Original subtitles

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[crickets chirping]

I'll soon reach the limit of the Chidori's destructive power.

I need to make it evolve further... But how?

Father...

What's the use if I can't even ask him for advice?

I've made up my mind. I'll surpass him...

Father, do you have a moment?

(Fugaku) I'm busy now. Come back later.

Big Brother...

Join us, Sasuke. This is important.

I see... And have you made up your mind about this?

Yes, Father. I decided after working closely with Lord Fourth.

He seems to be serious about changing the treatment of the Uchiha Clan.

I believe that he's trustworthy.

[low groan]

However... That means that we must change as well.

We have put far too much distance between us and everyone else.

It's become an obstacle to reaching an agreement.

Well, then? What are your thoughts about all this?

We must demonstrate to them that we have no ill will.

As a clan that's part of this village... we must pledge loyalty to Lord Fourth...

...and do our very best to cooperate--

So you're telling us they'll only accept our conditions if we show them obedience,?!

No, that isn't the case.

This is just my personal observation.

But that's just too convenient-

(Fugaku) Be quiet, Sasuke.

This is Itachi that's talking to us... I'm sure that he's thought things through.

(Sasuke) But...

Besides, we have long hoped to find a way to participate within the government.

At first, our ancestors chose to live here after fighting in wars that sought blood for blood.

We must strive to find common ground.

I thank you.

(Sasuke Thinking) You always do this, father...

I realize this may be sudden, but I've been given a request from the Hokage.

Hm. You are quite the cunning one.

First, you make sure that I'm in an agreeable mood...

Guarding a VIP from the Feudal Lord's office...

It's a direct request from the Feudal Lord.

The Leaf will dispatch an escort unit.

It's a long-term mission.

(Fugaku) If we accept this mission, failure's not an option...

Let's go through selections right away.

[angry grunt]

It's always like this. Father only cares about Big Brother.

No matter how hard I try...

Why did I think that you would be like Itachi?

Your older brother would've handled all this far better than you have.

This is Itachi that's talking to us... I'm sure that he's thought things through.

Every single time! He never acknowledges me!

See? Didn't I tell you, Naruto?

Sasuke has managed to completely master Chidori!

Yeah, you're right!

I told him I'd learn my jutsu first, but he's surpassed me!

Sasuke! I brought some snacks. Wanna share them?

[grunt]

You're annoying.

Huh?

[gasp]

(Sakura) Sasuke...

Hey, what do you think you're doing, Sasuke?!

Apologize to Sakura!

Don't you order me around.

A loser has no right to talk...

I'm not ordering you around! And I'm not a loser, you know!

I caught up to you, didn't I?!

You just can't accept that that's the truth!

Why, you...!

Oh yeah, know it all?

You really think that you're equal to me? That's impossible!

All right, do you wanna put that to the test right now?

Fine by me.

Both of you, stop.

[attack yell]

Naruto!

Sasuke!

Stop it!

Huh? Dad? What...?

I'm sorry... but fights are forbidden inside the village.

Tsk...

[gasp]

(Sakura) Lord Fourth...

Thank goodness you're here.

I'm sorry, Sakura-

[grunt]

Where is he!?

[groan]

[gasp]

Uh... Sasuke!

What was that power?!

How did he..!?

[panting breaths]

I will never acknowledge you.

I promise you... I will take you down!

You know, when I developed the Rasengan, it wasn't so that I could hurt my friends.

So, why did you so that?

I was frustrated.

[gasp]

I've been trying so hard to catch up to him forever.

But he just... he refuses to acknowledge me.

[sigh] You know, Naruto, people's feelings can be complicated.

But,,,

But I...

I'm never gonna give up!

It may be impossible now, but I'll become stronger...

And I'm gonna get him to acknowledge me someday!

I'd thought that you were listening when we had our conversation the other day.

So you're criticizing me again without hearing the facts?

What are your intentions?

Nothing at all.

I'm just not going to expect anything from you anymore.

I choose to follow my own path from here on out.

What? "Your own path?"

Yeah, that's right. And I want that path to lead to power.

But before that, I have one request.

All right! I'm gonna train super hard again today!

What is all of this racket this early in the morning?!

