Original subtitles

-This time there's no escape.

-Get ready.

-[together] Right!

-He's fast!

-Ahh!

-Ahh!

CHOJI (VOICEOVER): I can't move!

-Kakashi, I had intended to replace

the hearts I lost with yours, but I've changed my mind.

After all, I can find more hearts any time I please.

Now die!

-Wind Style Rasengan!

-Water Style Ripping Torrent!

--[together] Hurrican Vortex Jutsu!

[music playing]

-Sorry we're late, but better late than never.

-Perfect timing.

-Yeah, let's hear it for the cavalry.

-Sakura, Naruto, and Sai.

YAMATO: I've never seen you looking so disheveled, Kakashi.

KAKASHI: One of those days.

YAMATO: The enemy must be powerful indeed.

[theme music]

[wind blowing]

-Perfect.

Another weirdo to deal with.

Though this one's already bruised up a bit.

Naruto, are you sure you're OK?

-Where's Shikamaru?

-He's dealing with the other enemy

by himself a little further away.

-Two of you head over an assist him, a long distance

fighter and a medic.

He's going to need you.

-Leave it to me.

-All right.

Sai and Sakura, I want you to go with Pakkun

and help out Shikamaru.

Hurry, now!

-Yes, sir.

-On it.

-Huh!

Ragtag bunch of misfits.

You people are nothing but potential heart replacements

for me.

[laughs]

-All right, pal.

This is my show now.

-Naruto.

-Come on, we better go.

-Naruto, we're counting on you, OK?

-He's perfected it?

-No.

It only works half the time.

-I see.

-Although-- well, just keep watching.

Trust me.

He's come a long way.

-This way.

-I know this was personal for him,

but he shouldn't have gone to face him alone.

It seems reckless.

Do you think he's OK?

-Shikamaru will be fine.

SAKURA (VOICEOVER): He's the smartest person

in the Land of Fire.

And besides--

-All right, then.

Come on, we might as well get going.

-Uh, OK.

-That guy, he has no motivation whatsoever.

I can't believe he's a subcaptain.

It's so out of character.

-Oh, come now.

He's just not big on showing his enthusiasm.

In fact, I'd say he loathes to.

You'd be surprised.

He's burning an awful lot of calories

trying to look bored these days.

-I don't really get it, m'lady.

I mean, don't get me wrong.

I like Shikamaru.

But don't you think you're overestimating him?

-Just the opposite.

I've probably underestimated him.

-Hm?

SAKURA: What's this?

-We received an offer from the Land of Fire's Feudal Lord.

They want Shikamaru to be a member of the feudal lord's

official guard division.

It seems he made quite a good impression

when he was running the last Chunin exam.

The Lord's inner circle thought he showed a lot of potential.

-You mean that he--

-That's right.

He'd be taking that important first step

toward being a member of the Guardian Shinobi Twelve.

It's quite an honor.

-Amazing.

Ah!

Then did Shikamaru-- did he accept their offer?

-[laughs] Well, you know him.

-Hm?

ASUMA: I heard you rejected the Feudal Lord's offer.

SHIKAMARU: Yeah.

ASUMA: Wouldn't be so bad for you to see the world a little.

Honestly, I don't think I'd be the same man that I am today

if it wasn't for the time I spent among the Guardianship

Shinobi.

-This is me we're talking about.

I don't want the extra hassle, and I probably never will.

-Huh.

-I just-- how do I put it?

With Choji and Ino here in the Leaf, the guys in my new squad,

and even Naruto, I guess I'd rather just

stay close to home in case they need me.

-I see.

So you carry the Will of Fire in you too.

-The Will of Fire?

The Third used to talk about that.

-That's right.

It's an uncompromising desire to protect this village.

-I don't really know if mine runs that deep.

-What are you, shy?

You worry about your friends, so you want to protect 'em.

I know where you're coming form.

-We're all Shinobi of the Leaf.

It's a drag, but I'd feel this way whether I wanted to or not.

-The Will of Fire illuminates this village.

At least, that's what my old man always used to say say.

-Maybe someday I can shed a little light on you.

You never know.

-Hm.

