can make the right judgment.
And if you're going to live as a shinobi, become wise.
If you remain a fool...
the reality is that it will be tough living in this world.
Fine.
If that's what being wise is...
Then I'm fine being a fool for life!
Even if by myself,
I'll create even more awesome jutsu and save Sasuke no matter what!
And, and, I'll even kick the Akatsuki's butt!
If someone like you were to do it alone...
the best you'd be able to come up with
would be some stupid erotic jutsu, anyway.
It might somehow work out
if you are a big fool and not an ordinary fool...
Be prepared once you're out of the hospital,
you big fool.
See you then.
Roger!
It's gotten interesting, hasn't it?
Yeah...