Matsutake mushroom rice and steamed matsutake mushrooms.
Grilled matsutake mushrooms and matsutake mushroom tempura.
Autumn...
Matsutake Mushrooms
Such a fragrant season.
Oh autumn, it's autumn!
It's a matsutake mushroom hunt!
I haven't had them in forever!
Guy Sensei and Kakashi Sensei are both on cloud nine.
Well, we're here to gather a bunch of matsutake mushrooms.
Hunt, hunt!
Cut 'em up!
What the heck?! Cut it out, Lee!
His spirit's in the right place,
but he's hunting the wrong game.
Huh, what was...
Hunting for Matsutake Mushrooms!
There aren't any mushrooms!
Where did they all go?!
We came all this way to gather them...
We had such an unusually hot summer,
they didn't grow so well.
As you can see.
This is the only one so far.
Full course
Time to eat
Nom Nom
Slurrrp
Blow, blow
Burp~
Receipt Yamato 15,000
Even the matsutake mushroom dishes at the local restaurants...
Grin
Full Course
...have to get their supply from outside grocery stores.
Foreign Import
We came all this way,
and there's nothing but junk from other villages...
Why does that make it junk?
Guess there won't be any new dishes at the local Leaf Village restaurants.
We'll just have to head back.
That's...
Hey, Neji.
Lady Hinata!
Neji, Tenten...
What're you doing out here?
Wh-What a coincidence!
I'm just out here to landscape the mountainside.
That's some coincidence.
A young girl cutting grass on a mountain by herself in the 21st century...
What's wrong?
You were following us?
Yes.
I saw everyone leaving to look for matsutake mushrooms.
I have the day off, too,
and you looked like you were having so much fun.
Perhaps I shouldn't have,
but I ended up following your group.
"Ended up"?
But you needn't have followed us in secret.
You could've called out to us at any time.
I, um...
Hinata wasn't following us, she was following Naruto!
That's why you weren't more proactive, right?
Um... That's, well...
Gotcha. Let us help you out!
It's up to you whether or not things work out with Naruto,
but maybe we can help you overcome your shyness?
Right, Neji?
If it'll help Hinata, I'm in.
Tenten... Neji...
Tenten, Neji, where were you?
Sorry, we had a thing to take care of.
Ah, Hinata.
Oh, it's Hinata!
Whatcha doing way out here?
N-Naruto...
I-I-I...
Relax, relax!
Act natural.
N-Natural...
I came to the mountain to do some laundry.
What on earth is natural about that?!
I was trying to symbolize mother nature...
Wrong kind of acting and wrong kind of natural!
I see you're as subtle as ever.
Subtle...
I-I knew it, I should've symbolized a big natural monument like the Jomon Cedar!
At this point,
you're only symbolizing the loss of your rationality.
It's hopeless,
her brain doesn't function right around Naruto.
Hey, whatever happened to the matsutake mushroom hunt?
We've all been talking,
and unfortunately it looks like we'll have to call it quits.
Not a single one to be found anywhere.
Maybe I'll go grab some ramen...
I think I'll head back and get some lunch, too...
Oh well...
Oh no, no!
We just brought Hinata here!
If we don't do something as a group, Hinata will never come out of her shell!
Guy Sensei, hunting for matsutake mushrooms will be great training!
We should keep up the hunt, no question about it!
I really am craving them...
Going home without even eating one...
G-Got it!
It's a competition to see who can find the most mushrooms!
So the search for matsutake mushrooms begins, but...
Yeah, but if you ask me...
C'mon, Hinata, go up to Naruto.
N-Naruto! Um, I―
Sakura!
It's a team competition! Let's work together!
He's not listening!
We've got no choice but to gather more matsutake mushrooms than them.
If we win...
Big Haul
I never knew matsutake mushrooms were so good!
You're awesome, Hinata!
Oh yeah!
And that self-confidence will help her initiate the conversation!
Let's go for it, Lady Hinata!
Y-Yes!
Everyone's so motivated...
I'll have to do my absolute best!
So...
Let's roll!
What is that outfit?!
I figured this would be the bare minimum for a hunt.
You're just wasting time and energy!
And anyway, that's the wrong kind of hunt!
And why did you make Hinata and me dress up, too?!
Then what about this?
It's now 7 o'clock.
Say hello to Kyouko.
Wrong Hunters again!
