Leaping through the forest, Pakkun calls for all engines stopped. Sakura notices Pakkun stopped and lands on a branch. Naruto notices Sakura stopped and koalas into a tree. That shouldn't have been as funny as it was. Pakkun reports Sasuke's after Temari and Gaara, and Shino and Kankuro are about to go at it. Pakkun wants to avoid it, but Naruto just wants to bull on through - considering what he might get a face full of, I think he's better off going the circular route, too. YEAH! Kankuro versus Shino! Kankuro breaks out the Puppet Master Jutsu and unwraps Crow, who is suitably creepy. Shino outmatches this by having swarms of bugs come out of his sleeves, and they get ready to go at it. Back with the other Sand Ninjas, Gaara's finally starting to wake up, but he's not really happy about it. Temari tries to give him some medicine, but Gaara just rasps she's in the way and backhands her into a tree. Harsh. Sasuke's finally caught up to Gaara, and ideally if we have a Gaara flashback then Naruto and crew might get there in time.
Kankuro's the first to act in his fight, flinging Crow at Shino and commanding his Puppet to pop blades out of his hands. They miss, but not before Shino notices the blades are poisoned. Shino ducks into the trees to avoid the Ninja marionette, and Kankuro sends Crow after him. Sasuke vows he'll stop Gaara no matter what, and he'll get to the bottom of the little Sand freak's deal. In response, Gaara's Sand Armor starts to crack again and Temari's worried he's going to Demonify right here and now. The Sand Ninja growls at Sasuke that he's going to take away everything Sasuke's ever had, up to and including his life, and will thus prove his own existence. Sasuke flashes to his training with Kakashi, and how Kakashi called Gaara out from hiding. Gaara asks Sasuke why he wants to grow stronger, and Sasuke is as open and forthcoming as he ever is. Gaara turn to leave, but not before noticing that the look in Sasuke's eyes and the lust for power are just like his own. in the present, Gaara shrieks that Sasuke's his prey, and he's going for the full-on Demon Mode.
Elsewhere in the forest, Shino's desperately trying to avoid yet even more blades Crow's popped, and is stunned when his kunai are rendered ineffective by a Substitution. Kankuro mocks him for it as the Puppet even spits blades. They take Shino in the head and chest, and then Shino starts to... deflate. Actually, you know what happens when you kick over an ant hill? It's like that, only ickier. Insect Clone Jutsu! Shino rightfully figures that kankuro's not very good at close-in combat, but he's still got to get past Crow, and one of its arm is a bomb launcher. Poison smoke bomb, in point of fact. Shino leaps away, though worries he breathed some in. Iruka's still leading the Ninja Preschoolers back at the village up to the Ninja Mount Rushmore. Konoha notices how much of the town is on fire, and then cracks show up in the faces of the Hokages. Speaking of the Hokage, it's not going well for the Old Man at all. Dying, Sarutobi is losing his grip on Orochimaru's soul. Enma helpfully reminds him the village is doomed if Orochimaru lives, and it spurs a second wind for the Old Man.
It looks like Gaara's half-demoned out, and Temari's covering her eyes to what happens next. Demon Gaara leaps at Sasuke, and atomizes the tree Sasuke was standing on when he connects. Jeepers. Sasuke's okay, though he got winged - to say nothing of the shock of his life. The good news is it might take longer than ten minutes, so Shino might make it. As we look in on Shino, the bug-tender's breathing hard from the poison. Kankuro has Crow go in for the kill, but it's another Insect Clone. Suddenly Hinata's reluctance to join in Shino's training is all too clear. Crow's suddenly become nonresponsive, and Kankuro notices the insects swarming all over his Puppet. Shino's bug Jutsu for the win! What's more, as we will recall, the bugs feed on Chakra so they're swarming down Kankuro's puppet-master line. In desperation, Kankuro cuts the threads and launches Crow's head as a weapon, since he's able to almost instantly regain control over Crow. Crow's head pops a needle literally dripping with poison that rushes in on Shino... that stops and falls to the ground lifeless. The bugs have finally found Kankuro, because Shino is crazy crafty when it comes to Shino. He planted a beetle on Kankuro's headband the others have followed, just like with Sasuke. Nice! Kankuro freaks out and falls out of the tree, but it looks like the poison's taken its toll on Shino. Shino's would-be partner Sasuke's not having a great time of it either, ducking another tree-shattering smack from Gaara. What's a Ninja wunderkind to do?
Next Episode: You asked for this fight, Sasuke, and now you got it. Happy?
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Episode 73 - Forbidden Secret Technique: Reaper Death Seal!
The Grim Reaper hovers over the Third Hokage, and I believe that Orochimaru's eager to see a Jutsu he doesn't know. He takes a few hits, and the Boss Snake tries to jolly him along, but we're playing by the Reaper's time table. It breaks some prayer beads to cut its palm, and the blood flows down its arm before plunging it into the soul of the Third Hokage. The frst of Sarutobi's clones grabs somebody in the cover of darkness, the First Hokage, and the other's grabbed the Second while the darkness around them vanish. The Reaper comes back to claim the souls that Orochimaru stole for his own, and Seals them in the Clones of the Third Hokage. It turns out the corpses he used for the Jutsu were his Sound Ninja goons Kin and Zaku. I'd say something like 'harsh,' but I'm not really suprised.
In a nice flashback, we get the First and Second Hokages telling Saru your standard stuff - the village is your family, protect the village, raise people to believe in the same, that's what it means to be Hokage, etc. He was Hokage awfully young. It's the callous disregard for Orochimaru's own Ninja that've pushed the Old Man over the edge (not that it took all that much). His Shadow Clones vanish, and Sarutobi summons Enma to him as they go at it. The Hokage manages to get Orochimaru in a clench, and the Grim Reaper reaches through Sarutobi to into Orochimaru's chest, and the Boss Snake looks terrified. He summons his sword to him as Saru has the Reaper start to rip out Orochimaru's soul, and Enma's unable to stop the sword as it strikes. A spray of blood...
Back to to the monster snake wrecking Leaf Village, and Ibiki's not having a nice day of it at all. What the hell do you do to Ninja King Ghidorah after all? The interrogator's at the end of his rope when... Ninja Art: Summoning! Bring Down the House Jutsu! Oh, that's what you do. DROP A GIANT TOAD WITH SWORDS ON IT. Jiraiya's in attendance, kids! Ibiki's shocked, and the younger Ninja with him even more so. Jiraiya does a little dance and introduces himself with an awesome mini-speech. Jiraiya WILL RAGE! He implores Third Hokage not to die before he can get there. Under the Barrier, Enma's able to grab the sword out of the air... a bit too late. It's already halfway into the Old Man. Orochimaru asks why Sarutobi didn't dodge, and the Old Man says there's no point, you literally have to pay the Reaper to use it, so he was dead anyway. His soul will be devoured, but it'll also kill Orochimaru. This is the same Jutsu the Fourth Hokage used on the Demon Fox. [i]Huh.[/i] The Hokage's giving up his soul to struggle with Orochimaru for eternity. [i]Heroism.[/i] Orochimaru can see the Reaper now, as it cuts off, I think the First and Second Hokage's souls and shoves them down his mouth. Orochimaru Jutsus the sword in Sarutobi deeper, trying to get him to die before his own soul can be claimed.
Iruka's leading the Ninja Preschoolers to safety, and Udon and Moegi turn to Konohamaru to soothe their fears, and he does in a touching way. The path they're on, his grandpa said would be okay, so it is. Sasuke's almost on Kankuro and Gaara now, and in fact cuts the Sand Ninja off.
No choice left, Kankuro's ready to scrap, until Temari puts it on pause by joining them. She frets about not delaying him enough, but every little bit helps until Gaara wakes up. Naruto, Sakura and Pakkun are still on their trail, and catches a new scent, but the little dog smells Sasuke instead of shampoo this time. It's not the only thing after Sasuke either, Pakkun smells, and the only thing he knows is that it's not human. This time it's Kankuro who tells Temari to go on, and gets ready to unleash Crow on Sasuke, but somebody has different notions. Our favorite insect savant Shino! He used his creepy-crawlies to track Kankuro when the latter started acting squirrely during the tourney. He says he wants battles settled - Sasuke and Gaara, and Kankuro/Shino because the Sand Ninja punked out earlier. Sasuke asks Shino if he's going to be okay, and Shino says he'll be along in ten minutes, though Sasuke says he'll be done then, too. Kankuro says they don't know what terror is, and Shino asks if Kankuro's going to teach him. No, the Sand Ninja says, if he catches up to Gaara Gaara will make him learn.
Next Episode: Sasuke catches up with Gaara, which might fall under 'be careful what you wish for.'
In a nice flashback, we get the First and Second Hokages telling Saru your standard stuff - the village is your family, protect the village, raise people to believe in the same, that's what it means to be Hokage, etc. He was Hokage awfully young. It's the callous disregard for Orochimaru's own Ninja that've pushed the Old Man over the edge (not that it took all that much). His Shadow Clones vanish, and Sarutobi summons Enma to him as they go at it. The Hokage manages to get Orochimaru in a clench, and the Grim Reaper reaches through Sarutobi to into Orochimaru's chest, and the Boss Snake looks terrified. He summons his sword to him as Saru has the Reaper start to rip out Orochimaru's soul, and Enma's unable to stop the sword as it strikes. A spray of blood...
Back to to the monster snake wrecking Leaf Village, and Ibiki's not having a nice day of it at all. What the hell do you do to Ninja King Ghidorah after all? The interrogator's at the end of his rope when... Ninja Art: Summoning! Bring Down the House Jutsu! Oh, that's what you do. DROP A GIANT TOAD WITH SWORDS ON IT. Jiraiya's in attendance, kids! Ibiki's shocked, and the younger Ninja with him even more so. Jiraiya does a little dance and introduces himself with an awesome mini-speech. Jiraiya WILL RAGE! He implores Third Hokage not to die before he can get there. Under the Barrier, Enma's able to grab the sword out of the air... a bit too late. It's already halfway into the Old Man. Orochimaru asks why Sarutobi didn't dodge, and the Old Man says there's no point, you literally have to pay the Reaper to use it, so he was dead anyway. His soul will be devoured, but it'll also kill Orochimaru. This is the same Jutsu the Fourth Hokage used on the Demon Fox. [i]Huh.[/i] The Hokage's giving up his soul to struggle with Orochimaru for eternity. [i]Heroism.[/i] Orochimaru can see the Reaper now, as it cuts off, I think the First and Second Hokage's souls and shoves them down his mouth. Orochimaru Jutsus the sword in Sarutobi deeper, trying to get him to die before his own soul can be claimed.
Iruka's leading the Ninja Preschoolers to safety, and Udon and Moegi turn to Konohamaru to soothe their fears, and he does in a touching way. The path they're on, his grandpa said would be okay, so it is. Sasuke's almost on Kankuro and Gaara now, and in fact cuts the Sand Ninja off.
No choice left, Kankuro's ready to scrap, until Temari puts it on pause by joining them. She frets about not delaying him enough, but every little bit helps until Gaara wakes up. Naruto, Sakura and Pakkun are still on their trail, and catches a new scent, but the little dog smells Sasuke instead of shampoo this time. It's not the only thing after Sasuke either, Pakkun smells, and the only thing he knows is that it's not human. This time it's Kankuro who tells Temari to go on, and gets ready to unleash Crow on Sasuke, but somebody has different notions. Our favorite insect savant Shino! He used his creepy-crawlies to track Kankuro when the latter started acting squirrely during the tourney. He says he wants battles settled - Sasuke and Gaara, and Kankuro/Shino because the Sand Ninja punked out earlier. Sasuke asks Shino if he's going to be okay, and Shino says he'll be along in ten minutes, though Sasuke says he'll be done then, too. Kankuro says they don't know what terror is, and Shino asks if Kankuro's going to teach him. No, the Sand Ninja says, if he catches up to Gaara Gaara will make him learn.
Next Episode: Sasuke catches up with Gaara, which might fall under 'be careful what you wish for.'
Monday, February 16, 2009
Episode 72 - A Mistake from the Past: A Face Revealed!
Naruto, Sakura and Pakkun are hot on Sasuke's trail and closing, but Pakkun's called a halt for an important discovery. He and Sakura use the same shampoo! He'd recognize that floral green fragance anywhere. HAH! It seems to work better for Pakkun, since his coat's shinier. Poor Sakura's demoralized to learn she uses canine body wash, and wanders off in a daze. We rejoin Sasuke and the Sand ninja, and Gaara's still not awake. Temari tells Kankuro to leg it with their brother, she'll hold Sasuke off (even though she totally can't). She, too, is hot for Sasuke. Temari blocks his egress, and blows him back with a gust of wind from her fan. Her goal's to get him to use up his Chakra, which she herself is low on. Sasuke tries to play it safe and stick to Taijutsu, though Temari doesn't help things with her Wind Scythe Jutsu attacks, then a Sand Storm Jutsu to blow him back. Sasuke realizes he's got to get that damned giant fan away from her, and Temari's happy he's breaking out the Ninjutsu - here his normal fire-related stuff, but that doesn't work so good against somebody who uses wind. Sasuke uncharacteristically trips on te sand from her earlier attack, and takes some kunai in the chest. SUBSTITUTION! Complete with Explosive Runes note. This stuns Temari long enough for Sasuke to continue his pursuit.
On the roof in Hidden Village, and Orochimaru's now transgendered. It's because of the Hidden Jutsu he's completed he didn't get the Fourth Hokage nod, and we flashback to the Old Man leading Anbu to stop his attempt the first time around. Lots of people had been going mission, and Orochimaru'd been acting strangely. so they put two and two together and got evil snake. Orochimaru did it for the research - he simply wants every Jutsu in the world, just to see what happens, but to make a Jutsu omlette you have to crack a few Shinobi. This sort of project takes time, so the first order of business is to get all the time in the world. Immortality Jutsu. It's essentially a soul transfer, and Orochimaru is on is third. Even Enma looks outraged. And then it hits, that's why he wants Sasuke.
Orochimaru's never one to not twist the knife, so he switches back to his old face. First Hokage summons up a mess of plants that blocks the inside of the Barrier from view, and Orochimaru chides the Old Man for being soft. Enma says this just isn't like Sarutobi. Flashbacked, we get a picture of young Orochimaru, Jiraiya and... oh, what the hell, I'll guess Tsunade. The Old Man says he recognized that Orochimaru had the potential to be a bastard, but after the war they needed all the help they could get, and Orochimaru was just such a genius the Old Man wanted him to carry on. We get Sarutobi summoning Enma, but Orochimaru but counters with a jutsu that tears his hideout apart, and also the Anbu with the Hokage. Enma yells for the Old Man to kill him, but Third thinks of the kid he was, the kid he taught and can't do it.
The present, and Sarutobi's ready to correct past mistakes. First and Second leap to the attack, and Third uses the Shadow Clone Jutsu so he can properly do another summon - the Grim Reaper, who you can only see if you've signed a contract with. A contract with Death. Orochimaru says whatever he's doing, it doesn't matter, but the Old Man isn't going down with out a fight. Second calls for Infinite Darkness Jutsu, and under cover, the Third starts taking hits. Orochimaru snides that Hokage's just a title, and it doesn't mean any more than the rock his face is carved on. The Old Man knows it's more than that, Leaf Village is more just a place, it's about the people who live there and are ready to die to protect it. We get lots of flashes on people from the Old Man's memory, so let's take them as they come. Second Hokage with Sarutobi in his Genin squad. Sarutobi with his own Genin Squad of Orochimaru, Jiraiya and, yeah, still thinking Tsunade. Jiraiya with Naruto's dad (who, yes, the Fourth Hokage). Orochimaru with young Anko. Naruto's dad with his genin squad, including young Kakashi who even as a child is hip. Baby Naruto and young Iruka, then lots of people we already know. All these people, to the Hokage, they're all family. Orochimaru predictably doesn't care, but the Hokage says even if you kill him, the Leaf Village will carry on, and they'll carry on. Then he prepares to attack with the Grim Reaper behind him, to pull out Orochimaru's very soul.
Next Episode: Sarutobi is ready to die for his family, the whole of Leaf Village.
On the roof in Hidden Village, and Orochimaru's now transgendered. It's because of the Hidden Jutsu he's completed he didn't get the Fourth Hokage nod, and we flashback to the Old Man leading Anbu to stop his attempt the first time around. Lots of people had been going mission, and Orochimaru'd been acting strangely. so they put two and two together and got evil snake. Orochimaru did it for the research - he simply wants every Jutsu in the world, just to see what happens, but to make a Jutsu omlette you have to crack a few Shinobi. This sort of project takes time, so the first order of business is to get all the time in the world. Immortality Jutsu. It's essentially a soul transfer, and Orochimaru is on is third. Even Enma looks outraged. And then it hits, that's why he wants Sasuke.
Orochimaru's never one to not twist the knife, so he switches back to his old face. First Hokage summons up a mess of plants that blocks the inside of the Barrier from view, and Orochimaru chides the Old Man for being soft. Enma says this just isn't like Sarutobi. Flashbacked, we get a picture of young Orochimaru, Jiraiya and... oh, what the hell, I'll guess Tsunade. The Old Man says he recognized that Orochimaru had the potential to be a bastard, but after the war they needed all the help they could get, and Orochimaru was just such a genius the Old Man wanted him to carry on. We get Sarutobi summoning Enma, but Orochimaru but counters with a jutsu that tears his hideout apart, and also the Anbu with the Hokage. Enma yells for the Old Man to kill him, but Third thinks of the kid he was, the kid he taught and can't do it.
The present, and Sarutobi's ready to correct past mistakes. First and Second leap to the attack, and Third uses the Shadow Clone Jutsu so he can properly do another summon - the Grim Reaper, who you can only see if you've signed a contract with. A contract with Death. Orochimaru says whatever he's doing, it doesn't matter, but the Old Man isn't going down with out a fight. Second calls for Infinite Darkness Jutsu, and under cover, the Third starts taking hits. Orochimaru snides that Hokage's just a title, and it doesn't mean any more than the rock his face is carved on. The Old Man knows it's more than that, Leaf Village is more just a place, it's about the people who live there and are ready to die to protect it. We get lots of flashes on people from the Old Man's memory, so let's take them as they come. Second Hokage with Sarutobi in his Genin squad. Sarutobi with his own Genin Squad of Orochimaru, Jiraiya and, yeah, still thinking Tsunade. Jiraiya with Naruto's dad (who, yes, the Fourth Hokage). Orochimaru with young Anko. Naruto's dad with his genin squad, including young Kakashi who even as a child is hip. Baby Naruto and young Iruka, then lots of people we already know. All these people, to the Hokage, they're all family. Orochimaru predictably doesn't care, but the Hokage says even if you kill him, the Leaf Village will carry on, and they'll carry on. Then he prepares to attack with the Grim Reaper behind him, to pull out Orochimaru's very soul.
Next Episode: Sarutobi is ready to die for his family, the whole of Leaf Village.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Episode 71 - An Unrivaled Match: Hokage Battle Royale!
