Original subtitles

-We-- we did it.

We did it!

-Yes.

IZUMO (VOICEOVER): No doubt it, that was one close shave.

If not for Shikamaru's quick assessment of the situation

we'd have been done before.

Man, he really is something, this gu.

No wonder Asuma respects him so highly.

-Shikamaru!

Are you OK?

-All right. That's-- that's one down.

-Yeah.

And one more to go.

-If you wanted my help, Hidan, you should have asked sooner.

-It was you! You're the slow one, Kakuzu!

It was on purpose, wasn't it?

-You were the one who told me to stay out it at the start.

I really don't think you're in any position

to complain right now.

-All right, all right.

Point taken.

So maybe I did tell you not to butt in.

But I assure you, my friend, it wasn't

out of disrespect, or anything like that.

Anyway, Kakuzu, would you mind bringing my body over here

for me?

Come on, Kakuzu.

Won't you please bring my body back to my head?

Please, Kakuzu.

Old friend. Pretty please.

Huh?

No, hey, wait!

What are you doing?

I asked you to bring my body to my head, not the other way

around.

Don't you get it?

-It's lighter this way.

-What do I care?

This isn't about you.

Hey!

Are you even listening to me?

[theme song]

-Ow, ow!

That hurts!

Hey, Kakuzu. You're pulling my hair.

Do you mind?

-I would think your heck wound would hurt more.

-You idiot, of course it does.

It hurts like a son of a bitch.

This is no ordinary injury, let me tell you.

ASUMA (VOICEOVER): Incredible.

He's-- he's still alive.

-Yeah, it really, really hurts, you know?

You fools have no idea how incredibly painful

it is having your head sliced off!

-What's going on?

That doesn't make sense.

-I don't know how to explain this one.

I mean, how did--

-Yeah, but you gotta look on the bright side.

Even if he's still alive, so long

as he's not attached to his body,

he can't perform any jutsu.

He might be immortal, but he's completely useless.

-That's true.

That means just one left to go.

-Yeah.

SHIKAMARU (VOICEOVER): But still, this guy-- I

suspect he may be even stronger and faster

than mister immortal.

And someone who won't let himself get carried away.

A cool customer.

Not phased a bit by his comrade going down.

A heart of stone.

I don't think we've seen his true power yet.

Maybe that's intentional, to make us overconfident.

This kind of guy is cagey, always gauging his opponent,

looking for any way to gain an advantage.

It would be in his best interest to have

us thinking we've got the upper hand.

-Shikamaru!

KOTETSU (VOICEOVER): Shikamaru's at his limit.

And Captain Asuma's wounded.

While we may have gained the upper hand

by disabling one of the Akatsuki,

it also means we've created an opportunity for us to escape.

In either case my main worry is Shikamaru's condition.

-Can't leave ourselves open to attack!

-Enough of this.

-Captain Asuma!

-Since you asked for my help I'm giving it, whether you want it

or not.

-Yeah, all right. Fine.

Ow!

Hey, that hurts!

-Just hold still.

-Those two.

What are they up to now?

-That should do it.

-Ah.

That's better.

-His head--

-The other one reattached it.

-Finally in one piece again.

-Don't move it too much yet. or it'll come right off.

-Don't be such a nag, Kakuzu.

-What?

What in the world are we up against?

SHIKAMARU (VOICEOVER): One of them's immortal

and the other has a jutsu that can sew a body back together?

Man.

It's just one thing after another with these guys.

They're both so skilled.

-Your battle prep and repartee are as

drawn out and tedious as your rituals.

Just stick with the cash cow.

-Ah.

I better be sure to pay him back in spades.

It wouldn't do to violate the sacred commandments.

-Not that again.

Well, anyway.

As for the other three, leave them to me.

-Izumo.

-Yeah, I know.

-All right.

-Water style, syrup trap!

-Yeah!

-That do the trick?

-I presume your plan was to distract me

with that eye-grabbing aerial display

while all the time your friend was launching a ground

attack at my feet with this strange liquid.

However-- it didn't quite come off.

So much wasted effort.

-Oh yeah?

-What the--

-Right.

-What a surprise.

-That's it, Izumo.

Gotcha!

-Kotetsu!

Oh no--

-They're giving me a run for my money.

-Sounds like Kakuzu is just about worn out.

I better cut this short and step in.

Otherwise I'll have to keep hearing

about how my rituals go on forever.

Nighty-night.

-Asuma!

Behind you!

-Nighty-night.

-Asuma!

Behind you!

-How many times you think I'll fall for that--

-You fool!

It's the same trap again!

-Ugh--

-Dammit--

-Damn!

SHIKAMARU (VOICEOVER): So in the end-- in the end

you decided to do it after all, didn't you?

To sacrifice yourself for the sake of your comrades.

-I don't get it.

What's wrong with my strategy?

If I can just tie up one of the enemy with my shadow stitching

we'll reduce their fighting strength by half, right?

But we know from prior experience

if I try and use it against an opponent who's

far away I can mess up.

Clearly shadow stitching becomes less effective at long range.

But in close combat its binding force is powerful.

So the success rate would increase exponentially.

That's the key to the strategy.

-So it'll be a two-tiered formation.

You and the vanguard engaging the enemy with your shadow

stitching, with me acting as your backup.

-Exactly.

With me in the front lines tying up the enemy, we can't lose.

-Actually, I think it's a brilliant strategy, Shikamaru,

and I like it very much.

-Then why not try it?

-For that very reason.

Our team is an excellent one.

Not that much different from other four-man squads

in terms of fighting power, but we

have something most other teams don't have.

A strategist.

That's you, Shikamaru.

A good strategist has to be able to clearly assess the situation

moment by moment in order to direct his team.

The skills you possess are best deployed in the rear guard,

not in the thick of battle.

Putting you at risk in the front lines

only increases the chances of our failing in the mission.

-You're forgetting.

I understand the pain of losing a comrade too, you know.

I know what it feels like.

I'm aware of the risk.

But what does it matter?

You admit it's the best strategy.

It's the best way for me to protect my comrades

so I don't have to lose any more.

-If by protecting your comrades you're referring to us,

the team, then you haven't understood anything.

The things we're protecting, the reason

we're fighting-- you still don't see

the true purpose of all of this.

And until you do there's no way I

can put you on the front line, Shikamaru.

SHIKAMARU (VOICEOVER): It's all my fault.

If I'd only come up with a better strategy none of this

would have--

-Don't you guys get it?

It's the only move we've got!

SHIKAMARU (VOICEOVER): I've never seen Asuma like this.

-To penetrate the enemy's line sometimes

you have to risk a bold move.

-Climbing silver.

It's not a role that suits you.

-I'm not gonna be the sacrificial piece.

I've got you with me, after all.

SHIKAMARU (VOICEOVER): Dammit!

It's my fault.

My fault!

If I hadn't been such an idiot this

wouldn't be happening to Asuma!

-Well?

Does it hurt?

Hm?

How about now?

Finally.

Now I can finally savor it.

Savor the pain caused by your death!

KOTETSU (VOICEOVER): Captain.

IZUMO (VOICEOVER): Damn.

-The end.

-No!

No!

KURENAI (VOICEOVER): Asuma--

-Yes.

That's the stuff.

-No!

No!

Asuma!

[music playing]

-Don't bother trying to heal me.

I wouldn't make it anyway.

I can feel it.

The things the Third Hokage did to protect

the village-- I think I finally understand.

I was always slow figuring things out.

You know, Choji, Shikamaru, I've got something

I have to tell the three of you.

-Next time, Last Words.