So this is the Shukaku?
It's the first time I've seen the real thing...
It's dangerous here! We have to get away!
But! Gaara Sensei...
Shut up.
Gaara is trying... to protect you!
So hurry!
R-Right.
Hey! Could that be?!
Yeah...
The Shukaku transformation is starting.
Gaara...
Naruto!
Hinata, Sakura.
Matsuri, you okay?
Y Yes. But Gaara Sensei...
I leave her to you...
Hold it! You are badly hurt!
But...
You'll just become unable to move right away!
I'll give you some first aid treatment!
Fly into the wavy and twisted sky, into your hands
The distance created between us became too big,
because we were always together
Your honest reply, "See you..."
coming from that brash mouth makes it sadder.
If you are in an unfamiliar town, crying
Then I want to deliver you a smile, even if I'm not by your side
Fly into the wavy and twisted sky, into your hands
I can feel it so close,
Our two hearts
Departure
This is bad... It's a matter of time.
I knew it.
Sakura! Hurry! It looks like we don't have much time!
Got it! First, put your hands out.
R-Right...
What's the meaning of this?
What is it, Neji?
That guy wearing the armor is releasing Chakra stronger than Gaara...
who's half transformed into a beast.
That person called himself Seimei, the creator of the Village of Artisans.
He said something about being reborn as the ultimate Ninja tool.
That jerk! He's taken away Gaara's Chakra!
Come to think of it, the enemy we fought wore similar armor...
and took away a great deal of my Chakra.
Armor that sucks up Chakra...
And that alarming form...
It doesn't look like we can just carelessly get close.
Now... What do we do?
I didn't figure on fighting against the Shukaku...
However, this is fun, too.
As great as the Shukaku may be, this way, I can prove that
it's no match for the ultimate Ninja tool of the Village of Artisans.
Why is this guy so strong?
I won't allow my important people...
to get hurt!
If not, I will stop you,
even if that means that I have to kill you!
Why...?
How is it that you can fight so much for other people...?
They saved me from the hell of being all alone.
They accepted me for who I was...
that's why... they are important to me!
Love is a heart that desires to serve a precious person who is close to oneself,
and to love and watch over that person...
Love...
That is why he is so strong?
Gaara!
What's that? Gaara Sensei is returning to normal?
What happened to him?!
Gaara might be suppressing Shukaku of his own volition.
Why? Wouldn't he end up weakening his own battle strength?
Even so, he chose to fight with his own strength and will,
not Shukaku's power, which he can't control.
So you couldn't maintain the Shukaku body with that Chakra?
I'II... help the friends important to me with my own power...
How absurd.
A Shinobi doesn't need emotion.
It is those who suppress their emotions who can obtain great power.
Great power. That power is the only justice.
You're finished now.
Eat this!
That's as far as you go, monster of the Sand Village.
Acting tough, huh...?
You shouldn't have any Chakra left to fight with.
Indeed, I only have a little bit of Chakra left...
But do you think I just sat around in the cage doing nothing at all?
What?!
Sand Tsunami!
You shouldn't have any sand you can control!
I'm Gaara of the desert!
It's simple for me to crush rocks and turn them into sand.
Kujaku: Hurricane Formation!
So you still had that much power left, huh?
Then I'll just suck up all of that power!
Gaara's Chakra is being sucked out!
- Wha?! - Gaara Sensei!
- Damn it! - Wait! Naruto!
What, Shikamaru? Don't stop me!
You'll just get in the way if you go!
Besides, our Gaara is strong!
Gaara...
Extreme Tempered Ultimate Attack:
Shukaku's Pike!
Wh Why...? Why could you...?
Someone who gave up on being human and was reborn as a Ninja tool
could never understand anyway.
I don't understand. Why?
Why?!
Giant Sand Burial!
He did it!
Gaara Sensei won!
Yeah! Gaara!
- Gaara! - Gaara!
He's okay...
He's just extremely fatigued
on account of using his Chakra all at once.
Gaara completely suppressed the Shukaku on his own volition.
Yeah...
I want to work hard
and become an existence acknowledged by other people...
I thought that looking at Naruto Uzumaki.
Ties with other people...
For me, until now, that was just hate and murderous intent.
However, there's something I've understood just a little...
about the ties he goes so far for and talks about.
Suffering, sorrow and happiness can be shared with someone.
You've also made someone you can share with at last...
Did you say something?
No, nothing...
We came to the trouble of rushing here.
To think it'd be over...
It seems the inexperienced knuckleheads
have grown a teeny weeny bit...
You are very strict.
Pervy Sage!
Oh, long time no see, Naruto.
Don't give me that "long time no see" garbage, you jerk Sage!
You were talking all big about watching my training,
making me into your protégé and stuff!
