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!