[big yawn]

Okay! Here I go...

(Sakura) Naruto...!

Sakura?

What is it? What's the matter?

It's awful. Sasuke's---!

Huh?

Is it really true, Dad?

Is Sasuke seriously gonna leave our team?!

Yes, it's true.

His father came by earlier to inform me.

Starting today, Sasuke is going to become a new member of the Leaf Police Force.

Why'd he do that all of a sudden?!

And what's going to happen to us? I mean, what'll happen to Team 7 now?

Well...

I'll go ask him myself!

(Jiraiya) Hold it... Just hold on there!

What's the big idea, huh?

(Minato) [clears throat]

Sasuke has already left for the Feudal Lord's office.

The Uchiha have agreed to take on a long-term mission escorting a VIP who's from that office.

What!?

They'll be using the Uchiha's Elite Unit.

Sasuke wants to shadow and learn from the more experienced shinobi.

He made a strong appeal to join them.

Sasuke did that?

But it's... This is all way too sudden!

We weren't even able to patch things up between us yet.

[groan] Come on, Naruto, do you have to be a complete idiot?!

I mean, you should be a little happy for him, at least!

Yeah? And why should I be, huh?

Because he volunteered for this mission in order to hone his skills.

I'm guessing that he probably made up his mind to do so right after getting into that fight

with you, 'cause it made him realize something.

Huh!? You mean, he also--?

Yeah, that's right. Just like you, he "doesn't want to lose."

At the very least it means he's aware of you and your skills.

Oh, I see. [giggle

(Jiraiya) But it's not the time to relax!

Sasuke will become ridiculously strong...

...and then when he comes back, he'll be able to crush you and defeat you.

No! Not good!

I have to train, too! I have to start right now! Hurry!

All right, that's the spirit!

And don't worry! I'll be sure to root for you from distant skies.

[happy laugh]

Hey, wait, just hold on a second, here, y'know!

What was that distant skies thing that you just said?!

I mean, aren't you gonna stick around a while and help me train, Pervy Sage?!

What can I tell ya? My wounds are fully healed.

So I have to set out in search of Orochimaru before too long.

No way!

[hearty laugh]

Hey, now, don't get so depressed, Naruto.

I'll watch over your training when I have a chance to.

Come on! You're always so busy! Never mind, Dad!

[embarrassed chuckle]

Hey, I have an idea! Why don't you take me with you?

Uh, what!?

You want to go on the journey along with him?

Yeah! It's the perfect idea!

I'll be able to get lots of training done out there while we're on the road!

Uh, well, I... Um, Jiraiya Sensei?

Well, I wouldn't mind it.

But I wonder what Kushina would have to say about this.

She's really strict when it comes to The Three Prohibitions of the Shinobi...

All right then, we're just gonna have to convince her, won't we!

C'mon! Let's go!

(Jiraiya) Damn it, you're so self-centered!

Um, uh, so then I guess Naruto is leaving the team, too?

I'm so sorry.

I'll start looking into where you can transfer right away...

No...

For now, I actually wouldn't mind being kept on standby.

Oh, but...

So later, when Naruto returns, we'll have our old team back together.

And maybe there's... even a chance that Sasuke could have a change of heart!

Of course.

Besides... while the two of them are away, there's something that I want to do, as well.

I think that it'll be a good opportunity.

Lady Tsunade, Please... I'd like to learn that jutsu that you mentioned before.

I can't be the only one on the team who's lagging behind.

I like that look on your face.

Fine. But I'm warning you, I won't go easy on you.

(Sakura) Of course!

Are you sure about this?

I brought you onboard because Captain Fugaku asked me to.

But everyone else in the unit is ranked way above you.

The days at the Feudal Lord's office will likely be long and hard.

I'm looking forward to it.

Setting aside my father and brother, you're the most skilled among the Uchiha.

While my brother's on the Hokage's detail...

...I'd always assumed that you would become the next captain.

And that's why you volunteered for this?

I have a goal that I'm determined to reach. And to achieve it...

All right... It's fine by me.

Go!

Hey, I've been thinking about what you said before...

It's just that, Orochimaru is a bad guy, right?

