Original subtitles

[squawking]

This is a story from back when I was a bit younger.

I was a much feistier ostrich then than I am now, and my greatest rival by far was a kid named Naruto Uzumaki.

Naruto! Naruto!

He was an obnoxious brat who threatened my very freedom!

It was a time when it seemed that life was just passing him by... while he stood there helpless.

It must have been one of his lowest points.

Sasuke had left the village, and Naruto was questioning his own strength.

Yes. And Tsunade had just been named Hokage.

It was right before Naruto set out with Jiraiya...

Listen quietly now. And I'll tell you of my tale with Naruto.

What?! You want me to find someone's lost bird?!

Ha, come on, that's a total rookie mission! Thanks, but no thanks!

There's an important reason why it has to be you, Naruto.

Huh?

Hmm...

Hey, this is-!

How many times is that bird gonna run away?!

The situation's even worse than you might imagine. That ostrich has trained himself to become a ninja ostrich.

What?! Seriously?! A ninja?!

You heard right. This is far more than a mission to capture a missing pet!

You called for me, Lady Hokage?

I understand that you have a job for me?

You're to be the team captain.

I'm what?! Team captain!?

Me? Really?!

Yes, Kotetsu. Your team will capture an escapee. Your target's an ostrich.

Yes, ma'am!

Wait... An ostrich?!

An escape ostrich.

He's in the Hidden Leaf training grounds.

The training grounds? Where the Chunin Exam was held?

The place with all those giant centipedes?!

No, not quite; we used Training Ground 44 for the Chunin Exam.

But you are going to Training Ground Zero.

There's actually a Training Ground Zero?

There is. However, it's not used for drills anymore, and hasn't been for a very long time.

In fact, it's become an animal preserve for fierce and exotic beasts of prey from nations worldwide.

Entry is strictly prohibited.

People haven't been allowed in since I was a child.

So no one really knows how the ecology has changed since then.

It's also been proclaimed a "No Hunting Area."

Well, this is it; we've reached Training Ground Zero.

Of all the places in the world, why'd that annoying ostrich have to escape to here?!

The way I figure... it came here because--

My arms are itching for action, and so are my legs!

Whoever the four of us face, I will defeat them all!

By the way, I had a question... have you three ever teamed up before?

Hmm. Now that you mention it...

May we enter?

No... because I don't--

Yeah, all right, fine! Let's just go.

Curse you, Lady Hokage...

She just assigned this mission to any genin who happened to be around.

What?!

Kotetsu's team captain?!

Huh? What is the matter?

He's on a mission without me?

It's not as though I felt your abilities were lacking compared to his or something.

Kotetsu was just available, that's all there is to it.

All right, Izumo? There's no reason to get upset.

Why!? Why didn't I get to go along with Kotetsu?!

Stop your whining, you annoying crybaby!

"Animal District"

Okay... We'll proceed in a single-file line formation. Naruto, you take you take the lead.

Right!

I'll go second.

And if anything happens to Naruto, then I'll back him up.

Next will be Shino. Keep a watch on your left and right sides. And Lee? You bring up the rear.

Understood, sir.

I believe I should be the rear guard.

Why?

Because someone with eyes in the back of his head is perfect as the rear guard.

I must admit I do not have eyes in the back of my head. But, do you?

Not literally, of course. But my vision is similar to how an insect with compound eyes would see the world.

For crying out loud, just get to the point, Shino!

Listen, we all understand. You're saying that your insects will watch our backs, right?

Let's not get ahead of ourselves. Because, unless the the captain agrees to my idea, we can't change positions.

Fine, take the rear, Shino. You'll also be my lieutenant.

No way! If anyone's gonna be lieutenant, then it should be me! I mean, I'm the only one who's met the ostrich before!

That's why I put you in the lead position. Now, let's start walking.

[groan]

Just one more thing. Where's the bird supposed to be hiding this time?

I thought... Lady Hokage said you'd know.

That's why you're leading the way.

No, I only know what the ostrich looks like. But I have no idea where he is right now!

[whiney moan]

Lady Hokage! Why didn't you assign a sensory-type ninja to this mission like I asked?!

Like a Hyuga or an Inuzuka...

They're all busy on other missions right now.

Lady Hokage...

So...what do we do now?

I'll find it.

Shino?

Oh... you're from the Aburame clan, huh? Excellent.

Haven't you found that bird yet, Shino?!

There's a lot of ground to cover. Be patient.

This entire area reminds me of a tropical jungle.

