Original subtitles

Thanks for the food! [exhaling]

Boy, that sure filled me up! 'Course, it doesn't compare to Ichiraku Ramen! But what can?

[grunting] What's that?

[screaming]

Oh, it's you again! Why don't you just give up already?!

Look, my business isn't with you. You're just the chaperone. I want to fight the princess that's

next to you!

Never! I will not allow that!

Lady Shizuka, you don't need to dirty your hands with the likes of him!

This is my destiny. Please just stand back.

Huh?

How is it you always look more beautiful? Now hurry; I want you to be my wife!

Huh?

Uh?

Nadeshiko Style! Roaring Hurricane Kick

[yelling]

Huh?!

[screaming] You'll pay for this!

[cheering]

Incredible, Lady Shizuka.

But now please wait at the inn. I will check on the travel arrangements we've made for the ship.

Thank you.

Whoa, man, that lady... She's some shinobi. But it has nothing to do with me!

Sir! Please wait!

Huh?

From that headband you wear, I see that you're a leaf shinobi.

Huh? Oh. Yeah.

May I ask you... about the Legendary Sannin, Lord Jiraiya?

Uhh--

Do you know anyone who was his student?

"The Kunoichi of Nadeshiko Village"

What a surprise, to find the person we're seeking, right here.

We were about to board a ship to sail to the Hidden Leaf to find you.

Yeah, it was quite a surprise to me, too to hear Pervy Sage's name out of the blue like that.

How'd you know about me?

Didn't Lord Jiraiya tell you?!

About what?

Then I'll tell you...

Your Master Jiraiya had a connection with my village that began years ago.

Don't lose him, girls! We'll teach him what happens to those who infiltrate our village!

Just great... I only came here to do a little research for my next novel.

[sighing]

[chuckling] They're so cute, but so dangerous. Huh?

Just give yourself up.

Uh! Sorry, but I just can't do that.

[grunting]

Mister Gamaken! Secret Technique! Exit Jutsu!

I'm quite ungraceful so, hang on!

Get him!

Right!

Uh! That's cold!

That's rejuvenating.

Huh?

I didn't expect you to chase me this far.

The technique you displayed last night was simply incredible.

But you didn't just come here to tell me that, did you?

I've seen your skill and want to make a request.

Like what?

Hidden Leaf Jonin Lord Jiraiya... Please duel with me, and marry me if you win.

Stop! No! Where is this going?!

Nadeshiko Village is matrilineal. It's made up of only women.

What?! Seriously?!

Those who wish to be leader leave the village to find strong men and challenge them.

And then, if those men are triumphant, they're brought back to be our husbands.

It's the law of our village.

Their duel was a clash of well-honed ninjutsu skills... But in the end, the match was never

actually decided.

[gasping]

So they made a promise. The duel would be postponed.

And if their rematch never came to be, their students were to seek each other out and finish

the fight.

So you're saying that...?!

Hmm.

You're to duel with Lady Shizuka, with the reward being her hand in marriage.

M- Marriage?!

Listen, this is all way too sudden for me!

It's not sudden at all. It was decided years ago.

But this is the first time I'm hearing about it!

Sorry, but that's your problem! Besides, a promise is a promise.

We'll be in big trouble if you refuse!

Yeah, but I'll be in big trouble if I agree!

Anyway--

...let's just forget we ever had this conversation!

No! Wait!

You will duel. I vow it!

[laughing]

A marriage proposal, just like that, huh? You're quite popular!

It's not like that, I'm telling you!

Just 'cause Pervy Sage made some careless promise, I have to pay for it now!

[chuckling]

[sighing] You know... We are on a secret mission, here, in case you've forgotten that.

We can't get involved in any foolish distractions.

Should we move up our departure?

Yes, good idea.

Luckily, we've gotten all of our supplies restocked.

So let's go to bed early and leave first thing in the morning.

[snoring]

[grunting]

I shouldn't have had so much tea...

Huh?

Eeeeh.

Uh, time out, okay? One sec...

Stop following me, would you?! I mean, just leave me alone, all right?

You can't escape me. You are a prime candidate for a husband.

I already said no! What more do you want out of me, anyway?!

I know that it's your village tradition and all. But all it is to me is weird.

I'm not taking part in any duel!

But--

If you really want a fight that badly, go pick on someone else, would you?!

Please don't say such things!

[gasping]

Lady Shizuka doesn't enjoy this at all, either, I assure you!

She's always been kindhearted and compassionate.

However...

I wish we could stay like this...

Well, then why don't we?

We can't!

I understand the position you're in. But... It's just ludicrous to pick a husband only through battle.

But, Sagiri...

I know that I'm only a lowly tradesman who's been allowed into the village.

I'm not a strong warrior. But I love you more than anything.

I just want you to be happy. So I'll do everything in my power to change the village's law!

And some day, I will succeed! I swear it.

No one knows for sure, but some say it was a plot concocted by a few

who were concerned about the village's future.

He was attacked and taken down easily... To prove that he wasn't fit for the Nadeshiko.

That's horrible...!

And from that day onward, Lady Shizuka locked away her heart.

She stopped herself from feeling love... So she could never again lose someone she cares for.

She's only thought of fulfilling her duty... of seeking out and challenging the strong.