So why do you go out of your way to try to find him, then?

Despite what he's now become, he was once my friend.

But one day, he went off the path. I should have set him right back on it then.

But... I couldn't stop him.

Oh I see.

And I can't help but think that if only I hadn't let him go then

He could still be here in the village right now.

And frankly, I don't want you to have the same kind of regrets.

Huh...

At the same time, I haven't given up yet!

I know that I'll bring him back one day!

Heh! Alright!

You really didn't have to come down here to see me off...

That just wouldn't do, y'know!

Listen! You gotta observe the Three Shinobi Prohibitions!

Jiraiya Sensei is way too lax about them, so don't you dare imitate his bad habits, got it?!

I'm sorry... She insisted on seeing you two off and-

That goes without saying, y'know!

What if Naruto picks up bad habits while he's out with Sensei gathering intel and he

turns into a total degenerate?!What then, huh!?

I already worry enough about his antics and recklessness as it is, you know!

Look, don't worry!

If he gets in my way, I'll just transport him away to Mount Myoboku or someplace.

What? Mount Myoboku?

[gag]

Whatever food they serve you, just hang in there.

Huh? Oh.

(Shikamaru) Hey!

Be careful on your journey, okay?

Hey guys.

And don't go overboard with your training!

If you try too hard, you're gonna make all of us back here look like we're slacking off.

What're you talking about?! We're gonna be working hard, too!

There is just no way that I'm gonna be a genin forever!

I'll have you know, that I'm on track to go straight to the top.

I even have a place to train already.

Huh?! When did that happen?!

Well, I'm not going to lose to Naruto!

Heh. I get it!

(Jiraiya) Hey... Let's go, already!

All right! I'm totally ready now!

Okay, goodbye! I'm off, y'know!

(Danzo) I can't believe that a shinobi of your caliber failed...

If that plan had just succeeded, we could've been rid of the jonin who support the Fourth Hokage in one swoop!

And increased our political influence.

Oh. You can't blame it all on me.

The plan failed because of the shinobi that Hizashi had assembled.

Since you installed Hizashi to head up the plan... some of the blame lies with you.

Hm...

I did what I was supposed to do.

I expect the contract to be honored.

I understand.

So what are your wishes for the next vessel?

Well, let's see... Itachi would have been an ideal choice, actually.

But it was too late this time...

The next time around, he'll be past his prime.

All right, I see...

Then I'll have to choose another suitable candidate...

...one who possesses even stronger qualities than Itachi

and will reach his physical peak in three years.

Yes. I'm counting on you. Someone young, beautiful, and strong.

An ideal body...

[attack cry]

[attack yell]

Not yet! Wait!

[grunt]

Chidori Stream!

[panting breaths]

All right. Good!

[happy sigh]

You're going back to the Leaf Village as soon as your replacement arrives, huh?

(Sasuke) Yeah.

I've learned everything I can here.

Besides, I still have that goal that I need to fulfill.

I realize that it's none of my business, but...

Sometimes it's good to have a goal to focus on.

And yet at the same time, getting too attached to a goal can lead someone off the correct path.

I hope you'll try to remember that.

I don't need you to get involved in this.

Thanks for the last three years.

I want to make sure with my own eyes. But I guess I can't since I'm stuck here.

You're back. I read through the report.

Only the elite were sent on that mission...

But you've developed into a shinobi second only to Shisui.

It's not a big deal.

Very soon now I'm going to surpass Itachi!

Hmf. Listen to you, such confidence...

This is...

(Fugaku) A lieutenant's armband for the Leaf Police Force.

It's very easy to just run your mouth.

But now here's your chance to demonstrate your skills in a real mission.

I look forward to it!

I've returned to dispel the humiliation of that day.

And this time... I'll take you down and prove to you who's stronger!

(Third Hokage) The recent activities of the Leaf Police Force are indefensible!

(Minato) I believe that this is a form of protest.

(Minato) They're annoyed because their situation hasn't changed.

(Minato) They're losing patience. Especially the younger generation.

(Minato) And the one at the center of all this...

(Naruto) Next time on Naruto Shippuden: "The Difference in Power."

(Minato) ...is the clan's most gifted member... Sasuke...