Original subtitles

What a competition!

We should do it again sometime!

See you guys!

[People Talking]

Choji. You forgot the plan, didn't you?

[Gasp]

Yeah, you almost ended up winning that eating contest.

[Nervous Giggle]

This isn't some kind of joke, you know!

He's in there, right?

Yep!

As long as everyone followed the plan.

You're really not one to be pointing fingers.

You're clearly a long way from home! Thank you for choosing our inn. Please, make yourselves comfortable.

We're all set.

Right.

May I come out now?

Yeah. We're safe.

Where are we?

An inn in the castle town.

Is this one of those places for travelers?

I know it's small compared to the castle, but it's only for one night, so please try to put up with it.

Just one night? We're leaving tomorrow?

It can be dangerous to travel at night, so we'll wait until daybreak to leave.

Oh, I see...

Before then, can I look around a little bit?

What?! Well...

[People Talking]

I've just never been out in town like this before!

But you lived in that castle right there!

Yes, that's true. But I wasn't even free to roam around inside there, let alone go out into the town.

Keep in mind that I was being held as a hostage.

[Dog Barking]

So...?

Would it be all right if I go sightseeing before we leave town?

Like a tourist?

I don't think that's a good idea.

I lived here for so long but I know nothing about this place!

This may be the only chance I'll get, so I'd like to see it.

Please, can I?

[Birds Chirping]

[Snoring] Hmm.

Wait, where am I?

Hmm? Oh no!

Lord Shu! It's almost time to go to breakfast.

Uh, yeah! Hold on! I mean, right there!

[Sigh]

Awake at last, huh? We'll head out right after you're finished with breakfast.

[Gasps]

Relax, there's nothing to worry about.

You're not familiar with this town, but the opposite's true, too.

Even if you looked familiar to the locals, they'd never think that a lord would stay here.

Well, if my comrade in the castle did his job right.

[Eating Loudly]

Wow, Lord Shu, you really have quite the appetite this morning, don't you?

Huh?

[Giggle] Well, maybe yesterday's competition rubbed off on me.

What is this?

A dried sardine.

And that?

Bean curd.

[Sigh] I've never eaten anything like this before.

Please, do try to finish eating quickly, Lord Shu.

We don't have a lot of time. I'd like to be on the road by around midday.

First I want to go to Ama-Ama An!

Sounds good! It feels like I'm right back in the competition!

Don't get so excited.

Since when did this become some kind of foodie tour?!

All right! Well, we'd better get going!

Ugh, look at this place! What a puny little nation! This mission's turning out to be a real letdown.

Listen, Sasori, how about I just take care of this whole thing quickly with my art? You're okay with that, aren't you?

Fine.

[Sigh]

Boy I sure hope that we drummed it into Naruto's head enough that he can't make any mistakes on this mission.

Aw, man. What a drag.

Things aren't going according to plan?

Hey, don't look so happy when you say that!

Oh, here it is! Found it!

Hmm.

[Eating Loudly]

Lady!

Give me one large platter of bean cakes!

Hmm? Hmm?

[Choji Yelling] I don't understand this. What are we even doing here, anyway?

Sorry. You want a bean jam cake while we wait?

Here you go, Lord Shu! I brought you a bean jam cake!

This next part is a piece of advice that stresses the importance of time spent developing your literary skills.

When sleep is about to overtake you while reading, use an augur to pierce your thigh, and blood shall flow from your leg.

Ow! Come on!

And thus, hmm.

Okay, sorry about that. Let me give this passage a read.

"When sleep is about to overtake you while reading, use an augur to pierce your thigh, and blood shall flow from your leg."

Ya know.

This is the next one!

Great! I wanted to eat their ramen one more time!

Yes! Gido-Gido is quite addictive!

I still don't understand why you guys are tagging along with us.

C'mon, Shikamaru! It's good camouflage to have locals like them hang around with us!

See? I can come up with plans like you!

You just like saying the word "plan!"

It's time to eat!

I wonder if they have a light menu...

[Sigh]

Hmm?

[Slurping]

It's delicious!

Yeah, I know!

Once we're finished here...

...let's go to Kemu-Kemu-en for barbecue!

First, let's appreciate the flavor profile of this ramen!

The broth is piquant and unctuous, but its whimsical silkiness keeps it light and playful.

That's why it satiates your appetite...

Uh...I gotta use the restroom.

Chef! Refill please!

Hey, Lord Shu.

