Original subtitles

Shira has almost no skill at all for ninjutsu or genjutsu.

Shira and I are alike...

We are shinobi who can only perform taijutsu.

[gasps]

I see...so you already knew that.

I realized it yesterday when we exchanged blows.

[wham]

Those skilled with ninjutsu and genjutsu may not notice the slight difference.

And yet it is unique, so I sensed that he was just like me.

Since you already know that much, I'll explain.

In the Hidden Sand, not even the previous Kazekage would allow people who are like Shira

to become shinobi.

But that is--! Even a great taijutsu user like Shira?!

Yes, it's true. That's why until recently, Shira wasn't allowed to attend the Academy and was treated like an outsider.

[gasps]

Hey, you! Stop staring! Go learn some ninjutsu!

[growl]

Just go away! In case your stupidity is contagious!

Take that you loser! [laughing]

Yeah, that's right! You'd better get out of here-while you still can! [laughing]

But Shira refused to give up. He kept on believing in himself.

[yelling, thudding]

[yelling, thudding]

He kept training all by himself and honed his taijutsu.

Then, the times changed...

The seat was empty for a while after the Fourth Kazekage passed away, but eventually Lorda Gaara became the Fifth Kazekage.

Those who knew about Lord Gaara's dark past spread rumors that our village was doomed,

but in fact, it was just the opposite.

Lord Gaara was receptive to people's opinions.

One by one, he did away with the previous Kazekage's practices and instituted reforms.

Is that Lord Gaara?

That's right. He's the younger brother of Temari. We used to play with her as kids.

What happened to the big boulder that was being used to prevent sand erosion?

Oh...Well, you see...

Bring me the one who destroyed this.

Are you Shira?

You knew that that boulder was there to protect the Sand. Why did you destroy it?

I'm very sorry, sir.

I didn't intend to destroy it.

Because to me...that boulder was an invaluable training partner.

Wait, you destroyed it through training?

I was told that you aren't a student at the Academy.

No...

I don't have any skill with ninjutsu or genjutsu.

According to our village's rules, somebody who's like me is completely unfit to become a shinobi.

So instead, you trained all by yourself, is that right?

Interesting...

[gasp, thudding]

I wanna know which one's more valuable to the village. Is it the boulder or you?

[yell, pow]

Your skills are splendid.

Please forgive me, sir!

I can't imagine the effort it took, banned from the Academy...

...to refine your skills to such a high level.

I hereby abolish my predecessor's rule. Shira, you will become a shinobi!

[gasps]

I've met someone like you. He's a shinobi that comes from the Village Hidden in the Leaves.

[yell]

[gasp]

Over here!

[bash]

[bam]

[chuckle, grunt]

Through sheer perseverance, he has become a fine shinobi.

And Shira... I think you will be as impressive a shinobi as he is.

So that's how Shira was finally able to become a shinobi.

Not only that, but Lord Gaara recognized Shira's character...

...and chose him to become his taijutsu coach.

To be named the Kazekage's coach is a huge honor!

Although...Gaara's decisions displeased many people in the Sand.

[gasp]

When someone, who until just recently was below your rank, attains great and unexpected success,

people can become jealous...

I understand it all too well. Changing people's perceptions can take a lot of time.

I see...

That is why Shira said that to me...

I don't know what you sensed back there, but...

...dwelling on the misfortunes of birth is meaningless.

Despite all of the flaws and suffering, we have just one life, this one.

Shira, you have persevered through so much, and yet...

I will never forgive those who did this to you!

Lee!

That idiot! Don't tell me he's going to...

I was never good at using chakra, so everyone belittled me...

[chortle] Dummy! Why bother? You'll never be a ninja!

There's no way a kid who can't even do ninjutsu can ever be a ninja.

Yes I can!

Whatever, I don't get why you're even at this nina academy, when you can't do ninjutsu or genjutsu

and you're even worse than average at taijutsu!--It's idiotic!

Hey,...you know what everyone here is calling you, don'y you?

[shout]

As of today, all of you are genin. So tell me. Just why have you done it? And what are your goals?

