Original subtitles

(Gengo) The minute that Sasuke returned to the village...

people stopped paying attention to you.

That doesn't matter. Do you believe something like that would bother me?

(Gengo) You might consider yourself a member of Team 7...

but I wonder if they think the same of you.

I won't fall for your cheap attempts to convince me. I'm...

Uh?

(Ro) Look there. That must be the inn where Lord Sai stopped.

That's right. And now, look slightly above it.

(Shikamaru) That's the only checkpoint leading into the village of Tobari.

Unless we're able to find a way past it, we can't get into the village.

Hmm?

Yeah, but still, are you sure this get-up is, like, really necessary?

It looks very becoming on you, Soku.

[sighs]

(Shikamaru) Look, I had to bend over backwards...

to get a coal vendor's traveling permit for this disguise.

If you have any better ideas about how to get past the checkpoint, let me know!

Rest assured. We will 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.

(Shikamaru) Besides, we think that Sai's entire team was taken down around here.

Don't underestimate the enemy.

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

All right, listen up, both of you.

Hmm?

Huh?

[clearing throat]

I think especially now, on this mission, it's crucial that all of us trust each other.

And trust really first begins, I'd say...

when teammates are genuinely able to believe in their comrades.

Did you get that out of, like, some weird book?

I think Lord Shikamaru is simply trying to do his utmost...

to behave like a good leader should.

(Shikamaru) Quit trying to analyze me! [groans] Forget it.

The point is that this mission requires teamwork.

Uh.

What're you doing?

Like, take a good look.

Silence Shinobi?

[grunts]

Soku! [grunts]

Don't take action by yourself!

I'm like, better at this sort of thing alone! [grunts]

[grunts]]

I got him!

(Shikamaru) [sighs] Oh, great.

You just ruined our disguise!

This situation's taken a problematic turn.

Aw man, guess we're back to square one for our strategy.

[chatting]

What can I get you?

Could I just have some water, please?

Sure. Help yourself.

Hmm?

Well, anyway.

I heard that the checkpoint to get into Tobari is right around here somewhere.

Is that true?

I've got nothing to say to outsiders.

Hmm?

(Shikamaru) The "demon killer," huh?

(Merchant) Oh! You know the game, do you?

I do. Mind if I play?

(Merchant) What good luck, finding an opponent in these remote parts!

You're a welcome sight indeed!

So does that mean you're traveling alone?

I've come here to Tobari because I need to hire a shinobi.

But they're busy checking into my background and what not.

So, I've had to wait here.

Village of Tobari, huh?

I've actually been hoping that I could do some business there myself.

Well, be warned, going in and out of there is a real hassle.

(Merchant) Unless you have this pass, it's practically impossible.

(Shikamaru) Ah, you got me!

Didn't expect that move! [chuckles]

(Merchant) It was my only chance to play that.

(Shikamaru) By the way...

why did you end up choosing the Land of Silence?

There are other lands that would be able to accept shinobi requests.

Well, first of all, it's the price.

I don't care who does the work itself...

whether it's the Silence or the Hidden Leaf or anyone for that matter!

(Merchant) After all, shinobi are dispensable.

They're merely tools you use and then discard.

[grunts] Please excuse me!

Huh?

Are you trying to sabotage our strategy?

It's all because we let guys like that say whatever they want that...

like, shinobi are always looked down upon!

Even so, that's no reason to kill him.

I only wanted to shake him up a little bit, that's all!

For all your talk, you're, like, the one who doesn't trust us!

Then start acting with more caution and discretion!

[grunts]

There something you want to say?

You bet there is! There's no way I'm gonna mess up a mission by being, like, overcautious!

[groans] That girl.

Do you think she's acting unusually rash?

It's my conviction, that perhaps more than anyone else...

Soku fears the peace that's being established in the world.

(Ro) She worries it will spell the end of shinobi.

I presume she's determined to make this mission a success...

to prove the value of shinobi to the world.

So much blood was shed to achieve this peace, which we've sought for so long.

And frankly, it's ridiculous that some people can't stomach it.

(Ro) Lord Shikamaru...

you proved your mettle and worth as a shinobi in the Fourth Great Ninja War.

Soku never had a chance to do so.

Such is the sorrow of the generation that came too late.

I see. And so what about you, Ro?

You have a lot of experience in combat, don't you?

All I did was manage to stay alive somehow.

(Silence Shinobi) All right! No one move!

Hmm?

(Silence Shinobi) We're here to confirm your identities.

Until we do, you won't be allowed to leave the building!

Hey!

[gasps]

What happened?

The shinobi we left in the ravine must've like, been discovered.

[grunts] They moved faster than I thought they would. Huh?

(Merchant) I'm not doing anything!

