Original subtitles

We are fighting dreamers.

Right

here,

right now.

Right here, right now.

Thank you.

Right here, right now.

Right now Right here Right now

Right here Right now

We're almost at the Leaf Village now.

Is everyone here? Yes, sir!

Hey, wait a minute. One of us isn't.

Hmm? Who's missing?

Who do you think?

It's Idate.

That kid's getting to be a pain in the neck.

What now?

Do we wait?

Don't have much choice, do we?

Huh? What in the world?

You're from the Wasabi family of the Land of Pea, right?

Who the heck wants to know?

One thing you should know up front, a bunch of clodhoppers like you are no

for ninja.

No need to worry. I'll let you live this time.

But if you're smart, you'll forget all about the race at the Great Todoroki

Shrine.

He's gone.

Got to get to the village and at least deliver this message.

And as I'm psyched and ready to go!

But where's Kakashi -sensei?

Man, some teacher. He's always the last one here.

Kakashi won't be here at all.

Huh?

Grandma Tsunade, what's up?

Stop calling me that, will you?

Uh, Lady Hokage?

What's this about Kakashi -sensei not coming?

You know our forces are stretched thin.

All of our Jonin are already busy on other missions, including Kakashi.

You three will just have to handle this one on your own.

It's a B -rank escort mission.

Someone important.

Important? Really?

Of course, it could develop into an A -rank mission if you run into trouble.

So, who do we escort?

I don't know.

Hold on! What do you mean you don't know?

Every four years, our neighbor, the Land of Tea, holds a dedication ceremony at

the Great Todoroki Shrine.

And each time, we're asked to escort a runner who will participate in the race

that's part of the ceremony.

This year, the messengers who were bringing the request were attacked

they could get here.

Who attacked them? I'm sorry, but I'm still not following the story very well.

Well, don't worry about that now. When you meet Boss Jirocho, he'll fill you in

on everything.

When we meet Pastor Ocho... Ah!

That gambler guy we met!

That's everything I know. Now, no wasting time. They're expecting you in

Land of Tea by the end of the day. So get moving!

Got it. Don't worry!

You can count on us!

I hope so.

Message! Help an old friend in the Land of Tea!

Hey, Sakura, you hungry at all?

A little bit, maybe.

Hey, good idea!

Lunch break, and look, what a coincidence!

There just happens to be a tea house right there!

Wait, Naruto!

So you're back.

Aoi Rokusho at your service.

Seems we wasted your time and trouble.

That fool Girocho doesn't know when to give up. The Wasabi family still intends

to take part in the race?

Exactly.

What's more, they've even hired ninja bodyguards to protect their runner.

Well then, if we can't scare them off, we'll just have to destroy them at the

race itself.

What will you be having? Some sweet bean soup!

I'll have the dumplings, please.

And you, Sasuke?

Just rice.

Very good. I'll be back in a moment.

Leaf village ninja.

I just hope we get some fighting in.

Don't you dare go making trouble, Naruto. Not this time.

I won't.

Just sitting around in the shade, sucking down sweet bean soup.

A ninja's life is pretty cushy.

What'd you say?

I guess you don't get much action in the Leaf Village, judging by how out of

shape you look.

That does it! Hey, where'd you come from, sweetie? I didn't see you sitting

here. I didn't mean you, of course.

Thank you. Hello there.

I'm Idate Marino.

So, uh, what do they call you? You gonna punch him in the nose, Sakura, or do

you want me to?

Sakura, huh?

That's a beautiful name.

Well, then.

Since fate has brought us together, isn't it time we talked about our

I'm not sure that... what future?

Oh, you know, the part where you give up this ridiculous ninja business and run

away with me.

Quit hitting on her or I'm gonna start hitting on you!

Don't worry.

I was just kidding around.

But the rest of it?

That's no joke. If there's one thing I can't stand, it's a ninja.