It's that different animation studio that signals massive beatdown. ROCK! Temari sets a trap with Sasuke, actually several traps. Sasuke's got to Spider-Man to a tree to keep from being blown up several times. The kids and Pakkun hear it, and wonder if he's okay. Enough of that, though, you wanted to see the Third Hokage and the Boss Snake fight, right? YES YOU DID. Orochimaru implants tagged kunai into his zombie Hokages, which brings them back to life, as it were. It's a Forbidden Jutsu for a reason, it uses the caster's own blood and a carcass to reanimate - and while Orochimaru's knives brought them back to life, it crushed the original souls to turn them into murder machines under the Sound Ninja's Command. Orochimaru takes great pleasure in beating up on his former sensei. The two zombie Hokage lumber forward undsteadily, then rocket forward. He blocks and dodges both of their attacks, catching Second Hokage's leg and spinning him around to fling away. Hah! Third kicks out the Fire Dragon Flame Bombs to Orochimaru's chuckling amusement. The Second blocks with Water Jutsu: Water Wall. D'oh. Then he counters with a Water Shock Wave (and it's made clear that it's no joke to be able to use Water Jutsu where there is no water), which Third parries with Earth Style: Mud Wall. First Hokage comes hydroplaning through the water towards Third, and blocks the fire the Old Man throws at him. He gives the old guy a wicked combo to send him down. Water tendrils pull Third down, but not for long, as hokage erupts from the water where he has to dodge high-pressure blasts. First breaks out Hidden Wood Style Jutsu: Forest Emergence, because we've yet to see plants try and kick soembody's ass. Third desperately tries to keep on top of them, but eventually gets snared in a tangle of vines. Sidenote: It's what First used to build Hidden Leaf. Interesting!
Iruka-sensei's gotten all the kids out and is trying to lead them away, but Konohamaru still senses something is wrong. At the battle, Third strains to reach out and complete a Summoning Jutsu - Monkey King Enma! YEAH! I am pleased to report he is as exactly as you'd want a Monkey King to look. Enma chastises Third for not killing Orochimaru when he had the chance, though Third does point out that's what he's trying to do now. Enma says it's too late, and the Old Man begs him for the Adamantine Nyoi. This isn't what Orochimaru wants to hear, and he sends First and Second after Enma. The Monkey King batters away the Hokages, not to mention freeing the Third, and transforms into a large staff for the Old Man to catch. Orochimaru decides it's finally a party. He presses on his stomach, and vomits up a snake which in turn horks up a Snake Sword. Third pole-vaults into battle, the staff able to extend to any length you'd care to name. They block, parry and dodge, all that good stuff, and the animation here's just amazing.
While Orochimaru's got the Old Man in a clench, First and Second try to outflank him, but Third's able to dodge them both and slap something written onto each of them. Orochimaru goes in for the kill, just beating the crap out of the old guy, knocking him down, and taunting him for not trying Shadow Clone Jutsu. One of the Anbu says it's, essentially, because the guy's old. If he spreads out his Chakra too much, he'll die. I think. Orochimaru tauntingly asks after Third's health and well-being while the Anbu try and rouse him from the sidelines. The Nyoi opens an eye and asks what on earth the Old Man's waiting for, now's the time to beat him. Sarutobi flings him up and away, and Enma as Nyoi grabs him by the neck, but Substitution! The real Orochimaru still gets a kick in the chest, and Third detonates the pieces of paper he slapped to the other Hokages. It doesn't slow them down terribly, as they start to reform the limbs that were blown off and get back to their feet. The Old Man's got to go for the soul if he wants to stop them, and the only way to do that is the Fourth Hokage's Jutsu. He asks for First and Second's forgiveness as he prepares to use it. Orochimaru takes the time to torment the old guy who, who was once called the god of Shinobi. Then Orochimaru pulls his face off, revealing a younger feminine face underneath. Apparently Orochimaru's completed some Forbidden Jutsu of his own, and the Third Hokage's revelation sends Boss Snake into gales of laughter. To cap things off, Sasuke's finally caught up to the Sand Villagers.
Next Episode: The Third Hokage and his fallen protege Orochimaru.
Iruka-sensei's gotten all the kids out and is trying to lead them away, but Konohamaru still senses something is wrong. At the battle, Third strains to reach out and complete a Summoning Jutsu - Monkey King Enma! YEAH! I am pleased to report he is as exactly as you'd want a Monkey King to look. Enma chastises Third for not killing Orochimaru when he had the chance, though Third does point out that's what he's trying to do now. Enma says it's too late, and the Old Man begs him for the Adamantine Nyoi. This isn't what Orochimaru wants to hear, and he sends First and Second after Enma. The Monkey King batters away the Hokages, not to mention freeing the Third, and transforms into a large staff for the Old Man to catch. Orochimaru decides it's finally a party. He presses on his stomach, and vomits up a snake which in turn horks up a Snake Sword. Third pole-vaults into battle, the staff able to extend to any length you'd care to name. They block, parry and dodge, all that good stuff, and the animation here's just amazing.
While Orochimaru's got the Old Man in a clench, First and Second try to outflank him, but Third's able to dodge them both and slap something written onto each of them. Orochimaru goes in for the kill, just beating the crap out of the old guy, knocking him down, and taunting him for not trying Shadow Clone Jutsu. One of the Anbu says it's, essentially, because the guy's old. If he spreads out his Chakra too much, he'll die. I think. Orochimaru tauntingly asks after Third's health and well-being while the Anbu try and rouse him from the sidelines. The Nyoi opens an eye and asks what on earth the Old Man's waiting for, now's the time to beat him. Sarutobi flings him up and away, and Enma as Nyoi grabs him by the neck, but Substitution! The real Orochimaru still gets a kick in the chest, and Third detonates the pieces of paper he slapped to the other Hokages. It doesn't slow them down terribly, as they start to reform the limbs that were blown off and get back to their feet. The Old Man's got to go for the soul if he wants to stop them, and the only way to do that is the Fourth Hokage's Jutsu. He asks for First and Second's forgiveness as he prepares to use it. Orochimaru takes the time to torment the old guy who, who was once called the god of Shinobi. Then Orochimaru pulls his face off, revealing a younger feminine face underneath. Apparently Orochimaru's completed some Forbidden Jutsu of his own, and the Third Hokage's revelation sends Boss Snake into gales of laughter. To cap things off, Sasuke's finally caught up to the Sand Villagers.
Next Episode: The Third Hokage and his fallen protege Orochimaru.
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Episode 70 - A Shirker’s Call to Action: Layabout No More!
Sasuke's on the trail of the Sand Ninja, and Naruto's new crew are on Sasuke's trail. Naruto asks Pakkun how long it'll be before they catch up, but Sasuke's got all that Lee-like speed now, so the pug doesn't know, but he has already caught the sent of the Sound Ninja trailing the kids. Pakkun comes to a halt, and then gets clever, having the kids backtrack over their own footprints so they can ty and shake their pursuers, but it doesn't shake them completely. Naruto wants to ambush them, and Sakura's suprisingly in favor of it. Pakkun says it's not good, since their Orochimaru's boys and some of them might be Jonin. Sakura asks why that would matter, and Shikamaru says they might have the skill to set it up, but they don't have the strength to hit them hard enough - and to make matters worse, Orochimaru probably gave them the low-down on the terrain and they're trained in pursuit. For the good guys, we have a knucklehead, a Kunoichi who's nothing special, an irritable pug and the one guy who just can not be bothered with the hassle. Shikamaru says that the best thing to do is one of them should stay behind to act as bait to distract the pursuers, even though it's likely whoever'll stay behind will die. The kids think Ninja-ing's just no fun anymore. Nobody's really leaping to volunteer, and the dog's already out because he's got to track - Naruto's about to volunteer, when Shikamaru steps forward into the annals of the hardcore, which was his plan all along.
Pakkun smells the Sound Ninja coming up behind them fast, and wonders if Shikamaru's actually as good as his word. Sakura starts to doubt, but Naruto vouches for him, because even his slack-ass isn't a traitor. Sakura'd like to believe, but Shikamaru does give a lot of evidence to the contrary. The Sound Ninja halt, finding fresh tracks that indicate the kids are tired... and then ALL of the Ninja are locked in by Shadow Paralysis! One of them comments on the Jutsu, but Shikamaru tells them to live in the now. It's all about Shadow Possession now, though the Nara genin's still low on Chakra from his fight earlier. Shikamaru pulls enough Shuriken out for them all, so he can draw out the one who's hanging back to protect the other Sound Ninja from ambush, but his Shadow Possession can't reach the last member. The Sound Ninja says as soon as it breaks, he's dead, and Shikamaru reflects on what he would've liked out of life. And that life? Completely and utterly average, and he would've been happy with that. Huh. Oddly enough, that's what makes me think the character's something special. Shikamaru's irritated by this sudden and unwelcome show of initiative.
Bounding through the forest, Pakku senses they're not being followed right now. Naruto cheers, and Sakura's sorry he doubted Shikamaru. As am I. There's nothing between them and Sasuke (ha!), and our hero wants Shikamaru to live to catch up with them. We rejoin Shikamaru vs. the Sound Ninja, and he admits he's about done, and pulls back on the Shadow Possession. The Sound Ninja call out their ninth member, and that's no ninth member, that's Asuma! He tosses the body of their last member aside, and we get some awesome ass-kickery from Squad Ten's sensei. He's even got a trench knife! YEAH! He congratulates his pupil, who sits down hard, all tired out from doing things for a change. The Sand Ninja continue their Gaara retrieval service, and Temari senses they've picked up some extra hunters, and tells Kankuro to pick up the pace. Behind Sasuke, Naruto silently implores him not to jump the gun before they get there. Way back at Leaf Village, Third Hokage's still facing off against the zombie versions of the first two, Orochimaru asking if shouldn't they now begin. Let's!
Next Episode: The Old Man vs. Orochimaru! Sasuke vs. somebody!
Pakkun smells the Sound Ninja coming up behind them fast, and wonders if Shikamaru's actually as good as his word. Sakura starts to doubt, but Naruto vouches for him, because even his slack-ass isn't a traitor. Sakura'd like to believe, but Shikamaru does give a lot of evidence to the contrary. The Sound Ninja halt, finding fresh tracks that indicate the kids are tired... and then ALL of the Ninja are locked in by Shadow Paralysis! One of them comments on the Jutsu, but Shikamaru tells them to live in the now. It's all about Shadow Possession now, though the Nara genin's still low on Chakra from his fight earlier. Shikamaru pulls enough Shuriken out for them all, so he can draw out the one who's hanging back to protect the other Sound Ninja from ambush, but his Shadow Possession can't reach the last member. The Sound Ninja says as soon as it breaks, he's dead, and Shikamaru reflects on what he would've liked out of life. And that life? Completely and utterly average, and he would've been happy with that. Huh. Oddly enough, that's what makes me think the character's something special. Shikamaru's irritated by this sudden and unwelcome show of initiative.
Bounding through the forest, Pakku senses they're not being followed right now. Naruto cheers, and Sakura's sorry he doubted Shikamaru. As am I. There's nothing between them and Sasuke (ha!), and our hero wants Shikamaru to live to catch up with them. We rejoin Shikamaru vs. the Sound Ninja, and he admits he's about done, and pulls back on the Shadow Possession. The Sound Ninja call out their ninth member, and that's no ninth member, that's Asuma! He tosses the body of their last member aside, and we get some awesome ass-kickery from Squad Ten's sensei. He's even got a trench knife! YEAH! He congratulates his pupil, who sits down hard, all tired out from doing things for a change. The Sand Ninja continue their Gaara retrieval service, and Temari senses they've picked up some extra hunters, and tells Kankuro to pick up the pace. Behind Sasuke, Naruto silently implores him not to jump the gun before they get there. Way back at Leaf Village, Third Hokage's still facing off against the zombie versions of the first two, Orochimaru asking if shouldn't they now begin. Let's!
Next Episode: The Old Man vs. Orochimaru! Sasuke vs. somebody!
Friday, February 13, 2009
Episode 1 - Blue Monday
The opening! I swear the music sounds like something from a 70's TV show. It's not bad, mind, but different. The animation's pretty cool, though, Renton on his board, Eureka in her mecha. I like the design of the Gekko State's ship, too.
We open on a cloudy sky, and somebody giving going about how the real value of media stems from the memories it leaves us. I take a quick, spoiler-free look to see his name is Stoner (heh) and his partner and the pilot of his mecha is Matthieu, who tells him to zip it and radios Leader (Holland) if he's planning on re-joining them anytime soon. Holland tells Matthieu to zip it, and the latter can look down and see they're really going at it down below. Mattieu tells Stoner it's almost time to get ready, and Stoner goes on more about memory and stuff in a manner that lets him live up to his namesake. Just then, several mecha come zipping past Matthieu's, three chasing a third but having zero luck. It dodges the traditional barrage of missiles, and then Holland does a cool move Matthieu IDs as a Cut-back Drop-turn to take out the other mechs. Matthieu radios back in to base that they're still on schedule, and Talho tells them to proceed. Holland is less than thrilled at heading to their destination of Bellforest, prompting Talho to get on his case because the whole thing was his idea. We can probably blame the picture of the girl with her face all marked out for his reluctance.
Cut to a rather messy room, filled with sky-surfing paraphenalia, including a poster of Holland on his board. A radio broadcast tells us that conditions are right for a batch of waves headed our way. The room's owner, Renton, is thrilled by the news, grabbing his board and bounding outside. He VOs he's 14 years old and nothing amazing's ever happened to him, and he gets the feeling nothing will. Yup. He's 14 all right. Renton also briefly puts me in mind of FLCL's Naota. I also wish to state at 14, *I* had no cool motorbike like that. Getting his board serviced, Renton's trying to convince the mechanic he really can do the Cut-back Drop-turn, but the older guy says he can't because he doesn't believe in the waves. He tells Renton Holland could because he's a genius, and where he learned is way better for that sort of thing. More proof he's 14 in that the kid quotes his hero at every chance, saying Holland says anywhere can be your spot. The old guy gives up, and suprises Renton by not charging him for the work. With one teen as his only customer, he's moving away to the city to pick up some real business. Even in anime, Mondays suck.
The town Renton lives in doesn't look too bad to my eye, but it's really not cut out for somebody who wants to ride the waves, and the only way to make a decent living is to become a soldier. At the somewhat prison-looking school, the day's lesson is on the Transparence Light Particle phenomenon. For short, "Trappa" and it led to the building of the Compac Drive, and this was called the Summer of Love. Heh. The man who turned disaster into something special was none other than Renton's dad (King) Adrock Thurston! There's a loud commotion outside and the teacher calls for self-study, so two kids take the time to raz Renton on how his dad thought the Comac Drive was a messenger from God, and his sister went off to prove his dad really did save the world. Proving he's not Shinji, Renton slugs one of them. The kid retreats to the roof, where some girls are talking about ray=out, which I take to be the sky-surfing version of Thrasher. They talk about how the rumors are Gekko State are untrustworthy punks. Renton stares mournfully at his Compac Drive and flashes back to his sister telling him if he can believe it, it'll happen. She hugs him, and his Drive flashes the word 'Eureka,' and he's smiling warmly at the Drive in the present. The girls think he's weird.
To cap off the end of a perfect day, Renton's got a parent-teacher conference. A grandparent-teacher conference. His teacher says Renton's grades aren't very good, but being his father's son, he probably could get into military school if he wants. Grandad cuts him off, saying no-one in his house is going to be a solider and gives Renton a spark of hope. Despite the bad news, he treats the kid to steak and shrimp, and immediately wonders what he did to bring the kid up this way. Renton VOs he can put all of this behind him as long as he's got his favorite hill and his waves. Naturally, this means the military has fenced it off to use it as an LFO testing site. Poor Renton. That night, Renton figures even if Holland is a criminal, he'd still trade places with him in a second, or even better, with Holland. Just then his Compac Drive kicks out the word Eureka, for the third time this month. The kid indulges in some wild fantasies about what it really means, and Grandad pokes his head to put a stamp to all this youthfulness. Grandad calls the place a sty, saying mechanics like Renton will be have neat rooms. They bicker about who's doing what and on whether dreams are stupid, and Renton sets his Grandad off by promising no matter his job Grandad'll get a nice retirement community.
Elsewhere, but probably close by, an LFO piloted by Eureka herself is coming in hard. Grandad figures that board of his is the reason for all of Renton's nonsense, and snatches it up to throw away, heedless of the fact it's a Holland Style Replica. Renton chases after, but they both pause as the LFO comes surfing in, and performs a Cut-back Drop-turn to Renton's delight. And then it crashes into Renton's room. Heh. It's not like any LFO Renton's ever seen, and Grandad old mans that it's the Nirvash Type Zero, the LFO's LFO. The cockpit slides open, and Eureka stands up, calling her LFO a kid and saying it could use some help, if they'd be so kind. Renton takes one look at her and he's done for.
Grandad's calling in some help to fix their place, and pulls out a box found by Renton's dad, and regrets him ever coming across it in the first place. Renton's gaving at the Nirvash even more raptly than he did Eureka, VOing the interesting facts it was A) discovered and B) the blueprint for every other LFO. He immediately decides it must have an original Compac Drive and searches for it, and while the thing has the socket, it's got no Drive. Hmmm. Hearing footsteps, Renton tells his Grandad that the Nirvash is kinda-- oh, hey, Eureka! She doesn't seem to mind him rooting through her mech, and just wants to borrow a flamethrower so she can make up for all the trouble she's caused. Renton's touched! He also wants to know why it doesn't have a COmpac Drive, but Eureka says it's never needed one before, even though LFO's normally need one to get going. Over Eureka's doubts, Renton wants to try his Drive in the Nirvash, saying he's got a good sense about these things because machines have hearts and respond to those who take care of them. Eureka thinks that's painfully obvious. Hmmm. She leaves to go snag the flamethrower, and Renton tells his sister he's already writing his marriage vows.
Then Renton wonders what on earth the cute if weird chick could need a flamethrower for. Why, a funeral pyre for his room, of course! The kid tries to stomp out the flames and gives himself a hot-foot, and Renton's rampant goofiness makes Eureka laugh. Holland, Stoner and Matthieu are watching a bit away, amazed at this turn of events. Matthieu wonders why they didn't go up and just ask Grandad to fix the Nirvash, but Holland's reluctant for reasons he doesn't bother to explain. He complains about Renton looking like somebody (I think), and also the crappy waves. Inside the garage, the Nirvash is reading an error message after the Drive's been installed, and Eureka thinks they should take it out. She goes off on how believing in things can lead to a whole lot of hurt, and Renton's about to try and convince her otherwise when Grandad shows up with Adrock's box. He old mans it's because of the gizmo inside is why his family was torn to pieces, so take it and leave.
Senior rudeness is interrupted by a missile strike, as will happen sometimes, and Eureka quickly kicks the Nirvash into gear, transforming it into a wicked-looking vehicle mode and burning rubber. The bad news is Renton and Grandad get thrown to the side, and Eureka gives them a regretful look before turning it back to robot mode and taking to the skies. The military-types that launched the missiles argue about whether or not the Nirvash needs to be taken in pieces or not, Information Officer wanting to save it and the Air Force commander not wanting to be made to look like chumps again. The commander gets his way, and they launch a flight of LFOs after the Nirvash. On the ground, Grandad comes to, and he and Renton both watch Eureka duel with the other LFOs. Grandad rasps to Renton to take the gizmo, the Amita Drive, to Eureka, and no back-talk. Renton rides his motorbike to the one place he could get enough lift to ride his board up to the battle, namely off a cliff, and it's pretty darn impressive. While plummeting towards the ground, Renton suddenly starts wondering if leaping into a gorge was really a smart idea.
Thumb's up to the ending animation and song.
Next Episode: The coolest mid-air delivery I've ever seen.
