You people...
Are you all right?
Yeah...
But why are you here?
You were also worried about Hotaru?
Yeah right. It was just sheer coincidence.
But...these guys didn't come here for Hotaru.
What do you mean?
And who are these guys?
That mask...
I see... So they're target is...
Master!
Why are the Hidden Leaf here?
Please let that girl go.
No!
In that case! We'll take her back...
by force!
Shadow Clone Jutsu!
Ninja Art!
Super Beast Scroll!
I'll take the one in the middle.
You take the ones around him. We'll attack together.
Got it. But...these Black Ops are...
Let's see how it goes for a bit longer...
We need to find out what their purpose is.
Master...
Hidden Jutsu: Kirisame!
What's with this rain?!
It's a jutsu that eats away the chakra it comes into contact with.
It's called the Kirisame Jutsu!
Why you...!
Go!
Stop! Don't be hasty!
Let's go!
Water Whip!
Wood Style!
Master!
I need you to stay quiet for a while.
What the hell are you doing?!
Naruto!
Wait.
We are on a mission to guard that girl.
Please return her to us.
Yeah! Give her back, you!
You are Anbu Black Ops from the Hidden Mist,
and the one you seek is this man, correct?
Huh? Anbu Black Ops... from the Hidden Mist?
I get it now...
So that means he is a...
Utakata is a Rogue Ninja from the Hidden Mist
and is listed in the Bingo Book.
These men have come after him.
So these guys... aren't ninjas who are after her?
They're after Utakata?
She has nothing to do with you. Please release her.
Then we'll exchange her for him.
No.
That, we can't do.
What?!
That girl seems to be very fond of this man.
If we hand him over to you, no doubt, she will pursue you.
Then we'll be in trouble.
So we can't turn him over.
Then...neither can we...
If we resort to force,
it may have major effects beyond this village,
and erupt into a full-scale war.
Are you willing to go that far?
The Hidden Mist?
Captain Yamato.
Men of the Hidden Leaf...
I command this unit from behind the scenes.
I am Tsurugi, head of the Hidden Mist Anbu Black Ops.
It is certainly not our desire to escalate this
into a war between nations.
Certainly, we can still negotiate?
Yes, I agree.
You're...
Let us meet. Just you and I...
And Utakata.
Understood.
You two stay here.
"Rogue Ninja's Past"
Then until you complete your mission,
we will postpone apprehending Utakata.
As soon as her safety is guaranteed,
I will notify you.
Please keep in mind that should you go back on our agreement,
war between our nations may be inevitable.
I understand.
Hmm...
You guys are too much. I'll be doing things as I please.
Not likely.
Until our mission is over, you will remain with us.
After that, it's all between you and the Hidden Mist.
Fine.
Tell me...
Just what did you do in Hidden Mist Village?
That...is none of your business.
My apologies.
I want to speak to him alone.
I'll wait over there.
Captain Yamato!
How did your talk go?
Oh, it went well.
Where are those two?
Having a discussion.
Is it true... that Utakata is a Rogue Ninja?
Yeah...
Don't give us trouble. Return to the Hidden Mist.
Humph! No thanks!
Why would I go back just to get killed...?
The village has changed.
We no longer have the practices that once gave us the nickname,
"Blood Mist Village."
But while things may seem peaceful,
it is a delicate power balance between the Five Great Nations.
The importance of what you possess increases each year,
and research into its use has also been stepped up.
The village needs that power, so you certainly won't be killed.
I don't trust anyone anymore.
Master... Please stop, Master!
My master...tried to kill me...
along with that thing inside me.
I sacrificed myself for the sake of the village.
I trusted my master's words... and did as he bid.
And he betrayed my trust...
he tried to kill me!
What?!
Th-This...power...
Wait!
Stop! Stop!
No, Utakata! He didn't...
Harusame didn't try to kill you.
It wasn't like that.
That cursed deed he performed on you...
He was trying to separate it from you.
He was trying to save you.
Like I'd believe such a story...
You've grown senile.
I speak the truth...
My master... No, that man used me and tried to kill me.
And in the aftermath...he died.
If you ask the villagers, they will say I killed him.
