Original subtitles

-Go to the Tenchi Bridge in the village

hidden in the grass 10 days from now at noon.

One of Orochimaru's henchmen is working for me as a spy.

And that's where I'm supposed to rendezvous with him.

However, I don't think I--

-Why has it grown so quiet inside the cave?

Could it mean that the fight is over?

Neji, can you hear me?

Neji?

-What is going on in the enemy's hideout?

-Hang on just a minute.

I'll check.

-Looks like it's been settled.

The fight's over.

-Did you say the fight's over?

Well, who won?

-Is Sakura-- Sa-- Sakura!

Where is Sakura?

What has happened to her?

-Sakura's all right.

I see her and Lady Chiyo walking out.

-Excellent.

That means they beat that Akatsuki swine.

NARUTO: I would expect no less from Sakura.

-Unfortunately, that's doesn't mean our problems are over.

MIGHT GUY: What do you mean?

-There were two of the Akatsuki in that cave.

Even though one of them's been defeated,

this jutsu is still in effect.

Which means--

NEJI (VOICEOVER): Which means either

it was the other who cast the jutsu--

-Or else.

-This jutsu can't be broken, even if the one who cast it

is beaten.

NEJI: It's a definite possibility.

-Huh?

-That just means we will have to defeat these clones on our own.

[theme song]

-Lady Chiyo.

Here.

Let me heal you.

SAKURA (VOICEOVER): But this is only a stop-gap.

It won't save her.

I still have to do something about the poison that

got into her system.

All of the antidote I made in the Hidden Sand is gone,

and I can't make more because I used up

their limited supply of the herbs I need.

If I can arrange to have the ingredients transported

to the Sand quickly enough we might just make it in time.

-Hurry.

You and I have to quickly get back to the village.

I'll make another batch of the antidote.

-No.

-Why not, Lady Chiyo?

We have to get back and neutralize that poison.

And quickly.

Our job here is finished.

We beat him.

-But more than that-- there's something I must do.

My job isn't done.

Yet.

NARUTO (VOICEOVER): A new Sharingan.

-Hm?

What is it?

-Kakashi-Sensei, don't sweat it if this doesn't work.

Because if it doesn't, I'll make sure to settle things

once and for all.

-Yeah.

I'm sure you will, if it comes to that.

-Right.

MIGHT GUY (VOICEOVER): What's this?

NEJI (VOICEOVER): Just as I feared.

TENTEN (VOICEOVER): How can this be?

-How can these guys be even stronger than they were before?

-It is true.

If anything, his blows have even more force than they did.

-No.

Our enemies aren't getting stronger.

That's not it.

-Exactly right.

The fact is that we're getting weaker.

-We've gotten weaker?

Do you know why, Neji?

Why?

-Yes.

Why do we grow weaker and they do not?

-It makes sense when you think of it.

It was that jutsu.

-All right, everyone.

Get ready to remove the tags on the count of three.

One.

Two.

Three!

-By breaking those seals we created clones of ourselves,

not only identical to us in appearance

but possessing all the physical abilities

that we possessed at the moment the seals were broken.

That's why defeating them is so difficult.

But of course, we are all made of flesh and blood.

Unlike them we grow weaker the longer the fight continues.

We get less precise in our movements,

and in executing our jutsu.

And the weaker we get, the stronger they seem.

-We get tired, and they don't.

So, basically, the longer this fight drags on,

the bigger our disadvantage is.

-That's about it.

-No way.

-Well, if that is the case, the only thing to do

is not let this fight drag on.

We must beat them now!

-Oh, no!

-Damn you.

What now?

-Sakura.

-Lee?

Are you-- what's going on there?

-The answer is so simple.

-What do you mean?

-I just figured it out.

I know how to defeat them.

It is so obvious.

-It is?

Really?

-All right, let's hear it, then.

-You really mean it?

You're not just trying to keep our spirits up?

-No.

I have a sure-fire method.

We just need to make ourselves stronger

than we were when our clones were created.

These clones have the same strength levels

that we had at the moment we removed the seals.

Now do you get it?

If we increase our strength levels

from what they were at that point in time

it is reasonable to think we will defeat them.

-Brilliant deduction, Lee.

Brilliant.

Then again, you're my student.

-Hold it.

I guess that all makes sense.

But how are we supposed to make ourselves stronger all

of a sudden?

-Tenten, have you forgotten?

The motto we learned during our training?

Stronger than we were yesterday.

Remember?

It was those words in our hearts that kept us going,

that got us through our darkest hours.

-What's the matter?

Are you giving up already?

The three of you got no further than you did yesterday.

-Give up?

No.

-We're not going to stop yet.

Not 'til we beat yesterday's mark.

-That's right.

We all have to get stronger.

-Stronger than we were yesterday.

-Stronger than yesterday.

-Stronger that we were yesterday.

-Stronger than we were yesterday.

-Thanks to that training, Tenten, you and I became Juni.

And Neji became a Jonin.

All because we worked hard every day

to be better than we were the day before.

But are we satisfied with how far we have come?

Do we stop now?

No!

No!

No, that day will never come when I do not strive to be

better than I was-- yah!-- yesterday!

Better than I was an hour ago!

Better than I was a minute ago.

-Yes, making Jonin meant a lot to me.

But I've never believed it was my final goal!

-And I've no intention of retiring.

At least not any time soon.

-It's not like I'm ready to give up, either.

Not by a long shot!

Hya!

-Feel this!

The full power of youth!

-Eight trigrams-- strike!

-Weapon control, tensesai!

-Great leaf blast!

-All right.

[music playing]

NARUTO: Sorry we're late, but I told you not to worry.

Kakashi-Sensei's here, and he's got a new jutsu that's

gonna finish Deidara permanently.

SAKURA: Good old Kakashi-Sensei always

likes to keep us in suspense.

NARUTO: Plus he never gives us a straight answer to anything.

But he always comes through in the end.

SAKURA: You bet.

He hasn't been around all these years for nothing.

NARUTO: He's a wily old veteran.

SAKURA: And experience beats youth every time!

KAKASHI: Uh-- thanks, guys.

Was that supposed to be a pep talk?

NARUTO: Next time-- Kakashi Enlightened!

[music playing]

KAKASHI: A thorough knowledge of hand signs

is indispensable for the effective casting of ninjutsu.

Today we're going to study these signs.

While there are some special exceptions,

there are essentially 12 basic sign combinations.

Naruto, will you demonstrate?

-OK.

Ne, Ushi, Tora, U, Tatsu, Mi, Uma, Hitsuji, Saru, Tori, Inu,

I.

-Let's try combining some of the signs to cast the clone jutsu.

It's made by combining the Hitsuji, or sheep, Mi,

or snake, and Tora, or tiger, signs.

-Everybody paying attention?

Here we go.

Hitsuji, Mi, Tora.

Hm?

Ahh!

What the--

-Oh, boy.

-What happened?

The shadow clone jutsu's my specialty.

-Well, were you able to do it?

I sure hope so.

We'll see you next time.