We open on a cloudy sky, and somebody giving going about how the real value of media stems from the memories it leaves us. I take a quick, spoiler-free look to see his name is Stoner (heh) and his partner and the pilot of his mecha is Matthieu, who tells him to zip it and radios Leader (Holland) if he's planning on re-joining them anytime soon. Holland tells Matthieu to zip it, and the latter can look down and see they're really going at it down below. Mattieu tells Stoner it's almost time to get ready, and Stoner goes on more about memory and stuff in a manner that lets him live up to his namesake. Just then, several mecha come zipping past Matthieu's, three chasing a third but having zero luck. It dodges the traditional barrage of missiles, and then Holland does a cool move Matthieu IDs as a Cut-back Drop-turn to take out the other mechs. Matthieu radios back in to base that they're still on schedule, and Talho tells them to proceed. Holland is less than thrilled at heading to their destination of Bellforest, prompting Talho to get on his case because the whole thing was his idea. We can probably blame the picture of the girl with her face all marked out for his reluctance.
Cut to a rather messy room, filled with sky-surfing paraphenalia, including a poster of Holland on his board. A radio broadcast tells us that conditions are right for a batch of waves headed our way. The room's owner, Renton, is thrilled by the news, grabbing his board and bounding outside. He VOs he's 14 years old and nothing amazing's ever happened to him, and he gets the feeling nothing will. Yup. He's 14 all right. Renton also briefly puts me in mind of FLCL's Naota. I also wish to state at 14, *I* had no cool motorbike like that. Getting his board serviced, Renton's trying to convince the mechanic he really can do the Cut-back Drop-turn, but the older guy says he can't because he doesn't believe in the waves. He tells Renton Holland could because he's a genius, and where he learned is way better for that sort of thing. More proof he's 14 in that the kid quotes his hero at every chance, saying Holland says anywhere can be your spot. The old guy gives up, and suprises Renton by not charging him for the work. With one teen as his only customer, he's moving away to the city to pick up some real business. Even in anime, Mondays suck.
The town Renton lives in doesn't look too bad to my eye, but it's really not cut out for somebody who wants to ride the waves, and the only way to make a decent living is to become a soldier. At the somewhat prison-looking school, the day's lesson is on the Transparence Light Particle phenomenon. For short, "Trappa" and it led to the building of the Compac Drive, and this was called the Summer of Love. Heh. The man who turned disaster into something special was none other than Renton's dad (King) Adrock Thurston! There's a loud commotion outside and the teacher calls for self-study, so two kids take the time to raz Renton on how his dad thought the Comac Drive was a messenger from God, and his sister went off to prove his dad really did save the world. Proving he's not Shinji, Renton slugs one of them. The kid retreats to the roof, where some girls are talking about ray=out, which I take to be the sky-surfing version of Thrasher. They talk about how the rumors are Gekko State are untrustworthy punks. Renton stares mournfully at his Compac Drive and flashes back to his sister telling him if he can believe it, it'll happen. She hugs him, and his Drive flashes the word 'Eureka,' and he's smiling warmly at the Drive in the present. The girls think he's weird.
To cap off the end of a perfect day, Renton's got a parent-teacher conference. A grandparent-teacher conference. His teacher says Renton's grades aren't very good, but being his father's son, he probably could get into military school if he wants. Grandad cuts him off, saying no-one in his house is going to be a solider and gives Renton a spark of hope. Despite the bad news, he treats the kid to steak and shrimp, and immediately wonders what he did to bring the kid up this way. Renton VOs he can put all of this behind him as long as he's got his favorite hill and his waves. Naturally, this means the military has fenced it off to use it as an LFO testing site. Poor Renton. That night, Renton figures even if Holland is a criminal, he'd still trade places with him in a second, or even better, with Holland. Just then his Compac Drive kicks out the word Eureka, for the third time this month. The kid indulges in some wild fantasies about what it really means, and Grandad pokes his head to put a stamp to all this youthfulness. Grandad calls the place a sty, saying mechanics like Renton will be have neat rooms. They bicker about who's doing what and on whether dreams are stupid, and Renton sets his Grandad off by promising no matter his job Grandad'll get a nice retirement community.
Elsewhere, but probably close by, an LFO piloted by Eureka herself is coming in hard. Grandad figures that board of his is the reason for all of Renton's nonsense, and snatches it up to throw away, heedless of the fact it's a Holland Style Replica. Renton chases after, but they both pause as the LFO comes surfing in, and performs a Cut-back Drop-turn to Renton's delight. And then it crashes into Renton's room. Heh. It's not like any LFO Renton's ever seen, and Grandad old mans that it's the Nirvash Type Zero, the LFO's LFO. The cockpit slides open, and Eureka stands up, calling her LFO a kid and saying it could use some help, if they'd be so kind. Renton takes one look at her and he's done for.
Grandad's calling in some help to fix their place, and pulls out a box found by Renton's dad, and regrets him ever coming across it in the first place. Renton's gaving at the Nirvash even more raptly than he did Eureka, VOing the interesting facts it was A) discovered and B) the blueprint for every other LFO. He immediately decides it must have an original Compac Drive and searches for it, and while the thing has the socket, it's got no Drive. Hmmm. Hearing footsteps, Renton tells his Grandad that the Nirvash is kinda-- oh, hey, Eureka! She doesn't seem to mind him rooting through her mech, and just wants to borrow a flamethrower so she can make up for all the trouble she's caused. Renton's touched! He also wants to know why it doesn't have a COmpac Drive, but Eureka says it's never needed one before, even though LFO's normally need one to get going. Over Eureka's doubts, Renton wants to try his Drive in the Nirvash, saying he's got a good sense about these things because machines have hearts and respond to those who take care of them. Eureka thinks that's painfully obvious. Hmmm. She leaves to go snag the flamethrower, and Renton tells his sister he's already writing his marriage vows.
Then Renton wonders what on earth the cute if weird chick could need a flamethrower for. Why, a funeral pyre for his room, of course! The kid tries to stomp out the flames and gives himself a hot-foot, and Renton's rampant goofiness makes Eureka laugh. Holland, Stoner and Matthieu are watching a bit away, amazed at this turn of events. Matthieu wonders why they didn't go up and just ask Grandad to fix the Nirvash, but Holland's reluctant for reasons he doesn't bother to explain. He complains about Renton looking like somebody (I think), and also the crappy waves. Inside the garage, the Nirvash is reading an error message after the Drive's been installed, and Eureka thinks they should take it out. She goes off on how believing in things can lead to a whole lot of hurt, and Renton's about to try and convince her otherwise when Grandad shows up with Adrock's box. He old mans it's because of the gizmo inside is why his family was torn to pieces, so take it and leave.
Senior rudeness is interrupted by a missile strike, as will happen sometimes, and Eureka quickly kicks the Nirvash into gear, transforming it into a wicked-looking vehicle mode and burning rubber. The bad news is Renton and Grandad get thrown to the side, and Eureka gives them a regretful look before turning it back to robot mode and taking to the skies. The military-types that launched the missiles argue about whether or not the Nirvash needs to be taken in pieces or not, Information Officer wanting to save it and the Air Force commander not wanting to be made to look like chumps again. The commander gets his way, and they launch a flight of LFOs after the Nirvash. On the ground, Grandad comes to, and he and Renton both watch Eureka duel with the other LFOs. Grandad rasps to Renton to take the gizmo, the Amita Drive, to Eureka, and no back-talk. Renton rides his motorbike to the one place he could get enough lift to ride his board up to the battle, namely off a cliff, and it's pretty darn impressive. While plummeting towards the ground, Renton suddenly starts wondering if leaping into a gorge was really a smart idea.
Thumb's up to the ending animation and song.
Next Episode: The coolest mid-air delivery I've ever seen.
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Episode 69 - Village in Distress: A New A-Ranked Mission!
Somewhere, Jiraiya is snickering over the episode number.
Sakura asks if this is really the best time to be going on missions, and Kakashi says they don't have any choice - they have to go get Sasuke (currenly in hot pursuit of Gaara). The Sand ninja's Kid has weirded out Kakashi, and wants him looked after. Sakura wants to wake up Ino and Choji for strength in numbers, but Kakashi wants them to stick to the traditional four-man squad. Our girl thinks at first Kakashi's coming with them, but no! They get an adorable Ninja Dog, which is even better. The Pakkun will lead them to Sasuke by sense of smell. Sakura's wondering why on earth the fourth member is a puppy, and the Pakkun tells her in a deep voice to not call him a cute puppy. In Sakura's defense, she never said 'cute.' Sakura low-crawls her way to Naruto and Shikamaru, waking up Naruto first and protecting him for an errant kunai. She's about to wake up Shikamaru, but realizes he's already awake. Hah! A Pakkun bite gets him up and moving, despite Slackermaru not wanting to get involved. Naruto finally realizes there's a battle going on as Guy punches a Sound Ninja through a wall. Kakashi gives them their marching orders, to find Sasuke and stop him from fighting Gaara. Shikamaru is somewhat reluctant, but the Pakkun has a treat if the mission is successful. He can touch the Pakkun's paw-pads. THEY ARE SOFT AND SUPPLE. This suprisingly doesn't sway Shikamaru, so Pakkun just drags his ass along. Guy wonders if they'll be okay, and Kakashi says they will, as long as they don't get to far out. Hey! Shino! Shino heard everything, and vanishes in presumable pursuit. (Sorry.)
Under the Great Barrier Jutsu, Orochimaru's psyched to fight the Hokage. One of the Anbu says that they need to take out just one of the four Sound Ninja to break the barrier, so the Sound Ninja put up barriers around themselves. Stupid Chatty Anbu. Orochimaru says that the Hokage shouldn't fret, others would just get in the way. We're off! Hokage starts with Tile Jutsu, but Orochimaru dodges the roofing and goes for Striking Snake Technique where his tongue turns into a snake to bite the Leaf Ninja. Yuck. His tongue snake bites down, but Substitution! The Hokage turns the roof to mud with Earth Style: Great Mud River, then hits with Earth Style: Earth Dragon Bomb and comboes it with Fire Dragon Bomb. Go, Hokage, go! It looks at first like he got Orochimaru, but the Hokage tells him to drop the stupid act and come back out. Orochimaru banters that that aren't the difficult students the most fun?
At Ninja Academy, Konohamaru suspects something up with it being a self-study period and the smoke and all. At the stands, Kabuto-Anbu wonders where the kids went. The Sound Ninja says the Genin couldn't possibly make a difference, but gets verbally smacked down for underestimating Naruto. Sasuke, meanwhile, is on Gaara's trail. The Ninja Academy teachers work to evacuate the students. Under the Barrier, Orochimaru asks if they shouldn't stop half-assing it and get down to it. The Hokage sheds his white robes for badass armor underneath, and Orochimaru does the same. The roof starts to crack, I'm guessing under the sheer weight of their Chakra. Orochimaru says he won't go easy on the Hokage, but the old guy says he's looking forward to it, and depending on the grade Hokage gives him he might have to re-do the Academy. Heh! We commence the festivities with the Hokage's Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu, but Orochimaru blocks with a Summoning Jutsu that calls up coffins. GAH. Coffins he recognizes. Hokage breaks his neck to stop the third one, but it's not over yet. The two coffins' lids fall open, and the Anbu outside are shocked by who it is. At the Academy, Iruka's having the kids evacuate in a calm and orderly fashion. Moegi and Udon notice something's up with Konohamaru, who's realizing that Things Are Afoot, starting with a rainbow he noticed around the sun. He flashes on the Hokage telling him that these kinds of rainbows symbolize snakes. Huh. On the roof, Orochimaru's animated the bodies in the coffins, the first and second Hokages, the ones who founded the Leaf Village. They're impressed they've been summoned, in a disinterested way, and Orochimaru wants them to get down to cases. In the forest, Sakura's explained what happens and Naruto's ready, but Shikamaru's irritated he has to help. Pakkun's got the scent, and they're on their way! So are a mess of Sound Ninja with orders to end Naruto.
Next Episode: The Sound Ninja are on Naruto's trail, but Shikamaru's got a Plan.
Sakura asks if this is really the best time to be going on missions, and Kakashi says they don't have any choice - they have to go get Sasuke (currenly in hot pursuit of Gaara). The Sand ninja's Kid has weirded out Kakashi, and wants him looked after. Sakura wants to wake up Ino and Choji for strength in numbers, but Kakashi wants them to stick to the traditional four-man squad. Our girl thinks at first Kakashi's coming with them, but no! They get an adorable Ninja Dog, which is even better. The Pakkun will lead them to Sasuke by sense of smell. Sakura's wondering why on earth the fourth member is a puppy, and the Pakkun tells her in a deep voice to not call him a cute puppy. In Sakura's defense, she never said 'cute.' Sakura low-crawls her way to Naruto and Shikamaru, waking up Naruto first and protecting him for an errant kunai. She's about to wake up Shikamaru, but realizes he's already awake. Hah! A Pakkun bite gets him up and moving, despite Slackermaru not wanting to get involved. Naruto finally realizes there's a battle going on as Guy punches a Sound Ninja through a wall. Kakashi gives them their marching orders, to find Sasuke and stop him from fighting Gaara. Shikamaru is somewhat reluctant, but the Pakkun has a treat if the mission is successful. He can touch the Pakkun's paw-pads. THEY ARE SOFT AND SUPPLE. This suprisingly doesn't sway Shikamaru, so Pakkun just drags his ass along. Guy wonders if they'll be okay, and Kakashi says they will, as long as they don't get to far out. Hey! Shino! Shino heard everything, and vanishes in presumable pursuit. (Sorry.)
Under the Great Barrier Jutsu, Orochimaru's psyched to fight the Hokage. One of the Anbu says that they need to take out just one of the four Sound Ninja to break the barrier, so the Sound Ninja put up barriers around themselves. Stupid Chatty Anbu. Orochimaru says that the Hokage shouldn't fret, others would just get in the way. We're off! Hokage starts with Tile Jutsu, but Orochimaru dodges the roofing and goes for Striking Snake Technique where his tongue turns into a snake to bite the Leaf Ninja. Yuck. His tongue snake bites down, but Substitution! The Hokage turns the roof to mud with Earth Style: Great Mud River, then hits with Earth Style: Earth Dragon Bomb and comboes it with Fire Dragon Bomb. Go, Hokage, go! It looks at first like he got Orochimaru, but the Hokage tells him to drop the stupid act and come back out. Orochimaru banters that that aren't the difficult students the most fun?
At Ninja Academy, Konohamaru suspects something up with it being a self-study period and the smoke and all. At the stands, Kabuto-Anbu wonders where the kids went. The Sound Ninja says the Genin couldn't possibly make a difference, but gets verbally smacked down for underestimating Naruto. Sasuke, meanwhile, is on Gaara's trail. The Ninja Academy teachers work to evacuate the students. Under the Barrier, Orochimaru asks if they shouldn't stop half-assing it and get down to it. The Hokage sheds his white robes for badass armor underneath, and Orochimaru does the same. The roof starts to crack, I'm guessing under the sheer weight of their Chakra. Orochimaru says he won't go easy on the Hokage, but the old guy says he's looking forward to it, and depending on the grade Hokage gives him he might have to re-do the Academy. Heh! We commence the festivities with the Hokage's Shuriken Shadow Clone Jutsu, but Orochimaru blocks with a Summoning Jutsu that calls up coffins. GAH. Coffins he recognizes. Hokage breaks his neck to stop the third one, but it's not over yet. The two coffins' lids fall open, and the Anbu outside are shocked by who it is. At the Academy, Iruka's having the kids evacuate in a calm and orderly fashion. Moegi and Udon notice something's up with Konohamaru, who's realizing that Things Are Afoot, starting with a rainbow he noticed around the sun. He flashes on the Hokage telling him that these kinds of rainbows symbolize snakes. Huh. On the roof, Orochimaru's animated the bodies in the coffins, the first and second Hokages, the ones who founded the Leaf Village. They're impressed they've been summoned, in a disinterested way, and Orochimaru wants them to get down to cases. In the forest, Sakura's explained what happens and Naruto's ready, but Shikamaru's irritated he has to help. Pakkun's got the scent, and they're on their way! So are a mess of Sound Ninja with orders to end Naruto.
Next Episode: The Sound Ninja are on Naruto's trail, but Shikamaru's got a Plan.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Episode 68 - Zero Hour! The Destuction of the Hidden Leaf Village Begins!
It's on! The Anbu rush in to protect Lord Hokage, but the smoke bomb covers the Kages long enough for the Kazekage to put a kunai to the Hokage's throat. Hidden Leaf's special ops cut through Kazekage's two bodyguards, but it's a trick - they're Sound Ninja in the freak style. One's got extra arms, one's a Siamese twin, and, er, one's a girl and one's big. The Anbu get blocked from the Hokage by the four's Jutsu which sets up a burning cube Barrier Jutsu around their position. Kakashi and Guy start to move to help, but they're blocked by one of the fake Anbu and Sound Ninja hidden in the crowd. The Hokage tells Kazekage that if he really wants, they can still negotiate thing, but the Sand Village isn't having any of it, calling him Sarutobi Sensei. Hmm. Two Chunin complain about having guard duty, and say ironic things like 'dying peacefully' and I don't hold out hope for their continued exsistence. The Sand Ninja finish their summoning, and it is big. A giant three-headed snake. Chief Snake? Leaf Ninja do what they can, but it is a giant-ass snake, and it doesn't help Sand Ninja are cutting them off from getting reinforcements.
Sasuke wants to know what's going on, and Gaara wants Sasuke dead, not caring about their plan. He has another of his fits, brought on by his wound and loss of Chakra. Kankuro's panicked over having to do this without Gaara's demon backing them up, and the other Sand Ninja are starting to notice his absence. Their sensei tells Gaara's sibs to look after him, and that he'll handle Genma and Sasuke. Ninja Standoff! Genma asks if Orochimaru's fronting this gig, and the sensei doesn't know or care. Toothpick tells Sasuke the Chunin Exam's over, but he's already made Chunin-level, and tells him to get after Gaara. Lord Hokage in Crisis - the Kazekage complains about the change in plans, which Hokage thinks was Sasuke and Leaf Village. Kazekage tells him that he's half right. The Hokage reminds him nothing is certain, like he taught the Kaze-- hey, that's Orochimaru! Oh, crap. The Hokage figured this would happen one day, but it's not going to be as easy as Orochimaru thinks.
Iruka watches the Ninja Preschoolers, wondering how the Exams are going, then chastises himself for showing favoritism over Neji. It's okay, though! Neji's a jerk. The kids cutely call him on wanting Naruto to win. They make a play to get a half-day, but he's not buying. The kids notice that Things Are Amiss. Ibiki's on the scene, though he hasn't thrown in yet, since if it's Orochimaru then it's dangerous. We get a little backstory on the Boss Snake - Third Hokage's student, really wanted to be the Fourth, and was put out when his name wasn't called and left to seek his vengeance. Even then, Ibiki didn't think Orochimaru qualified as totally human, and if Ibiki's frightened, look out. A Chunin drops by with the bad news of the three-headed snake rampaging through the village, and Ibiki has his squads go for the block. Fire Jutsu just pisses it off.
