Original subtitles

[yawn]

-You're getting a little too laid back, aren't you?

-Things have been so tense around here for so long,

what with that business in the Sand village.

Now that the danger's finally over, I'm exhausted.

-The immediate danger may be over,

but that doesn't mean we can lower our guard.

Who knows what'll happen next?

Only by maintaining maximum vigilance at all--

-Oh, come on.

You can't live like that.

You'll give yourself a heart attack.

Relax a little.

Relax.

-Ha ha!

That'll teach you to go picking on a poor little cat,

you bully.

[alarm ringing]

SHIKAMARU (VOICEOVER): Great.

What's the point of setting the alarm

if I'm going to wake up before it goes off?

What a total waste.

Now I've got to shut it off, but I don't feel like moving.

But if I don't shut it off, it'll

just keep ringing and ringing.

Ugh.

It makes me tired just thinking about the whole thing.

Some mornings are such a drag.

-I'll take some more.

-Hm?

What's that?

[footsteps]

-Nearly there!

The finish line is in sight!

Victory!

First place.

-Uh.

[shouting]

-Only second place, but close!

-What kind of race is that?

-I don't know.

-It's clear to me that you need more training, Lee.

-You are right.

And next time I will try to come in first.

-Well, Lee.

I hate to break it to you, but I have some bad news.

-Huh?

What would that be, Sensei?

-Just this.

You did not come in second!

You finished in third place!

You're forgetting I have Kakashi on my back.

Technically, he came in second.

-Did you hear that, Kakashi?

You're a lucky man.

But there's no need to thank me

-You have taught me yet another valuable lesson, sensei.

I still have so much to learn!

-I'll never get these two, their ridiculous level of intensity.

-Still.

Hey got us back to the village pretty darn fast, eh?

-Ridiculous.

-All right, then.

Everyone accounted for?

Let's report in to Lady Tsunade right away.

-Uh, Guy-sensei.

-What is it?

-Kakashi-sensei's looking a little--

-Hm?

Gah!

You're right.

First stop the hospital.

then we'll report in.

[theme music]

-Hey.

Look.

He's awake.

-So, I'm back here again, huh?

-Good job, Kakashi.

Well done.

-M'lady.

-Huh?

Lady Tsunade.

SAKURA: Nom Kakashi-sensei.

You mustn't push yourself.

TSUNADE: Sakura's right.

I examined you earlier, and it's going

to be sometime before you return to duty.

It's bed rest for you for at least a week.

KAKASHI: Guess I'm not surprised.

TSUNADE: Looks like you need a little more practice

before you've mastered that new Sharingan of yours.

KAKASHI: Looks that way.

TSUNADE: Anyway, you just take it easy for a while.

Team Guy should rest too.

You can file your report later.

-Right.

-Let's go, Shizune.

Yes, ma'am.

-Oh.

M'lady wait.

-Huh?

-TSUNADE: What is it?

Is it regarding--

-Yes.

-So, have you told Kakashi about it yet?

-Kakashi-sensei's he's been out of it for a while, so no.

Not yet.

-How about Naruto?

No.

I felt it was better to consult with you first.

-Tell me everything.

SAKURA: It was Sasori, one of the Akatsuki, who told me.

He said it was a reward for my defeating him.

-Go to the Tenchi Bridge in the Village Hidden in the Grass,

10 days from now at nooon.

One of Orochimaru's henchmen is working for me as a spy,

and that's where I'm supposed to rendezvous with him.

However, I don't think--

-10 days at the Tenchi Bridge.

-It's already been four days since then.

We only have six days left.

-Yes, but can you trust your source.

-They were his last words.

I doubt he was lying.

-What if it's all a trap, with Orochimaru as the bait

and the Akatsuki waiting there in full force for whoever's

foolish enough to show up?

-If it's a trap, well then, we fight them.

-Yes, but now Kakashi is going to be out of commission

for more than a week, and with only six days

until the rendezvous.

On top of that, Team Kakashi has been undermanned ever

since Sasuke left.

-That's true.

TSUNADE: Your only solution is to find a new member

and assemble a new team.

-Lady Tsunade.

-What is it?

-If that's the case, why not deploy a different team

to investigate?

