01x02 - The Akatsuki Makes Its Move

[bunniefuu]

It's been a long time, you two.

I'm sure your training produced
good results, right?

Do you think we came back
without making progress?

It went perfectly!

Then show me
those results immediately.

Show you...?

You will take on a particular man.

I didn't send him on any missions
for the past several days

and had him stand by
for this very purpose.

Your opponent will be...

Come in!

Hello.

Shikamaru! Temari!
Look who's here!

Naruto.

Hey! That is you isn't it, Naruto!

Shikamaru!

This is...that little shrimp...?

So you're back?

Yeah, I got back this morning.

You don't look
as stupid as before...

I mean, hey, have you changed?

No, he hasn't.

Oh...I thought so.

Sakura.

Then, does this mean
you're my opponent, Shikamaru?

Opponent? What do you mean?

I just came to deliver
some documents.

Huh? You're not
my opponent, Shikamaru?

Then...?

Who're you again?

You don't remember me?

Naruto, that's not your opponent.

He's out there.

You sure got tall...Naruto.

Yo!

Kakashi Sensei!

The Akatsuki Makes Its Move



Sensei, you haven't changed one bit!

Oh yeah.

Listen, listen...
I've got a present for you, Sensei.

This is sure a nostalgic sight.

Yes, it is...

What?!

You got me... Th-This is...

This is the first new title in
the Make-Out series in three years!

I think it's totally boring,

but you like this stuff,
don't you, Sensei?!

That idiot...No way could
a kid understand the appeal.

And on top of that,

it's a very rare item that hasn't
even been released yet...

All right! That's enough fun
for now, Kakashi.

Don't tell me...
Are you my opponent...?

Hmm, not quite...

Gee, it's been a while
since I saw you too, Sakura.

Yes, it has, Kakashi Sensei.

My opponent will be...

Naruto...and Sakura,
the both of you!

Kakashi Sensei's our opponent...

I want to see what you
can do against Kakashi...

I will determine your status
in the future based on the results.

Status, eh?

Sakura, show me that

you weren't just wasting
your time training under me.

Yes, ma'am!

Then, shall we get right to it?

That's what I'd like to say.

But since you just got back Naruto,
you must be tired.

I'll give you a short rest.

I'm not particularly tired
or anything!

Let's meet up at
the Third Training Grounds later.

See ya.

Why's he in such a hurry?

I have a pretty good idea...

He's going to read his book.

Oh!

With that look he had,
there's no doubt about it.

That's the obvious reaction

after getting an unreleased copy
of one of my books.

That Kakashi Sensei.

Is that stupid book
more important to him

than the results of our training?

Well, now we can discuss our strategy
against Kakashi Sensei.

So, are you guys on a date?

It's not like that.

Heh! Cut out the jokes.

Why would I be on
a date with this guy?

It's almost time for
the Chunin Exams.

I've just been going back and forth
between the Sand and the Leaf

for meetings concerning the Exams.

And although it's a pain,

I've been put in charge
of the Exams...

I've just been told to act as
a guide for the Sand messenger.

Chunin Exams, huh...?

That sure takes me back...

Oh...

So what're you going to do, Naruto?

About what?

About the Chunin Exams.

You're the only one from our class
who hasn't become a Chunin.

What?!

Th-Then, you're also a Chunin, Sakura?

Heh-heh...That's right.

And just for the record,
Kankuro, this person here,

and Neji who's one grade above us
are already Jonin.

Huh?!

Then what about Gaara?!

Lord Kazekage...

The meeting is about to begin.

Okay.

I see...

So Gaara became the Kazekage, huh...?

That's awesome...

I won't be outdone!

I'll become the Hokage,
no matter what!

Just you wait, Gaara!

I guess...
he has matured a little, after all.

What do you think?!
Pretty good, huh...?

It is my finest work.

I leave Naruto in your care
as promised...

It'd be nice if he's grown
at least a little.

Heh... You'd think I've slipped up?

You'll get beaten out
if you get careless.

Well, that's encouraging to hear.

And their actions are
gaining momentum.

Over the past several years,

the strength of our village
has stabilized,

and relations with the Hidden Villages
in each allied land have prospered.

In particular,
we have achieved good results

in our development of recruits
with the curriculum incorporating...

the training program
from the Leaf Village.

The Chunin Exams are almost here.
I look forward to the results.

However... at this time,
with the Chunin Exams upon us,

there is a nasty rumor
going around...

What is it, Yura?

Have you heard of the organization
called the "Akatsuki"?

I see... So they're finally
making their move.

It's something we were expecting
to a degree, though.

The Akatsuki, huh...?

The Akatsuki is a mysterious organization
composed of a dozen or so Shinobi.