[squawking]

Huh?

[squawking laugh]

Don't laugh! It's your fault I got assigned to this ridiculous mission!

[squawking laugh]

No point talking to it.

I disagree. Please, continue to distract it.

What are you planning, Shino?

I'll surround him.

Hm? [chuckle]

Alright Shino, go for it.

Of course. That's what I always do.

All right, then! Just leave this distraction to me!

Your pa's belly button is an outie!

[squawking laugh]

What the heck's so funny about that?!

Ask instead, why shouldn't he laugh? He's saying that you're a fool.

What?! What do you mean?!

It's undeniably true that he has a father.

However, you can't actually say that his father has an outie.

[annoyed groan] You are such a pain! Just get to the point!

All right... Ostriches don't have belly buttons. They hatch from eggs.

[squawking laugh]

Damn that bird, making a fool of me!

Enough of this!

Come on, Shino, end it.

Strange...

What's wrong?

My insects aren't responding.

[gasp]

No... Don't tell me... those plants are insectivores?!

Kofura, Kopushi, Komure...

Kononoka, Komiruwa, Konomo-

Hey! Calm down!

My poor insects! Half of them were eaten.

[squawking laugh]

You will not escape!

[groan] Hey!

C'mon, let's go, Shino!

I can't go any further.

That's because I just can't risk losing any more of my insects.

Find a way around those plants and catch up!

[squawk]

Come back here!

[squawking laugh]

He's fast! It's an ostrich, all right.

Leave this chase to me, then! Guy Sensei gave me his seal of approval to use my full leg strength!

Then just get going, already!

Yes, sir!

Look at him go! Bushy Brow sure is fast.

[squawking laugh] Hmm?

Get ready!

[squawking]

Here he comes!

[attack squawk]

[ducking grunt]

[pained grunt]

[groans]

I believe this style of taijutsu is boxing!

[gasp]

[squawking]

Hold on. What's happened to Bushy Brow?!

[attack squawk]

I'm coming for you, Naruto!

Bring it!

Wait! Did you just talk?!

[pained grunt]

[landing groan]

I knew they'd send someone after me, but I never imagined that it would be you; I guess this must have been destiny.

[groans]

However, your destiny is to fall right here. I'm going to defeat you.

And then at last, I will become truly free!

Don't get so excited about beating Naruto. I'm still here.

And as team captain, I'll take you down!

Team captain, huh? Then I'll defeat you as well!

Let's do this!

Don't underestimate me!

[grunt]

[squawking leap]

[attack squawk]

[attack squawk]

[grunt]

Ostrich Aerial Slash!

[pained groan]

Impossible!

Captain!

[squawk]

Sorry, bird. It's time I got serious!

[attack squawk]

Ostrich Hurricane!

[pained groan]

What's wrong, Kotetsu?

What was that just now?!

[attack squawk]

Ostrich Rising Dragon Kick!

[pained groan]

You know, the two of us do make a pretty good team! [chuckles]

It couldn't have been.

[squawk]

Shining Ostrich Kick!

[pained groan]

And one day, we'll be jonin!

[grunt]

Some kind of flashback. A vision you see before you die.

[squawk]

Am I going to die here?

Beaten by an ostrich?!

Hmm?

[pained squawk]

Don't get too carried away.

'Cause I'm your opponent now!

Hold on, Naruto! I think we should retreat.

[grunts]

You have a fine variety of punches and excellent speed.

However, you cannot win by just punching.

I kick and do body throws...

And locking techniques!

[growl]

That punch of yours...

...is just old news!

No mere animal can- [pained yelp]

What was that?!

[dodging grunts]

His tail?!

[grunts]

One, two, three. That tail came as a surprise, but it is a predictable combination.

One, two, three...

It is over!

[pained yell]

[landing grunt] But... That last punch.

How did he?!

Let's fall back for now!

We underestimated those animals.

Yes. We thought they were ordinary beasts.

But they're not. They have the intelligence to lure us into a trap and then separate us.

They can talk, and they can fight with skill.

Then this is no time for us to hold back!

The mission comes first, but if you must you can use excessive force.

Yeah! We're gonna show 'em, Captain!

That is all we needed to hear!

Well, I'd rather we fight than get beaten by an ostrich or kangaroo.

[squawk]

Huh?

Pay close attention, you humans!

We've had enough! You must leave this area immediately! This entire land belongs to the animals!

If humans domesticate us, we'll lose our fangs and claws!

What are you talking about, you don't even have fangs!

