Here you go!
Miso-flavored pork bone stock with roast pork...
The two thick slices of roast pork are on me.
Thank you!
Just what I've been waiting for.
Oh... It's hot!
Be careful. Our ramen noodles stay hot till the end.
It's just not easy eating with my left hand.
But this kind of makes me happy.
Huh?
I feel like you and I are getting closer to Sasuke.
Here, lend me those chopsticks.
D-Don't tell me, Sakura... You're going to feed me...?
Oh!
Say ahh...!
This isn't the part for you to butt in!
What...?!
Yo...
Not "What"!
Huh...?!
What's going on?
Just when Sakura was about to feed me!
When a friend is in trouble, you must help him.
That's what a true friend does according to this book...
Never mind reading books like that. Just read the situation, will you?
How can I read something that I cannot see?
You're such a pain!
What's with all this noise?
Kakashi Sensei!
Naruto can't eat with his right hand...
and we're having a little disagreement over who's going to feed him.
Here, eat!
So in the end, it's Kakashi Sensei?!
By the way, Kakashi Sensei, I'm surprised that you aren't in the hospital after a huge mission like that.
So is that how people perceive me nowadays...?
What a shock...
Well, this time, I didn't need to use my Mangekyo Sharingan, you see.
If you all hadn't arrived in time, I would have used it again for sure.
Sorry... we're late.
Then, just as you imagined, I'd probably be lying in bed now.
Naruto... You have definitely gotten stronger.
You're equal to me, or even stronger...
But keep in mind that the greater the Jutsu you use, the greater the risk to you.
Yeah...
Kakashi... This new Jutsu... the Wind Style: Rasen-Shuriken.
Forbid Naruto from using it again.
If he continues using this new Jutsu, Naruto will lose his ability to mold Chakra.
If the cells are disconnected from the body's Chakra Network, even my medical skills won't cure him.
Be certain to emphasize that to Naruto.
Naruto...
That new Jutsu of yours...
Kakashi Sensei...
I know myself best!
I'm going to be the Hokage one day, you know.
I'm really powerful, so there's nothing to worry about!
I shouldn't have bothered worrying about him.
I guess these should be the members of the search team.
Isn't Kakashi here yet?
He's been notified.
He must be having a hard time with Naruto.
I wonder if Kakashi will be able to talk him into it.
We'd better put a guard on him for a while.
He's sure to start training on that new Jutsu.
But if he does that, he'll never be able to build up his Chakra again...
Yes. If that happens, his career as a Shinobi will be over.
Now, I can't ignore that.
Yo! It's been a while...
Weren't you investigating the Akatsuki Organization?
I stopped by because I was a little worried.
Tell me the details on what you said just now.
Thanks for the ramen, Pops!
Give Kakashi Sensei the bill!
What?!
Thanks...!
Thank you.
Wait, what...?
So, you've finally learned to do the Shadow Clone...
What...? What's going on?
Then...let me see how much you've improved.
- Here I come, Big Bro Naruto. - Here I come, Big Bro Naruto.
- Sexy Two-girl Jutsu! - Sexy Two-girl Jutsu!
Whoa...! So that's your new move?!
What do you think, big brother?!
The two girls are...
Are you all right, Konohamaru?!
Hey, Moegi, what are you doing?
What are you doing in front of us ladies...?!
This is like déjà vu...
You two!
This isn't what you always do when you get together, is it?
W-Well, this Jutsu makes a good diversionary tactic...
Besides, you could say this is a serious competition between the two of us.
You two shouldn't be escalating things like this.
You two are the only ones who would fall for a Jutsu like this!
You guys seem to be having fun, as usual.
Oh! It's the Pervy Sage!
Here's another one that would fall for it...
Oh... You're looking better than I expected, Naruto!
Oh, well this is nothing.
Idiot! The bones haven't healed yet!
You haven't changed at all.
Tsunade told me about it.
You've perfected the Wind Style: Rasen-Shuriken...
Well done!
It's no good...
Huh? What do you mean?
You have accomplished a feat not even the Fourth Hokage was able to.
Have more confidence in yourself.
If this is the result, then it's no good.
I mastered an Instant Kill Jutsu.
But... but... it's pointless if I'm only going to waste my Chakra on top of getting injured!
I see...
This isn't a Jutsu that can be used over and over.
I have to learn a couple Jutsu that use less Chakra, but are effective.
Is that what you were worrying about?
In that case, all you have to do is train some more.
At your current level, there are sure to be other Jutsu that you can master.
What do you say?
Will you come with me on another journey to gather writing material?
I'm asking you if you have the will to train with me once more.
Yeah! Take me with you!
All right. Then we'll leave at once!
Where are we going?
First, we must heal that arm!
Shall we visit a hot spring?
What do you mean, "hot spring"?!
I can see exactly where your thoughts are headed, you Pervy Sage!
But I found a spa with mixed bathing that's good for healing broken bones...
See, that is your motive, after all!
Yes, well that's too bad. Maybe I'll invite Sakura, then.
What?!
Yes, yes, I'll go. Wait for me!
Come on, take me with you.
I'm injured, you know... Don't leave me behind, Pervy Sage!
We're finally here! Pervy Sage, let's start training!
What're you saying? First, we wash off the dirt from our travels.
Healing your arm is also part of training.
The hot spring here is good for broken bones.
Besides...
Hot springs...are so much fun.
It's research... Research!
You haven't changed, Pervy Sage.
Weren't you nearly killed by Grandma Tsunade for peeking into the women's bath?
No!
The last time I came, I'm sure it was a mixed bath.
Weird...
Maybe they separated the bath because of guys like you?
Huh? Just what have you been learning from your teacher?
Why do you think I do these things?
'Cuz you're a pervert.
You idiot!
The research for the Make-Out series is a cover.