I'd rather not say.

[gasp]

Sensei!

[gasp]

I want to show I can be a splendid ninja as well, even if I do not have ninjutsu or genjutsu!

I want to prove it to the whole world!

[chuckle-grunt]

What?-What is so funny?!

You nitwit. Without Ninjutsu or Genjutsu, you can hardly call yourself a ninja, can you?

[bam]

Lee! You just never learn, do you?

Face it, you can't defeat Neji!

He's not like you...

...He's a genius...

The sad fact is, you'll never beat me.

No matter how hard you work... No matter how many times you try.

[growl]

Yes! Yes! Yes!

If I cannot do five hundred push-ups, then I will jump rope! One thousand, two hundred double-unders!

If I cannot do 1,200 without a mistake, then it's 2,000 kicks.

One thousand, one hundred, seventeen! One thousand, one hundred, eighteen! One thousand, one hundred, nineteen...

[clonk, groan, plop]

[weeping]

[chuckle] Lee! You taking a break?

[sniffle]

[sniff] What is it,Guy-sensei? If it is about my messing up on the last assignment, I said I was sorry...

[thud]

Lee. It's true you're different from Neji and the others.

You have no gift for ninjutsu or genjutsu, and your taijutsu needs work.

But then again, you have...

...a gift that even Neji doesn't have.

Not as flashy, but perhaps even more important.

Huh? You do not have to make me feel better.

You think I'd waste my time with that?

All I'm saying...is you're a genius at perseverance.

[gasp]

You're right, all the effort is pointless if you don't believe in yourself.

I refused to give up because I believed in myself.

Shira,...You are just like me!

No, since you were not able to attend the Academy, you must have trained even harder than I did!

I will not forgive those who were contemptuous of your efforts!

[groan]

[gasping]

Whoa, this is---!

Damn it! If you guys hadn't just run off like that, then we could've gotten a scroll!

That Hidden Leaf team with the Byakugan user is the one that Shira warned us about. I say better safe than sorry.

[growl]

Anyway, those guys aren't going to come after us, are they?

I used a whole lot of Paper Bombs, and that area has tons of underground caverns...

The explosions created a steeper cliff than I expected. It'll take 'em a while to get across.

I would not be so sure!

[gaso[ Who's that?!

[plop]

The handsome Blue Beast of the Hidden Leaf, Rock Lee!

You're that guy from before!

What you did to Shira is unforgivable! Please apologize to him!

Apologize to Shira?!

Hold on...this guy's from the Hidden Leaf and he's siding with Shira?!

If you believe in perseverance, friend or foe does not matter!

Whatever. How'd you cross that chasm?!

I possess invisible wings that are known as perseverance!

[yell]

[thump, yell]

Sometimes, perseverance...

...becomes vast wings that make the impossible possible!

Until you apologize to Shira, my rage will not subside!

Like hell we will! We know your weakness!

Wind Style: Sandstorm Hurricane!

[gasp]

[yelling]

This is genjutsu!

Like Shira, you can only use taijutsu, so we'll use that against you!

You cowards! Just fight against me fair and square!

[thwack}

Who's being cowardly? It's your fault for not knowing ninjutsu!

[spitting]

Inside this Sandstorm Hurricane, countless particles of sand collide and create powerful electro-magnetic waves.

Anyone caught inside will continue to experience genjutsu.

[wham, bam]

Time to finish this!

What?!

Neji?!

Are you crazy?! Taking on six enemies by yourself?

Tenten! Both of you made it across that chasm, too?!

If you made it across, isn't it obvious that we could, too?!

Damn it...

Remember, we're a team, Lee! So don't go off on your own!

I am sorry! I just could not stand it anymore!

We have no choice now, so let's go. Tenten!

All right!

8 Trigrams, 64 Palms!

[smack, whack]

[yelling]

[gasps]

What's going on?!

They're incredibly strong!

I would like to have some payback of my own, too!

Here I go! Great Leaf Whirlwind!

Wait, Lee!

[gasp]

Please, I'm asking you to forgive them.

Shira!

