Naruto 424

1
Naruto
#424: Determination
[side text: Konoha's many sacrifices...]
Shinobi: Unhh...

2
Tsunade: (To think that the damage was this great...)
Danzou: Thanks to this commotion, we have been able to remain undetected by Tsunade's watchful eyes; a stroke of luck indeed. // Even Akatsuki has its uses... // It is time for Tsunade's age to come to an end.

3
Danzou: However, we cannot allow Akatsuki to take the Kyuubi. / As such, I have removed that possibility. // We will stay underground until the commotion above cools down.
Root: Should we not assist in the defence of the village? // Even if you do manage to seize control of the village, Danzou-sama, / there will be little meaning if there is no village left to control.
Danzou: The Princess is not Hokage for no reason. // As long as she is using Katsuyu's jutsu, the village will not fall. / ...Though I daresay there will be some casualties... // ...they are but necessary sacrifices for a greater purpose. // The purpose of my becoming Hokage.

4
[no text just wut]

5
Flashback!Dude2: I win. // Ahh, a drink after work always tastes great...
SomeGuy: It's no good... Tonbo, have you found anything useful?
Tonbo: Not yet... I haven't found any real leads connected to Pain.

6
[sign: No Entry]
Flashback!Dude1: Today's body is pretty light, huh.
Flashback!Dude2: I've been doing this for long enough to be able to tell... this one's a woman.
Flashback!Dude1: We're always transporting bodies to that tower, the tallest one in the village... / Do you know what that place is?

7
Flashback!Dude2: The towers in this village exist for the storage of bones, right? // They were originally erected for the purpose of memorial services for the dead.
Flashback!Dude1: But then why are even the relatives of the dead forbidden from entering?
Flashback!Dude2: Don't ask me... why would I know?
Flashback!Dude1: Heheh...
Flashback!Dude2: ...What? Don't put on that superior act.
Flashback!Dude1: Well, truth is... I've heard rumours that Pain-sama himself might be in that tower.
Flashback!Dude2: Man, is that right? // ...Can't believe that myself.
Flashback!Dude1: Hey, it's just a rumour... // Anyway, I'm gonna check the body.

8
Flashback!Dude1: Huh, just like you said... it's a woman.
Flashback!Konan: Good work.
Flashback!Dude1: Yeah... Angel-sama...
Flashback!Konan: Now, hurry and bring the next one.

9
Chouji: (Father......!! // Kakashi...sensei...!!)

10
Tonbo: Inoichi-san... you really are something! / You scan through half a day of this guy's life in under thirty seconds... // I can barely keep up...
SomeGuy: You fool!! // If you have time to idly speak, use it to search for anything that might be related to Pain!

11
Shizune: Coming in!
Ino: !
Shizune: This is Shizune! I'm here to help under the Hokage-sama's orders! // *pant* // *pant*
Ibiki: Have you found anything out, then?
Shizune: Yes! I'll explain immediately. // Then we can pool the information I've gathered and the information you've gathered... / ...and work out the truth about Pain!

12
Chouji: U...nhh... // Dad...!

13
Chouji: Protecting me, you...!
Kakashi: There'll be time for crying... later... Chouji...
Chouji: ?!
Kakashi: If you can... still move... then report to Tsunade-sama... about Pain's ability... // We have to come up with counter-measures immediately!
Chouji: Ka...kashi...sensei...?
Kakashi: You can think about it all later! Now quickly, you have to make your report... go!
Chouji: I... I...!
Kakashi: Don't you dare make Chouza-san's sacrifice go to waste!

14
Asura!Pain: Persistent bastards, aren't you...
Chouji: ?!
Kakashi: ?! // (No...! He's still...?! // Shit! Is he going for Chouji?!)

15
Chouji: (Father... // Thank you. // I'll make you proud!)
Kakashi: Run, Chouji!!
Kakashi: (With the Chakra I have left, I won't be able to take his entire body... // Besides which... using it again will take up the last of my Chakra and stamina... // ...I really will...)

16
Kakashi: (...die! // But right now, I have to pass on this information to those who are still alive! // That... // ...is the best thing I can do right now to aid Konoha!!)

17
Asura!Pain: ! // (So it was that doujutsu that allowed him to survive that...)
Kakashi: *pant* // *pant* // *pant* // *pant* // *pant* // (Huh... it looks like this... is as far as I go... // Obito... Rin...)
[TN: I think Kakashi could really do with a slug right now ¬_¬]
[insert text: As he tumbles into death, his will lives on...!!!]
[bottom text: Next issue, Naruto will be taking a break so that the author can collect data. We hope you understand.]