This is actually Ninja training to make oneself go unnoticed by women who are on guard.
Yeah, sure.
Ahem... anyway, being here at these hot springs is really to treat your broken bone.
Think of soaking in the bath as part of training.
Pervy Sage, hurry and train me...!
Geez... You're such an annoying kid!
Huh?
No need to worry about this now.
I've trained so that instead of... relying on Nine-Tail's power...
rather than use a power that hurts everyone...
I've trained to attain the power to protect, but it's just not enough!
Pervy Sage, isn't there a long-distance type Jutsu that I can learn?
Talking as though he's a full-fledged Ninja...
Pervy Sage, do you think I've gotten a bit stronger at least?
What are you saying?
You're the same novice you were three years ago.
I see... I guess so...
If that's what being wise means, then I don't care if I'm a fool for the rest of my life.
Even without a teacher, I'll create some awesome Jutsu and rescue Sasuke, no matter what!
Tell me...have your feelings changed since three years ago?
I never take back my word. That's my Ninja Way!
Hmm, I guess so.
I was concerned about my friend, and what I gained from it was a sense of helplessness and regret.
Yet Naruto has lived with the same regret for three years without giving up
on his friend...
He has never forgotten Sasuke and has continued to train...
Earnest in his desire to bring Sasuke back home to Hidden Leaf Village.
Even if his own body is battered...
The idiot has matured in his idiot way. I'll acknowledge that.
Just a little bit.
Really?
But in order to bring him back, I've gotta get much stronger.
Maybe he can...
They say, "a place where someone still thinks of you, that's a place you can call home."
Yeah.
Oh, Senpai!
Over there... There's a dango shop!
Let's take a break.
We've been walking all day. I'm exhausted!
You don't look exhausted at all.
Why are you so easygoing?
But Senpai, we're trying to catch a Tailed Beast,
yet we don't even know where it is.
So let's just take it easy.
By the way, what are we going to catch again?
Three-Tails! Three-Tails!
One-Tail, Two-Tails...
And I'm Tobi! Duh!
Here's dango for you.
Wow! It looks yummy! Let's see...
Munch time!
Man, it's so good! This sauce is really good.
It's not too sweet, nor too salty. It's a masterpiece!
Ahh... It was great.
Oh, Senpai, Senpai. Look at that!
Huh?
That looks exactly like your work, doesn't it?
Could it be that your work is... a rip-off?
You...!
I'm going to kill you!
I can't move anymore...
Here!
Eat it!
Thanks.
I think we all have to acknowledge you.
What?
Gamatatsu, Gamakichi, Sakura, Tsunade...and I...
We all admit you've worked really hard.
I wonder what's pushing you forward.
Well, I never give up and I have guts!
Sasuke...
Hmm?
I wonder if Sasuke will...
acknowledge that about me...?
I hope he does...
What...?
I can't tell him about the Akatsuki...
Hey, all of you!
I have something to do, so I must leave.
Can you go back to the village and help with the rest of Naruto's training?
We'll take care of it!
I'll do it if you give me some snacks.
All right, all right. I'm counting on you!
Good luck, Naruto!
Work hard and truly become... the Hokage...
Naruto, good luck with your never-say-die spirit...
Is that the regular report?
Yeah...
A fog is forming.
According to the unit we're taking over for, it's apparently created by the Three-Tails.
It induces hallucinations, so be careful.
That's news to me, hmm...
You! That costume...
Dam--!
Humph...
Oh wow! Deidara Senpai, that was awesome!
That's the last of the lookouts.
Your info was way off.
"A force separate from the Leaf Ninja was engaged
in a vigorous clash over the Three-Tails."
Wasn't that what you said?
Well, that's how it was supposed to be... That's odd.
But oh well, it's good that we got rid of the ones in our way.
Let's make our quota right now while we have the chance!
You're a hundred years too young to be giving me orders, hmm...
H-H-Hey, Senpai!
Weren't you listening about the hallucinations?
Who do you think you're speaking to?
Don't underestimate my art.
Sheesh, he's got a short temper...
That's a huge lake to find the Three-Tails in.
It'd be faster if it appeared on its own.
Oh! On closer inspection, it looks something like a huge turtle.
A powerful one...
So that's the Three-Tails...
I think I'll leave it for you to handle, Deidara Senpai.
Tobi, you formally became a member of Akatsuki, right?
You take care of the rest, hmm!
No way...
It's coming!
If it's a water creature, shouldn't we have let Kisame handle it?!
I'd say they assigned the wrong person for the job!
Pitiful, I'd say.
Now!
What?! The Pervy Sage disappeared?!
Yeah, he asked me to give this to you.
Give it to me!
Please take care of snacks for Gamatatsu.
We're going back to our village. Pack up!
I did it! Banzai! Banzaai!
Deidara, did you see my Jutsu?! Just one time, and bam!
You can understand why I was given this important assignment
right after formally becoming a member of Akatsuki, can't you?!
No... It was probably my clay bomb doing its artistic work.
You have my artistry to thank, hmm.
Don't get so carried away that you forgot that I lent you a hand!
If you're a member of Akatsuki, don't talk so much and act more cool.
In other words, "cool = art"!
Listen, art is a passionate moment coming from cool emotions--!
Senpai, you talk a lot.
I was joking...!
What is it?
It's just that...
contact from the unit that headed for the lake is rather late, don't you think?
Let's file a report, just in case.
Listen, Tobi.
You shouldn't press your luck!
The Three-Tails was just weak because it didn't have a Jinchuriki host.
It didn't have a mind to control its power.
Hey, Tobi.
You don't have to be so cool as to stop talking altogether.
At least answer me...
Hmm?!
Oh that's the spot...
Oh my...
This is the perfect wake up for you, I'd say. You bastard!