No, don't! We can't afford to make a scene now.

Then what are we supposed to do?

I don't know yet! I'm thinking!

(Ro) You two.

[grunts]

We have a visitor.

Back off!

Just what do you think you're doing?

(Ro) We owe you our lives.

(Komori) There's no need to thank me!

I have plenty of reasons to hate those guys from Tobari on my own!

They're always barging in, acting arrogant.

My name's Komori, by the way. Nice to meet you.

Uh, yeah, well we're, uh...

Look, you don't have to tell me anything you don't want to.

I mean, I'm sure that everyone has a thing or two they'd like to keep hidden, am I right?

Hmm.

Komori, we're looking to get into the Village of Tobari.

Do you know of any way to get past the checkpoint?

That's gonna be a tough one. But why do you even want to go there, anyway?

We just have some business there.

Shh! Someone's here!

[squeaking]

Oh, man, it's just a mouse! Don't scare me like that!

(Shikamaru) Hey! Hold on!

What don't you understand about waiting until we can find a way to get through the checkpoint?

Like, if we take too much time, we could lose our chance to kill Gengo!

But it's too dangerous for you to go alone.

You're absolutely not to act on your own!

Look, the only thing that I wanna do is, like, prove my abilities!

And I refuse to be held back by some stupid rules!

Enough, Soku, grow up! This isn't some kind of game that we're playing here, you know!

What a drag.

What's that?

Sometimes I think that I'd have more freedom if I lived in the Land of Silence.

You mustn't make such reckless statements.

Wait a minute. You're not getting any weird ideas about deserting the Village, are you?

'Cause that's a serious crime.

Rogue Ninja are hunted to the ends of the earth...

and are always punished to the furthest extent of shinobi law.

(Shikamaru) You are aware of that, right?

[grunts]

Lord Shikamaru, I don't think that she's serious. Isn't that right, Soku?

Like I care!

Hey, we aren't done talking yet!

[chatting]

[sighs]

(Komori) Hey.

Huh?

Something put you in a bad mood?

Like, it's none of your business, okay?

I may not know exactly what happened, but don't just give up 'cause you're discouraged.

Look at me. I'm forced to take on a menial job like this one.

But still someday, I'm gonna have a big inn of my own!

Yeah like, nobody asked you.

(Shikamaru) [grunts] That kid.

I hope she actually knows what she's supposed to be doing here.

I'm certain there's no need to worry about Soku.

All I want is like, to make my power be useful.

So, you're a shinobi, then?

Yeah, but it's a secret.

Right, sure, I understand.

Everyone in my village has gotten used to peace and because of that, they're too timid.

So, like, at this rate, I should've just gone to the Land of Silence.

But surely you're not really thinking of deserting your village, right?

I mean, isn't that a serious crime?

Like, yeah, I know it is.

[sighs]

But this talk has made me feel better. I oughta, like, be getting back.

Okay.

Actually, how about I come along with you?

You really don't have to do this, you know.

Eh, I'm used to getting yelled at around here. So, I'm really good at apologizing!

[chuckles]

(Shikamaru) Ro, you saw that look in her eyes, didn't you?

(Ro) You're over thinking things.

Listen, if Soku truly is serious about deserting the village...

then we're just going to have to silence her. Can you do it?

Hmm.

Well, could you do it or not?

Desertion is a serious crime. So if we were to learn that Soku really means to...

(Ro) then I shall not falter.

[grunts]

[gasps]

I knew it! Like, I don't consider them comrades or anything anymore!

Hey, wait!

Soku.

I guess I don't really have a place where I belong now.

What if, I told you there was a safe route to the checkpoint...

and you could make it there without being discovered?

Would you be willing to risk it?

(Komori) It's the long way around, but if you follow the river...

you can reach the checkpoint without being seen.

(Shikamaru) Hey!

[gasps]

What are you doing lurking around here?

Oh, I was, uh, looking for the mouse that got away before.

Have you seen Soku around?

Uh, no, I haven't seen anything at all!

What is going on here?

[grunts]

(Shikamaru) Hey!

Uh.

Answer me again, but look me in the eye!

(Shikamaru) Where's Soku?

I said that I don't know!

Hold on, Is she heading for the checkpoint? Did she desert us?

That's it, isn't it?

Uh.

That's inconceivable! Soku would never desert the village!

To find out for sure, we're going to have to catch Soku and ask her directly.

[sighs]

(Silence Shinobi) Stop there!

All right, just who are you?

I deserted my village!

I want my skills to be of use here, for this land!

[grunts]

[grunts]

[sighs/grunts]

[gasps]/grunts]

If you interfere, we'll kill you!

Seriously, a Rogue Ninja? A kid like you?