Where were you traipsing around until now?!
Well, how can I put this? I was gathering information.
It was probably just information on naked ladies anyway, right?
You idiot!
Even I come through when it counts...
I was mainly after information on the Akatsuki.
Akatsuki!
With this I've been able to verify their actions.
And now as promised,
two years later when they'll move into high gear,
I will thoroughly train you.
I wonder if you're prepared?
I've been tired of waiting!
I owe you one.
No. I just repaid the debt from last time.
Next time, I'll settle things more properly.
Well, this time I'll acknowledge that you didn't cry.
Not again.
Just like a woman...
What about him?
Huh?
Naruto?
I hear he's leaving today on a training journey with Jiraiya.
Jiraiya? One of the Genius Sannin?
Yeah. It's such a pain.
He's going to come back having gotten stronger again.
See you around.
- Farewell... - See ya.
Please tell Naruto...
Thanks to him,
I figured out what the words Gaara Sensei spoke of meant.
I'll dedicate myself under Gaara Sensei from now on...
What did he do?
Well, I guess that's about it.
I read the Village of Artisans report from the other day.
Although it didn't go as far as a perfect 100,
I'll give you a passing grade.
No! I'm still very much lacking in experience.
Of course!
I'll have you carry out several missions
and get you to build up lots of experience,
so make sure to dedicate yourself!
What?! Does that mean I'm totally going to get overworked?
Umm, Sakura. Got a minute?
Ino?
Sure. What's up?
As, as it happens, I was thinking about it the while...
But it became totally clear to me on this mission!
Clear that I'd be no good at all at this rate!
Ino.
It's frustrating, but I was envious of you.
You, who everyone depended on.
So, please. I also want to become a Medical Ninja.
I know it'll be hard.
But I've got guts and I'll manage the studying, no matter what.
So could you ask Lady Tsunade for me?
- Sure. - Really?!
But prepare yourself.
Once that happens, you'll be my little sister protégé.
What's that...?
Naturally!
After all, I'll be your Medical Ninja superior, you know.
Man, I can't wait.
You'll be my lovable little sister protégé.
I'll train you nice and hard.
Just you watch! I'll pass you up right away!
Ha! Try it if you can! You Ino pig!
I'll do it! Billboard Brow!
Why?! Why is it?!
What are you talking about?!
Why was I the only one left out of the mission the other day?!
But you were with a different team then, right?
But everyone had taken part!
She's kind of in a rage.
It's hard being the only one left out of a mission.
Come to think of it,
it seems Naruto finally leaves for training.
I heard. It seems that Jiraiya is going to be his mentor.
Damn it! That guy's going to get strong again.
It looks like the village will get quiet for a while.
Viewed in that light, it's a little bit sad, isn't it?
No! This isn't the time to be getting sad!
I must work hard!
Several times more, several times more.
If I don't work hard hundreds of times more than Naruto,
I won't be able to face him the next time we meet.
Your guard is off!
We also must grow by that time.
It's because trying to improve by learning from others,
that is what's called friendship.
Good grief, we'd better not lose, Akamaru.
Same here!
Hey, you okay, Lee?!
I'm fine, I'm fine.
Lady Hinata, let's call it a day.
What? I'm still...
It's about time for his departure.
Oh!
You won't be able to see him for a while.
I see... It looks like you'll be on a long journey...
Yeah!
Listen up. Be sure to train and don't goof off.
Right! You can count on me!
It's about time to go, Naruto.
Right!
Okay! I'm off, Iruka Sensei!
I'll pay you back for the ramen once I've become a success.
Jeez...
Good luck, Naruto.
Keep your eyes on me.
What're you doing?! I'll leave you behind, Naruto.
Hey. H -Hey, wait up!
I also have to work hard in order to catch up with Naruto.
The Key to the rusted heart's door
Will always be smiling right near by
Even if rains of spears were to fall, I will run through it
Because I want to find the joy without a shape
This big dream of mine that cannot be translated to words,
I will make it come true, even if it were to deepen my wounds
We stand here today because of what we believed through,
That is why I will continue running forward, never looking away
Even if I'm told that there is no bright future
I'll change it right away, lighting it with all my feeling
The wind is probably testing our hearts
In my heart, I gently grasped my hands
You are probably searching for the answer to your tears
Your dream is always waiting near by, with the answers in its hands
The Key to the rusted heart's door
Will always be smiling right near by
It's been two years since his departure.
Now the count down to the battle begins.
Those who pursue and those who are pursued.
Time will not wait for the boy.
As Akatsuki Organization begins to take action,
the day of Orochimaru's reincarnation draws near.
In order to take back what he lost,
the boy once again throws himself into the maelstrom of cruel fate...
Next time: "Homecoming"