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?
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
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.
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