Silence! I will never allow you to capture me!

I'm no mere ostrich, My codename is Condor!

Don't act so stuck-up, you're just a bird, you know!

That's enough talk! We're not going to stand for anyone trying to take away our freedom!

We'll show you the power of the Four Ninja Animal Warriors!

Four Ninja Animal Warriors? What a joke! The two of you can't even count!

We should attack them!

I already am.

Huh?!

What is that?!

An anteater?!

Oh, no... That thing's an insectivore.

My insects.

Let's go, Bushy Brow.

Right!

We meet again!

This fight will not end like the last one!

You're not getting away this time!

Shadow Clone Jutsu!

Here's my Clone Jutsu!

[squawking]

An ostrich who can perform the Clone Jutsu?!

They're just clones! Only one of them is real!

[attack yell]

[attack squawking]

An ostrich that uses Shadow Clones.

[paine yelp]

Okay, never mind, Captain! I get it now: all of them are actually real ostriches!

He even set up an ambush?

[leaping grunt]

[dodging grunt]

[grunt] Damn you!

[squawking]

[dodging grunts]

[grunts]

Enough games!

No more!

Leaf Hurricane!

[shocked grunt]

That makes Four Ninja Animal Warriors!

[grunt] Lee!

[pained grunt]

It's down to you and me; it's all or nothing time.

Bring it.

I'm comin' to get ya!

You are mine!

Substitution Jutsu?!

(Naruto) Captain! Behind you!

[pained groan]

[pained yell]

What's wrong, Kotetsu?

Not again!

You know, the two of us do make a pretty good team! [chuckles]

Is this real?!

Let's become jonin! I know we can. Both together.

[squawking]

Another flashback.

[squawking]

I'm going to die after all.

Sorry, Izumo...

I couldn't keep my promise.

(Izumo) Kotetsu move!

[chuckle] I can even hear him now.

{attack squawk]

(Izumo) Don't give up! On your feet!

[grunt]

Ostrich Meteor Blast!

Hmm?

Reinforcements?

Izumo!

You know what to do.

Right! I'm counting on you!

[squawking]

Water Style! Syrup Trap!

[squawk]

I've got you!

[squawk] No wait!

No way!

[pained squawk]

[attack yell]

[squawking]

[moans]

Finally, this whole thing is over!

My fight is, too.

I have also triumphed!

Izumo, thanks so much for coming. You saved me!

If you hadn't come, I would've been done for!

There is one little problem. I came before I finished some business for Lady Hokage.

Then... When we get back, it's my turn to help you!

Hey, there!

Damn it!

Don't try running away again; I'll just catch you!

I'm not sure that you'll understand this.

What is it?

You big jerk! Get off me!

You're all sticky!

I'm never going to give up the fight for freedom!

[squawk]

[squawking]

So you see, my fate and Naruto's are entangled.

I just know he'll keep interfering with my quest for freedom.

(Naruto) Hey! Condor!

Huh?!

Did you run away again? Why won't you learn?!

Looks like we'll have to continue this another time.

Goodbye, Naruto!

Hey! Wait!

[laughing] Forget it! You'll never catch me, you idiot! [laughing]

Stop, Condor!

[laughing] Just give it up, you idiot!

The Special Youth Drink for Lee has one main ingredient, the Jofuku Flower.

A mystical plant that only grows at Mount Jofuku on the border of the Land of Fire.

It's said to glow in seven colors, cures all sorts of illnesses! It's very rare and difficult to obtain.

I'm going to go and get some of them for you!

Next time on Naruto Shippuden: "Ah, the Medicine of Youth."

Hey, you didn't let me finish my sentence!

That's Lord Jiraiya's code?

Based on what I heard, Shikamaru and the Cipher Corps are trying to figure out what it means right now.

[grunt] Why didn't Lady Tsunade come to us for help with this assignment?

Yeah, I know! With all of the boring duties we have like gate-keeping and archiving data...

We can't keep our fans happy.

I remember back when we were proctors for Shikamaru and the others.

Now, he's the same rank as us.

Actually, he's ranked higher than we are!

[sigh]

Well, there's just one thing to do!

Right, we'll have to decipher this code before they do.

And that'll leave them speechless!

Izumo, Kotetsu, I have a job for you to...do..

[gasp]

I'll leave you two alone.

No, wait, Lady Tsunade! Lady Tsunade, you've got it all wrong!

It's not what you think at all! Please!

Please, come back, Lady Tsunade! Just wait a second and let us explain!