[Gasp]

If you're planning to try and sneak back into the castle by yourself, I'd forget it.

I don't know what you want to do there, but it's a bad idea.

I know! I bet he wants to sneak back to see the princess!

What? Do you mean that Princess Chiyo?

[Gasps]

Hey, Pops, we want seconds!

[Both Grunting]

Look, Choji, forget this camouflage plan of yours and just get rid of those two, would you?

Yeah.

I wonder what swordsmanship training with a samurai is gonna be like.

Now, Lord Shu...

When you're ready.

[Screaming]

[Grunting]

Why you!

Hmm?

[Gasps]

I forgot my cover and dodged!

[Grunting]

Tatewaki...

[Gasps]

[Gasps]

Just who are you, really?

What are you talking about, Tatewaki? It's me, Shu!

You're not Lord Shu! Where is he?!

I am Shu, ya know!

[Grunting] Let's all calm down, okay!?

[Grunts]

You're just an impostor!

Even if you look like him, you can't fool us! Now tell me the truth! Where is Lord Shu?!

Oh, boy. All of a sudden pretending to be him doesn't seem like such a good idea.

Huh?

And if you refuse to tell us, then we will show you no mercy!

Princess! Don't kill him! We have to question him!

Yes I know, but perhaps an injury will convince him to talk.

Sorry, but I'm not sticking around for that.

See ya!

[Gasps]

[Grunts]

Guardsmen! To arms! There's an intruder!

[Guardsman Yelling]

Huh!

[Grunts] I can't believe they cornered me already! Then again...

That's just what I want!

Can't catch me!

See ya, suckers!

[Grunts]

Hmm?

Clone Jutsu! It's just a decoy!

The real impostor is still here somewhere! Find him!

Yes sir!

Those Clones are heading for the main gate.

Which means I should go this way.

The intruder's been spotted by the main gate!

Let's go! Right!

[Giggling] This plan is perfect!

Huh!

[Screams]

What're you doing here?! You're supposed to be at the main gate with the intruder!

When I fell earlier I hurt my bottom, so I thought I'd go...

Silence, intruder! Tell me where Lord Shu is!

No one won!

Yeah I know... Roast pork miso ramen!

You don't have to be shy, Lord Shu. Just come on out, okay?

Uh, Lord Shu?

You think he's all right in there? He hasn't made a peep for a really long time now.

Hmm, why that little brat!

[Heavy Breathing]

Look, Lord Shu is doing just fine, I'm sure of it. Honestly, he's safer than being kept here as a hostage!

I don't believe you!

We're not trying to do anything bad to him! I just took his place to buy him and my teammates some time to get away!

You helped Lord Shu escape?

Huh?

Huh? Tatewaki!

Hey, what are you doing here, Old Man?

Your clones were just a little too convincing.

They practically announced that your real intention was to go in the opposite direction.

Hmm?

But that is beside the point.

Even if Lord Shu is gone from the castle, he couldn't have gone too far in such a short amount of time.

Sorry, wrong! By now, they've probably reached his country already!

That's a lie.

If he had managed to make it to his homeland, then what reason would you have to stay here impersonating him?

[Nervous Grunt]

Lord Shu's nation is his birthplace.

And that means they know about this.

So Lord Shu is on his way home right now.

Hmm?

Mhmm.

It's true then.

Well, I believe this is good news.

Huh?

An alliance that relies on hostages is fragile. Besides, it'll leave scars on Lord Shu's heart.

But Old Man, I thought this nation hired you to work for them!

A samurai's loyalty is to peace, first and foremost.

A formally negotiated peace between his nation and this one would be ideal.

Then are you saying that you're just gonna let him go?

Right now, you're the problem.

For the sake of peace, it must never come to light that you were hired to free him.

Yeah, I know. Don't worry, I'm not saying anything.

Mind that you don't. Because if he is caught, then I shall kill you myself!

[Gasp]

Hear me, and remember it well!

Sure! You can count on me, Old Man!

Lord Shu...

[Explosion]

Huh?

What is happening?

Sir, you must evacuate! Get to safety!

[People Screaming]

Hey, Lord Shu!

Lord Shu, you okay?!

That was just a prologue. Now for the main event!

Deidara, your part in this ends here.

What's that?!

I'll handle the rest.

Hey, come on, that's not fair! You said you'd let me take care of this!

Our objective is not to destroy this nation, but to take it over.

All we must do is get rid of the Feudal Lord and those close to him.