Utakata... Return to the village.
Then you will know that I am not lying.
No thanks.
Then, we have no choice but to kill you.
As you please.
And I will do as I please.
Master!
Let her go.
Yes, sir!
Master!
Enough!
Never call me that again.
Understand?
Men of the Hidden Leaf, as agreed, we will retreat for now.
Let us pray that both our missions are successful.
However, we will continue to keep watch over you.
Understood.
Farewell.
Scatter!
Oh dear...
Now then, where do we go from here?
It's best that we don't return to the Tsuchigumo village.
Yes, you're right.
If it's no longer secure as a ninja village,
her safety is questionable.
Then it may be better to return to Mount Katsuragi
and rethink our stance.
I also wish to go back.
I want to make sure Tonbei is all right.
Although, the ones after the Forbidden Jutsu
may also go back to Katsuragi, so it may not be safe either.
Let's join up with Tonbei and Sakura,
then decide on our course of action.
Utakata, you too.
Are you all right?
Uh-huh...
I wonder why he doesn't want me to call him "Master."
Utakata is a heinous criminal who killed his master
and escaped from the village.
Just what happened between... Sir Utakata and his master?
We don't know what the relationship is
between Utakata and the Hidden Mist.
But that's not important.
If you've already decided you want to be his student,
then who cares?
It matters. I want to become strong.
In order to restore my clan's honor.
That's why I want to learn from him.
I can tell. You want him to teach you hands on, right?
It's not like that...
Well, I felt the same way too.
I don't have any memories of my parents.
Huh?
So maybe that's why... when I traveled with the Pervy Sage...
I wondered if that's what it felt like to have a parent.
And I acted spoiled with him sometimes.
But training isn't that easy.
You have to think things through yourself,
and learn the technique by yourself.
Otherwise, you'll never get better.
If the Pervy Sage hadn't been there,
I wouldn't even have realized something that basic.
We're not alone...
Just the thought that someone is nearby,
watching over us...
that alone makes us strong.
I understand how you feel. I envy you, Naruto.
Just like you, I'm going to think of Sir Utakata as my master and...
Hey...you look pale...
I'm...okay...
Hey!
You're burning up...
You're hurt!
Is it from that fight?!
Captain Yamato!
I'll see to her.
Can you go and get some medicinal herbs?
The dokudami plant should be abundant around here
in the moist areas.
It has heart-shaped leaves which are purple underneath.
The leaves are purple underneath, right?
Yes.
All right!
What's wrong?
Hotaru is injured...
Let us be.
All right...
Moist areas...
I guess I should search by the riverbank!
There! That's gotta be it.
Huh? What the hell?! This is a chameleon plant!
Aw man, there were lots of 'em along the way!
Damn it!
I wasted so much time!
What the...?
What the hell is this...?
The Forbidden Jutsu of the Tsuchigumo Clan
It was engraved... into this child's very own body.
How could they do such a thing?
To hell with Forbidden Jutsu... To hell with the clan...
To hell with one's master!
And all these selfish guys who do atrocious things
to those who serve them without a hint of remorse.
They think of us...as mere tools.
Tools...who don't speak.
Hotaru...
What is this, Tonbei?
So En no Gyoja left behind a way to extract the Forbidden Jutsu.
It is evident that our clan no longer has the strength
to safeguard the Forbidden Jutsu.
To prevent its misuse,
we have no choice but to destroy the jutsu.
Destroy it? What'll happen to Hotaru then?!
Next time on Naruto Shippuden: "Heir to Darkness"
Damn it! Isn't there another way?!
I see...
So sometimes, a hand-made present is very effective.
Hey, Sai!
Hi.
Has something come up? Calling me out of the blue like this.
It's nothing really...
Then don't call me.
But I drew this for you. Will you accept it?
Huh?!
Don't you like it?
No, it's not that... Well, actually it is...
But guess I'll take it if you insist.
He made it for me, so I'll hang it up somewhere.
Huh? Wh-What is this?! Hey!
Hey! Cut it out, will ya?!
That Sai... He's done it this time!
I wonder if Naruto liked it?
Tune in again!