I was trying to focus more on the confidence aspect.
You're getting way too detailed now!
And kids watching this show don't know the Hunters,
that's something from their mom's generation!
Fine then...
How about monster hunters?
The sponsors aren't paying enough for this!
That is...
...quite enough!
This being our first hunt,
I don't actually know the best strategy.
Let's see what everyone else is doing.
Nothing.
The matsutake mushrooms sure are shy.
Looks like Shikamaru's group is utilizing Ino's Mind-Body Switch Jutsu.
Ah ha, Ino can invade the minds of animals and control them.
Mind...
That's it, the mind!
What is it?
In order to coax the matsutake mushrooms to come out of hiding,
we need to get inside their heads!
Neji, Hinata, can you help me?
What about me?
You'd be useless.
Useless...
I need Neji and Hinata for this job.
M-Me?
What the?!
Hey, hey, Matsuko.
I'm going to a party with people from Mountain Yam U tomorrow!
Nameko and Donko are coming, too,
but we really need one more.
Hey, would you come?
Oh come on, Matsuko, quit being so shy!
If you came, you'd be the life of the party, I just know it!
What are you even doing?!
I was trying to think like a shy matsutake mushroom,
and create an atmosphere where they'd be comfortable showing up.
If that was all it took,
every college in the country would be full of mushrooms!
And why did we have to dress up again?!
Well, you, me and Hinata are the only ones with mushroom-shaped heads―
Don't call us mushroom-heads!
Matsuko, you baby!
You...
You really want to go on the inside...
I can't stand it when girls are so hesitant!
I know because I'm shy, too, and I hate it!
Lady Hinata...
Hinata's talking about herself...
I'm going to try my hardest.
I'll try to be brave.
And finally talk to Naruto...
Talk to me about what?
I figured I'd head back. What're you all up to?
W-W-W―
Hinata!
Lady Hinata!
Naruto, you moron!
Huh?
I... don't... care anymore...
What an incredible tumble.
It's like a metaphor for her life at this point!
Lady Hinata!
Oh, that's...
Bon appétit!
Hinata ended up finding the only mushroom...
Even one is plenty delicious.
Great job, Hinata!
Naruto...
And so, the matsutake mushroom granted Hinata a little more courage.
You know, Hinata,
I've been meaning to tell you something.
Yes?
Between your hairstyle and the way you act,
you remind me a lot of Bushy-Brows.
What's wrong?
Naruto...
Wh-What?!
Everyone gets angry sometimes, right?
I've had it up to here with this place!
Get me the money and safe passage to another village, pronto!
Someone help me!
Don't worry!
We're on the scene! You'll be safe!
Hey, that's the ninja who can't use ninjutsu, right?
How's he gonna save him?
I don't need ninjutsu to stop such a petty criminal.
With my genjutsu!
Genjutsu? Oh no...
Come on, buddy, stop being unreasonable and think of your poor mother back at home!
I knew it.
It's not too late.
Don't make her suffer any more!
Miss, come talk to him.
No way... Mom?
Why me, again...
Look at how depressed she is!
Whose fault is that?!
It's your fault!
Lee and Neji Part Ways!
Enough already!
Every single episode, you subject me to the worst humiliations!
Neji...
Please, calm down.
How can I calm down?!
On the matsutake mushroom hunt,
you made me dress up like a 70's singer, a dog,
and even a mushroom!
But that was Matsutake Matsuko's good friend
and fellow Toadstool College sophomore,
Shiitake Donko, not some random nameless mushroom.
That's not the issue!
I'm done with this silliness!
Neji...
Wow, I never would've guessed.
Neji sounds pretty angry.
To be perfectly honest, this whole time...
I had no idea he felt that way.
Really?!
Every single skit you've ever done,
he's been in silly roles, weird costumes...
He's just been enduring it.
I always thought he was on board.
If you'd only apply that kind of optimism to more noble pursuits.
Next I'll keep him out the more colorful roles,
and cast him as the main character.
You're not getting it!
Wouldn't it be better to just apologize?
Yeah, you're risking the loss of a close friend.
Perhaps...
I'll apologize to Neji...
And seal my genjutsu forever.
They're skits.
Did you hear that, Kabuto?
Yes. Every word.
Lee's going to seal away his genjutsu techniques.
They're not genjutsu, they're skits, Lord Orochimaru.
