Naruto (ナルト)

Kakashi Sensei, where's Sasuke?

-Kakashi, what's Naruto Uzumaki's condition?

He'll pull through.

-And Sasuke, Sasuke Uchiha, what about him?

What happened?

How are the other genin?

All right.

Lady Hokage dispatched the first and second medical corps

to pick them up.

Emergency treatment was administered on the scene.

Then, they were all immediately transported to the hospital.

They were all wounded?

Yes.

Shikamaru Nara is doing fine, only minor injuries.

Kiba Inuzuka's are more serious, but not life threatening.

-However, Neji Hyuga and Choji Akimichi

are both in critical condition.

At this point, they could go either way.

Everyone--

-It's all here, thoroughly researched.

The medications, their effects and ingredients-- this

is excellent.

I'm going to need more of the deer antler.

Yes, m'lady.

Well sis, how is he?

-Well, no long walks for him anytime soon, that's for sure.

Can't you do anything for him?

You're a vet.

Not a magician, it takes time.

But relax, his life's not in danger.

No long walks for you anytime soon, either.

I got it.

Don't worry.

-We've been at it almost three hours.

Your turn to take over.

OK.

We're using the boy's own hair as a conductor,

so focus on that.

Try to accelerate the growth rate of the injured cells.

Right.

-As for the chakra control, just think of threading a needle.

Yes, I understand.

-No point in making yourself crazy, you know.

Don't you remember your psychological training?

With every mission comes sacrifice.

Training and reality are two different things.

I thought I knew about missions.

I thought I knew what it meant to be a shinobi.

Now after this mission, my first as a squad leader,

only one thing's clear.

I'm just not cut out to be a shinobi.

-Honestly, all you men with such fragile egos.

-This mission, I thought all I had to do

was depend on everybody else.

Some leader-- I should have done more,

but I didn't have the strength.

It's all my fault.

-What, are you afraid you might get hurt?

-Shikamaru, a girl disrespects you like that,

and you just walk away?

You bet I do.

Standing around arguing is not my thing.

That's something girls like to do.

And what are you?

Not a man, that's for sure.

As far I can see, you're nothing but a coward.

You think if you quit, the missions will stop?

Someone's got to do it.

Your comrades will be sent out again, on other missions,

with someone else leading them.

They'll face the same risks, and some of them

might not make it-- ones you might

have saved if you'd been there to lead them.

How are you going to feel then?

You've got a chance to reflect on your mistakes

and to learn from them.

Use your failures to make yourself a better leader.

You won't help your friends by running away.

Instead, you should be trying to make yourself stronger,

for their sake, so that the next mission goes perfectly

and everyone gets back safe.

The choice is simple.

You're either a leader or a coward.

So, which are you?

He's going to be just fine.

The antidote worked.

The extermination of cells caused by the pill's affects

has been arrested.

-I couldn't have done it without your help, Shikaku.

The Nara clan's sacred medicine guide was invaluable.

The work that went into that manual, the years of research--

well, it's quite impressive, to say the least.

Thank you.

Lady Tsunade--

Huh?

Neji Hyuga is safe.

His condition has stabilized.

And there's more.

I've just heard that Kakashi Hatake and Naruto Uzumaki have

returned, and they've been examined.

Naruto's injuries are serious, but not life threatening.

He's going to be OK.

-Just two-- Shikamaru, your mission was a failure.

However, everyone's alive.

That's the most important thing.

-Next time, the mission will go perfectly.

Sasuke, you are the chosen one.

Yeah, yeah, whatever.

When are you going to give me the power?

-A word of advice, watch what you

say if you want to live long.

Don't let his physical appearance fool you.

That's still Lord Orochimaru you're talking to you.

Ah, the-- the intensity of his chakra.

Yes, he's the one.

My future lies in him.

-Now, I'm going to where Orochimaru is.

Just bring him home.

Please bring Sasuke back to me.

Don't you worry one bit.

I'm going to bring Sasuke back.

I promise that on my life, Sakura.

-Well, well, so you're awake, huh?

Shikamaru!

-I was going to go check in on Choji and see how he's doing.

How about you?

-I just thought I'd look in on Naruto and Sasuke,

if he's there.

I see.

Well, at least everybody's OK.

That's good.

So, so Sasuke's--

Yeah, he's gone.

Oh.

-So, they're still not letting anyone in to see him?

-No, but they say he'll be regaining consciousness

soon enough.

He'll be all right.

Ah, thank goodness.

-It was a fortunate day for this village when

Lady Tsunade agreed to come back.

If it weren't for her, Choji would have--

Lady Tsunade, the fifth Hokage.

Here for a visit?

Oh--

News travels fast, I see.

Huh?

Sakura--

Naruto--

-I had heard that your injuries were pretty serious.

You seem to be doing well, considering.

I'm sorry, Sakura.

Uh, hm, sorry?

What have you got to be sorry about?

-Let me guess, you got reckless and went off half-cocked again,

huh?

Look at you now.

You look like a mummy.

I'm so sorry.

-Hey, why do you have the curtains closed?

It's a beautiful day outside.

See?

I haven't given up.

Listen, I'm still going to keep my promise.

After all, it was the promise of a lifetime, right?

I meant It.

It's OK, Naruto.

Really--

He tried, Sakura.

-If I say I'm going to do it, that means I will.

OK?

Don't forget, my way of the shinobi

means I always stand behind what I say.

Hm.