Anna Karenina

I heard that Sumire's assignment

to the Scientific Ninja Tools Team has been finalized?

Yeah.

It was on hold, up until now.

Wait, I thought the Scientific Ninja Tools Team was shut down?

Mr. Katasuke's been on suspension since that incident.

SCIENTIFIC NINJA TOOL RESEARCH LAB The lab was also closed.

But I heard a new research facility is being built

under the Hokage's supervision.

A new building?

Yeah.

LEAF CONSTRUCTION Seems they are building a larger facility,

so they can ramp up research of Scientific Ninja Tools.

I heard it's located on the outskirts of the Land of Fire.

We won't be able to see Sumire as often anymore, huh?

Hey, don't be sad.

That's right!

Ta-dah!

I made it. What do you think?

FAREWELL PARTY FOR SUMIRE KAKEI It's an invitation for a farewell party.

Let's invite our classmates from the Academy and celebrate!

Oh! This is great!

Sumire is totally gonna be surprised.

That's right.

No use in feeling down.

This is something Sumire really wants to do.

Let's give her a proper sendoff!

Yeah!

Okay. Let's get going, Namida.

We don't want to keep Hanabi Sensei waiting.

Oh, that's right! See you!

It's really tough to lose a member of your team, huh?

I know.

I wonder what Hanabi Sensei wants to talk to us about?

It's probably about a new team member.

You're probably right.

Wasabi, in front of you!

Whoa!

Wasabi, are you okay?

Ouch…

That's dangerous!

I thought that a shinobi like you would be able to dodge that easily.

What?

Are the shinobi of this village… good for nothing?

Why you—!

What are you implying?! Hey!

Who the hell was that?

The Samurai Exchange Student

The Samurai Exchange Student Regarding Sumire's replacement…

The Samurai Exchange Student Are you sure this kid is going to be okay?

Yeah. Don't worry about it.

A samurai from the Land of Iron, huh?

Anyway, mixing in samurai with shinobi is new.

In this age, it shouldn't matter whether you're a shinobi or a samurai.

Well, it's highly experimental.

But something only you would think of.

Oh?

What is it?

She's the last pupil of Mifune, the leader of the samurai?

Looks like we've got a troublesome one on our hands.

I guess.

– Hanabi Sensei! – Hanabi Sensei!

You're late!

– I'm sorry! – I'm sorry!

I knew it. So, you are good for nothing.

She's the one from…earlier!

Oh, you know each other?

That speeds things up.

This is Tsubaki Kurogane who'll be joining our team starting today.

What? Her?!

This is Wasabi and Namida of Team 15.

And I'm Hanabi the captain.

Pleased to meet you.

She's an exchange student from the Land of Iron.

It's her first time in Leaf Village.

Please be nice to her.

Tsubaki, are you a samurai?

A non-shinobi is joining our team?

That's right. This was decided by the higher-ups.

Also, Tsubaki, now that you've joined Team 15,

you'll need to abide by the Shinobi Rules.

That being said, since Tsubaki's just arrived in the village…

Wasabi and Namida, show her around the Leaf Village

and foster some teamwork today.

Yes!

Why do I have to?

Wasabi!

Okay!

Sorry, I need to go on a mission.

Are you investigating dangerous criminals in the Bingo Book?

Please be careful, okay?

Thank you. I'm counting on you all.

Tsubaki, is this all right?

Yes!

Where do you want to go, Tsubaki?

You haven't eaten lunch yet, right?

I'm fine, thank you.

Let me say one thing.

I'm only here because I was ordered to, by my superiors.

I will be returning home once my term is up.

So, please rest assured.

What?

Does that mean you don't care about anything?

What I mean is…

there's nothing I need to learn from the shinobi of this village.

Hey, you guys…

Oh, I see.

You seem very confident.

Let's test how good your skills are, right here.

Ninja Art: Cat Cloak!

Hey, you two!

Let's stop this.

If I had drawn my sword, you'd already be dead.

The match was settled as soon as you positioned yourself in front of me.

Seems samurai are just talk.

What business does she have here in the village anyway?

Wait, Wasabi!

The higher-ups just don't realize it.

Shinobi lack the steadfast conviction that samurai possess.

I'll prove it to them.

FAREWELL PARTY INVITATION What this?

It's an invitation to Sumire's farewell party.

You're all coming, right?

Oh right!

Her assignment was finalized.

That leaves Team 15 in a tough spot.

What are they going to do?

It seems they've decided on a new team member.

I heard that it's an exchange student from the Land of Iron.

You mean, a samurai?

Land of Iron? Samurai?

What's that again?

– What?! – We learned about them in class!

It's a land with its own unique set of traditions and culture.

They use kenjutsu, the art of the sword.

Kenjutsu?

That's the one that the guys from the Hidden Mist are good at, right?

Yeah.

But unlike shinobi,

samurai are said to focus all of their chakra into their swords.

Does that mean they're strong?

I wonder about that.

Their land is located deep in the mountains

and they rarely interact with other lands.

Their culture has remained the same over the years

and some say they're "behind the times" or "the time for samurai is over."

It's not over for samurai.

Hey, are you—?

Yeah.

This is Tsubaki, she just joined Team 15.

Deep in the mountains, huh?

So, samurai are just yokels…

Hey, Wasabi!

So superficial…

By being located in the mountains,

the Land of Iron is protected by a natural fortress.

Seems you can't even figure that much out.

It seems that shinobi have grown complacent due to peace.

What?!

Hey, don't get so upset.

Aren't you hungry? Here, eat this.

French fries!

No, thank you.

Hey!

Did you just refuse my friendship fries?

That's a very rude thing to do, you know!

Well, um… She just got here and isn't used to things.

How deplorable.

Huh?