Original subtitles

(Yurito) So... I told my classmates that they were really lucky.

I mean, they have so much free time!

Anyway, it's been a month since I got here...

So don't you think that it's about time I got to supervise a big assignment on my own?

[knocking]

Hm?

(Yurito) Oh, Lord Hokage!

Where did we put that report from yesterday, again?

Third on the right, the second one from the top.

Oh...

Oh, here it is. Didn't this come with some attachments, too?

Second pile, third down.

I really don't know what I'd do without you.

Oh, right... Lord Hokage... About next week's inspection...

How many times have I told you to just call me Kakashi?

Yeah, you're way too stiff and formal sometimes... sir!

[grumbling]

Don't forget to take breaks now and then. Or efficiency gets compromised.

Roger!

[yawn] It's nice to move around a bit!

I didn't think that I'd be chained to a desk all the time when I became a shinobi!

So, uh... How do you not get totally bored doing this sort of work day after day.

Uh, sir...?

I haven't cloud-gazed in quite a long time.

You know, sir... sometimes you talk like an old man.

[bird screeches]

Huh?

Hmm...

(Yurito) What's wrong? Is something bothering you, sir?

Huh?

Nope!

(Yurito) All right, I'm done with everything!

Man!

We really cruised through the work today! Well, thanks!

See you tomorrow!

Oh, Lord Hokage! See ya!

See ya...?

Thanks for today...

Why'd you pick a kid like that to work here?

The adult world can be complicated...

I know. I don't like that kinda stuff.

Oh? And here I thought you became one of us a while back, Shikamaru...

Give me a break!

Having more shinobi like him around the Village...

...is just an indication that we're really at peace.

The War's been over for two years now...

I know... I'm starting to get a belly...

I don't want to hear about all that.

Have you been keeping up with your training?

Eh, a little bit here and there.

So you say. But I bet you're as disciplined as ever.

Why can't you just humor me a bit?

Oh, come on! I told him he had to double-check this!

By the way, how is that... one issue going?

On hold for now.

There's been no contact, then?

I just feel bad for putting all of this on your shoulders.

[sigh] I don't think I was ever really cut out to be a shinobi...

The reason I continue to be one...

...is to make Naruto the Hokage one day, right?

To make that happen, I know that I can't remain a kid forever.

Naruto's still a kid even now!

He is who he is.

Hey, um... how about we go and grab a bite after you're done here?

After this, it's Lord Tsuchikage. We have a game set.

[chuckle] Oh right, I saw him at the summit yesterday.

All he talked about was how bad he was going to beat you this time.

Anyway, go easy on him.

Half the reason I do it is because it's for work.

Hey, Shikamaru...

What does it mean to be an adult?

[contemplative sighs]

No... Wait.. that one?

How's that, young'un?

Speechless now, eh? [laughing]

Eh?

Excuse me...

Hey! Don't think I'll just let you win and run off!

[grunts]

[frustrated growl]

I have to work twice as hard tomorrow.

[crowd cheering]

(Shop Clerk) Welcome!

Oh! There he is!

Hey! Over here!

[sigh] Sorry I'm late.

(Choji) Hey! I was cooking that!

(Shikamaru) Who-kay.

(Ino) This one's done, too.

(Shikamaru) Uh-huh!

Another kalbi, please!

(Ino) Anyway, I keep trying to teach this newbie, but she just doesn't get it. At all!

There's one like that on my team, too.

But he reminds me of myself, so I just can't ignore him.

I wonder if Asuma felt this way about us...

You two've really embraced your roles as instructors.

You're one to talk! You're Lord Hokage's right-hand man!

Yeah, but... I don't really have the patience to mentor my subordinates.

Not like you guys...

You're the type of person that prefers to just do everything for themselves.

(Shikamaru) Being a loner suits me. you two are really the only ones who are special to me.

Y'know, sometimes... I miss the old days.

[chuckle] Hey, we're not old enough to be saying that yet!

Back then, it was typical for to be together 24/7 almost all the time.

But now, we have to set up a time and date

just so that we can all get together for a quick meal!

When you think about it, it's kinda sad, huh?

Maybe that's the real answer, then... Maybe that's what it means to be an adult.

Yeah, you're right. Your temperament's really changed, you know that, Shikamaru?

Huh? You gotta be kidding me.

Haven't you noticed lately? You hardly ever say "what a drag."

Oh, yeah? Really?

(Shikamaru) Thanks for the food!

(Ino) Thank you!

(Choji) Hey, guys! They gave me some gum at the register. Brings back memories, huh?

Oh yeah! I chewed this stuff all the time when I was a little kid!

(Ino) Oh, it's so sweet! Was it always this sweet?

(Choji) Okay, where to next?

Hm?

You still wanna go get more to eat?!

Let's go BBQ hopping! It'll be fun!

Sorry, I have to get going.

huh?!

Shikamaru...

is there something on your mind that's bothering you?

