Naruto Shippuden

Huh? Where'd that guy go?

Ready?

Yeah.

Then begin.

Painful Decision

If only Lady Tsunade would come out of her coma,

I know she would resolve the situation with Sasuke.

Sakura...

Excuse me.

Sai?

I need to speak to you.

Naruto did what?!

Yes.

In order to protect Sasuke.

He was bruised and battered all over.

You bastard.

Still, he refused to sell out Sasuke.

Not only that...

In order to prevent you from worrying,

he asked me to keep it quiet.

Naruto...

He's on his way to see the Raikage

and ask him to forgive Sasuke.

Why would he be so reckless?!

Wasn't Kakashi with him?!

It probably wouldn't have made any difference.

Kakashi Sensei has faith in Naruto.

Even if it's a long shot,

he probably wants to create an opportunity for him.

If Lady Tsunade were there, she'd have done the same thing.

Sakura...

I was only recently assigned to Team Kakashi to take Sasuke's place.

So I still don't know all of you that well.

And I'm not good at understanding a person's feelings.

Also...

What?!

Did you tell her how you feel?

How could I?

I'm a guy who couldn't even keep my promise to her.

I don't know the promise made between you and Naruto.

Naruto...

This is a once in a lifetime request.

Please...

Please bring Sasuke back.

But...

Even I can tell that Naruto loves you!

You care for Sasuke so much.

And I know what you're going through right now...

so much so that it hurts.

I swear I'll bring Sasuke back!

I promise that on my life!

Sakura! I'll keep my promise to you.

I swear I'll keep it because I said so.

I said so...

I never go back on my word.

That's my Ninja Way.

Sakura...

It's as though Naruto has been shouldering

the burden of his promise to you.

As though he intends to bear that burden for the rest of his life.

I don't know what you told Naruto.

But it's no different from what was done to me.

It's like a Curse Mark.

Sasuke is the source of Naruto's agony.

But aren't you a part of it too?

Ino...

Don't cry, Ino!

Kiba, don't be so harsh.

You know how Ino has felt about Sasuke all these...

It can't be helped!

Things have changed since then.

Will they be okay?

Look at Ino.

How will Naruto and Sakura take it?

Let's leave it to Shikamaru.

He'll find the right words.

Plus, there was that first mission of his as a squad leader that failed,

and he still feels somewhat responsible for it.

If only we had been able to take Sasuke back that time.

That's why he volunteered to be the persuader.

Wait! Naruto genuinely wants to rescue Sasuke,

not just because he promised Sakura! Isn't that so?

I totally agree with you.

But...both Sakura and I...

and everyone else rely on Naruto too much.

I've watched how Naruto has been acting lately

and I figured out what he's feeling.

It's sadness.

Then my thoughts turn to Sasuke... and it starts to get warm inside my gut.

I realize now that it's anger.

Whether it's for Naruto's sake or for the village,

we can't just rely on Naruto.

We have to take action ourselves.

Sasuke is...

Sai is absolutely right.

Shikamaru...

We're not kids anymore.

We must stop the Akatsuki.

And we must stop Sasuke.

I came here for Team 7's consent.

Consent? Don't tell me...

Yes...exactly that.

We can't allow war to break out between the Hidden Leaf

and the Hidden Cloud because of Sasuke.

Let me put it another way. Listen carefully.

If the Hidden Cloud should kill Sasuke,

there's no way Ino or you, or Naruto, would take it quietly.

And if through some act of recklessness,

Ino and you are killed by the Cloud...

neither I, Choji, Inoichi nor your parents would sit still.

They would seek revenge.

Then the other side won't remain quiet.

They'll want revenge.

And if Choji and I are killed,

then it will be our parents who take action.

And before we know it, we'll be at war.

According to the messenger from the Cloud,

Sasuke is already being treated as a criminal on a national level.

If Sasuke continues to align himself with the Akatsuki

and intensify the hatred throughout the country,

the Hidden Leaf must deal with Sasuke.

That is my belief.

You understand where I'm coming from, don't you?

Sakura...

That's why I need your consent.

Sakura, will you...

Shikamaru!

Please don't...

say anything more.

Sorry, Sakura... But whatever your answer is,