But why would you...?! Why defend them?!

They betrayed you, and they put you through a hellish nightmare!

I know. But in the end, it doesn't matter.

What?! How can you say something like that!

Simply thiss...That if they won't acknowledge me...

...I am at fault.

[gasps]

I already told you. Whatever my flaws and misfortunes, this is the life I was born into.

I want you to understand that I'm not bitter. I don't hate anyone.

Whether it's good or bad, this is my life.

For everything, I really have only myself to blame 'cause I didn't work hard enough.

I blame no one for my life.

But how, Shira...?! How can you say you did not work hard enough?

[crying]

Oh, Shira!

You are truly a man amongst men, a shinobi amongst shinobi! I have never been as moved as this in my entire life!

Other than Guy Sensei, I have never met anyone as amazing as you are, Shira!

You always have to get so carried away, Lee! It was really touching, until you ruined the mood.

[chuckle]

Here, please take this. That way, at least one of the Sand teams will pass this round.

[gasps]

Damn it, Shira...Must you always be so kind? Just put yourself in our shoes, will you?

I'm sorry!

Why are you saying sorry?!

Oh yeah! You're right.

Yeah, but...if we take it, what about you guys?

Don't worry about us. I'm sure we 'll figure something out.

Why would you go so far? Is it all for Gaara?

Until recently, he was a brutal shinobi who'd kill anyone. People don't change so easily, you know!

I realize that quite well. But still Lord Gaara and I are both the same.

That's what I truly believe.

I can tell as a result of training with him. Lord Gaara bitterly regrets his past actions.

And he knows... atonement is something that won't come easily.

And yet...

Lord Gaara always keeps pushing himself forward. Despite what people think of him...

...he believes...

...that just perservering is the best thing to do right now.

I don't care who I am now...

As long as I'm not ashamed of the man I am in the future.

[crying]

From your mouth come such profound words!

What counts is the man that you will become in the future! You are right!

Okay, okay! Pipe down, now! We heard you just fine!

We...can't take this.

[gasp]

Hey, you! Give him your scroll!

[gasp]

But why?!

We have our pride, too.

We lost this battle. So we're giving you our scroll.

But we're not about to give up yet. And we'll prove that by getting scrolls from other teams.

Let's go!

But why did they do that?!

They realized that they don't want to be ashamed of themselves in the future, either.

Oh, Shira!

[gasp]

Um...

Thank you all very much.

Yes. Thanks to all of you guys, it appears that Shira will now find a place in the Hidden Sand.

But we really didn't do anything. Shira was the one who did it...

...with his own strength-and help from our taijutsu-idiot.

Your friend's very honest. He seems a little like our Shira.

No way!

Look at his weird clothes, his hair, his eyebrows...

They're nothing alike at all!

[gasp]

That's true...Lee's up there with Naruto in stupidity.

Naruto...?

A shinobi from our village. He's off on a journey right now.

We've actually heard of him before.

Lord Gaara talks about a shinobi who changed how he feels. I'm sure that it was Naruto.

I wonder...

...what he might be up to right now...

[gasps]

[yell]

Neji! Tenten!

This has nothing to do with the Second Exam, but I have a favor to ask you.

Oh, no, Lee...Man, here we go again...

I never again wanna go through something like that last battle!

Sasuke beat Gaara of the Sand against whom I was no match...

And Naruto beat Neji, whom I long to defeat...

Why? Why does it always turn out like this...?

But, Lee...Would you listen if we told you to stop?

No way!

Please listen! I really wanna fight you, Shira!

[exhale] Because we both seek to master taijutsu, will you please fight me!

If I face you in battle, then I will have absolutely no regrets from these Chunin Exams!

All right. That's fine by me, Lee.

To be completely honest, I've wanted to fight you, as well!

Shira, I will show you how serious I am!

This is going to be my last fight.

Last fight...?

Lee, it's all because of you that I can be a shinobi. I'm grateful to you.

It might have been your fists that changed Lord Gaara.

Next time on Naruto Shippuden: "The Ultimate."

I'll show you my gratitude in earnest!