We've been defeated by those genjutsu so many times, it's infuriating.
You're starting to infuriate me, Lord Orochimaru.
Lee without his genjutsu...
...is nothing more than an old man at a bar bragging about his glory days!
That makes zero sense.
This is gonna be good.
Hyuga
Meanwhile, Neji is...
Jeez, I can't even stand to look at Lee right now.
Neji...
Lady Hinata? What is it?
Um... Actually, I have a favor to ask of you.
Favor?
Yes.
I want to stop being so introverted and shy,
and I'd like your help.
Ah, is that all?
With pleasure.
What would you like me to do?
I realized something during the matsutake mushroom hunt.
When I project myself onto something external,
I'm better able to say what's in my heart.
That day it was just a mushroom, but...
Uh-huh...
But if I use that as a starting point,
I think I can learn to overcome my shyness!
Again, what should I do?
Please...
Be my acting partner!
You need to apologize to Neji and bury the hatchet with him.
Yeah, she's right.
Aw, you seem sad.
That voice!
Orochimaru! What're you doing here?!
Oh?
Have you forgotten the motivations of my character?
I'm here to crush the Leaf, of course.
You've forgotten that more than anyone in recent memory, Lord Orochimaru!
You never learn.
I won't let you harm the village!
Impressive confidence.
But do you really think you can stop me?
Absolutely.
All right...
Severe Leaf Hurricane!
What happened?!
How could Lord Orochimaru be sucked into that so easily?!
Don't worry, Kabuto.
Th-This is... genjutsu!
It's a skit.
If you really think you stand a chance, go ahead.
But I know you're like a little baby who hates his vegetables!
Only one way out of this...
Salad Bar
Gotta try and eat more fiber.
That's the secret to a successful diet.
No, no, no, no, no, no―
But I've forsaken my genjutsu so I can patch things up with Neji.
I can't fight back!
It worked!
Without his stupid skits,
Lee's lost his motivation to fight!
It's genjutsu!
Now I just have to deal the finishing blow!
Tenten, Neji, what do I do?
You need me?
Yes.
Mayo, I need you by my side.
What're you talking about?
You and Saucestein of the sauces are inextricably linked.
Plus you've been with Bono the bonito and Sean the seaweed forever.
But...
Konomi.
Please don't try to make me stray anymore.
No!
I've always wanted to say this to you.
I never stopped thinking about you!
Konomi...
The heck is this scene?
What are we, a soap opera?
And why is there drama between mayonnaise and okonomiyaki?
Even if it's for Hinata, the writing is so awful...
That was wonderful, Neji.
Hmm?
I couldn't have made so much progress if you weren't so good.
I'm just not used to this stuff...
I understand...
Someday I want to say that to the actual person, not a bottle of mayo.
But thank you so much, Neji!
Lady Hinata...
I need to thank Lee and Tenten, as well.
Those two?
Oh yes, I never would've been able to ask this of you a couple years ago.
Being with your friends has made you so kind, and so dependable.
Can we do it once more?
Sorry, Lady Hinata.
I just remembered something I have to do.
Then go ahead.
Time to finish this.
Lee!
What're you doing?!
You should've ended this genjutsu in a heartbeat!
Neji...
But I swore to shelve my genjutsu―
This isn't you.
If it'll... help you... then I'll pitch in...
I've just... been thinking a little...
Neji...
Neji!
A little! Just a little here and there!
Neji, Neji!
My eyes, it's in my eyes!
Lord Orochimaru!
Mayo on veggies.
Even a little baby like me will eat his veggies now!
Whatever, let's do this Lee!
Right!
Let's go!
Neji...
Don't say anything.
I'm...
I'm sorry.
Neji!
And so, Neji showed Lee that he'd come to understand his genjutsu a little.
Come on, buddy!
Think of your poor mother back at home!
Ma'am, come talk to him.
Of course, he immediately regretted it.
I should've known...
Next week is "We're Here to Welcome Gaara!"
We're Here to Welcome Gaara! The Ultimate Autumn Diet!
and "The Ultimate Autumn Diet!"
Neji, let's keep up the momentum next episode!
Looks like I won't have to dress up at all next week.
You couldn't be more wrong!
For certain conversations to be conveyed properly,
we need Nejie, Nejia, Nejiette, Nejitherine...
I've got about 800 characters lined up for you.
Why do all of them have to be girls?!