At the Arena, Guy berates himself for being careless, then notices that it's Orochimaru who's got the Hokage by the throat. Sakura immediately realizes they're here for Sasuke, but before she can do anything, a pair of Sound Ninja leap for her. Save by Kakashi! Oh, Sakura. Remember you're a Ninja, too. Kakashi cheerfully tells Sakura to stay put whilst he works on some force depletion methods. Might Guy Bruce Lees it up, and we get Kakashi and Guy fighting back to back. Guy's worried about the Hokage, but Kakashi reminds Guy they don't give out the Hokage title to just anybody. The Hokage notices Orochimaru shedding a tear, but it's not for any sympathy. He moves his knife and there's a spray of blood, but Orochimaru just stabbed his own hand to wake himself up. Gah. Orochimaru claims this is all mostly to keep things interesting, which Hokage says makes him the same as always. In the stands, Kakashi pauses in beating up Sound Ninja to tell Sakura to to wake up Naruto and Shikamaru, they'll have need of her Genjutsu on their mission. Mission? Her sensei says Naruto'll be thrilled - it'll start their first A-Ranked Mission since the Land of the Waves.
[b]Next Episode:[/b] A-Ranked Mission, complete with small dog! Wait, what?
Sasuke wants to know what's going on, and Gaara wants Sasuke dead, not caring about their plan. He has another of his fits, brought on by his wound and loss of Chakra. Kankuro's panicked over having to do this without Gaara's demon backing them up, and the other Sand Ninja are starting to notice his absence. Their sensei tells Gaara's sibs to look after him, and that he'll handle Genma and Sasuke. Ninja Standoff! Genma asks if Orochimaru's fronting this gig, and the sensei doesn't know or care. Toothpick tells Sasuke the Chunin Exam's over, but he's already made Chunin-level, and tells him to get after Gaara. Lord Hokage in Crisis - the Kazekage complains about the change in plans, which Hokage thinks was Sasuke and Leaf Village. Kazekage tells him that he's half right. The Hokage reminds him nothing is certain, like he taught the Kaze-- hey, that's Orochimaru! Oh, crap. The Hokage figured this would happen one day, but it's not going to be as easy as Orochimaru thinks.
Iruka watches the Ninja Preschoolers, wondering how the Exams are going, then chastises himself for showing favoritism over Neji. It's okay, though! Neji's a jerk. The kids cutely call him on wanting Naruto to win. They make a play to get a half-day, but he's not buying. The kids notice that Things Are Amiss. Ibiki's on the scene, though he hasn't thrown in yet, since if it's Orochimaru then it's dangerous. We get a little backstory on the Boss Snake - Third Hokage's student, really wanted to be the Fourth, and was put out when his name wasn't called and left to seek his vengeance. Even then, Ibiki didn't think Orochimaru qualified as totally human, and if Ibiki's frightened, look out. A Chunin drops by with the bad news of the three-headed snake rampaging through the village, and Ibiki has his squads go for the block. Fire Jutsu just pisses it off.
At the Arena, Guy berates himself for being careless, then notices that it's Orochimaru who's got the Hokage by the throat. Sakura immediately realizes they're here for Sasuke, but before she can do anything, a pair of Sound Ninja leap for her. Save by Kakashi! Oh, Sakura. Remember you're a Ninja, too. Kakashi cheerfully tells Sakura to stay put whilst he works on some force depletion methods. Might Guy Bruce Lees it up, and we get Kakashi and Guy fighting back to back. Guy's worried about the Hokage, but Kakashi reminds Guy they don't give out the Hokage title to just anybody. The Hokage notices Orochimaru shedding a tear, but it's not for any sympathy. He moves his knife and there's a spray of blood, but Orochimaru just stabbed his own hand to wake himself up. Gah. Orochimaru claims this is all mostly to keep things interesting, which Hokage says makes him the same as always. In the stands, Kakashi pauses in beating up Sound Ninja to tell Sakura to to wake up Naruto and Shikamaru, they'll have need of her Genjutsu on their mission. Mission? Her sensei says Naruto'll be thrilled - it'll start their first A-Ranked Mission since the Land of the Waves.
[b]Next Episode:[/b] A-Ranked Mission, complete with small dog! Wait, what?
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Episode 67 - Late for the Show, But Ready to Go! The Ultimate Secret Technique is Born!
Naruto and Shikamaru have just raced to tell Kakashi to stop the match, and Naruto's sensei says... no. There's nothing to worry about, and that's why they got here late. Gaara continues making signs inside his Sand Shell, which is still deflecting his best efforts to crack it, usually with sharp spikes. It's pretty awesome to watch Sasuke go. Sasuke's not as upset by the drawback as I might think. Since Gaara's busted out his own time-intensive Jutsu, Sasuke takes the chance to do the same. Cut to an Anbu in the forest, whose hair is showing, so I'm pretty sure he's not Kabuto, and the Anbu squad seems out and about to hunt for something. What they missed was the huge mob of Sound and Sand Ninjas. The Anbu just don't impress me. Sakura asks why they got to the arena late, and rather than answering outright, just says to watch Sasuke. Boy Wonder backflips up onto the arena wall and clings there, firing up his own Jutsu. Gaara's being crazy and batshit inside his Shell, which puts a crimp in the Sand Ninjas' plan, and Kankuro wants to rabbit. They don't seem to realize that Shino heard the magic 'p' word. In the forest, the Sand Ninja are laying down a huge Summoning Circle.
At the Arena, we see just what Kakashi taught Sasuke, a physical activation Jutsu that also explains the Taijutsu training. Kakashi's no slouch. The Chakra streaming off his hand is leaving gouges in the ground. Kakashi's original Jutsu - Chidori: One Thousand Birds! Sasuke puts his fist through the Shell and the arena goes silent. Lightning Blade - So hardcore it can cut through lightning. Poor Lee mopes that he couldn't have pulled that stunt off, and envies Sasuke combining effort and genius. The Sand Ninjas are in position. Naruto's jealous he can't do the Lightning Blade, but can summon Gamabunta, and that's something, right? Of course right! Inside the Shell, Gaara asks his mother what this warm stuff is, and it's his own blood, which he freaks out over. Sasuke has to fire up that Lightning Blade to pull out of the Shell, and he also pulls out a sort of amorphous demon arm. Gah! Kankuro asks about the Perfect Possession, and how the first time he saw it he couldn't eat. There's a horrible scream from the inside of the Shell, and it starts to crack, turning soft around Gaara. The Sand Ninja's got a bad shoulder wound, which does nothing for his psychoses. Apparently Sasuke hit him mid-transformation into the... thing.
In the stands, one of the Anbu puts his hand on a spectator in front of him, who seems to pass out (if he's lucky) and makes a sign. Some of the sharper Genin realize it's a sleep Genjutsu, which some of the sharper Ninjas (Kakashi, Guy, and Sakura - go, girl!) realize and block with their Chakra. We get a long look of realization between the Kages. The Kazekage's body guard spirit him away, and drop a grenade behind them. At that signal, it all breaks loose. The Sound Ninja rush in from their positions, the Sand Ninjas make ready to summon, and the Kabuto-Anbu make their play. Hang tight! I bet it gets worse before it gets better.
Next Episode: Ground Zero: Leaf Village!
At the Arena, we see just what Kakashi taught Sasuke, a physical activation Jutsu that also explains the Taijutsu training. Kakashi's no slouch. The Chakra streaming off his hand is leaving gouges in the ground. Kakashi's original Jutsu - Chidori: One Thousand Birds! Sasuke puts his fist through the Shell and the arena goes silent. Lightning Blade - So hardcore it can cut through lightning. Poor Lee mopes that he couldn't have pulled that stunt off, and envies Sasuke combining effort and genius. The Sand Ninjas are in position. Naruto's jealous he can't do the Lightning Blade, but can summon Gamabunta, and that's something, right? Of course right! Inside the Shell, Gaara asks his mother what this warm stuff is, and it's his own blood, which he freaks out over. Sasuke has to fire up that Lightning Blade to pull out of the Shell, and he also pulls out a sort of amorphous demon arm. Gah! Kankuro asks about the Perfect Possession, and how the first time he saw it he couldn't eat. There's a horrible scream from the inside of the Shell, and it starts to crack, turning soft around Gaara. The Sand Ninja's got a bad shoulder wound, which does nothing for his psychoses. Apparently Sasuke hit him mid-transformation into the... thing.
In the stands, one of the Anbu puts his hand on a spectator in front of him, who seems to pass out (if he's lucky) and makes a sign. Some of the sharper Genin realize it's a sleep Genjutsu, which some of the sharper Ninjas (Kakashi, Guy, and Sakura - go, girl!) realize and block with their Chakra. We get a long look of realization between the Kages. The Kazekage's body guard spirit him away, and drop a grenade behind them. At that signal, it all breaks loose. The Sound Ninja rush in from their positions, the Sand Ninjas make ready to summon, and the Kabuto-Anbu make their play. Hang tight! I bet it gets worse before it gets better.
Next Episode: Ground Zero: Leaf Village!
Monday, February 9, 2009
Episode 66 - Bushy Brow’s Jutsu: Sasuke Style!
Genma lays down the rules, which is fitting because Sasuke got here so late. Gaara doesn't waste a minute to break into a gleefully psychotic chuckle. Kakashi joins the crowd on the benches, asks after Lee, and cheerfully blows off Sakura wondering where the heck he was. Sakura doesn't get as mad at that as one thinks, she's more worried about Sasuke's Curse Mark. Kakashi tells her the problem's been taken care of, which brings our girl some relief. His ninja senses tingle at the Anbu scattered throughout the crowd, and wondering what Hokage's got in mind. Guy playfully tells Kakashi that he'll be checking out the training he gave Sasuke, you know, as his eternal rival and all. The Copy Ninja wasn't really paying attention, though. Guy: "Why must you be so avant-garde!?" BWHAHA.
Genma calls Sasuke and the evilly-slouchy Gaara to the center, and every one in the arena can feel the tension. At the start, sand erupts from Gaara's gourd, but Kakashi's warned him. Out of nowhere, Gaara clutches his ask and asks for somebody to not be so mad, possibly his mother. He's sorry he had her(?) suck awful-tasting blood, but this time it'll taste better. Squicked. His breakdown apparently relates to the strength of his opponent. Gaara shakes it off as the sand falls around him, and tells Sasuke to bring it. Shikamaru takes the chance to remind naruto that Gaara said he'd kill everybody in Lee's room, and didn't even seem to see Naruto and Shikamaru. Naruto says now the only one who can make Gaara feel alive is Sasuke, and he's got the shakes again. Go time! Sasuke throws a pair of kunai at Gaara, blocked by the Sand Shield into a Sand Clone. It throws Sasuke's own weapons back at him, and Sasuke hits a backfist into the Clone's neck. The Clone starts to suck Sasuke in, but Sasuke's able to destroy it with another hit. The Last Uchiha feints, drawing up Gaara's Sand Shield, but then vanishes and reappears behind Gaara in a most Lee-like manner. Lee can see the overlap of his own Taijutsu over the kid. Sasuke lands a monster overhand punch on Gaara that cracks Gaara's Sand Armor and sends him flying.
We break from that to Kiba thanking the Anbu who helped Hinata earlier, but Akamaru senses danger! He recognizes the Anbu from the earlier Exams, but before Kiba can do anything the Anbu knocks him out with a Chakraed-up palm. Since Gaara's unwilling to stand back up, Sasuke goes to him, circling around the desert demon to catch him on the face with a kick, and Sasuke promises to tear his Sand Armor off. Sasuke Wally Wests a cyclone around Gaara, before flipping in with an awesome two-kick combo. Lee's impressed that Sasuke got his speed in only a month. Gaara's on the ground and panting from using the Sand Armor, and his sister gives the Kazekage a significant look. Guy asks how Kakashi did it, and Kakashi answers with Sasuke using his Sharingan to copy Lee's Taijutsu. Which, soley used, can't beat Gaara as we have seen. Guy figures Kakashi saw the fight between the hateful Gaara and lovable Lee, and wonders what he has up his hip and galling sleeve. Gaara's back on his feet and angry, summong up the sand around him into a shell. Naruto's dwelling on Gaara's stated purpose in life is to end the lives of others, and decides that he needs to tell Kakashi what sand-wrought psycho Gaara really is. Sasuke's charging in, and Kankuro's freaked out by the Jutsu he's using, which looks to be a kind of spiny Sand Shell, which Sasuke bloodies his knuckles on. Our heroes are watching to see what happens next, when Naruto and Shikamaru stomps up to demand they halt the match. He gives the reasons we already know - Gaara's sandshit insane and lives only to make other people dead, and that's not a good thing, especially because Gaara's next. Inside the Shell, Gaara's chanting something, which results in another Sand Eye forming outside the Shell. Naruto asks Kakashi again to stop it, but I think everybody's too confused to do much. Gaara grins a little inside his cocoon, and my fingernails are all bitten off.
Next Episode: Sasuke's got to break the shell!
Genma calls Sasuke and the evilly-slouchy Gaara to the center, and every one in the arena can feel the tension. At the start, sand erupts from Gaara's gourd, but Kakashi's warned him. Out of nowhere, Gaara clutches his ask and asks for somebody to not be so mad, possibly his mother. He's sorry he had her(?) suck awful-tasting blood, but this time it'll taste better. Squicked. His breakdown apparently relates to the strength of his opponent. Gaara shakes it off as the sand falls around him, and tells Sasuke to bring it. Shikamaru takes the chance to remind naruto that Gaara said he'd kill everybody in Lee's room, and didn't even seem to see Naruto and Shikamaru. Naruto says now the only one who can make Gaara feel alive is Sasuke, and he's got the shakes again. Go time! Sasuke throws a pair of kunai at Gaara, blocked by the Sand Shield into a Sand Clone. It throws Sasuke's own weapons back at him, and Sasuke hits a backfist into the Clone's neck. The Clone starts to suck Sasuke in, but Sasuke's able to destroy it with another hit. The Last Uchiha feints, drawing up Gaara's Sand Shield, but then vanishes and reappears behind Gaara in a most Lee-like manner. Lee can see the overlap of his own Taijutsu over the kid. Sasuke lands a monster overhand punch on Gaara that cracks Gaara's Sand Armor and sends him flying.
We break from that to Kiba thanking the Anbu who helped Hinata earlier, but Akamaru senses danger! He recognizes the Anbu from the earlier Exams, but before Kiba can do anything the Anbu knocks him out with a Chakraed-up palm. Since Gaara's unwilling to stand back up, Sasuke goes to him, circling around the desert demon to catch him on the face with a kick, and Sasuke promises to tear his Sand Armor off. Sasuke Wally Wests a cyclone around Gaara, before flipping in with an awesome two-kick combo. Lee's impressed that Sasuke got his speed in only a month. Gaara's on the ground and panting from using the Sand Armor, and his sister gives the Kazekage a significant look. Guy asks how Kakashi did it, and Kakashi answers with Sasuke using his Sharingan to copy Lee's Taijutsu. Which, soley used, can't beat Gaara as we have seen. Guy figures Kakashi saw the fight between the hateful Gaara and lovable Lee, and wonders what he has up his hip and galling sleeve. Gaara's back on his feet and angry, summong up the sand around him into a shell. Naruto's dwelling on Gaara's stated purpose in life is to end the lives of others, and decides that he needs to tell Kakashi what sand-wrought psycho Gaara really is. Sasuke's charging in, and Kankuro's freaked out by the Jutsu he's using, which looks to be a kind of spiny Sand Shell, which Sasuke bloodies his knuckles on. Our heroes are watching to see what happens next, when Naruto and Shikamaru stomps up to demand they halt the match. He gives the reasons we already know - Gaara's sandshit insane and lives only to make other people dead, and that's not a good thing, especially because Gaara's next. Inside the Shell, Gaara's chanting something, which results in another Sand Eye forming outside the Shell. Naruto asks Kakashi again to stop it, but I think everybody's too confused to do much. Gaara grins a little inside his cocoon, and my fingernails are all bitten off.
Next Episode: Sasuke's got to break the shell!
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Episode 65 - Dancing Leaf, Squirming Sand
Temari's still our winner, and Shikamaru still gave up after he won. Ino goes nuts on Choji, wondering what his damage is. Kurenai asks Asuma if he's really got the motivation to become a Chunin, and Asuma honestly doesn't know - but it's clear that Shikamaru's thinking at a Chunin level already. Maybe more. Asuma realizes that at the least, Shikamaru would know when to give the right orders and why. A Chunin needs to have the lives on his squad first and foremost, to put them above the mission, and both Naruto and Neji would break their necks trying to finish something. Edge: Shikamaru Nara. Naruto jumps over the railing to give Shikamaru a piece of his mind, and this works as well as I suspect. He doesn't want to talk about it, and would rather they just watch the next match - Sasuke vs. Gaara!
The only hitch is no Sasuke. Fans don't think Gaara's anything in comparison to Sasuke, although Gaara has his fans. Toothpick and Gaara are waiting to get it on, but still no Uchiha. Hokage's ready to DQ Sasuke, but Kazekage calls for another ten minutes. Lord Hokage knows something's up as the crowd starts to chant for Sasuke. The arena guards finally spot a pair coming into the arena - though one's on crutches, which is a Clue it's not Sasuke. Guy and Lee! Guy adopts the Crane stance for no particular reason. Lee's upset he missed Naruto/Neji, and they're both floored by the fact Naruto won. It doesn't take Lee long to get over his shock and be proud of Naruto, and Guy's proud of his charge. Kankuro asks if Sasuke's really going to make it, and Gaara says he will. Good! You didn't murder him and Kakashi and leaves his bones bleaching in the sun. I guess that's for now. Thirty seconds to go, and the crowd's getting ever more rowdy. Sakura and Naruto are both praying Sasuke makes it, in their own way. As Genman (Toothpick) starts to call the match, there's a sudden and abrupt windstorm in the middle of the arena. OH, YEAH! Kakashi and Sasuke make a hell of an entrance. Kakashi apologizes for being late, but he probably met a magic talking cat or something.
The crowd goes wild! There's a nice Naruto/Sasuke scene over Naruto giving Sasuke crap for showing up late. Kakashi sheepishly asks if they're DQed, but fortunately Genma has a heart and lets it go, though he does ask if Kakashi's rubbing off on Sasuke. Naruto tells Sasuke he can't lose to Gaara, because he wants to fight Sasuke too. Choji's kind of upset that everybody's already forgotten Shikamaru, but Slackermaru is way more prosaic about it. He wants to see the fight, too. Ino fan-girls about how awesome Sakura's squad is (and she's 2/3rds right), which sends Lee into a minor depression over everybody beating or going to beat the two guys he can't. Lee's fist is bleeding, he's so torn up over it. Poor guy. Kazekage is glad they can finally kick off their Evil Scheme, and Gaara's glad he can verify his existence in that psychotic way he has. Kankuro tries to tell him to stick to the plan, but Temari shuts him up before he pisses Gaara off. A pair of Ninja gamblers want to fix this match, and try to get Gaara to throw it. This will end well. They get pulverized by sand. Jeepers. Both Naruto and Shikamaru, who saw it, are paralyzed into hoping that Gaara suddenly can only see movement. Shikamaru's glad the two of them were there - if it was just one, they might've been killed. He thinks things aren't looking great for the Boy Wonder. We'll find out next episode!
New ending - it's not Viva Rock, but the song's nice. I also miss the adorable marching Chibi cast, but Naruto staring at the rock faces of the Hokage is a nice bit.
Next Episode: Naruto wants to stop the fight we've been waiting for. Sheesh!