Like, your age doesn't matter. It's your ability that means everything.

Well now, at least you can talk the talk!

What the?

[gasps]

Next time I fire, it won't just be your leg.

Uh, look, don't be offended.

It's just that lately, we've had a whole lot of rats sniffing around this place.

Just recently, in fact.

That's right.

(Silence Shinobi) An ANBU from the Leaf.

Hmm.

So do you mean it? At your age, you really want to desert your village?

I'm just sick of their ridiculous, old-fashioned rules.

And, like, with my skills, you won't regret taking me on.

All right, then! Great! I like you already!

And as for skills, you do have an interesting technique.

[grunting]

(Silence Captain) It's funny, though.

Two of my men on reconnaissance were killed recently.

Your technique inflicts the same kind of wound that took them down.

I wonder how that might have happened?

Would you care to explain?

Things aren't looking too good for you, are they...

(Silence Captain) Young lady.

(Komori) She's okay!

[gasps]

(Soku) Komori?

I'm sorry I couldn't say anything.

But I had to test you in order to make sure we could trust you.

Hmph. After she took down two of our comrades? How could we?

They attacked out of nowhere. I had no choice.

Anyway, I got into a fight with my teammates, so I've made up my mind to leave my Village.

It's true. I've been watching her all this time, Captain.

She really did split from her group.

Yeah, well, it still seems kind of fishy.

If you don't believe me, I don't mind if we, like, fight it out, right here and now.

(Shikamaru) There you are, Soku!

[grunts] So, Komori, you were pulling the strings this whole time, huh?

I gotta say, you guys are pretty quick. But still, take a good look around.

(Komori) There's no way you can win!

Listen, you understand the gravity of this, right? Deserting's a serious crime.

(Shikamaru) Hand her over to us right now.

You interfere, and I won't hold back!

What's it gonna be? Will you turn her over?

[chuckles]

How interesting.

This is your chance to prove what you told us. Show us you're serious!

[grunts]

[grunts]

[grunts]

[grunts]

I'll help you, Soku!

I don't need your help! This is my problem to take care of!

[grunts]

Lord Shikamaru, I implore you! Think this over!

Soku has her reasons for doing this. Don't be reckless!

Are you going to betray me now, too?

Uh, you misunderstand!

[grunts] I'll just have to take care of you first!

[gasps]

[grunting] Lord Shikamaru!

The two of you, working together? [gasps]

[grunting]

Soku.

How could you?

[heavy breathing]

[grunts]

[grunts]

[grunts]

[heavy breathing]

(Silence Captain) Nicely done!

I don't sense any chakra. He's dead.

You did it, Soku!

I think that you'll be very useful to us. Come!

All right! That's it! You're pretty much one of us now.

I mean, you'll have to go through some rounds of questioning and stuff...

but you'll be released soon.

In exchange for the intel you have, you'll be- [grunts]

Like, I'm gonna need you to go to sleep for a little while.

[grunting] Damn it, that was tougher than I expected it to be!

I thought it went quite well.

I know that Soku said that she'd make it appear that we'd died when she attacked us.

But still, that hurt a lot.

We owe that boy a debt of thanks, too.

Oh man, it's just a mouse!

(Ro) At that time, I used my chakra abilities to fake the presence of a shinobi.

Yeah, and his unexpected reaction was our lucky break.

An ordinary kid wouldn't have responded to chakra like that.

And then he performed exactly as we predicted he would.

(Ro) But what Soku was bemoaning.

She truly meant half of what she said...

Perhaps you weren't aware of the extent of the risk.

If she'd actually been serious about fighting us...

she could've killed us both any time she wanted.

You know, the thing about trust is...

you have to believe in your comrades first, just like I told you guys before.

(Ro) As I expected of you.

(Shikamaru) [chuckles] Don't tell Soku, okay? It'll just go to her head.

I like, heard everything.

[gasps]

Your logic's, like, totally naïve, Shikamaru.

What are you talking about? Don't tell me you actually meant to hurt me back there?

If you want, I can, like, try it again.

Uh well, maybe some other time.

Anyway, how'd it go?

(Soku) I kept the lock open. As long as we go quickly, no one will notice.

Just perfect.

Hmm.

(Soku) About Gengo, we have like, nothing on him.

And no one knows anything about the inside of the castle.

(Ro) It seems the man known as Gengo rarely appears in front of others.

(Shikamaru) Did you hear anything about Sai?

(Soku) No. Nothing at all!

(Shikamaru) Well, it seems this Gengo is a very cautious man.

Next time on Naruto Shippuden:

"Shikamaru's Story, A Cloud Drifting in the Silent Dark, Part 3: Recklessness."

Let's expose this guy for what he really is!