You better go on back where you came from or there'll be trouble. I'm warning

you. Yeah? Well, why wait? Bring it on, tough guy!

Calm down, Naruto.

She's right.

Just ignore the punk. We don't have the time.

Get out of here, Sasuke! After what this guy said, don't you have any ninja

pride? You can ignore it if you want. I'm gonna flatten it. Huh?

He disappeared.

No way.

How did I miss that?

I hate that. He gets in his little dig and then runs away. Here you go. Thank

you for waiting.

Louie. I'll take these whenever you're ready.

Huh?

What's this?

Why two bills?

Yours and your young friend that just left. He said you'd be paying for him. I

knew it. I knew I should have flattened him when I had the chance.

His footsteps are already faint.

That kid's quick.

That's it. He's crossed the line, making fools of us. I'm going to catch that

stupid jerk.

We've got to go, ma 'am. Thanks.

I've left the money on the table.

Come again?

These young people today, always in such a hurry.

I don't know what this kid's training has been, but he's incredibly fast.

Who could he be?

Who cares? He's toast when I catch up with him.

Before they can even get started.

I'm gonna be miles away.

All the speed in the world won't help

me if I don't watch where I'm going.

You got a lot of nerve.

Did you think you'd get away with it?

I'm sorry!

Huh? I couldn't pay the bill.

All my money had been stolen.

And then you guys came. I shouldn't have done it, but I didn't know what else to

do.

Oh, you're kidding. All of your money?

Well, why didn't you just say that in the first place?

Huh?

Huh? What's this thing?

Hands up!

This belongs to me.

What are you doing?

On your mark.

Huh? Get set. Go!

Huh?

Leg weight?

Give it up, idiots!

You'll never catch me!

There! He's off and running again!

We'll see about that!

This kid's asking for it.

This guy for real? I told you he's fast.

What's going on? He's getting further away every second.

No way. We'll never catch him. He's out of our league.

Okay. But if I ever see that stupid jerk again, watch out!

Welcome. And thank you all for coming.

I bid you greetings and offer you my services.

I have come from the village hidden in the leaves, which is also the place of

birth. I was raised on ramen and hard work and given the family name of

But I'm known to everyone... As the knucklehead.

As the knucklehead.

Yeah, very funny.

You haven't changed at all, I see.

Yeah, well, you haven't changed much either, big guy. Watch it, Naruto.

No, it's all right.

The boy has spirit.

I like that.

Now that we're done with the greetings, maybe we should get down to it.

The fifth Hokage told us you would explain what you want us to do.

Mm -hmm.

All right, then.

You know about the dedication ceremonies held at the Great Todoroki Shrine every

four years, don't you?

Oh, well, uh, not really.

Go on, have a seat.

It all started long ago.

The legend goes that in ancient times there came a terrible storm.

In desperation that people dedicated the Ryuko jewels to the great Todoroki

shrine, it worked.

The storm subsided, and now the ceremony is repeated every four years.

At first it was just a rededication of the jewels, then it became a festival,

and a race.

with the winner of the race being hailed as a great hero.

But in recent years, what once was a friendly race has taken on a more

aspect. For generations, Port Degarashi has been divided between two families,

the Wasabi and the Wagarashi, two rival gambling organizations.

Both families wanted control of the town, which naturally led to disputes.

These disputes became increasingly violent, sometimes resulting in all -out

battles. The rest of the townspeople were caught in the crossfire.

Many were injured, or worse.

Finally, in an effort to end the cycle of violence, our district leader called

on both sides to get together and come to an agreement.

Henceforth, control of the town would be decided not by street brawl, but by a

competition.

What sort of competition exactly?

The race run every four years at the Great Todoroki Shrine dedication

Four years ago, the Wadarashi beat us soundly by hiring a ninja, and we found

out they've done the same thing this year.

That's why we sent messengers to you, seeking your help.

It was our way of leveling the playing field.

But before they could reach our village, they were attacked.

Ambushed.