The only hitch is no Sasuke. Fans don't think Gaara's anything in comparison to Sasuke, although Gaara has his fans. Toothpick and Gaara are waiting to get it on, but still no Uchiha. Hokage's ready to DQ Sasuke, but Kazekage calls for another ten minutes. Lord Hokage knows something's up as the crowd starts to chant for Sasuke. The arena guards finally spot a pair coming into the arena - though one's on crutches, which is a Clue it's not Sasuke. Guy and Lee! Guy adopts the Crane stance for no particular reason. Lee's upset he missed Naruto/Neji, and they're both floored by the fact Naruto won. It doesn't take Lee long to get over his shock and be proud of Naruto, and Guy's proud of his charge. Kankuro asks if Sasuke's really going to make it, and Gaara says he will. Good! You didn't murder him and Kakashi and leaves his bones bleaching in the sun. I guess that's for now. Thirty seconds to go, and the crowd's getting ever more rowdy. Sakura and Naruto are both praying Sasuke makes it, in their own way. As Genman (Toothpick) starts to call the match, there's a sudden and abrupt windstorm in the middle of the arena. OH, YEAH! Kakashi and Sasuke make a hell of an entrance. Kakashi apologizes for being late, but he probably met a magic talking cat or something.
The crowd goes wild! There's a nice Naruto/Sasuke scene over Naruto giving Sasuke crap for showing up late. Kakashi sheepishly asks if they're DQed, but fortunately Genma has a heart and lets it go, though he does ask if Kakashi's rubbing off on Sasuke. Naruto tells Sasuke he can't lose to Gaara, because he wants to fight Sasuke too. Choji's kind of upset that everybody's already forgotten Shikamaru, but Slackermaru is way more prosaic about it. He wants to see the fight, too. Ino fan-girls about how awesome Sakura's squad is (and she's 2/3rds right), which sends Lee into a minor depression over everybody beating or going to beat the two guys he can't. Lee's fist is bleeding, he's so torn up over it. Poor guy. Kazekage is glad they can finally kick off their Evil Scheme, and Gaara's glad he can verify his existence in that psychotic way he has. Kankuro tries to tell him to stick to the plan, but Temari shuts him up before he pisses Gaara off. A pair of Ninja gamblers want to fix this match, and try to get Gaara to throw it. This will end well. They get pulverized by sand. Jeepers. Both Naruto and Shikamaru, who saw it, are paralyzed into hoping that Gaara suddenly can only see movement. Shikamaru's glad the two of them were there - if it was just one, they might've been killed. He thinks things aren't looking great for the Boy Wonder. We'll find out next episode!
New ending - it's not Viva Rock, but the song's nice. I also miss the adorable marching Chibi cast, but Naruto staring at the rock faces of the Hokage is a nice bit.
Next Episode: Naruto wants to stop the fight we've been waiting for. Sheesh!
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Episode 64 - Zero Motivation: The Guy with Cloud Envy
It's totally a drag to start your fight after a two-story drop, as Shikamaru finds out to his pain. The crowd's raining down garbage into the arena wanting them to start the fight, though it's not this match they really care about. If they can't be bothered, Shikamaru can't be bothered, and he's annoyed to find he's fighting a girl again. Theme? Asuma comments Shikamaru's always like this, and Naruto wants him to get fighting. Temari takes the iniative and comes at our boy with a giant fan, but... swing and a miss! Shikamaru doesn't give a crap if he's a Chunin, but he's not about to lose the battle of the sexes. Temari misses with a wind-blast, and Shikamaru keeps to the shadows, not wanting to smack her around but not into being beaten up himself. Ino's Shikamaru's sole cheering section. Hey! Choji! With a mass of snacks. He cluelessly asks after Sasuke, which Ino tries to put a lid on for poor Sakura's sake. Choji thinks Shikamaru's out of place, but Ino reminds him he doesn't have fancy jutsu, but he's always been pretty quick upstairs. Why, he even lept into the arena! Ino's impressed by this new passionate Shikamaru. Choji doesn't know a thing about Shikamaru. Shikamaru, meanwhile, really wants to be a cloud, which is as close as he seems to get to wanting something.
Temari's tired of Shikamaru's wool-gathering, and throws another torrent at our boy. Shikamaru uses the cloud to send his shadow after his opponent, but Temari leaps away. She's seen how it works, and a shadow can only stretch so far. Temari's marked the distance, so now it's a standoff. Shikamaru goes for a new sign, which isn't a sign according to Asuma, it's just what he does when he's stuck on a problem and trying to skull things out. It works, too, Asuma's never beaten him. He slacked his way through Ninja Academy, just passing, and it wasn't until later that Asuma sneakily found out that Shikamaru had an IQ over 200. Holy crap. And now Shikamaru's figured out his next move...
Fan Girl's eager to get things going again, and wind-blasts the Squad Ten strategist, which Shikamaru avoids by ducking behind a tree. Ino doesn't know what he's going for, and Choji figures he'll give up because things are too much of a hassle. Ino doesn't want to believe it, but prior evidence would suggest her cubby friend is right. Temari yells for him to come out and finish things, and she has to dodge a kunai/Shadow Paralysis combo that hits too close for her comfort. The sneaky kid was waiting for the sun to set more to extend his reach. Nice! The Sand Ninja's flummoxed, but it's still a standoff. That is, until a new shadow starts to form overhead. Shikamaru improvised a parachute with his jacket and a knife and sent it over Temari's head. HAH! She tries to dodge the shadow reaching for her, but if she pays too much attention to either Shikamaru or his parachute, she's done for. Fan Girl's impressed. Asuma and Kurenai think he might've overplayed his hand, but Temari knows that if it goes too long he'll get more shadows after the sun sets. She decides to use a Clone Jutsu for a diversion... and she's stuck! The Shadow Paralysis is working to the amazement of the crowd. Shikamaru maneuvered her so that he could send a shadow through the hole Naruto erupted from... which was connected by the crater his Shadow Clone had made. The parachute was a fake. Genius. Shikamaru and Temari stroll towards each other in the center of the arena. People are on the edge of their seats. Choji looks to eat himself into a coma from the suspense. Shikamaru raises his right arm and... gives up. The crowd explodes in confusion. Shikamaru says that it took so long, he's out of Chakra and it's all such a pain. Ino doesn't know a thing about Shikamaru.
Next Episode: The match you paid to see - Sasuke vs. Gaara!
Temari's tired of Shikamaru's wool-gathering, and throws another torrent at our boy. Shikamaru uses the cloud to send his shadow after his opponent, but Temari leaps away. She's seen how it works, and a shadow can only stretch so far. Temari's marked the distance, so now it's a standoff. Shikamaru goes for a new sign, which isn't a sign according to Asuma, it's just what he does when he's stuck on a problem and trying to skull things out. It works, too, Asuma's never beaten him. He slacked his way through Ninja Academy, just passing, and it wasn't until later that Asuma sneakily found out that Shikamaru had an IQ over 200. Holy crap. And now Shikamaru's figured out his next move...
Fan Girl's eager to get things going again, and wind-blasts the Squad Ten strategist, which Shikamaru avoids by ducking behind a tree. Ino doesn't know what he's going for, and Choji figures he'll give up because things are too much of a hassle. Ino doesn't want to believe it, but prior evidence would suggest her cubby friend is right. Temari yells for him to come out and finish things, and she has to dodge a kunai/Shadow Paralysis combo that hits too close for her comfort. The sneaky kid was waiting for the sun to set more to extend his reach. Nice! The Sand Ninja's flummoxed, but it's still a standoff. That is, until a new shadow starts to form overhead. Shikamaru improvised a parachute with his jacket and a knife and sent it over Temari's head. HAH! She tries to dodge the shadow reaching for her, but if she pays too much attention to either Shikamaru or his parachute, she's done for. Fan Girl's impressed. Asuma and Kurenai think he might've overplayed his hand, but Temari knows that if it goes too long he'll get more shadows after the sun sets. She decides to use a Clone Jutsu for a diversion... and she's stuck! The Shadow Paralysis is working to the amazement of the crowd. Shikamaru maneuvered her so that he could send a shadow through the hole Naruto erupted from... which was connected by the crater his Shadow Clone had made. The parachute was a fake. Genius. Shikamaru and Temari stroll towards each other in the center of the arena. People are on the edge of their seats. Choji looks to eat himself into a coma from the suspense. Shikamaru raises his right arm and... gives up. The crowd explodes in confusion. Shikamaru says that it took so long, he's out of Chakra and it's all such a pain. Ino doesn't know a thing about Shikamaru.
Next Episode: The match you paid to see - Sasuke vs. Gaara!
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Episode 63 - Hit it or Quit it: The Final Rounds Get Complicated!
Sakura's the first to cheer for Naruto, and the croud rains their applause down. Naruto would immediately like to think of all the people who believed in him enough to get to this point, which is nobody in this crowd. Sakura reflects that if she wants to hit Naruto's level, she'll have to work hard, too. Dur hey, sister. Shikamaru's irritated that Naruto isn't a slacker-goof like he is. Asuma, Kurenai and the Hokage are impressed Naruto can summon the Demon Fox. As the Ninja Paramedics cart Neji off, Toothpick drops knowledge that if a bird really wants to escape his cage and fly, he'll find a way. Lord Hyuga drops by to check on his nephew, who can barely sit up. He wants Neji to know the truth about what happened to his father. Hiashi tells Neji he intended to die that day, and hands Neji a scroll. He tries to blow them off as propaganda, but it's in his father's handwriting. The scroll tells about the Lightning Ninja's help, and Hiashi ready to sacrifice himself, but one of the elders says there's a reason we have branch familes. Hizashi understands the situation and is willing. The Lightnings want Hiashi's body to research Byakugan, but it disappears upon death, though they don't know that. This is Hizashi's destiny, and there's that word again. Hiashi protests further, but Hizashi wants to protect Hiashi because he's Hiashi's brother, not because of the branch family garbage, and hopefully show Neji something besides his bitter resentment to the head family. He wanted Neji to know that he died because it was his choice, finding freedom in death from the destiny of the Hyuga clan. Wow. When Neji finishes, he turns to find Lord Hiashi bowing his head and asking his forgiveness, and asks him to rise. Neji reflects on what destiny is, having his own view of the notion shaken, and maybe if those who view it like Naruto are right after all. Neji decides to become stronger so that he can follow his own path.
The Kages are commenting on how awesome than the battle they just watched, but it's Sasuke versus Gaara that they paid their tickest to see. Scarface tells Hokage they still can't find their wunderkind. The crowd all-but chants, "We want Ninjas! Clap-clap clap-clap-clap!" Shikamaru wonders where he is, and Shino says that it may be wise he doesn't show. Naruto still thinks Sasuke will show up, and shares mutual hostile looks with Gaara. Kankuro and Temari worry this might throw off the plan, and their sensei wonders if Gaara's already killed the Uchiha kid. Flash to Kakashi and Sasuke training, and even though Gaara's hiding Kakashi calls him out, having sensed his blood-lust. At the arena, the Kazekage asks the Hokage if they could wait, though the Leaf Ninjas say there's not a good reason to. Kazekage says this match is why they came, and there might be Trouble if he doesn't show. Hokage decides to postpone it over Toothpick's protests, and asks Kazekage why all the fuss. The Sand Ninja says he just really wants to see what Sasuke can do, to say nothing of wanting to see Gaara fight him and what the people want. They announce the match is pushed back, to some being happy and some being confused. Shikamaru suddenly realizes this means he has to fight sooner. Drag.
Our next bout is Kankuro vs. Shino, and the former abstains. His match doesn't have anything to do with the Sand Ninja's treachery, plus he doesn't want to show off Crow until he has to. Shino looks suspicious, as does the Lord Hokage. The crowd wants a real match and complains loudly. To buy time, Temari fan-rides down to the arena and wants to start her bout, and Shikamaru's annoyed at all the fuss. He thinks about abstaining too, until a hearty Naruto backslap sends Shikamaru over the railing and onto the arena floor. Hah!
Next Episode: Temari versus Shikamaru! Do it for the slackers, kid. If you can be bothered.
The Kages are commenting on how awesome than the battle they just watched, but it's Sasuke versus Gaara that they paid their tickest to see. Scarface tells Hokage they still can't find their wunderkind. The crowd all-but chants, "We want Ninjas! Clap-clap clap-clap-clap!" Shikamaru wonders where he is, and Shino says that it may be wise he doesn't show. Naruto still thinks Sasuke will show up, and shares mutual hostile looks with Gaara. Kankuro and Temari worry this might throw off the plan, and their sensei wonders if Gaara's already killed the Uchiha kid. Flash to Kakashi and Sasuke training, and even though Gaara's hiding Kakashi calls him out, having sensed his blood-lust. At the arena, the Kazekage asks the Hokage if they could wait, though the Leaf Ninjas say there's not a good reason to. Kazekage says this match is why they came, and there might be Trouble if he doesn't show. Hokage decides to postpone it over Toothpick's protests, and asks Kazekage why all the fuss. The Sand Ninja says he just really wants to see what Sasuke can do, to say nothing of wanting to see Gaara fight him and what the people want. They announce the match is pushed back, to some being happy and some being confused. Shikamaru suddenly realizes this means he has to fight sooner. Drag.
Our next bout is Kankuro vs. Shino, and the former abstains. His match doesn't have anything to do with the Sand Ninja's treachery, plus he doesn't want to show off Crow until he has to. Shino looks suspicious, as does the Lord Hokage. The crowd wants a real match and complains loudly. To buy time, Temari fan-rides down to the arena and wants to start her bout, and Shikamaru's annoyed at all the fuss. He thinks about abstaining too, until a hearty Naruto backslap sends Shikamaru over the railing and onto the arena floor. Hah!
Next Episode: Temari versus Shikamaru! Do it for the slackers, kid. If you can be bothered.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Episode 62 - A Failure’s True Power
We start with Naruto reminding us that he's a sympathetic character. While Neji believes everything is set by destiny, Naruto's determined to prove that it's not, and that Neji's father dying didn't (or shouldn't) determine anything for Neji, either. Neji goes for a finishing blow, and palm-strikes the heck out of Naruto's chest, sending Naruto sprawling. He tells the Proctor to call it, and calls Naruto a failure. Again. Our hero tells him it's not over just yet, standing back up and ready to prove his Ninja Way of never giving up. Neji's reminded of Hinata, but blows it off. More of Naruto not backing down, and Neji believing every one is locked into fate. Neji yells Naruto can't understand being Marked in such a way that seemingly chains you to a path in life, and... er, point of interest, Neji? Oh, nevermind. You'll figure it out. Naruto says he does understand, and what's Neji gonna do about it? Naruto awesomely calls Neji on wanting to fight destiny despite what he says - Hinata struggles to change herself so people will one day accept her as the Hyuga's heir, and then Neji, who is to be her protector, was trying to kill in her in a pathetic way of acting out who he thought should be in charge. Go, Naruto, go! Speaking of Hinata, the Anbu's still working his healing Chakra on Hinata, and it seems to be working. Whew.
Neji's done with bantering, and asks Naruto how he's going to fight without Chakra, but at least he can go keep Hinata company in the useless destiny pile. Naruto talks big, but he really doesn't have any Chakra left - just like when he was training under Jiraiya. Hey! Didn't the Pervy Sage say something about Naruto having another kind of Chakra? Yes, yes he did. Our boy digs deep and asks the Demon Fox for help. It's time to finish it, says Neji, and even the Proctor's annoyed with him. Naruto starts to channel the Nine-Tailed Chakra as we get scenes of Naruto telling Hinata to come watch him kick Neji's ass, and Lee saying how fine it would be to beat a genius with sheer effort. Neji asks what the point of this is, and Naruto says it's because Neji called him names. Neji turns on the Byakugan, and is freaked the hell out the red Chakra surging through Naruto. The spectators are suitably impressed, and also terrified. Gaara in particular looks shaken.
Filled with the Nine-Tailed Chakra, Naruto's ready to let Neji have it. So are we. The Nine-Tailed Chakra infuses Naruto, who promptly vanishes from sight to reappear overhead and fling some Shuriken at Neji. He uses Rotation to catch them and hurl them back at Naruto, who vanishes before they can hit. Then it's kunai, which knock each other out of the air, and both of them catch before they hit the ground. Holy crap! Naruto: "You're confident in close combat, right?" Naruto charges at Neji, and we get flashbacks on Neji telling Naruto how much of a joke he is, which only riles Naruto more. It's Naruto's destiny to kick Neji's ask, so if he doesn't want to struggle against it, he doesn't have to. Hah! Naruto says after he becomes Hokage that Hyuga reform is first on his list as there's an [i]exoplosion[/i] of Chakra when their blades meet in the middle. The crowd's agape, and nobody knows which smoking crater is Naruto's. Neji is the first one to pull himself out to the crowd's amazement, but he doesn't look very happy about it. He staggers over to Naruto's body, and Tenten says it looks like the Rotation battered Naruto with his own Nine-Tailed Chakra. Ouch. THEN THE REAL NARUTO ERUPTS FROM THE GROUND WITH AN UPPERCUT! MY GOD! He punched Neji so hard his [i]fingers[/i] are bleeding, and Neji can't seem to move. Neji admits he was careless, and should've expected the Jutsu Naruto's good at. Naruto says that's actually the Jutsu he always flunked out on, so give the destiny thing a rest, okay? Especially since Neji's not a failure, and could change if he wants to. Toothpick calls it in favor of Naruto to the roar of the crowd.
Next Episode: Naruto won, but Sasuke won't if he doesn't get his ass to the arena.
Neji's done with bantering, and asks Naruto how he's going to fight without Chakra, but at least he can go keep Hinata company in the useless destiny pile. Naruto talks big, but he really doesn't have any Chakra left - just like when he was training under Jiraiya. Hey! Didn't the Pervy Sage say something about Naruto having another kind of Chakra? Yes, yes he did. Our boy digs deep and asks the Demon Fox for help. It's time to finish it, says Neji, and even the Proctor's annoyed with him. Naruto starts to channel the Nine-Tailed Chakra as we get scenes of Naruto telling Hinata to come watch him kick Neji's ass, and Lee saying how fine it would be to beat a genius with sheer effort. Neji asks what the point of this is, and Naruto says it's because Neji called him names. Neji turns on the Byakugan, and is freaked the hell out the red Chakra surging through Naruto. The spectators are suitably impressed, and also terrified. Gaara in particular looks shaken.
Filled with the Nine-Tailed Chakra, Naruto's ready to let Neji have it. So are we. The Nine-Tailed Chakra infuses Naruto, who promptly vanishes from sight to reappear overhead and fling some Shuriken at Neji. He uses Rotation to catch them and hurl them back at Naruto, who vanishes before they can hit. Then it's kunai, which knock each other out of the air, and both of them catch before they hit the ground. Holy crap! Naruto: "You're confident in close combat, right?" Naruto charges at Neji, and we get flashbacks on Neji telling Naruto how much of a joke he is, which only riles Naruto more. It's Naruto's destiny to kick Neji's ask, so if he doesn't want to struggle against it, he doesn't have to. Hah! Naruto says after he becomes Hokage that Hyuga reform is first on his list as there's an [i]exoplosion[/i] of Chakra when their blades meet in the middle. The crowd's agape, and nobody knows which smoking crater is Naruto's. Neji is the first one to pull himself out to the crowd's amazement, but he doesn't look very happy about it. He staggers over to Naruto's body, and Tenten says it looks like the Rotation battered Naruto with his own Nine-Tailed Chakra. Ouch. THEN THE REAL NARUTO ERUPTS FROM THE GROUND WITH AN UPPERCUT! MY GOD! He punched Neji so hard his [i]fingers[/i] are bleeding, and Neji can't seem to move. Neji admits he was careless, and should've expected the Jutsu Naruto's good at. Naruto says that's actually the Jutsu he always flunked out on, so give the destiny thing a rest, okay? Especially since Neji's not a failure, and could change if he wants to. Toothpick calls it in favor of Naruto to the roar of the crowd.
