Original subtitles

Thank you, Lady Hinata.

I appreciate all this. Especially considering that you're injured as well.

No problem. Someone took care of my wound, so I'll take care of yours!

The village is so short-handed.

I've seen just how busy Sakura is. This is the least I can do.

Hey, Neji!

[chuckle]

Listen, Neji. We need to ask you a big favor, can we interview you?

Interview?

Yeah! You know how Naruto played such a huge part in the battle to save the Village, right?

The younger kids at the Academy asked us to commemorate it somehow.

We decided to do an article in the Academy newspaper about everything that Naruto's accomplished.

So we're going around interviewing everyone we can.

Sorry, but you'll have to ask someone else.

Aw... that's awfully mean of you, Neji!

Yeah, I'll say! All the younger students have really been looking forward to this!

Please help us!

Look! We're beggin' you!

Please!

Oh, all right... I'll tell you guys a very special story.

[excited giggle]

"Neji Chronicles"

This takes place about three years ago.

On the day of the Chunin Exam's final round.

That year, the first Chunin Exam was plagued with problem after problem.

Feudal Lords and guests from all over the various nations...

...had gathered in the Hidden Leaf Village to witness the final rounds.

And in the midst of all that, we received reports that a Rogue Ninja named Orochimaru was after Sasuke.

The Village tightened security, preparing for every contingency at every location.

But still, during the finals, the Hidden Sand and the Hidden Sound conspired to destroy the Leaf.

It was something that no one could have ever predicted.

The spectators from the different nations remained completely immersed in the matches..

..unaware of what was about to transpire.

Right around then, I was being treated in the medical room after having lost my match to Naruto.

I thought I'd come see how you're doing. Are you okay?

Thanks, but I'm fine.

Don't be too disappointed. I mean, it was sheer luck that Naruto won. I'm sure you'll win the next-

Huh? Oh, I'm over that.

Huh?

Lord Hiashi came by a little while ago.

I had always believed that those of us from the side branch of the Hyuga clan would never truly be free..

..until the power of the Byakugan was sealed..

..and our Curse Marks disappeared.

But it seems Father thought differently.

It's true that some things can never be changed

But still... Perhaps I've made too many blind assumptions about the way things are.

Neji.

Hey, let's go back to the stadium!

Guy Sensei and Lee are there, and Sasuke's match sure looks like it'll be exciting.

Yeah, all right.

And then it happened...

[gasp]

Orochimaru's attack on the Hidden Leaf had begun.

Whoa, what is going on?!

You hear that? No more cheering, the stadium's gone quiet.

Yeah. Something feels different now.

Byakugan!

The Hidden Sand betrayed us and attacked alongside forces from Orochimaru's Hidden Sound. Our Village was thrown into chaos.

How could this happen?! Fighting has broken out in every corner of the village.

Sand and Sound ninja against the Leaf.

This is just like a-

I know.

It's like a war.

The two of us rushed to the stadium to find out exactly what was going on.

But unbeknownst to us, another incident was already taking place.

Is that?!

Lord Elder!

[moan]

Kiba, hey are you okay?

[groan] What happened?

Later, Kiba told us that he'd been watching over Lady Hinata, after she'd collapsed due to injuries from her match.

He was knocked unconscious by enemy ninja disguised as Anbu Black Ops.

[grunt] Hey...

What the hell's going on?!

Sounds like you're alright now.

Lord Elder's wound isn't fatal either.

[grunt] Sir! What happened here?!

We were attacked. And our assailants took Hinata!

[gasp]

They did what?!

Two ninja from the Hidden Cloud who were here as spectators assaulted us and made off with her.

No doubt they saw an opportunity to use the confusion to spirit the Byakugan away from the Village.

I tried to stop them, but...

[grunt]

Neji, the Byakugan is a top-secret jutsu that your father protected with his life.

We simply cannot allow them to take it! Go get them!

You must bring it back, whatever it takes!

[grunt]

I understand, sir.

Wait, Neji! I'm coming, too!

No, this is a matter for the Hyuga.

But it's too much for you to handle alone.

Then count me in. I mean, Hinata is my friend.