I beg you.

Please lend our family your strength. If we lose again, it means the Wagarashi

will control this town for four more years.

Not gonna happen. I'm on the job.

So who are we supposed to escort anyway?

Excellent. That means you'll take the job.

Yes, boss. You wanted me?

So you already know each other. That makes everything easier.

I wouldn't be so sure.

Boss G. Rocha was a big man around here.

He shouldn't have to bow and scrape to a bunch of noby wannabes. He can bow and

scrape all he wants. There's no way I'm going to escort a lousy cheapskate like

you anywhere anyway.

Fine, believe me. If I wanted an escort, it certainly wouldn't be some snot

-nosed runt who barely comes up to my kneecaps. Oh, who you calling a runt,

ignorant hick? I'm Naruto Uzumaki. I'm a ninja. Not only that, I'm going to be

Hokage someday.

Hokage, big deal.

It's a lot better than being the boss of a bunch of crooked gamblers.

Hey, squirt, my boss is a great leader, so watch what you say.

He's a great leader, huh?

Would he sacrifice his life for his village like the Hokage would? That's a

leader. Are you kidding me? He'd sacrifice his life, his heart, his soul,

the souls of his children's children for all eternity.

That's nothing. The Hokage would do all of that stuff and more and do it twice a

day.

You'd think this was a tourist resort. These prices are outrageous.

I know what you're thinking.

Too expensive?

Oh, no.

Believe me, I don't like having to charge that much. But the Wagarashi

sets the price... I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

What's wrong with you? When we want something, we take it. You got it? You

wouldn't even be in business if it weren't for the Wagarashi. I know. I

It's just... To take it without paying me for it.

You're really not getting this, are you?

You're right.

No, no, please.

Okay, then let me make it easy to understand.

What the? Who are you?

Why don't you and your friends take a hike?

Get him out of here. Those are the Wagarashi's men. Don't worry.

You asked for it.

Ain't acting so tough now, are you, kid? That ought to teach you a thing or two,

you little pipsqueak.

Don't mess with us, or next time you won't get off so easy.

Young man.

Thank you, whoever you are.

Just look at those men run. Now, if only the Wasabi family can win the race,

we'll be through with them for good.

Hey, Sasuke?

Yeah.

It's only... Of all the people you could choose, why did it have to be them?

Tell me when you're finished sulking.

I'm not sulking.

It's just that... Nidate.

The Wasabi family has complete faith in you.

And I have faith in you.

Isn't it time that you had a little faith in yourself?

Hidate, I'm asking you to run for the family.

Begging you.

I will, sir.

Yes.

Even if it costs me my life.

Whoa!

I had no idea it was such a big deal.

So what kind of race is it, anyway?

You know, the kind with a start and a finish.

Listen carefully and I'll explain.

The starting point is here in the harbor of Degarashi. From here, the runners

head for Motoroki Shrine. That's the midpoint.

They run over water?

Uh, no, Naruto.

The first leg of the race is done by boat, see?

Anyway, the runners pick up the Ryoko jewels from the Motoroki Shrine, and the

first one that gets them to the Great Todoroki Shrine wins.

That's it as far as the basic rules go, but other than that, just about anything

goes. Shortcuts, dirty tricks, anything.

That's why hiring Ninja to help you out is okay, too.

Okay, so where are the Ninja the other side hired?

They're keeping a low profile, but they're around.

So watch your step, okay, Naruto?

Yeah, yeah.

I don't care what you guys do, but whatever happens, just stay away from

Say what? I've got a race to run. I don't want you in my way.

In your way? Come on, can't we all just work together?

No way, not with him.

Off to a good start.

This could be a long race.

Attention! Attention!

The Great Todoroki Shrine Race is about to begin!

Running for the wasabi, Idate Morino!

Idate Morino?

What's that idiot doing?

He does. Hey, where are you going?

Hey, you're going the wrong way!

What's he doing?

Thank you.