Next Episode: Naruto won, but Sasuke won't if he doesn't get his ass to the arena.
Monday, February 2, 2009
Episode 61 - Ultimate Defense: Zero Blind Spot!
We open on Iruka thinking how Naruto will do against Neji. Kabuto wants Naruto's performance to entertain him a little, since he's got a rough job ahead. At the arena, a stampede of orange-clad ninja charge Neji, and if anything they do worse than when there were fewer clones. Neji says he warned Naruto that he wasn't a slouch, and charges through the crowd to slam the real Naruto and pop the clones. One of the Proctors already calls it, and Hinata quietly pleads for our hero to win. PSYCHE! The real Naruto wasn't Naruto at all. Kiba(!) yells encouragement as two more clones leap to offense on a startled Neji. Then Neji blocks with a Chakra force field that digs a hole in the ground when it's used. Hinata's dad Hiashi calls it Rotation - Neji's Byakugan's almost 360 degrees. Naruto tries surrounding Neji with Clones again, but Neji blocks them all and sends them scattering away with his Chakra shield. Tenten helpfully explains that unlike even Jonin, who tend to expel from Chakra from one point in their body, Neji can do it from any point. Okay, kid's still a prick, but he's no joke. The elder Hyuga is amazed that Neji figured this out on his own, as that's something that's passed down in the head Hyuga branch. Naruto's getting frustrated, and Neji assumes a stance he apparently really shouldn't know. Neji circles in and then hits Naruto with a 64-combo strike. Oh my god.
Neji triumphantly says he hit all 64 Chakra points, and now Naruto can't even stand.
Our boy struggles to move, and his vision's blurry. Naruto flashes on people who've had to deal with that prick Neji, and slowly manages to get to his feet. Neji's shocked, but Naruto did tell him he didn't know when to quit. In the stands, Hinata's so torn up she starts coughing, her injuries starting to flare up. The Anbu Kiba spotted comes to take a look at her, and Kiba wonders who the hell he is. Not-at-all Kabuto Anbu: "I'm not suspicious or anything." Well, that settles it. Neji tries to get Naruto to quit, saying that it'll just get worse and he doesn't really have a grudge against Naruto. Naruto's definitely got one against him, calling him out for being a bastard to Hinata during their fight and asking why, but Neji says it's not his business. The Anbu works some healing mojo on Hinata as Kiba looks on.
Neji decides to shut Naruto up and tell him about the sordid past of the Hyuga clan. They have the Curse Mark Arts, where people in the clan are branded to show the destiny they're locked into, and the only way to escape it is death. When Neji was four, they met at Hinata's third birthday, where Neji was Curse Marked so that the way for Hinata to become head of the clan was made clear. Naruto wonders what it all means, as do I. We flash on Hinata's training, and Hisashi tells him that he'll be Hinata's bodyguard one day. Hisashi isn't pleased at all with how Hinata's coming along, which he uses the Byakugan to see, and Hinata's dad detects murderous intent from Hisashi. Hiashi sends some painful feedback through Hizashi's own Curse Mark. The Mark, it turns out, is a leash on the branch family, to keep them as the main family's protectors and to have something to hold over their heads. Neji recounts when Hinata was kidnapped, and Hisashi killed the abductor - it was the head of the Lightning Ninja, who were in town to sign a treaty with Leaf. The two Villages almost went to war over it as the Lightningers apparently made it seem like it was the Leaf's fault, but the Hokage wanted to avoid that at all costs. The Lightning Ninja wanted Hiashi's body for the Byakugan, but instead they gave the Lightning Ninja Hisashi, who was made to look like a body double. Neji says growing up in the Hyuga clan you know all about destiny, and Naruto's was decided when the match was made. I get Neji now, but he's still a jackass.
Next Episode: Naruto's got to find some Chakra around here somewhere...
Neji triumphantly says he hit all 64 Chakra points, and now Naruto can't even stand.
Our boy struggles to move, and his vision's blurry. Naruto flashes on people who've had to deal with that prick Neji, and slowly manages to get to his feet. Neji's shocked, but Naruto did tell him he didn't know when to quit. In the stands, Hinata's so torn up she starts coughing, her injuries starting to flare up. The Anbu Kiba spotted comes to take a look at her, and Kiba wonders who the hell he is. Not-at-all Kabuto Anbu: "I'm not suspicious or anything." Well, that settles it. Neji tries to get Naruto to quit, saying that it'll just get worse and he doesn't really have a grudge against Naruto. Naruto's definitely got one against him, calling him out for being a bastard to Hinata during their fight and asking why, but Neji says it's not his business. The Anbu works some healing mojo on Hinata as Kiba looks on.
Neji decides to shut Naruto up and tell him about the sordid past of the Hyuga clan. They have the Curse Mark Arts, where people in the clan are branded to show the destiny they're locked into, and the only way to escape it is death. When Neji was four, they met at Hinata's third birthday, where Neji was Curse Marked so that the way for Hinata to become head of the clan was made clear. Naruto wonders what it all means, as do I. We flash on Hinata's training, and Hisashi tells him that he'll be Hinata's bodyguard one day. Hisashi isn't pleased at all with how Hinata's coming along, which he uses the Byakugan to see, and Hinata's dad detects murderous intent from Hisashi. Hiashi sends some painful feedback through Hizashi's own Curse Mark. The Mark, it turns out, is a leash on the branch family, to keep them as the main family's protectors and to have something to hold over their heads. Neji recounts when Hinata was kidnapped, and Hisashi killed the abductor - it was the head of the Lightning Ninja, who were in town to sign a treaty with Leaf. The two Villages almost went to war over it as the Lightningers apparently made it seem like it was the Leaf's fault, but the Hokage wanted to avoid that at all costs. The Lightning Ninja wanted Hiashi's body for the Byakugan, but instead they gave the Lightning Ninja Hisashi, who was made to look like a body double. Neji says growing up in the Hyuga clan you know all about destiny, and Naruto's was decided when the match was made. I get Neji now, but he's still a jackass.
Next Episode: Naruto's got to find some Chakra around here somewhere...
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Episode 60 - Byakugan vs. Shadow Clone Jutsu!
It's time to start, and Sasuke's nowhere to be found. A scarfaced Ninja whispers in the Hokage's ear that he may've already run off with Orochimaru. The Hokage greets his Sand Village opposite number, the Kazekage. Gaara looks psychotic to see him, but at least I can understand why. The Kazekage asks if maybe it's not time to call the Fifth Hokage, but Third says he's got time left. Toothpick Ninja announces the change in the tournament with Dosu gone, and Gaara reflects on violently making that change. Sasuke has to make it by the time his match starts, or else he'll lose. We flashback on Gaara sending his Sand Eye to spy on Kakashi and Sasuke's training, and it's implied that Gaara may've offed Sasuke and Kakashi for afters. Same rules as the prelims - fight until dead or unconscious or the judge calls it. It's Naruto and Neji in the first round! Kick his ass, son. Kiba and Hinata find their seats, and I'm not sure whether Kiba's starting to little sister Hinata or just treat her as a mildly retarded kitten, but either's probably an improvement. Ino says that even if Sakura's worried about Sasuke, maybe she should try cheering for her teammate who IS there? Sakura's brightened by the notion... until Ino says that of course Naruto hasn't a prayer. Treacherous Ino-pig! The Proctors from the first Exam are think Naruto's made it this far soley on luck and how he also can't beat Neji, with Hinata sitting right next to them. Heh. Kiba becomes slightly less of a jerk as he ruminates how you can get suprised if you underestimate the kid. Akamaru dog-whispers that there's an Anbu in attendance.
Before the match starts, Naruto has reminds Neji of the totally metal blood oath to win the tournament. Neji Byakugans that Naruto does seem different, but that'll just make it more of an interesting fight. Naruto tells him to shut up and get to it, and we cheer a little bit. Even the wind's kicked up in anticipation. Hinata's dad Hiashi tells her sister Hanabi to pay attention, as nobody's Byakugan is as strong as Neji's. Kiba wonders if Naruto knows that up-close is precisely where you don't want to be against Neji. Neither of them move at first, before in a flash, Naruto flings three kunai and follows it up with a frontal attack! He can't land a blow on Neji no matter how hard he tries, and then Neji gets an opening for a Gentle Fist in the chest. It looks like the Hyuga prick's going for Naruto's shoulder when we flashback on his fight with Hinata, and Sakura yells out to remind Naruto how Neji can see Chakra points. This startles Naruto into rolling to keep from getting his Chakra blocked, but he realizes this'll have to be done at long range if it's to be done at all.
Neji asks him if he doesn't realize now that there's no hope, but Naruto replies he was just checking our how Neji rolled, and it's just getting started, bitch. Shadow Clone Jutsu! Spectators are impressed. The Narutos draw their kunai, and Neji realizes with this active he can't use his Byakugan on them. Tenten lets us know that Neji's awesome on the D, too. Four of the Clones charge, but Neji ducks the first few attacks until one seemingly lands a kick - but it was just a feint to backflip away. Two clones try for flanking, but both get it in the face when they charge. Two more duck Naruto's attacks and then palm-striked into oblivion, leaving only a final clone Neji dismissively poofs. The prick asks if Naruto really thinks he can become Hokage; he's still a failure, and people don't change. That he can sort of see this type of thing with his Chakra explains why Neji thinks so, but he's still an ass. Neji says only a few people are destined to become Hokage, and Naruto ain't one of them. The only destiny everyone truly shares is the grave. This predictably riles Naruto, who says he doesn't know when to give up and goes for Shadow Clone x1000. 'Tis on!
Next Episode: It doesn't look good for Naruto's promise to Hinata.
Before the match starts, Naruto has reminds Neji of the totally metal blood oath to win the tournament. Neji Byakugans that Naruto does seem different, but that'll just make it more of an interesting fight. Naruto tells him to shut up and get to it, and we cheer a little bit. Even the wind's kicked up in anticipation. Hinata's dad Hiashi tells her sister Hanabi to pay attention, as nobody's Byakugan is as strong as Neji's. Kiba wonders if Naruto knows that up-close is precisely where you don't want to be against Neji. Neither of them move at first, before in a flash, Naruto flings three kunai and follows it up with a frontal attack! He can't land a blow on Neji no matter how hard he tries, and then Neji gets an opening for a Gentle Fist in the chest. It looks like the Hyuga prick's going for Naruto's shoulder when we flashback on his fight with Hinata, and Sakura yells out to remind Naruto how Neji can see Chakra points. This startles Naruto into rolling to keep from getting his Chakra blocked, but he realizes this'll have to be done at long range if it's to be done at all.
Neji asks him if he doesn't realize now that there's no hope, but Naruto replies he was just checking our how Neji rolled, and it's just getting started, bitch. Shadow Clone Jutsu! Spectators are impressed. The Narutos draw their kunai, and Neji realizes with this active he can't use his Byakugan on them. Tenten lets us know that Neji's awesome on the D, too. Four of the Clones charge, but Neji ducks the first few attacks until one seemingly lands a kick - but it was just a feint to backflip away. Two clones try for flanking, but both get it in the face when they charge. Two more duck Naruto's attacks and then palm-striked into oblivion, leaving only a final clone Neji dismissively poofs. The prick asks if Naruto really thinks he can become Hokage; he's still a failure, and people don't change. That he can sort of see this type of thing with his Chakra explains why Neji thinks so, but he's still an ass. Neji says only a few people are destined to become Hokage, and Naruto ain't one of them. The only destiny everyone truly shares is the grave. This predictably riles Naruto, who says he doesn't know when to give up and goes for Shadow Clone x1000. 'Tis on!
Next Episode: It doesn't look good for Naruto's promise to Hinata.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Episode 59 - The Final Rounds: Rush to the Battle Arena!
The tournament's tomorrow! Naruto's visiting his favorite ramen stand, and it seems like the owner missed him. The kid's probably his best customer, so I can see it. They know about the finals coming up, and slide Naruto some ramen that looks like it's way above his normal price range for good luck. Aww. Others are eating, too - three Ninja who with a start, I realize are Squad Ten's parents. Holy crap. They act exactly like you'd expect, though it looks like Ino's dad may've wanted a boy. Shikamaru's dad: "Girls are a drag." Shikamaru comes to fetch his hard-drinking dad home, but his father doesn't want to leave the not-very-festive festival the night before the tourney. He's shocked to find out his son made it into the finals. Geez, dude. At the Sand Village hideout, Kankuro and Temari are prepping their tricks, while Gaara sits on the roof and broods. Back at Naruto's room (adorable Kakashi plushie, by the way), our boy can't seem to sleep.
Morning! Neji's had Tenten lob every sharp thing ever at him as a warm-up. Naruto's stressed out, he couldn't sleep over knowing he'd have to face Neji first in the tournament, and as he walks to the arena the fans' chatter doesn't help his feelings of unease a bit. He happens across Hinata, who adorably scoots behind a giant log when he calls her name. Naruto wanted to hit the Genin training field before he came, though he won't tell Hinata why. Then he starts in asking after Neji, and jeez, dude. Sore subject. Hinata says Naruto might be able to win, and our boy goes for false bravado for the win! He's got Hinata's support, who wants to return the favor from the prelims. She liked herself a little bit after her match with Neji, and felt different even if nobody else would notice. Naruto asks if he really comes off as strong as Hinata seems to think he does, since he still feels like a giant Ninja klutz. Hinata says that's not true at all, that he may've kept falling down but he kept getting right back up and I don't think I've seen anything sweeter. Naruto actually takes this to heart, proving he can be smarter than he looks, and he's ready to go! Then he promptly says he always thought she was weird and gloomy, and my hand is reared back for a smack, but then Naruto says he likes that. Hinata figures she should take what she can get. Awesome Hinata talks apparently make one late, and Naruto charges off. A confused Kiba and Akamaru wander by, wondering why Hinata's staring raptly in the distance.
Naruto's charging through the city streets and bemoaning the distance when Konohamaru calls out from a corner. He totally knows an ace shortcut to get to the arena. He leads Naruto to a secrt path that's been... blocked off. But wait, Kono knows another route! This one through some sort of drainage pipe. Their awesome slide deposits them in the hot springs, even further away, which Honored Grandson frantically says must've just gotten re-routed. Then they spy transportation! A fuedal lord's bulls, which Kono talks up to a desperate Naruto. Oh, god. Fuedal bulls don't like being spurred, and immediately bucks Naruto the heck off. Still pissed, it's time for the running of the bulls in Leaf Village! I try not to die laughing. Naruto's not the only one late - Dosu's not there (obviously) and even Sasuke isn't. It's neat Sakura and Ino are sitting together. Naruto's on his way, though, leading his very own stampede. I like they'll bust out a comedy ep after the pathos-heavy ep. Our boy tries to Shadow Clone to distract the herd, but that doesn't work because it's like the Leaf Village longhorns did the same. Hah! Naruto finally makes his way to the arena, sprinting past the guards and leaving the stampede in their capable hands. The Shadow Clones bottleneck at the entrance, and it takes the bulls to break it, sending Naruto skidding into the arena. He becomes the boy who cries bulls, though I guess they got bored and left. Shikamaru helps Naruto up, who notices Sasuke's gone. A Jonin tells them to stow that acting nervous crap. They're the main event! The wanna-be Chunin have just realized it, too.
Next Episode: Naruto vs. Neji! He's doing it for Hinata!
Morning! Neji's had Tenten lob every sharp thing ever at him as a warm-up. Naruto's stressed out, he couldn't sleep over knowing he'd have to face Neji first in the tournament, and as he walks to the arena the fans' chatter doesn't help his feelings of unease a bit. He happens across Hinata, who adorably scoots behind a giant log when he calls her name. Naruto wanted to hit the Genin training field before he came, though he won't tell Hinata why. Then he starts in asking after Neji, and jeez, dude. Sore subject. Hinata says Naruto might be able to win, and our boy goes for false bravado for the win! He's got Hinata's support, who wants to return the favor from the prelims. She liked herself a little bit after her match with Neji, and felt different even if nobody else would notice. Naruto asks if he really comes off as strong as Hinata seems to think he does, since he still feels like a giant Ninja klutz. Hinata says that's not true at all, that he may've kept falling down but he kept getting right back up and I don't think I've seen anything sweeter. Naruto actually takes this to heart, proving he can be smarter than he looks, and he's ready to go! Then he promptly says he always thought she was weird and gloomy, and my hand is reared back for a smack, but then Naruto says he likes that. Hinata figures she should take what she can get. Awesome Hinata talks apparently make one late, and Naruto charges off. A confused Kiba and Akamaru wander by, wondering why Hinata's staring raptly in the distance.
Naruto's charging through the city streets and bemoaning the distance when Konohamaru calls out from a corner. He totally knows an ace shortcut to get to the arena. He leads Naruto to a secrt path that's been... blocked off. But wait, Kono knows another route! This one through some sort of drainage pipe. Their awesome slide deposits them in the hot springs, even further away, which Honored Grandson frantically says must've just gotten re-routed. Then they spy transportation! A fuedal lord's bulls, which Kono talks up to a desperate Naruto. Oh, god. Fuedal bulls don't like being spurred, and immediately bucks Naruto the heck off. Still pissed, it's time for the running of the bulls in Leaf Village! I try not to die laughing. Naruto's not the only one late - Dosu's not there (obviously) and even Sasuke isn't. It's neat Sakura and Ino are sitting together. Naruto's on his way, though, leading his very own stampede. I like they'll bust out a comedy ep after the pathos-heavy ep. Our boy tries to Shadow Clone to distract the herd, but that doesn't work because it's like the Leaf Village longhorns did the same. Hah! Naruto finally makes his way to the arena, sprinting past the guards and leaving the stampede in their capable hands. The Shadow Clones bottleneck at the entrance, and it takes the bulls to break it, sending Naruto skidding into the arena. He becomes the boy who cries bulls, though I guess they got bored and left. Shikamaru helps Naruto up, who notices Sasuke's gone. A Jonin tells them to stow that acting nervous crap. They're the main event! The wanna-be Chunin have just realized it, too.
Next Episode: Naruto vs. Neji! He's doing it for Hinata!
Friday, January 30, 2009
Episode 58 - Hospital Besieged: The Evil Hand Revealed!
Our story begins with Temari and Kankuro being rousted out of bed, their sensei demanding to know where Gaara's gotten off to. It's nice to start things off on a threatening note. At the hospital, Shikamaru's playing some sort of tile game and watching over Naruto, still tuckered out from his rollicking adventures with Chief Toad. It makes me wonder if somebody put Shikamaru up to watching Naruto, since he doesn't strike me as altruistic. Ninja Florist - Sakura's picking a narcissus, and is startled by Ino who tells her if it's for Sasuke, he's not back yet. You'd think Sakura would learn when she goes to Ino's florist shop, she might be there. Sakura says it's for Lee, who no doubt will have an even longer stay after trying to train while half-broken. Speaking of the hospital, the first one to make it is Gaara. Oh, dear. Naruto finally comes to, where he's been out the last three days, and flips out over the tournament being tomorrow, and poor Shikamaru is reintroduced to how quickly Naruto changes gears from 'yelling' to 'yelling even more.' There's even a fruit basket for Naruto. Aww! It was actually for Choji, who got sick from eating too much BBQ. Naruto says it's just like him, and Shikamaru snarks that it's like both Choji and Naruto to not have any female visitors. Hah! Naruto wants to torment Choji by eating in front of him. Shikamaru's right, sometimes that kid is a drag. Geez.