... Seems like it's wandering.

Uh...

No, it's nothing, really.

Just some Allied Shinobi business. I have to leave the Village.

Wait, is it the same thing that Temari and Kankuro are attending?

Hm... So Temari is more important than we are, is that it?

Ow!

[chuckling]

What're you talking about?

(Chojuro) ...And so, we hope it'll be able to grow even more.

All right, well, that concludes my activity report. Does anyone have any questions right now?

As to all the people who went missing after the Fourth Great Ninja War...

...how is the search coming along?

It's under investigation.

Well, what about the drop in shinobi requests?

They've been decreasing for three periods in a row.

It's under investigation.

You realize that if it keeps dropping the way it has been

Village administration'll be affected.

(Shikamaru) We should have a more detailed report...

...no later than the time that our next meeting is scheduled to occur.

I understand the viewpoint that a decrease in requests for shinobi

poses a legitimate concern.

But remember, this is just a consequence of being at peace.

Well, if there are no more questions...

...then everyone... I'll see you again in a month.

Hey! Shikamaru! Wait up!

[sigh]

All right... what is it, Temari?

Come on. What is going on with you?

Huh? What makes you say that?

See? When you answer a question with a question,

it's practically proof that something's up.

So what is going on in the Hidden Leaf Village?

It's nothing.

Is it just something that you can't talk to me about?

I said there's nothing going on!

Is there anything I can do? Anything at all?

Nope.

Okay...

(Shikamaru) Look, Temari...

The thing is, you and I are both representatives of our individual villages.

We shouldn't pry into each other's--Huh?!

[shocked reaction]

[grunt]

What do you think you're doing?!

I misjudged you! A lot!

[stunned sigh]

(Kakashi) [laughing]

So that's what made you remember your old man, huh?

Yeah. Happened all the time. He'd stay out all night and get yelled at by my mom.

How unfortunate for him.

Temari is very intuitive. Sooner or later, she'll figure out the Land of the Silence issue...

So many Rogue Ninja and those missing from the War

seem to be filtering into that mysterious land.

And there's a deep, dark rumor that it's undertaking shinobi missions illegally...

By all rights, the Shinobi Alliance should be the ones dealing with this problem...

Which means if they discover we're independently investigating this,

it's gonna be troublesome.

But still, taking action against the Land of Silence in the name of the Alliance will be thorny.

(Shikamaru) Just when we finally achieved peace...

It's already been two weeks since Sai left word that he was infiltrating

the Land of Silence, right?

We can't stand by anymore without taking action.

[bird screeching]

Well, finally!

(Sai) The state of affairs in the Land of Silence is more serious than we suspected.

If it's left as is, the Shinobi Alliance will be faced with a predicament.

There is a man at work in this land. His name is...

Gengo?

I've never heard of him.

(Sai) He may change the pitiful existence of shinobi.

Even more than that...

he may very well be someone who changes the framework of this whole world.

At this point, I'm not even sure I know myself anymore...

That doesn't sound good...

No, it doesn't...

The team that Sai was leading held ten masters, the cream of the crop,

even amongst members of the ANBU.

This enemy must be fairly adept to be able to wipe them out...

Looks like.

It seems Sai's instincts were right.

Most of the shinobi who disappeared after the War

and the recent rogue shinobi are in the Land of Silence.

I hope that Sai is all right...

He isn't someone who'll get killed so easily. Although...

There are hints in his message that sound almost like... admiration for this Gengo.

You don't really think that Sai has--

Well he is very innocent...

If we're to get Sai out and to nip the Land of Silence in the bud...

...then I'm afraid that we only have one option...

Looks like you have the same idea I do.

Yes.

Except you can't be the one to go on this mission.

Right.

To remain inconspicuous, a three-man team would be the best choice.

So could you provide two members of the ANBU for this mission?

A three-man squad... You already have someone in mind for the third?

What we're talking about is a clear breach of faith toward the Alliance.

If worse comes to worst, you'll have to disavow any knowledge of this team.

And so, I'll go.

You're already carrying a big part of the responsibilities

within the Alliance. You can't...

I'm just adding a job to my plate.

It's useless to try and stop you, isn't it?

Still... I would've thought you'd pick Ino and Choji to accompany you.

In order to complete this mission successfully...

...we're going to need someone who can control chakra

and can use that ability to hide us...

...as well as someone who has a jutsu to make a direct hit on the target. Besides...

Besides?

Ino and Choji have their own lives to think about now.

I think I know just the ANBU for this...

They're both easy to work with and should meet your expectations.

I'm sure that you're going to like them.

What?

You're gong on a business trip, sir?

Yeah, take care of things here for me.

Boy, that must be nice! I wish that I could come along, too!

Damn it.

Oh, bring me back a souvenir, okay?

Uh, yeah... I'll be sure to do that...

This is Soku of the ANBU.

Easy to work with, huh?

All right... and the other one?

I'm right here.

When the hell did you--?!