It's as though... she was punishing herself for what happened.

And that's why you want me to fight her?!

You're the student of the formidable Jiraiya, who fought our previous leader to a draw.

You may be able to put an end to Lady Shizuka's struggles.

I am fully aware that this is a selfish request, but please--will you agree to fight Lady Shizuka?!

I don't believe that we're being watched by anyone.

Then we should be okay once we leave this port.

[chuckling] You just gave up your chance to become a groom.

This'll buy us a little time, at least...

Naruto, I'm deeply grateful that you've agreed to fight this duel.

Well, I'm really sorry, but I didn't come here to fight...

I just came to talk.

What?

Look, I heard about what happened to you. And I'm sorry. But this whole thing's weird!

You may not be here to fight, but I am.

Now let's find out how strong you are.

This will do fine.

Earth Style! Iron Prison!

I'm not gonna do this.

Don't try to fight destiny. Please, allow me to begin.

[grunting]

Nadeshiko Style! Roaring Gale Chop!

Nadeshiko Style! Aerial Dance!

Damn! She's got a lot of those!

You are indeed strong, Naruto.

But you can't just keep dodging.

All right! Spinning-Waltz!

There's just no end to them!

Gale Fan!

[gasping]

[gasping]

Looks like it's all over.

Yeah, I guess so.

[gasping]

Now it's over.

A diversion in the second stage... No one's ever gotten behind me.

Just deliver the final blow, then.

No way. I told you I didn't come here to fight.

I'm not interested in the duel.

Then I'll take the woman for myself!

Huh?

[laughing]

Now I've got you!

What a cowardly attack!

This trick is less than nothing!

[chuckling]

[screaming]

This is called the Hundred Puppet Bind. It's a jutsu that drives bolts or anchor points into my target.

...each time one of my hundred puppets is beaten.

And now, you've become my puppet.

That means... the puppets from before were all for this?

You coward!

Yes, I've done it! And now Shizuka and Nadeshiko Village are all mine!

Let her go!

Huh?

We were still talking. Let her go, now!

Just shut up! It's none of your business! Get lost! I'm going to take her away from here and-

Huh?

[gasping]

Rasengan!

[screaming]

But why save me...?

I've had just about enough of this! Don't be ridiculous!

No, not that! You had a chance to defeat me before!

And would you have been satisfied if I did?

[gasping]

Because it's "destiny," you locked away your heart and your whole self just to go look for a husband?

That's crazy!

I mean, maybe I don't know much about marriage and stuff...

But aren't you supposed to be in love with someone first and be attracted to who they are deep inside?

Yes, but that's--

There's a girl I love. Her name's Sakura.

Uh!

Well actually, It is pretty one-sided on my part.

[sighing]

Sakura is completely in love with this other guy named Sasuke.

She tries so hard, pursuing him and trying to win his love.

When she's at it... her smile is the just about the cutest thing you've ever seen.

I can't explain it, but before I knew it, I was in love with her.

Of course, even if I do feel that way, I would never, ever try to force her to love me.

I'd be no different from that guy just now!

[chuckling]

So early on, I made up my mind. Just like Sakura always tries so hard to win Sasuke over...

I'm going to try my hardest to win Sakura over!

I see. But my destiny is different...

It's not destiny! It's just some rule your village made up!

And rules were meant to be broken!

But... But how?!

[chuckling] You're smart and strong. Use your abilities to put an end to it!

[gasping]

I'm not sure that I explained it well... but that's what I wanted to talk to you about.

Naruto!

Captain Yamato!

You did it again! You ran off on your own!

[gasping]

That's the second time you've fooled me with a Shadow Clone.

I hope you're prepared for the consequences.

Oh. Um. I...

No!

We're just about to set sail.

I'll be right there.

You take care of yourself.

When your mission is over...

Yeah?

When you go back home, are you going to tell that person that you love her?

No. I don't think I can bring myself to do that yet...

For right now, I think that I'll just keep watching over her.

And you're satisfied with that?

Of course, nothing would make me happier than if she chooses me someday. But, either way it's okay.

I just want Sakura to be happy. That's all that matters.

I just want you to be happy.

Sorry, but this fight ends now.

You see, unfortunately, I've already given my heart to another woman.

Although it is pretty one-sided on my part...

No kidding... even for someone like you?

She's lost all the people she's loved, one after another.

So now she simply rejects love in order to keep her heart protected.

I've sworn to watch over her. It's my duty, and I won't abandon it.

Even when there's no reward in it for you?

[laughing]

As if I care about such a little thing as that!

No, I'm just going to surround her with love and hope that she finds happiness!

That's all that matters!

I understand. Well, then, I guess for now let's call this a draw.

Then... I'll have to challenge this man's student!

Shizuka...

There's no doubt you bear the burden of your destiny. However...

There's no need for you to lock your heart away...

Lady Shizuka...

Lets go, Tokiwa.

I will become stronger, and then one day, when the time is right...

Yes...

It's true. A war that will decide the future of the shinobi world will soon begin.

It would be a lie to say that I'm not afraid. But whatever happens, I'm confident that I will

come back alive.

The reason is because I have friends that I trust.

Next Time on Naruto Shippuden: Friends You Can Count On.

You'll understand, too, one day.