At the hospital reception area, Sakura signs herself in, wondering where everybody's gotten to. A sign on the desk reads 'out to lunch.' The hell? As she's signing, a Gaara-shaped shadow creeps up behind her. OH GOD SAKURA, TURN AROUND! She does, but he's gone. Whew. Lee's room, who's out cold, and Sakura brings him another flower, which is all kinds of sweet. Choji's demolished his hospital food, and is briefly creeped out by the door opening by itself. The fruit basket pokes its head in, and Choji immediately suspects Shikamaru. Gaara's looming over Lee's bed, replaying their fight in his head, particularly Guy saving Lee. He's hit with a migraine, we flash on a younger Gaara and possibly his mother and some other people. Gaara summons up his sand to finish Lee... then stops, finding himself getting punched in the face by Naruto! No, wait, he punched Shikamaru. Oh! Shadow Paralysis hi-jinks. Naruto demands to know what the hell Gaara is doing. It's Ino who's brought Choji the fruitbasket! Choji: "All right! The age of chubby has arrived!" BWHAHAHAHA! Gaara answers Naruto, he was trying to kill him. Dur. Shikamaru asks if Gaara's got beef with Lee because he lost, but Gaara just plain wants to kill him. Naruto asks him how can he be such of a selfish prick, and Shikamaru insightfully asks if Gaara had a messed up childhood. The Sand Ninja calmly replies that if either of the boys get in his way, he'll kill them, too.
Being crafty, Shikamaru tries for a bluff. He spins Gaara a tale about not knowing their true strength, since they didn't show it during the prelims, plus Gaara's handicapped! Like the Eskimo said to the ice salesman, Gaara ain't buying. Naruto's ready to throw down, saying he's got a monster inside him and I guess banking on the Demon Fox to take down Gaara. That's risky. Gaara says he's got something like that inside him, too, and confirms the horrible childhood thing, which started with killing his mother to become the strongest Shinobi possible. He's possessed by a Sand Spirit, Shukaku, the spirit of an angry monk. This is apparently a Jutsu done by horrible, horrible parents. Naruto realizes he has more in common with Naruto than Naruto wants to admit. Shikamaru comments that it must be a sick kind of love to do that to a kid, but Gaara doesn't know the meaning of the word. Family means nothing to him, and his own father's been trying to assassinate him since he was six years old. They were scared their weapon would go out of control, and now just want to bury him and cover up the grave. With a start, Naruto realizes how much that sounds like his life. Huh.
Gaara says that everyone needs a purpose in life, and that he's found his - to kill others, something he taught himself after offing the killers that would regularly come for him. It's the only time he feels joy, and the only time he feels alive. Naruto realizes that while they are the same, he had somebody who realized he was alive, and cared for him, which Gaara never had. Faced with such an amoral Ninja prodigy who he's so alike and so incredibly different from, Naruto thinks there's no way he can beat somebody like this. Gaara senses Naruto's frozen up, and sand starts to swirl around him, freaking out Shikamaru who's still got Gaara under Shadow Paralysis. The sand looks about to crash down on our hero when MIGHT GUY shows up! Thank god. He reminds them to save it for the tournament, and Gaara immediately has a violent flashback to his own mother at Guy's arrival, and it's become obvious that memories of his mother physically hurt the kid. Young Gaara clutching his chest: "There's no blood, but it hurts here." He staggers out, but not before vowing to kill everyone there.
Next Episode: Konohamaru's short cuts!
At the hospital reception area, Sakura signs herself in, wondering where everybody's gotten to. A sign on the desk reads 'out to lunch.' The hell? As she's signing, a Gaara-shaped shadow creeps up behind her. OH GOD SAKURA, TURN AROUND! She does, but he's gone. Whew. Lee's room, who's out cold, and Sakura brings him another flower, which is all kinds of sweet. Choji's demolished his hospital food, and is briefly creeped out by the door opening by itself. The fruit basket pokes its head in, and Choji immediately suspects Shikamaru. Gaara's looming over Lee's bed, replaying their fight in his head, particularly Guy saving Lee. He's hit with a migraine, we flash on a younger Gaara and possibly his mother and some other people. Gaara summons up his sand to finish Lee... then stops, finding himself getting punched in the face by Naruto! No, wait, he punched Shikamaru. Oh! Shadow Paralysis hi-jinks. Naruto demands to know what the hell Gaara is doing. It's Ino who's brought Choji the fruitbasket! Choji: "All right! The age of chubby has arrived!" BWHAHAHAHA! Gaara answers Naruto, he was trying to kill him. Dur. Shikamaru asks if Gaara's got beef with Lee because he lost, but Gaara just plain wants to kill him. Naruto asks him how can he be such of a selfish prick, and Shikamaru insightfully asks if Gaara had a messed up childhood. The Sand Ninja calmly replies that if either of the boys get in his way, he'll kill them, too.
Being crafty, Shikamaru tries for a bluff. He spins Gaara a tale about not knowing their true strength, since they didn't show it during the prelims, plus Gaara's handicapped! Like the Eskimo said to the ice salesman, Gaara ain't buying. Naruto's ready to throw down, saying he's got a monster inside him and I guess banking on the Demon Fox to take down Gaara. That's risky. Gaara says he's got something like that inside him, too, and confirms the horrible childhood thing, which started with killing his mother to become the strongest Shinobi possible. He's possessed by a Sand Spirit, Shukaku, the spirit of an angry monk. This is apparently a Jutsu done by horrible, horrible parents. Naruto realizes he has more in common with Naruto than Naruto wants to admit. Shikamaru comments that it must be a sick kind of love to do that to a kid, but Gaara doesn't know the meaning of the word. Family means nothing to him, and his own father's been trying to assassinate him since he was six years old. They were scared their weapon would go out of control, and now just want to bury him and cover up the grave. With a start, Naruto realizes how much that sounds like his life. Huh.
Gaara says that everyone needs a purpose in life, and that he's found his - to kill others, something he taught himself after offing the killers that would regularly come for him. It's the only time he feels joy, and the only time he feels alive. Naruto realizes that while they are the same, he had somebody who realized he was alive, and cared for him, which Gaara never had. Faced with such an amoral Ninja prodigy who he's so alike and so incredibly different from, Naruto thinks there's no way he can beat somebody like this. Gaara senses Naruto's frozen up, and sand starts to swirl around him, freaking out Shikamaru who's still got Gaara under Shadow Paralysis. The sand looks about to crash down on our hero when MIGHT GUY shows up! Thank god. He reminds them to save it for the tournament, and Gaara immediately has a violent flashback to his own mother at Guy's arrival, and it's become obvious that memories of his mother physically hurt the kid. Young Gaara clutching his chest: "There's no blood, but it hurts here." He staggers out, but not before vowing to kill everyone there.
Next Episode: Konohamaru's short cuts!
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Episode 57 - He Flies! He Jumps! He Lurks! Chief Toad Appears!
You remember that Kaiju Toad that saved Naruto at the end of last episode? Good! He's still here, and he smokes a pipe and talks. It apparently has a large scar on its face, too. Just to check, he makes sure it is not, in fact, a tadpole and celebrates while the Toad displays remarkable paitence with the whole enterprise. Jiraiya's impressed, but knows that Naruto's still got a long way to go to master the Demon Fox's Chakra, and amused that it's THIS Giant Toad he's summoned. Speaking of Giant Toads, this one's name is Gamabunta, and he is the Chief Toad, thank you, and doesn't like Naruto bouncing on his head. Gamabunta complains about having been summoned for the first time in ages, and an orange jumpsuited lunatic kid's bouncing on his head. He starts bellowing for Jiraiya, who decides to make himself scarce. He asks Naruto where the Toad Sage is, and Naruto tries to cover for him, but Gara's very angry and quickly rolls over on the Pervy Sage. Naruto wants to know what Jiraiya's doing him summoning here of all places, and Naruto haltingly explains HE summoned the Chief Toad. It is the first time I've seen a giant amphibian break into gales of laughter. He doesn't believe Naruto could summon him, which irriates Naruto into calling him a jerk. This followed up, somewhat unwisely, by saying since he summoned Gama he's Gama's master. Gama's incensed by such arrogance! He grabs Naruto with his tongue, then leaps out of the cavern at super-sonic speed and levels half the countryside with his landing.
On the surface, Gama lays down the law to Naruto, saying that there's no way in hell he'd serve a punk like him. Having no further business with our hero, Gamabunta proceeds to lumber off and fight Gamera, or something. Naruto's not one to let this lie, hopping on the Chief Toad's back and vowing to stay on Gama until the big frog recognizes Naruto as his master. Chief Toad has what might be precisely called a fit and starts to buck like the world's largest cold-blooded bronco. Far away, Jiraiya's amusing himself with Naruto's plight, until the delighted squeals of barely-dressed girls force him to reprioritize Naruto down the list.
At Hidden Leaf, which apparently has yet to feel the toad-based tremors, Kankuro watches Team Ten hit Choji's favorite BBQ place again. Temari gets on her brother for letting Gaara out of his sight, but he says even Gaara wouldn't try something in broad daylight. What's Kankuro's reasoning, exactly? He gets on Temari's case for blowing off facing Shikamaru, saying if she's taken the test when she ought've, she'd already be Chunin. Flashback to the Village Hidden in the Sand and their sensei telling the Sand Squad they're headed for Leaf Village's Exam, but it's not to become Chunin. The Sand Ninja are upset that their... budget was cut by the leader of the Land of the Wind. Hah! Some of their contracts were even given to Hidden Leaf. Strength is important to the Sand Village - it's why they made Shinobi like Gaara. Made? Yeep. It's been decided their daimyo is an idiot, so the Kazekage made a deal with the Hidden Sound Village to crush the Hidden Leaf Village. This will convince their daimyo that keeping the Sand Village's strength at maximum is important. Temari realizes this will lead to war, and is suprisingly upset about the cost in human life. We get a reiteration of Shinobi being tools, and this seemingly convinces the Sand Ninjas.
The Chief Toad's doing everything he can to shake Naruto off, and to his credit, Naruto's still hanging on. Their struggles have even formed a rainbow, which the pretty girls admire, giving Jiraiya something to admire. At the present-day Hidden Sand Village, the Genin's sensei delivers the Sound Village's battle plan to Kazekage. The sensei wants some extra troops, but this gets shot down for fear it'll tip their hand to the Hidden Leaf, and besides, they already have Gaara. At the Chief Toad Riding Finals, Naruto points out it's almost the deadline for his completely arbitrary contract of servitude for Gamabunta. Gama's tempted to just ignore Naruto, like many are, but the kid's starting to get under his skin. Again, like most people. He finally asks Naruto's name. and goes for one last mad attempt to get the kid off his back. Naruto has to Shadow Clone himself into a human chain to keep him from falling off, and Jiraiya's amazed at how he can keep using Chakra. He's also despondent that Gama landed on the spot the girls hang out. Right at sundown, Naruto finally gives out and falls unconscious, although Gama catches him before he can fall to his death (for real). The Hermit Sage surreptiously leaves the Summoning contract that Naruto signed so Gama can see it, which by now the Chief Toad will admit to. It's the first time since the Fourth Hokage called him that somebody's ridden his head. Hmmm. He leaves Naruto back in Hidden Leaf alongside a footprint they could use as a reservoir, our boy with an exhausted smile on his face.
Next Episode: Visiting hours for Gaara. Crap!
On the surface, Gama lays down the law to Naruto, saying that there's no way in hell he'd serve a punk like him. Having no further business with our hero, Gamabunta proceeds to lumber off and fight Gamera, or something. Naruto's not one to let this lie, hopping on the Chief Toad's back and vowing to stay on Gama until the big frog recognizes Naruto as his master. Chief Toad has what might be precisely called a fit and starts to buck like the world's largest cold-blooded bronco. Far away, Jiraiya's amusing himself with Naruto's plight, until the delighted squeals of barely-dressed girls force him to reprioritize Naruto down the list.
At Hidden Leaf, which apparently has yet to feel the toad-based tremors, Kankuro watches Team Ten hit Choji's favorite BBQ place again. Temari gets on her brother for letting Gaara out of his sight, but he says even Gaara wouldn't try something in broad daylight. What's Kankuro's reasoning, exactly? He gets on Temari's case for blowing off facing Shikamaru, saying if she's taken the test when she ought've, she'd already be Chunin. Flashback to the Village Hidden in the Sand and their sensei telling the Sand Squad they're headed for Leaf Village's Exam, but it's not to become Chunin. The Sand Ninja are upset that their... budget was cut by the leader of the Land of the Wind. Hah! Some of their contracts were even given to Hidden Leaf. Strength is important to the Sand Village - it's why they made Shinobi like Gaara. Made? Yeep. It's been decided their daimyo is an idiot, so the Kazekage made a deal with the Hidden Sound Village to crush the Hidden Leaf Village. This will convince their daimyo that keeping the Sand Village's strength at maximum is important. Temari realizes this will lead to war, and is suprisingly upset about the cost in human life. We get a reiteration of Shinobi being tools, and this seemingly convinces the Sand Ninjas.
The Chief Toad's doing everything he can to shake Naruto off, and to his credit, Naruto's still hanging on. Their struggles have even formed a rainbow, which the pretty girls admire, giving Jiraiya something to admire. At the present-day Hidden Sand Village, the Genin's sensei delivers the Sound Village's battle plan to Kazekage. The sensei wants some extra troops, but this gets shot down for fear it'll tip their hand to the Hidden Leaf, and besides, they already have Gaara. At the Chief Toad Riding Finals, Naruto points out it's almost the deadline for his completely arbitrary contract of servitude for Gamabunta. Gama's tempted to just ignore Naruto, like many are, but the kid's starting to get under his skin. Again, like most people. He finally asks Naruto's name. and goes for one last mad attempt to get the kid off his back. Naruto has to Shadow Clone himself into a human chain to keep him from falling off, and Jiraiya's amazed at how he can keep using Chakra. He's also despondent that Gama landed on the spot the girls hang out. Right at sundown, Naruto finally gives out and falls unconscious, although Gama catches him before he can fall to his death (for real). The Hermit Sage surreptiously leaves the Summoning contract that Naruto signed so Gama can see it, which by now the Chief Toad will admit to. It's the first time since the Fourth Hokage called him that somebody's ridden his head. Hmmm. He leaves Naruto back in Hidden Leaf alongside a footprint they could use as a reservoir, our boy with an exhausted smile on his face.
Next Episode: Visiting hours for Gaara. Crap!
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Episode 56 - Live or Die: Risk it All to Win it All!
Jiraiya peeping toms us into the opening, as Naruto's still trying to work on that darn frog summon. It's got all four legs, but it's still not a full-grown version. In a fit of exsistential angst, Naruto asks what IS a frog, anyway? Our hero's tapped out of Chakra and collapses, Pervy Sage saying it's been three weeks and still no giant toad. Over in the Hidden Village, Hokage's viewing portraits of Ninjas long past, one of which looks a like an older Naruto. Anko's on-hand to torture herself with guilt, but Lord Hokage won't hear of it since she doesn't have anything to do with Orochimaru. He states for the record nobody in Hidden Leaf can match up to him, though Anko thinks the fourth Hokage could've. There's the shot of Naruto's older relation again. Hmmm. So it's like that, is it? The Hokage puts off such speculation, since it's not like the fourth Hokage can die again to save the village, but they have to do something. He tells Anko not to blame herelf, but it's probably a bit too late for that.
The Mountain Toad wakes Naruto up with some water to the face, and levels with him. Since it's been three weeks and still no toad, they're just wasting time. Jiraiya says the key is you have to act like you're risking your life to get the right kind of Chakra out. Naruto says that's what he's been doing, and begs his sensei for a trick. The only 'trick' is he has to [i]actually risk his life. but Naruto agrees. It starts in a bath-house, though not for the reasons it would normally be with Jiraiya around. This is the first step, purification. Next, they've been walking for a while, coming back to Hidden Leaf. Toad Sage asks Naruto if he wants something to eat, and ramen is on the menu. Naruto is told to eat up like it's his last meal, because it is, only Jiraiya blows it off like a joke. Several bowls later, Naruto's finally full - to find Jiraiya's replaced himself with a stuffed frog and left Naruto with the bill. Hah! Jiraiya rightfully points out Naruto that he didn't say he was treating Naruto, to the woe of Naruto's awesome frog wallet. The next step has the Sage asking if there's a girl Naruto likes - and of course, it's still Sakura. His new mission is the hardest training yet - to hug her tight! And by tight, Jiraiya means goodbye. Naruto's very conflicted, it's training, but Sakura might joint and bone him, and finally needs a Sage kick to the rear to get going.
Naruto tracks down Sakura, who automatically thinks Naruto wants to borrow money which I find hilarious for some reason. The 'training' excuse won't fly, so Naruto decides to just go for it. He accidentally trips Sakura into his arms, but she realizes what he's trying to do and hits him with a punch that could kill Orochimaru and stalks off. Seeing that's as good as it'll get, Jiraiya asks if there's anything else he needs to do, or last wills to write, and when Naruto says there isn't he immediately knocks the kid out. Jiraiya monologues that Naruto, being young, subconsciously rejects the Nine-Tail's Chakra and he's going to have to learn how to bring it out when he needs it. He also apologizes to the Fourth Hokage. Hmmm. Naruto comes to later, and Jiraiya immediately tells him to drop dead and come back if he wants to learn summoning. And then he finger-pokes Naruto off a cliff. Naruto's desperately trying to use Chakra to stop his fall, but with his normal reserve and how slippery the rock is, there's no way he won't die unless he can call on the Demon Fox.
Ninja Preschool meets while Naruto plummets to his death. Iruka's pointing out which Hokage is which on Ninja Mount Rushmore. There isn't, currently, a Fifth Hokage, and Iruka makes a joke about being the next Hokage when the Third shows up. Naturally. Third's no joke, having been (er, is) a strong example of their past leaders. One of the students immediately declares he's to be the Fifth Hokage, Naruto-like. The Hokage says that sort of striving is admirable, but if you want to be strong to become the Fire Shadow, you have to do it for someone. The kids ask who are the Hokage's, and in a nice scene mentions his grandson and all the people of the Village, and looks at the face of the Fourth Hokage. Good news! Naruto's not dead. He does appear to be in some sort of hellish labryinth of his own subconscious, though, complete with the sounds of snarling. Naruto follows the sounds of the growls, coming to a giant locked door marked 'Seal.' The beast on the other side beckons Naruto closer, and immediately tries to eviscerate him. In a shock, Naruto realizes that it's the Nine Tails' Chakra that's the red Chakra. Naruto looks worried for a second, then awesomely demands that the Demon Fox needs to start paying himself some back rent with his special Chakra as currency. This highly amuses the Nine-Tails, but he also realizes that if he dies then Naruto dies and thus lends him the power our boy needs. Naruto snaps back to falling to his doom, and immediately uses the Ninja Summons and it works. Oh, lord, does it work. It's a giant frog, even bigger than Jiraiya's... and it has a pipe.