[laughing]

SAKURA (VOICEOVER): No need to worry about Shikamaru.

He's fighting to avenge Asuma Sensei.

Besides, if anyone has the perfect plan, it's him.

-[insane laughter]

Hate to break it to you, but I can still move.

Damn it!

If only you believed in Jashin you'd still have a chance.

He could step in and save you right now.

It might not be too late to convert, though.

To change your ways.

Nah, just kidding!

You're dead, kid!

Huh?

-Thanks, anyway, but I can save myself.

-What the hell!

-Shadow Pull Jutsu!

-You-- you little--

-Hm!

Well, well.

Guess I'm not out of chakra.

Go figure, huh?

-You're kidding, right?

Kid, what are you doing?

-See for yourself.

[music playing]

-What!

What is this?

When the hell did you set this up?

-A while ago, long before we caught up with the two of you.

HIDAN (VOICEOVER): No way!

He didn't just randomly separate me and Kakuzu.

He lured me here deliberately!

Which means this was all part of his calculations.

-When you curse someone, you dig your own grave.

You know why, don't you, pal?

-Enlighten me!

-If you curse someone and take them out,

you'll also be defeated in retribution.

And that's why you end up digging your own grave.

-Ah!

-You cursed my Sensei dead.

Can't just let you keep living, running around free.

-[gasping]

-That's your grave you're hanging over.

HIDAN: [laughs] I won't die even you if you dismember my body

and bury the pieces six feet deep.

I'll just chew my way out and come seeking your throat!

Huh?

What the-- deer?

-These woods are a special place in the Land of Fire.

Only members of my Clan are allowed in here.

Anyone else is forbidden.

Once you set foot in here, we can watch you for eternity.

-You did well here, Shikamaru.

-Thanks.

-Hm?

Huh.

[music playing]

My Will of Fire I entrust to you now.

-[sigh]

-Hey, what were you just doing what that?

I'm talking to you!

-It's the Will of Fire.

The will to protect our village.

Farewell, Sensei.

-Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu!

-Shadow Clones, huh?

So, you're the Nine-Tails jinchuriki.

-Kakashi, bring us up to speed on what

we're dealing with here.

What's the rundown?

-Both our opponents are Akatsuki.

Shikamaru splintered off with one

of them leaving the rest of us to handle this guy.

He's able to split into multiple entities.

See those two masks?

Not only can they detach, but each one

has its own beating heart and can act autonomously.

He originally started out with five in total,

but now he's down to three.

-So two of them have been--

-That's right.

We've killed him twice already, and he won't go down for good

until we get the other three.

Plus he's a mid-distance fighter using several different changes

in chakra nature.

YAMATO (VOICEOVER): No wonder Kakashi's had his hands full.

Naruto!

-Yeah, Yeah, I heard.

-Naruto, don't!

-A head on attack won't work on this guy!

-Only Shadow Clones?

You'll never win that way.

NARUTO (VOICEOVER): Based on his assault speed and battle style,

I'm going to need three clones for the diversion alone.

KAKASHI (VOICEOVER): He's at least

learned to tap into his clone's experience

now and use that knowledge to his advantage.

His mastery of them is evolving.

-[breathing]

Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu!

-Hm?

Another trio of clones.

[music playing]

-What is that?

He's--

-Listen, that sound.

So-- so much chakra!

-Interesting.

Now what?

-This is as far as I've ever gotten.

What am I supposed to do now?

-Well, let's see what happens when

it collides with my Rasengan.

You ready?

-Huh?

Are-- Are you sure that's a good idea?

What'll it do?

-If your jutsu is near completion,

my Rasengan will be canceled out.

All right, let's do it!

[music playing]

KAKASHI (VOICEOVER): The Fourth!

KAKUZU (VOICEOVER): What is that jutsu?

I can't let it hit me, or I'll be finished.

-Wind Style Rasen Shuriken!

[theme music]

NARUTO (VOICEOVER): Look, I know my teamwork is important,

but right now this is a bridge I need to cross alone no matter

how dangerous it is.

If I don't work my way to the other side,

I'll just be a kid forever.

So don't take away my chance to prove what I can do!

Next time, "Wind Style Rasen Shuriken!"