Original subtitles

Sakura.... I leave Naruto in your hands.

...He's always been our village's symbol of hope...

...Ever since that time everyone has always...

What did Lord Jiraya tell you?

Seems the training's going well.

[heavy breathing]

Shadow Clone Jutsu!

Giant Rasengan!

[explosion]

The power of your Rasengan has seriously grown! And after only 2 years of training!

Perhaps it's about time that that we took things to the next level...

To the next level?

Yep!

What're we gonna do?

I think perhaps the time has come for you to utilize your inner power.

Wait, you mean...?

Mhm. You might have to put your life on the line for this training.

All right. I'm ready. Bring it on!

Can't believe it's been two years already.

Now the day that kid returns home to the Leaf may soon be upon us!

(Shizune) Naruto is a mysterious boy. He's been away from the village for two whole years, and yet...

[grunt]

Inuzuka Style! Man-Beast Transformation Combo!

Two-Headed Wolf!

Wolf Fang Over Fang!

(Shizune) His impact on everyone just keeps growing...

[panting]

Are you all right?

I think I'm at my limit!

Only ten more laps! If you stop now, then Naruto is just going to laugh at you!

Everyone always seems to keep Naruto in their thoughts while they're training!

Looks like we've got a message.

Where's it from?

Lord Kazegake!

A Shinobi Hawk has just deliv- ered a missive to you from the Hidden Leaf's Fifth Hokage, sir.

Hm.

'Bout time. I was getting tired of waiting.

Look who they sent for our welcome. Thanks for meeting us.

Heh heh. Well, it is a drag, but seeing as it's Lord Kazekage...

Welcome to the Leaf.

Here's the data from the Chunin Exams two years ago.

One hundred fifty three entrants total. Information about their villages,

the three rounds of exams, and the qualifying stats have been compiled for easy reading.

But you'd know more about the reason behind the interruption of the finalrounds and the chronology.

Ahem. Because of the suspension of the previous Chunin Exams,

the Leaf would like to sponsor a brand new combined Chunin Exams.

Thanks in part to the Leaf's help, the situation in the Sand has stabilized since then.

In particular, our training curriculum has now become very successful.

We have more genin qualified to take the Chunin Exams.

Then you have no objection to us sponsoring an event?

Lady Hokage... first, what's your true motive here?

My "true motive?"

The timing of this whole thing, why hold the Chunin Exams now?

If it's a personnel shortage, you still could've done this sooner.

All right, then. I'll be honest with you.

First, its to gauge the response of each of the villages in the Five Great Nations...

On the surface they seem to be at peace, and yet...

Their response to holding the combined Chunin Exams will reveal their true feelings.

And the second reason is to probe the movements of the Akatsuki.

Our intel says that they're seeking the Tailed Beasts from each village,

but they've been awfully quiet for these past 2 years

you want to open the Village and use the Chunin Exams as some kind of bait?

you want to attempt to lure the Akatsuki out?

That's right.

I'm betting the Akatsuki have grown impatient and are getting ready to make a move soon.

That is a risky proposition...

Hold on.

The Sand would like to host these Chunin Exams alongside my introduction as Kazekage.

[gasp]

Hm.

That will not do.

The Hidden Leaf must be the one to sponsor these Chunin Exams

so we may finish what we previously started.

Absolutely.

Lord Kazekage cannot decide this all by himself, of course.

He must talk with the village advisors.

That's right. So we're going to need some time to contact them.

Let's come back to this. We'll discuss it again at the next meeting.

All right. We'll settle this during the next meeting, then.

This whole thing has become a real drag.

Yeah. I didn't expect Gaara to make an announcement like that.

He really didn't tell you anything at all?

No, it came out of nowhere!

Well, Gaara has his own ideas about the way things should be done.

(Gaara) I leave it to you.

If the Hokage's right and the Akatsuki make a move,

you know you're going to be their target!

If the enemy wants Tailed Beasts, they'll come for me sooner or later.

So I'll simply act as bait and just take them down.

What are you saying!? The Village welcomed you as their new Kazekage

...but things are still unstable!

I am aware.

I know some aren't happy that I've become Kazegake.

And I have no doubt there are those who would welcome an opportunity to kill me...

Then why'd you even consider hosting the event?

That's why I want the Chunin Exams in the Sand.

You must be joking!

You don't want the Akatsuki, you want to lure out the conspirators in our village!

That's way too dangerous, Gaara.

In regards to the combined Chunin Exams,

it's Lord Kazekage's wish that we host the event in the Hidden Sand Village.

And he also intends to introduce himself as Kazekage to the other nations.

Is that a wise choice?

Though things have been quiet for a while now,

it doesn't change the fact that Gaara's a military weapon to be feared.

To be honest, as long as Gaara continues to live, this village can never truly be at peace.

For the second round of the Chunin Exams

Lord Gaara intends to offer up the Demon Desert as a suitable arena.

And we, the Hidden Sand, will do our utmost to support him!

I'm sure that Yuura is onto us by now.

No, everyone's just uneasy about Gaara.

Still, that isn't enough to build a coup d'état around, and I--

Well now, if it isn't my seniors. Of all the places to find you three.

What do you want now?

All of us have already agreed to give our support to Lord Gaara's plan.

It's nothing, really. I just forgot to tell you.

Lord Gaara plans to personally supervise the exam site.

We'll have to be very careful with our preparations.

The second round is a survival test, and--- there are always some fatalities.

So who's to say that nothing will happen to the supervisor himself, our Kazekage, Lord Gaara.