[b]Next Episode:[/b] Giant Toad thinks Naruto's bargaining posture is highly dubious.
The Mountain Toad wakes Naruto up with some water to the face, and levels with him. Since it's been three weeks and still no toad, they're just wasting time. Jiraiya says the key is you have to act like you're risking your life to get the right kind of Chakra out. Naruto says that's what he's been doing, and begs his sensei for a trick. The only 'trick' is he has to [i]actually risk his life. but Naruto agrees. It starts in a bath-house, though not for the reasons it would normally be with Jiraiya around. This is the first step, purification. Next, they've been walking for a while, coming back to Hidden Leaf. Toad Sage asks Naruto if he wants something to eat, and ramen is on the menu. Naruto is told to eat up like it's his last meal, because it is, only Jiraiya blows it off like a joke. Several bowls later, Naruto's finally full - to find Jiraiya's replaced himself with a stuffed frog and left Naruto with the bill. Hah! Jiraiya rightfully points out Naruto that he didn't say he was treating Naruto, to the woe of Naruto's awesome frog wallet. The next step has the Sage asking if there's a girl Naruto likes - and of course, it's still Sakura. His new mission is the hardest training yet - to hug her tight! And by tight, Jiraiya means goodbye. Naruto's very conflicted, it's training, but Sakura might joint and bone him, and finally needs a Sage kick to the rear to get going.
Naruto tracks down Sakura, who automatically thinks Naruto wants to borrow money which I find hilarious for some reason. The 'training' excuse won't fly, so Naruto decides to just go for it. He accidentally trips Sakura into his arms, but she realizes what he's trying to do and hits him with a punch that could kill Orochimaru and stalks off. Seeing that's as good as it'll get, Jiraiya asks if there's anything else he needs to do, or last wills to write, and when Naruto says there isn't he immediately knocks the kid out. Jiraiya monologues that Naruto, being young, subconsciously rejects the Nine-Tail's Chakra and he's going to have to learn how to bring it out when he needs it. He also apologizes to the Fourth Hokage. Hmmm. Naruto comes to later, and Jiraiya immediately tells him to drop dead and come back if he wants to learn summoning. And then he finger-pokes Naruto off a cliff. Naruto's desperately trying to use Chakra to stop his fall, but with his normal reserve and how slippery the rock is, there's no way he won't die unless he can call on the Demon Fox.
Ninja Preschool meets while Naruto plummets to his death. Iruka's pointing out which Hokage is which on Ninja Mount Rushmore. There isn't, currently, a Fifth Hokage, and Iruka makes a joke about being the next Hokage when the Third shows up. Naturally. Third's no joke, having been (er, is) a strong example of their past leaders. One of the students immediately declares he's to be the Fifth Hokage, Naruto-like. The Hokage says that sort of striving is admirable, but if you want to be strong to become the Fire Shadow, you have to do it for someone. The kids ask who are the Hokage's, and in a nice scene mentions his grandson and all the people of the Village, and looks at the face of the Fourth Hokage. Good news! Naruto's not dead. He does appear to be in some sort of hellish labryinth of his own subconscious, though, complete with the sounds of snarling. Naruto follows the sounds of the growls, coming to a giant locked door marked 'Seal.' The beast on the other side beckons Naruto closer, and immediately tries to eviscerate him. In a shock, Naruto realizes that it's the Nine Tails' Chakra that's the red Chakra. Naruto looks worried for a second, then awesomely demands that the Demon Fox needs to start paying himself some back rent with his special Chakra as currency. This highly amuses the Nine-Tails, but he also realizes that if he dies then Naruto dies and thus lends him the power our boy needs. Naruto snaps back to falling to his doom, and immediately uses the Ninja Summons and it works. Oh, lord, does it work. It's a giant frog, even bigger than Jiraiya's... and it has a pipe.
[b]Next Episode:[/b] Giant Toad thinks Naruto's bargaining posture is highly dubious.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Episode 55 - A Feeling of Yearning, A Flower Full of Hope
We open with more frolicking young women, and this is at least one thing that Master Jiraiya has brought to the series. His research is interrupted by Naruto wanting more training, but Pervy Sage is busy. To spit Jiraiya, Naruto does exactly what his sensei wants him to and tries to summon a frog again. Still on tadpoles! At the Village Hidden in the Leaves, we open on Sakura on her bed. She's having flashbacks to Orochimaru biting Sasuke's neck, though these are perhaps thankfully (for her, anyway) by her mother asking when she's finally going to roll out of bed and help her with the housework. It is apparent on Ninja Earth that the wisdom of Will Smith holds true when he opined, "Man, parents just don't understand!" I'd still like to know what that red and white gi in her room is for. Lord Hokage is giving everyone the bad news on Hayate turning up corpsified, and Anko immediately asks if it's Orochimaru - not unreasonably. Kakashi says it was more likely Kabuto. Somebody else asks if they're going to stop the Exam, but Orochimaru's already made it clear that's not going to happen on pain of pain. Anko gets a guilty look when they mention the Snake Ninja. Random Ninja asks if Orochimaru might side with another Land to attack Leaf Village, which would break the truce set down by the Great Ninja War (awesome!) and Kakashi more or less admits the truce was just people saying, "Okay, I won't attack you" and holds about as much weight. The Hokage urges caution, as running around beating at the bushes just might by what their enemies want. He cheerfully says that he trusts all the Jonin there, and when it's time, Hidden Leaf will go to war.
In her room, Sakura's staring at a photo of her squad, and flashbacks on Cursed Sasuke and later Sasuke ordering her not to tell the judges about the Mark. Sakura wonders if she shouldn't have been more forceful in stopping him, and while I applaud the notion of her trying and would root for her... let's get actual, shall we? She tried to visit him at Ninja Hospital, but he's not allowed to receive visitors. Despite this, she's apparently going to try again and decides to be pick up some flowers for the room she probably won't be allowed into. But, wait! This is no ordinary florist - this is a Ninja Florist store run by Ino's family, where she apparently works part-time. It explains how Ino knew about the flowers in that earlier episode, and that's kind of cool. As we've already noted, Ino is no slouch and knows exactly why Sakura's looking at flowers, and invites herself along to go see Sasuke. Treacherous Ino-pig! Ino grabs a rose for love, and Sakura gets a Narcissus because among its many properties is that it's a get-well flower. She gets two. One for Sasuke, and one for... Lee! That's sweet.
The girls are walking along, and I'm amazed that it hasn't broken out in a Kunoichi version of Deathrace 2000 to get to the hospital first. A bellow for ten orders of food give them pause, and it can only be Choji. Asuma is treating him to all the BBQ he can eat in return for helping with Shikamaru's training, who thinks it's a drag (SHOCK). We see a little bit of Asuma's teaching method, which seems to revolve around manipulating the ego of his students. Neji and Tenten are training, too! It seems to revolve around Tenten throwing things and then Neji passing out from lack of Chakra. Squad Eight's not to be outdone, as Kurenai and Kiba rush at Shino, who prepares to block with a swarm of bugs while Hinata watches from the sidelines. It's okay, girl! You can join their reindeer games, too! Ah, well. Naruto's still on tadpoles. The Sand Ninjas' sensei's also given them some no doubt lethal instruction on killing people with wind and sand. Sakura and Ino have been allowed in to see Sasuke, but it turns out he and his clothes are gone, and Sakura immediately thinks he's run off to join Orochimaru. It's too early in the season for something like that to happen, and we join Kakashi in progress to climbing a mountain one-handed and that is badass, even if he needs a Chakra-boost to do it. Sasuke's already waiting for him. I find I sort of missed the punk.
Unable to visit Sasuke, they visit their number-two choice, Lee, but he's gone, too. This is a terrible Ninja Hospital! Lee hasn't gone far, though, he's outside training. One-legged push-ups, and if he can't do those, one-legged squats! How does that even work? Sheesh, Lee. Watching him train, we get earlier Ino telling Sakura he may never be able to be a Shinboi again, and it's puts a pretty decent lump in my throat to watching the kid nearly kill himself trying to reach his dream. Right before he hits his target goal, Lee collapses from pain and passes out. Sakura asks Ino why us dudes have to be so stupid, and but Ino doesn't have an answer. To cheer us up, we get Shikamaru training, but he's out of Chakra so he just has to jump in the bushes to avoid Choji the Human Boulder. Lee wakes in his hospital bed to see the narcissus on his beside stand, but the girls have already gone home. Finally back at the hot springs, Jiraiya wants to pack it in since the bathing beauties have left, but Naruto's going to summon a frog if it kills him. He has to spring for a spot of Sexy Jutsu to recharge Jiraiya's batteries so he'll stick around long enough to watch Naruto try again. This time it's a legged tadpole. Progress!
Next Episode: Naruto's last meal! No sign of a giant frog.
In her room, Sakura's staring at a photo of her squad, and flashbacks on Cursed Sasuke and later Sasuke ordering her not to tell the judges about the Mark. Sakura wonders if she shouldn't have been more forceful in stopping him, and while I applaud the notion of her trying and would root for her... let's get actual, shall we? She tried to visit him at Ninja Hospital, but he's not allowed to receive visitors. Despite this, she's apparently going to try again and decides to be pick up some flowers for the room she probably won't be allowed into. But, wait! This is no ordinary florist - this is a Ninja Florist store run by Ino's family, where she apparently works part-time. It explains how Ino knew about the flowers in that earlier episode, and that's kind of cool. As we've already noted, Ino is no slouch and knows exactly why Sakura's looking at flowers, and invites herself along to go see Sasuke. Treacherous Ino-pig! Ino grabs a rose for love, and Sakura gets a Narcissus because among its many properties is that it's a get-well flower. She gets two. One for Sasuke, and one for... Lee! That's sweet.
The girls are walking along, and I'm amazed that it hasn't broken out in a Kunoichi version of Deathrace 2000 to get to the hospital first. A bellow for ten orders of food give them pause, and it can only be Choji. Asuma is treating him to all the BBQ he can eat in return for helping with Shikamaru's training, who thinks it's a drag (SHOCK). We see a little bit of Asuma's teaching method, which seems to revolve around manipulating the ego of his students. Neji and Tenten are training, too! It seems to revolve around Tenten throwing things and then Neji passing out from lack of Chakra. Squad Eight's not to be outdone, as Kurenai and Kiba rush at Shino, who prepares to block with a swarm of bugs while Hinata watches from the sidelines. It's okay, girl! You can join their reindeer games, too! Ah, well. Naruto's still on tadpoles. The Sand Ninjas' sensei's also given them some no doubt lethal instruction on killing people with wind and sand. Sakura and Ino have been allowed in to see Sasuke, but it turns out he and his clothes are gone, and Sakura immediately thinks he's run off to join Orochimaru. It's too early in the season for something like that to happen, and we join Kakashi in progress to climbing a mountain one-handed and that is badass, even if he needs a Chakra-boost to do it. Sasuke's already waiting for him. I find I sort of missed the punk.
Unable to visit Sasuke, they visit their number-two choice, Lee, but he's gone, too. This is a terrible Ninja Hospital! Lee hasn't gone far, though, he's outside training. One-legged push-ups, and if he can't do those, one-legged squats! How does that even work? Sheesh, Lee. Watching him train, we get earlier Ino telling Sakura he may never be able to be a Shinboi again, and it's puts a pretty decent lump in my throat to watching the kid nearly kill himself trying to reach his dream. Right before he hits his target goal, Lee collapses from pain and passes out. Sakura asks Ino why us dudes have to be so stupid, and but Ino doesn't have an answer. To cheer us up, we get Shikamaru training, but he's out of Chakra so he just has to jump in the bushes to avoid Choji the Human Boulder. Lee wakes in his hospital bed to see the narcissus on his beside stand, but the girls have already gone home. Finally back at the hot springs, Jiraiya wants to pack it in since the bathing beauties have left, but Naruto's going to summon a frog if it kills him. He has to spring for a spot of Sexy Jutsu to recharge Jiraiya's batteries so he'll stick around long enough to watch Naruto try again. This time it's a legged tadpole. Progress!
Next Episode: Naruto's last meal! No sign of a giant frog.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Episode 54 - The Summoning Jutsu: Wisdom of the Toad Sage!
A full moon hangs over head as Ebisu gives up trying to convince Jiraiya to help, dropping an "I believe in you," but it doesn't look it's going to make the Mountain Toad rethink his life anything. We cut away to Gaara perched on top of a carp statue, looking thoughtful. The Sound Ninja Dosu wanders up to him, casually saying that he thought he'd crush Gaara now and avoid the rush to fight Sasuke. He wants to try sound vs. sand, and I start to wonder if this means that Temari might not get a bye after all. Then something... odd happens. Gaara says in the full moon, "his" blood boils, and then his shadow starts to go all Lovecraftian and a smoke trail annihilates Dosu. The sand kid comes back to himself, breathing hard. Yikes. Close by, the Sand Village's sensei and Kabuto watch without the pants-wetting horror they might have. The sensei asks if it's okay that Gaara offed Dosu like that, and Kabuto cheerfully says that plans for Sasuke have changed and Dosu wasn't needed any more. Hayate drops some eaves! Sand Ninja's worried that if it's out Kabuto's Sound, their plot to destroy Leaf Village is done. Kabuto says he let them find out on purpose to see how they'd react. The Sound Ninja's just all kinds of too clever.
Kabuto gives them their orders from Orochimaru, and before they part Kabuto lets it slip that Hayate's not quite as stealthy as he'd like to be. Poor TB-sensei. The Sand Boss says he'll take care of Hayate for Kabuto as a favor. The Sand Villager catches up to Hayate on the rooftops a ways away, and Sandy's amused to find out it's a Proctor. Hayate coughingly draws his sword and goes for Leaf Style Cresent Moon Dance. He sweeps around in, well, a crescent around the Sand Ninja brings his sword down on his opponent's shoulder. Sand Shinobi is impressed, it's a very good technique and all, but it's a sword made of something. The Sand's sword is made of the wind, and he lets poor Hayate see how sharp it is.
Hot Springsville, with Jiraiya on the prowl. A trio of nubile nymphs frolic in the water, and while this is surely great inspiration for the next volume of Make-Out Paradise, it doesn't have a thing to with Naruto's training. He's forced to Sexy Jutsu it up to get his new mentor's attention back, offering "service" and as a brief note? Ew. This is just what the Pervy Sage was waiting for! To be touched by a beautiful women who turns back into 12-year-old kid. The girls break for lunch as Jiraiya decides it's time to start dropping knowledge on the kid. Mountain Toad wants Naruto to build up the special red Chakra, but no dice. The sensei monologues that as of yet, Naruto can only summon the red Chakra when Naruto's emotional state is at the right agitated pitch, as we've seen. Naruto wants to know why he has to use the other chakra for the technique, and Jiraiya says only that kind will be able to power the technique he's going to taught. Then our boy asks how Jiraiya knew he had the chakra in the first place. Because he's a sage, duh! The Pervy Sage starts tugging on Naruto's face like an overly affectionate great-aunt, telling him it would be a shame not to be able to use the red Chakra. It's all part of Naruto developing his own style, and the other Chakra is an edge that he can exploit over other people.
As an example of the cool stuff he can, Naruto can learn Summoning Jutsu, like Kakashi's adorable Ninja Dogs. Naruto's ready to learn, but first he has to empty his regular Chakra - so he Shadow Clones to do it as fast as he can, with an all-Naruto battle royale. Jiraiya: "Good thinking considering he's stupid." Heh! The Narutos go at it, and it's about as elegant as you could expect. Jiraiya: "My, this is a sexually unattractive scene." Oh, take it out of your robe, Mountain Toad. Wait, no, don't do that. Once Naruto's triumphed over the last three Clone Narutos, his regular Chakra meter's finally on 'E.' Naturally, he collapses. With Naruto's empty vessel, we can begin the lesson! The Summoning Jutsu works like it has for everybody else so far, the addition of blood to mystic signs. Mountain Toad calls his giant toad, and the amphibian hands Naruto a contract to be binded in blood so Naruto might call upon the mighty power of the... toad. Contract signed, Naruto goes for his first summon! It is a mighty... tadpole. HAHAHAHA. The giant frog is less than impressed, as is the guy on his back. A quick jump back to Hidden Leaf Village, and the crows have been after Hayate's corpse when the Anbu come across him. Poor guy.
Next Episode: Sakura and Ino visit Sasuke, assuming they don't kill each other first.
Kabuto gives them their orders from Orochimaru, and before they part Kabuto lets it slip that Hayate's not quite as stealthy as he'd like to be. Poor TB-sensei. The Sand Boss says he'll take care of Hayate for Kabuto as a favor. The Sand Villager catches up to Hayate on the rooftops a ways away, and Sandy's amused to find out it's a Proctor. Hayate coughingly draws his sword and goes for Leaf Style Cresent Moon Dance. He sweeps around in, well, a crescent around the Sand Ninja brings his sword down on his opponent's shoulder. Sand Shinobi is impressed, it's a very good technique and all, but it's a sword made of something. The Sand's sword is made of the wind, and he lets poor Hayate see how sharp it is.
Hot Springsville, with Jiraiya on the prowl. A trio of nubile nymphs frolic in the water, and while this is surely great inspiration for the next volume of Make-Out Paradise, it doesn't have a thing to with Naruto's training. He's forced to Sexy Jutsu it up to get his new mentor's attention back, offering "service" and as a brief note? Ew. This is just what the Pervy Sage was waiting for! To be touched by a beautiful women who turns back into 12-year-old kid. The girls break for lunch as Jiraiya decides it's time to start dropping knowledge on the kid. Mountain Toad wants Naruto to build up the special red Chakra, but no dice. The sensei monologues that as of yet, Naruto can only summon the red Chakra when Naruto's emotional state is at the right agitated pitch, as we've seen. Naruto wants to know why he has to use the other chakra for the technique, and Jiraiya says only that kind will be able to power the technique he's going to taught. Then our boy asks how Jiraiya knew he had the chakra in the first place. Because he's a sage, duh! The Pervy Sage starts tugging on Naruto's face like an overly affectionate great-aunt, telling him it would be a shame not to be able to use the red Chakra. It's all part of Naruto developing his own style, and the other Chakra is an edge that he can exploit over other people.
As an example of the cool stuff he can, Naruto can learn Summoning Jutsu, like Kakashi's adorable Ninja Dogs. Naruto's ready to learn, but first he has to empty his regular Chakra - so he Shadow Clones to do it as fast as he can, with an all-Naruto battle royale. Jiraiya: "Good thinking considering he's stupid." Heh! The Narutos go at it, and it's about as elegant as you could expect. Jiraiya: "My, this is a sexually unattractive scene." Oh, take it out of your robe, Mountain Toad. Wait, no, don't do that. Once Naruto's triumphed over the last three Clone Narutos, his regular Chakra meter's finally on 'E.' Naturally, he collapses. With Naruto's empty vessel, we can begin the lesson! The Summoning Jutsu works like it has for everybody else so far, the addition of blood to mystic signs. Mountain Toad calls his giant toad, and the amphibian hands Naruto a contract to be binded in blood so Naruto might call upon the mighty power of the... toad. Contract signed, Naruto goes for his first summon! It is a mighty... tadpole. HAHAHAHA. The giant frog is less than impressed, as is the guy on his back. A quick jump back to Hidden Leaf Village, and the crows have been after Hayate's corpse when the Anbu come across him. Poor guy.
Next Episode: Sakura and Ino visit Sasuke, assuming they don't kill each other first.
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