The members of the organization
are vicious S-Rank criminals

all listed in the Bingo Book.

Of those identified...

there is Itachi Uchiha from
the Village Hidden in the Leaves

who drove his own clan
to annihilation in one night.

There is Kisame Hoshigaki

who was once a member of
the Seven Ninja Swords Men of the Mist.

He was known as
the phantom of the Mist.

And there is Orochimaru

who once plotted the destruction
of the Leaf...

and assassinated
the previous Kazekage.

It is said he used to be
a member of this organization.

Why have they started taking
such dramatic action?

What's their goal?

That's beyond me at this point...
What I do know...

is that they're after
what's inside Naruto.

And...that they've got something evil
in mind.

I passed on this information

to those in charge of security
for each land.

I sure hope they tighten up
their security immediately.

I see... I'd heard the rumors...

So the organization in question
is finally taking action...

The source of the information
is Lord Jiraiya,

one of the legendary Sannin.

So prior to the meeting,

I took the liberty of issuing an order
to increase Village security.

Anbu Black Ops masters
have already been stationed

at key points around the village.

No matter how powerful
the Shinobi may be,

they will not be able
to infiltrate by force.

I hear the members of the Akatsuki
wear black clothing

in addition to capes with
a red cloud pattern on them.

I ordered security to attack
with full force

should they see someone
fitting that description.

Now then...
the meeting is adjourned.

Well done, Yura.

I never thought you'd take action
so quickly.

I have also served as
a superior for four years.

It is my intention...

to always make decisions
while considering...

what's in the best interest...
of the...village.

SEAL

What's the matter?

Nothing... It's nothing at all...

I just haven't slept much...

I see...You need to take care
of yourself.

Thank you for your concern.

I see... That's right...

I see. So we have to deal
with this one,

then go after the guy
we sent to Orochimaru, huh?

It seems he turned traitor
and leaked information about us.

It can't be helped.

Even I don't know what happens
after the Jutsu is cast.

More importantly,
will just that bag be enough?

Our opponent will be
using the Jinchuriki.

All of my Jutsu are works of art.

And I made sure to
bring my specialty.

After all, our opponent
is the One-Tailed.

Third Training Grounds

Is Kakashi Sensei
going to make us wait forever?!

Well, he's always been like this.

Geez, it'd be nice if he'd show
a little improvement.

Oh, sorry about that.

As it happens, I ran into an old woman
in trouble on my way here and...

- Okay! That's a lie!
- Okay! That's a lie!

This place...
kind of takes me back.

Your task for today is

to take these bells away from me
by this afternoon.

Those unable to get a bell
will get no lunch.

What?!

You'll be tied to those posts and

then I'll eat your lunch right
in front of you.

Oh, come to think of it,

this was your first Training Ground,
wasn't it?

Squad Seven...

The Three-Man Squad, huh...?

We had Sasuke with us...
back then, didn't we?

Don't go!

If you do, I'll scream...!

Sakura.

Thanks.

Sasuke.

Sasuke!

Yo, goofball.

Sasuke's name is
off limits for these guys...

Well... Let's see how much
you've grown.

You haven't given up
on Sasuke, have you?

Absolutely not!

That's why I continued my training!

The rules are the same
as when we first met.

I don't care how you do it.
Just take a bell away from me.

- If you don't...
- "come at me with the intent to k*ll,"

"we won't be able to get the bells", right?

You can use Shuriken
if you want.

If you don't come at me
with the intent to k*ll,

you won't be able to get the bells.

Exactly.

If you don't come at me
with the intent to k*ll,

you won't be able to get the bells.

You have until sunrise tomorrow.

Now then, shall we begin?

You're not going to do it

while reading your book
this time around, Kakashi Sensei?

Or have you already
finished reading?

Nope... I thought I'd save
the fun for later...

Besides...

Well, I kind of get the feeling...

I may have to...

get a bit serious this time around.

What's that...?

Black clothing and
a red cloud pattern.

Don't tell me...

Is that...?

Contact Captain Yura immediately!

Captain Yura!

Some guys from the organization
in question have shown up.

I know.

You don't need to worry...
It'll be over soon.

Good work, Yura.

Do you remember me?

Yes, Lord Sasori!

Let's go!

The time to unveil
my newest work has come.

It's been three years
since my previous masterpiece,

"Make-Out Violence."

You'll forget about time, forget to breathe,
and forget yourself with this,

a masterpiece filled with soul.

Pre-orders for "Make-Out Tactics"

are now being accepted
at the Leaf Shuueidou.

Buy it now, everyone! Okay?

Stop advertising your book here!

Next time:
"The Results of Training"