This is Ro.

He can freely change the amount and quality of chakra in himself and in people he targets...

...erasing all signs of his presence or seeming to become someone else.

To explain it as simply as I can,

it is a modification of the chakra from the point of view of what others perceive.

To be clear, I don't actually change the amount of chakra in whomever I target.

A misapprehension is just created in anyone perceiving them.

That's, like, even more confusing.

This one's still just a kid!

Irrelevant! In the shinobi world, ability's, like, all that matters!

Right to the point, huh?

Not long after Hinoko left the academy, we noticed her talents and scouted her for the ANBU.

She's only fourteen, but the ANBU have total faith in her.

Lord Hokage, I said not to call me by, like, my real name.

So then, your name's Hinoko, huh?

Well I think that's a really cute na--!

I, like, just hate to be called by my name. I'd like you to be more careful about doing that.

So... what exactly can you do?

My weapon is a chakra needle.

Huh?!?

Once I aim, even if the target leaves my sight,

the chakra needle will, like, follow 'til it hits it's intended mark.

That's perfect for assassination...

I don't, like, needlessly take lives.

I pierced its chakra stimulation point, so it's, like, several times livelier now.

We'll get close using Ro's jutsu,

I'll seal Gengo's movements with my shadow Strangle Jutsu...

...and Soku will finish him.

A true collaboration indeed. It seems that the synergy of this strategy is practically ideal.

Like, it sounds tedious.

There two are exactly what you need.

I'm sure that it'll be fine.

What's wrong?

Can you do something about that whole "like" thing that you do?

Like, no!

Well, that's that. So once everything's ready--

Is it okay to leave tomorrow morning?

It's not another shogi match, is it?

I just have a bit of business.

So, anyway... I'll be heading back a bit later than I thought,

so i won't be able to visit next month.

Can you believe I have two subordinates under me now? That's not like me, huh?

You know, Asuma, both you and my dad...

...had someone you'd give your lives to protect.

I haven't found anyone like that yet...

Big brother Shika!

Huh?!?

Mirai!

Big Brother Shika!

Whoa, there!

Hehehe

Shikamaru, you're so busy these days!

You don't need to come here every month.

I'm really not that busy.

Oh, and this is our babysitter. She watches Mirai for me from time to time.

Nice to meet you.

He may not look it, but he's Lord Hokage's right-hand man.

Oh, please...

Oh, wow, I see! I'm sorry, I still don't know these kinds of things yet.

She's new. She just recently moved here from another Village.

Many have come to live in the Hidden leaf because of people like you and Lord hokage.

Just my job...

I hope the peace you've helped to build will last for a long time.

(Mirai) Big brother!

Flowers!

Oh, I see! you brought them for your daddy, huh? You're so clever, Mirai!

You really do love Big Brother Sikamaru, don't you, Mirai?

Uh-huh!

[chuckle]

This peace will last, I'm sure of it.

Because I'll make it last.

But why did I dream about that?

Damn it!

...That's such bad luck.

(Naruto) Hey, Shikamaru!

Huh?!?

You're up awfully early, Ya know?

Naruto...

I could say the same about you!

I woke up early, and I couldn't get back to sleep. I'm just on my way home from Ichiraku Ramen.

Really??! Are they even open this early in the morning?!

Oh, yeah! They're open twenty-four hours a day now!

Okay, but still, who eats ramen for breakfast?

I could eat it breakfast, lunch, and dinner! I think half my body's mad of ramen by now!

[chuckle]

Is it the garlic?

Oh, here...

Have one'a these.

Oh!

I love this gum! This sure brings back memories!

I'll see ya.

Is it work?

Yeah, just a little.

Hey, don't just sit round eating ramen. Be productive.

Well, someone somewhere always comes along with some annoying mission for me...

I've worked for six months straight.

This is the most important time in your whole life.

Yeah, I know, I know... but, y'know...

No buts!

Everybody recognizes your ability now. Do as many missions as you can so they say,

"I gotta have Naruto on the job."

If you thing that they'll approve you just because you're a war hero, think again.

Yeah, yeah.

Look Naruto!

Huh?

You are going to become the Hokage. Don't ever forget that.

Of course! 'Cause I never go back on my word. That's my Ninja Way.

"Our" ninja Way, right?

Yeah.

(Shikamaru) Naruto...

Always stay just the way you are.

After all, that's the reason why I'm here.

Well, alright guys...

Guess it's time to go to work.

You'll surely be able to deceive the enemy's eyes with this ruse.

If we just kill the lookouts, it'll be, like, easy to get past the checkpoint!

If we were to do that, and the Leaf's involvement were discovered...

...it would mean big trouble. Don't underestimate the enemy.

If we stay too long, we'll just like, increase the chances of the enemy finding us.

Next time on Naruto Shippuden: "Shikamaru's Story,

A Cloud Drifting in the Silent Dark, Part 2; Dark Clouds,"

Soku, trust me.