And even if you feel that you must send Sakura,

Naruto mustn't go on this mission.

-Shizune.

-M'lady.

-Like you, Shizune, Sakura is among the few shinobi

I trust implicitly.

That's why this mission has to involve the remaining

members of Team Kakashi.

-Wouldn't my team serve just as well, m'lady?

Why not send us?

-It wouldn't be the same.

Sakura and Naruto, they're-- they're driven by a desperate

need to find their lost teammate.

They've both pledged their lives to rescue him.

That kind of desire to honor their pledge

is why they will succeed.

That's where you and Sakura are different.

-Yes, I understand.

But still.

I believe that Naruto should--

-If he'd overheard this conversation,

what do you think Naruto would say?

-Well, I'd say we gotta find some new teammates, that's

what!

See you.

TSUNADE: He's always so impatient.

I hadn't even finished my speech yet.

TSUNADE (VOICEOVER): Naruto's got a mysterious power

that makes everybody wanna bet on him.

NARUTO (VOICEOVER): To be Hokage.

That is my dream!

TSUNADE (VOICEOVER: The boy who was entrusted

with the First Hokage's necklace.

Maybe Naruto really is a special child.

NARUTO (VOICEOVER): Sasuke.

-Hm.

Let's see, now.

Who would be good?

I've gotta think about this very carefully, because after all, I

wouldn't wanna choose someone who'd

end up slowing the team down.

That'd be terrible.

But, on the other hand, it's gotta be someone

that we really get along with.

Otherwise we can kiss our teamwork goodbye.

And with the way Sakura gets goofy around boys,

I've gotta be sure the guy's not too good looking.

This is trickier than I thought it's be.

-Long time no see, Naruto.

-Huh?

Who are you?

-It's me.

-Hm?

Oh yeah!

Yeah, you're, uh-- Eh.

-I know it's been awhile, but you should at least

try to remember your friends, or else it just

turns the other person's feelings.

-Whoa.

Wait, that voice and that weird way of talking.

Could it really be?

Yeah!

Shino, right?

-It finally came to you, huh?

-How am I supposed to recognize you

with your face covered up like that?

-What's up?

You're early, Shino.

Huh?

-Huh?

Kiba?

That you?

-Hey!

Yeah, no mistaking that scent.

It's Naruto all right.

-You had to smell me first.

What's that all about?

-That dog isn't-- No way, is that--

-What do you mean?

Yeah, It's Akamaru.

Who else?

-Yeah, what?

-Man, look at you, Naruto.

You really grew, huh?

-That's nothing.

I hardly grew at all compared to Akamaru.

It's hard to believe he got that much bigger

in such a short amount of time.

-Did he really?

We're always together, so I guess

I don't notice it that much.

-Trust me, he's bigger.

It wasn't that long ago you used to carry him around

on the top of your head.

You remember Shino.

-You recognized Kiba right away, didn't you, Naruto?

NARUTO (VOICEOVER): Oh man.

Now he's mad at me.

[gasp]

HINATA (VOICEOVER): Na-- Naruto.

I heard that he'd returned to the village.

What should I do?

I'm not ready for this.

After all this time, I-- I wouldn't even know what to say.

Um.

Um.

-I thought that was you, Hinata.

What's up?

-What's the deal?

Why are you hiding back here?

Uh, Hinata?

Hey, Hinata!

Hinata, are you OK?

-What is it?

Aw, why does she always do stuff like that when you're around?

-Please.

Our team's short one member.

We need somebody.

HINATA: Huh?

-Afraid you caught us at a bad time.

We just got assigned a new mission ourselves.

As soon as Kurenai-sensei shows up, we're on our way.

HINATA (VOICEOVER): What?

Help.

NARUTO: Come on.

You've got Akamaru.

That's like having an extra teammate.

You can spare someone, can't you?

Come on, Kiba.

HINATA (VOICEOVER): What happened?

KIBA: You crazy?

I can't go.

Akamaru and me have to stick together

to use our combo attack.

HINATA (VOICEOVER): Now I remember.

I saw Naruto, and I--

-NARUTO: OK, I guess you've got a point.

Well then-- then-- Well, Shino?