Now, if you'll excuse me...

This is the perfect opportunity to get rid of the Kazekage

and make it look like it was an accident...

But... he is a Jinchuriki.

There's a way.

The first Jinchuriki, Sir Bunpuku, was able to temporarily seal Shukaku in a teapot.

Maybe we can use that.

What's your decision, Lady Tsunade?

Hm...

...Two years ago, Jiraya's intel said the Akatsuki would target Naruto in three of four years.

We tried to learn their plans with no success. It's now two years later.

I'm fully convinced that by this time, they're practically itching to make a move.

You're not thinking of using Naruto as bait!?

No, as Fifth Hokage of the Hidden Leaf, I could never do that.

You mean, Lord Gaara will assume that role?

As luck would have it, he's the one who proposed it.

But... will the advisors agree to that?!

Well, I'll just have to placate them by suggesting a joint sponsorship.

We can't negotiate any further.

(Tsunade) I reviewed the plans that you submitted, Lord Kazekage.

What do you think about the idea of a joint sponsorship with the Hidden Leaf?

We'll hold round one, the written exam, in the Leaf Village...

...and the Hidden Sand will host the site of the second round, the survival test.

The Forest of Death really has become too familiar as a test site.

I was just thinking recently that a new site would be needed.

I agree as well.

We've no objections to that proposal.

All right, then. I guess we'll see you again at the Chunin exams.

Yeah...

Just let us know if any trouble arises, all right? We'll handle it, Mr. Crybaby.

Heh, she hasn't changed a bit.

The Hidden Sound probably won't take part this time around.

Should we just send out invitations to everyone else who attended the last Chunin Exams?

Send invitations for the introduction of the new Kazekage to every village in the Five Great Nations.

I see. That way we can monitor each village's response.

That's right. In addition to the Akatsuki problem,

that's the other reason for reopening the combined Chunin Exams.

Okay. I understand, M'Lady.

These invites are for the Chunin Exams. Go and deliver them to every Village.

(Anbu Ops) Yes ma'am.

Well, we've set out the bait...

Now we just have to wait and see how they react to it.

Lady Tsunade! The Hidden Sand send their reply right away.

Ah, they'll be sending nine teams, twenty-seven genin in total.

Last time they sent thirty in ten teams...

It may be one team fewer, but considering the Sand's current situation,

one has to commend them for nurturing this many genin.

Right...

Oh, and- Any word from the other villages that we sent invitations to?

No, not yet.

I wonder how the other Kage will respond to all this.

(Raikage Ay) What!? Chunin Exams!?

Damn Princess Tsunade! She's getting carried away!

She probably coaxed the Kazekage into cooperating and plans to get the jump on us within the Five Great Nations.

What should we do?

Ignore her, that's what! We'll just ignore her!

And don't mention this, or the past to anyone! Especially Bee! He can't find out!

Whenever an event like this is getting planned,

he gets worked up about live concerts and other nonsense.

Actually, I kinda already told him.

What!?

Well, he kept asking questions... Sorry sir.

Bee! Where are you, Bee!?

Don't tell me that he... Find Bee immediately and bring him here to me!

Understood, sir!

This is so dull...

Gonna have a concert at the Hidden Leaf Village, yo!

Turning up at the Chunin Exams, showin' what I know!

And I'll take a lesson from Kinchan Sensei, too! That one's fo' sho'! Yeahhh!

Lord Bee! Lord Raikage wants to see you. Please return!

What!? No way, fool, ya fool!

Did Lord Raikage say no?

He said that unfortunately they're swamped with Village business,

so they don't have enough time to prepare now.

Now why would the Hokage and the Kazekage send a message?

Well, it appears they are looking to resume the Chunin Exams. What shall we do about it?

There's still the matter of Lord Fourth Yagura. I think we should focus on rebuilding the village now.

You very well may have a point, there.

Yes, that's right. A ceremony for the Kazekage is only a waste of our time!

A wedding ceremony.... is... a waste of time!?

Shut up, or die.

What!?

Perhaps it would be best if we forego the Chunin Exams this time.

Yes, let's do that!

It seems that the Hidden Mist Village is currently tied up as well.

Listen, we have just received an invitation from the Hidden Leaf Village

to attend the new combined chunin exams.

Hmm.

Their ulterior motive's crystal clear!

They're looking to test the strength of the villages

in preparation for the next battle that erupts between them!

I say we just throw it right back in their face!

Yes, I intend to do so!

[pleased grunts]

I'll give you my answer, right here!

Ahhhhhhh! My Back!!

I want you to go here.

To the Hidden Rain Village?

Yes, to that most troublesome spot.

Every person who enters the village is checked & kept under surveillance during their stay.

It's said Hanzo of the Salamander,

whom even blood relatives can't approach, rules with an iron fist.

Yes, so I've heard.

Even if I'm carrying an invitation to the combined Chunin Exams,

I doubt if they'll let me in easily.

That place remains unstable. There are rumors of a coup d'état.

But since it's closed off, no one knows the true state of things.

While I'm there should I also look into their internal affairs?

Yes, but don't take any chances.

(Kankuro) Are you actually going to supervise?

(Gaara) Yes, I'm going to oversee the finals of the second round.

(Kankuro) You think you'll solve something by outing the rebels?

(Gaara) No...

(Kankuro) Then why do this? Why would you face danger head on?

(Naruto) Next Time on Naruto Shippuden: "The Chunin Exams Begin!"

(Gaara) Naruto is working hard to forge bonds with others...