And besides, I know you don't have a high opinion of her.

I have my doubts that you're actually going to try very hard to save her.

Kiba!

Fine, come with me. Your nose will be useful.

[sigh]

I guess a three-man squad would make it easier to track them down.

You're wrong. With Akamaru, it's a four-man squad. We're now a basic platoon.

[bark]

Let's go.

(Konohamaru) I had no idea that happened!

Didn't the Jonin in the stadium notice all of this stuff going on?

I don't really know. But even if they did, they probably couldn't spare the manpower to deal with it.

After all, the situation was so precarious that Genin like Naruto had to be sent on A-rank missions.

I still can't believe it! A war suddenly breaking out like that?

So much for the alliance between those nations!

We couldn't pass up the opportunity!

The Kekkei Genkai who's secrets may not leave the Village.

The Hidden Leaf's Byakugan is ours!

[sniffing]

There are two of them, headed on a straight line through the forest.

They're going toward the boarder we share with the Land of Rice Paddies...

Looks like they're taking the shortest route to the Hidden Cloud Village.

We're familiar with all the territory inside our boarder, but not outside the Land of Fire.

We gotta end this before they get too far!

[worried whine]

What's wrong?

Akamaru can determine the enemy's strength simply by sniffing their chakra.

(Kiba) These guys seem like a real handful.

They must be higher than Chunin level. Our chances don't look too good.

There are still ways to win!

How about we mount a surprise attack, and--

[bark]

Huh?

Quick! Stop!

What's going on!?

(Neji) A trap?!

The enemy's scent is all over this place!

Yech...

What are they?! So gross...

It seems that the enemy has laid a trap that's activated by a persuer's chakra.

Incoming!

There's just no end to those things!

And worse, by setting off this trap, we may have also alerted the enemy that we're coming after them!

Damnit! We're running out of time here guys!

Then I guess we only have one choice...

Dragon Bomb!

Go, guys! I'll take care of these things.

But, Tenten!

Just go! I'll keep them busy for a while.

We gotta get Hinata back, right?

Hurry!

Okay.

Well now...

...just how do you guys wanna do this?!

[wolf growls]

Come and get me!!

(Moegi) What!?

She faced them alone!?

Yes, she did.

It might seem crazy, but Tenten is a skilled weapons specialist with a wide range of attacks.

She had the best chance of stopping the enemy, and getting out of there alive.

With time running out for Hinata, we had no choice but to have faith in Tenten.

Damn those Cloud Ninja! Laying a trap like that for us!

Although setting up something like that must have taken them a good amount of time.

That's true. And their scent back there was still strong and fresh.

That means they're not too far ahead of us.

Byakugan!

(Neji) I found them.

Good! Okay, now let's go ambush them and get Hinata back!

No, forget it. That won't work they're too strong.

Alright, then what's your idea!?

Look, don't try to stop me. I'm going in!

Looks like somebody set off the trap we left behind...

They comin' after us?

Yeah, probably. Let's move.

The boarder's just a little ways ahead.

Right.

Palm Heel Strike!

[painful grunts]

I won't let you get away with stealing the Byakugan!

Look, don't try to resist us. We're in too big a hurry for this.

[gasp] [coughing]

[grunt]

Byakugan from the family's main branch still works if the wielder's dead, right?

[gasp]

Why you damned brat... I say the only thing we should bring back is her head!

(Kiba) Tunneling Fang!

[gasp]

Well, looks like I made it in time!

Kiba!

Come on! Let's go!

They found us!

Another brat!

I'll kill them both!

[gulp]

What did you do!? You couldn't have excaped from guys that strong!

Yes, you're right. Back then we weren't powerful enough. We were completely outclassed.

[exhausted gasp]

This is pointless, kid. A Genin can't stop us.

And we don't have time to waste on pathetic losers like you!

What!?

Gentle Fist..!

Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms!

Eight Trigrams Two Palms!

[grunt]

Four Palms!

Eight Palms!

Sixteen Palms!

Thirty-Two Palms!

Sixty-Four Palms!

Now I get it.

You tricked us, kid. Not bad.