By now, they're running around in circles because your explosives have filled them with terror.

Oh! Yes, I'm sure that's true!

Drop some on the castle, too. Then you can just sit back, relax, and enjoy the show.

Well that sounds good to me! I sure did get it easy on this mission!

I wish you success.

Huh?

You had nothing to do with those explosions?

No! No way.

Then you should take advantage of all the confusion and get out of this nation now.

What about you, Old Man?

I will accompany the princess and ensure that she remains safe.

All right then.

And as for Lord Shu...

Please take good care of him.

I'm gonna go find Naruto. Choji, Ino, you get Lord Shu out of here!

Got it.

I hope Naruto's okay.

Princess Chiyo...

Lord Shu!

[Grunts]

[Screams]

[Gasps] What are all of those?!

Puppets? Who sent them?

[Sigh] Ahh!

Damn!

Rasengan!

No way. What's going on here.

[Heavy Breathing]

What do you think you're doing, coming here?!

Princess Chiyo! You just have to go and find her!

Save the princess, please!

Yeah, all right, I will. But don't go off on your own, got it?!

Hmm.

[Sigh] You two!

[Both] Sorry, Shikamaru.

The Feudal Lord's up in the castle with all his advisors...

Okay. It's all right now.

Old Man, what are you planning on doing?

I have a favor to ask of you.

Will you take the princess from the castle and get her to safety?

Huh? But, but what about you?

I'm going back to the castle to rescue the Feudal Lord.

Tatewaki...

I swear to you that I will do everything I can to protect your father.

You must go to Lord Shu and wait there for me.

I will come for you, I promise you that.

Listen, are you gonna be okay all by yourself?

You're the one I'm worried about. Are you really going to be able to protect the princess?

Come on! I'm just concerned about you, that's all!

You know, I've just realized I don't actually know what your name is.

Who are you?

Naruto! My name's Naruto Uzumaki!

Naruto...

I won't forget.

Well then, Naruto. I'm counting on you.

You got it!

Old Man...don't die.

Stay out of my way!

Hello? Anyone? Is anyone here?!

My lord! It is I, Tatewaki!

So it's you. The one who's destroyed so many of my puppets.

That's right. Just who are you?

Let's just say, the Akatsuki.

Why'd you attack this castle?

That's not something you need to know. In any event, I'm done here.

I cannot let you leave like this, not after everything you've done!

You'll have to answer for your actions!

Even if you could defeat me, your master is already gone.

That may be, but my duty to him shall never end!

[Yelling]

Don't underestimate me!

You know, I just finished up a job.

Then be quite and let me finish this!

That's what you call dodging, is it?

Those tubes are just for show, what really matters are the needles inside.

Ah, yes! I see that the poison on the needles has started to take effect.

Soon you won't be able to move at all. Even now, it's already too late. You're done for.

Well, then...it's time to make my final stand!

[Screaming]

Princess Chiyo!

Lord Shu!

Naruto!

Huh? How come Princess Chiyo is with you?

Old Man Tatewaki asked me to take care of her.

Tatewaki?

Yeah! You should have seen him! He's this super-strong samurai!

Your interference is unwelcome.

It seems that the mission went well.

That nation fell to a larger one?

That means there are going to be more groups out there who will want to use the Akatsuki.

What about Naruto and the others?

I shadowed them until they'd passed beyond the territorial borders.

After we parted, I brought them both to Lord Shu's nation. His people welcomed the princess as one of their own.

And now their moving around with the other Feudal Lords so that they can all stay safe from all the fighting.

I see.

That's just what I wanted to hear.

Huh?

Now, move in! Capture him at once!

Wait! Hold on!

I wish I could've been there. I wish that I could have seen the both of them grow up.

You were there for them back when they needed you. And they wouldn't like to see you like this, anyway.

Yes, you're right.

Thank you, now I have no regrets.

Huh?

He took things into his own hands, huh?

That's right. In the end, he was who he wanted to be.

He was a true samurai, through and through.

I'm gonna stay true to my convictions, too. That's a promise, Old Man. And I never go back on my word!

Next time, to coincide with the release of the Blu-Ray and DVD of the movie "Road to Ninja," it's the story...

...of what happened the night before that movie takes place!

It was originally presented as an omake...

If you haven't read it or seen the movie yet, I say "what are you waiting for?!" It'll make the experience ten times better!

Next time on Naruto Shippuden, "Prologue of Road to Ninja."

Don't miss this next episode!