You wanna?

-I see you recognized Hinata right away too, Naruto.

NARUTO (VOICEOVER): Is he gonna sulk all day?

-OK, forget it.

Forget it!

Some friends you are.

HINATA (VOICEOVER): That's his voice.

Naruto's voice.

-Hinata.

Don't say a word.

Just come with me and let's get out of here.

HINATA (VOICEOVER): Don't say a word, just come with me?

No.

No, it's so sudden!

-Huh?

I can't believe it.

All that fuss and I still struck out.

Well, if that's the way they're gonna be,

I know someone who won't let me down.

-OK, Hinata.

Wake up.

Kurenai-sensei will be here any minute.

We've got a mission.

Shino, you got any water we can splash on her?

Shino?

-The sky is so blue.

-I'm sorry, but like I already said,

I've been put in charge of the Chunin exams.

It's a big, fat drag, but there it is.

I mean, I'd like to lend you a hand, Naruto, for old times'

sake and everything, but these days, it

seems my time isn't my own anymore.

-Hm.

-Besides.

The Fifth Hokage appointed me.

She'd kill me if I just gave it up and went with you.

You don't wanna get on her bad side.

She's worse than my mother.

-And here I though, least I know one guy who's a heads up guy.

Good old Shikamaru will help me, even if no one else will.

-Don't use those guilt tripping puppy dog eyes on me.

I said it's impossible.

-You've got better things--

CHOJI: Hey, I'll help you out.

-Hm?

-Here you go, Shikamaru.

Your mom asked me to bring you your lunch box.

NARUTO: Ch-- Choji?

Choji!

-What are you talking about, Choji?

How are you able to help him out?

Have you forgotten the mission you're

going on with Asuma and Ino?

-Yeah, but he needs help.

I can't turn down an old friend like Naruto.

Don't worry.

I'll clear it with Asuma-sensei.

-Thanks, Choji.

Thanks a lot.

-It doesn't matter if you clear it with Asuma, because he

has to clear it with Lady Tsunade,

and there's no way she's going to say yes.

-Well, anyway.

There's no harm in trying.

Here.

Have your lunch box.

NARUTO: Oh, thanks.

-Uh, Naruto?

I think that's my lunch.

-Always eating.

Just like the old days.

Yeah, compared to back then, you've gained-- weight!

-Behind you.

Watch out!

-Over there.

-I don't recognize him, but he wears a Leaf headband.

-A sneak attack, huh?

I don't know what this guy is up to,

but one good way to find out is to capture him.

And hand him over to the Interrogation Corps.

Go, Naruto!

I'll back you up.

-Gotcha!

-Ninja Art, Super Beast Scroll.

[theme music]

TSUNADE: Yes, Naruto is a Jinchuriki,

and I know it's a risk sending him on this mission.

If the Akatsuki gain control of the Tailed Beast within him,

it could mean the end of the Leaf village.

But I also know that Naruto does have talent.

He will be a great asset to them Leaf.

If it turns out that I'm wrong and the Leaf and the Land

of Fire are endangered because of me,

then I swear as the Fifth Hokage to protect them

with all my might.

NARUTO: Next time.

Formation, New Team Kakashi!

[theme music]

KIBA: Wow, it seems like forever since last time we saw Naruto.

-Yes.

He's certainly changed quite a bit, hasn't he?

-You think?

Well, maybe a little taller.

-Two and a half years is a long time.

I've changed too.

I've grown a lot.

Don't you think I look more mature now?

-Nah, you don't seem that different to me.

For instance, you still do that nervous fidgety thing

with your fingers.

-I do not.

-Anyway, I'm the one who's changed.

I'm way more intense than I used to be.

-Actually, you don't seem that different to me either.

-Yeah right.

Well, the part of you that goes all goofy when Naruto's around,

that hasn't changed.

-That was because it happened to suddenly.

I wasn't--

-Hi Naruto.

-Ah!

-Just kidding.

-Kiba, don't do that.

-OK, OK, sorry.

SHINO: You guys.

-Huh?

-You should be aware of my presence by now.

After all, I am a part of Team Kurenai, as well.

-Oh Shino.

-Again with the sulking.