(Mikage) You're that Hyuga kid who was in the Chunin Exam...

What a fool!

Acting like he can do this himself!

Heh! So you had us chasing a decoy this whole time, did you?

Look kid, just get lost. We don't have use for an eye from the side branch of the Hyuga Clan.

I will not let you past me!

Earth Style: Mud Wave!

Do you really think I'd let a Gentle Fist user get anywhere near me!?

[gasp]

Damnit!

[grunt]

An Earth Style Shadow Clone?!

(Thinking) He lured me in...

It's all over now!

Can't use Taijutsu if you can't move your arms and legs.

You're nothing more than a caged bird!

[angry grunt]

After hating them so much for so long, you still end up as a sacrifice for the main branch of the family.

(Mikage) What a sad destiny. I feel sorry for you.

No, I didn't come here because I had to...

I came after Hinata! Because this is my choice!

Whatever. It all works out the same. Since you're here, you're going to die here!

Mud Needle! Ha!

(Hiashi) Rotation!

[gasp]

I'm sorry I'm late.

Lord Hiashi! Sir!

(Thinking) Hiashi!? The head of the Hyuga!?

Eight Trigrams! Air Palms!

[gasp]

[grunt]

Pathetic.

[gasp] Lord Hiashi! Why are you here!?

What about Lady Hinata?!

My father gave me all the details about her capture.

She's fine. Ko's on his way to retrieve her as we speak.

(Hiashi) He also has a friend of yours he picked up along the way.

Oh! That's good news!

But why did you leave the Village? Why leave that battlefield to come out here?

Hinata's my daughter. She's precious to me.

And you are as well. You're a priceless reminder of my late brother, Hizashi.

I can't believe all of us made it through that!

Neji, listen...

I'm sorry... about the way I acted before.

Eventually, the Cloud Ninja who planned Lady Hinata's abduction were identified and captured.

It turned out that the leaders of the Hidden Cloud were involved, so we settled everything internally.

And we avoided an international incident.

And that's the whole story!

(All) [sigh]

I had no idea something like that happened during the attack on the Leaf.

Yeah! I didn't know that, either!

Thanks, Neji! That was a really awesome story!

I'm glad you liked it. I had a feeling it would be worth telling you guys.

[giggle]

Uh! Hey! Hold on a minute!

Is that really all there is to the story!?

We wanted one about Naruto! He has nothing to do with it!

What are you talking about?!

(Thinking) He did for me....

Um, Neji? I'm sorry...

...this was all my fault.

(Neji) Please, look at me, Lady Hinata.

There's really no reason for you to apologize to me.

(Neji) You know, it's funny...

I thought that I had such a clear understanding of everything...

...I bore an unwavering grudge against the main branch of the family.

And I never questioned it... ...but I didn't know the truth.

I blamed fate, and held onto my grudge.

But during our battle, Naruto explained.

He told me, Hinata, that you were suffering just as much as I was.

He said that to gain acceptance and respect, you had been trying incredibly hard to change.

I hadn't even considered what you were going through.

He helped me to understand just how selfish and narrow- minded I was being.

[gasp] Naruto did that?

Naruto Uzumaki...

There's something about him...

Yes!

Well he was involved in the most important part, so don't worry.

What part?!

Good luck with the article! I Look forward to reading it.

[gasps]

Aww come on, Neji! No fair!

You have to tell us what the most important part was!

It's all important! Every bit. But without Naruto, that story may never have happened at all.

(Moegi) But, we wanna hear about something he actually did!

(Neji) Haha! Then maybe you should have listened when I told I told you ask someone else!

Ahhh! Ahhh!

Who the heck are you, mister!? You scared me!

(Kisuke) Oh yeah? Well you're the one who scared me with that scream!

(Naruto) Hey wait, what are you doing in my house!?

(Kisuke) I don't know... All of a sudden I was just here!

(Naruto) All of a sudden!? What kind of lame joke...?

(Naruto) Uh... Mister? Could you come take a look in the mirror for a second?

(Naruto) Next time on Naruto Shippuden: The man who died twice

(Naruto) G-g-ghost!!!