The fall colors are at their most vibrant,
and it's the perfect time to relax at the hot springs.
It's useless. I can't find a spring.
You're digging your own hot spring, Orochimaru?!
Yes!
I've been running myself ragged trying to find one all week, and nothing!
There's no other option.
I'll just have to...
Nothing Beats Mixed Bathing!
I am pooped.
That mission was brutal.
Must sleep...
I wouldn't mind a rest, either.
This is no time to take it easy!
We must hurry home and start training feverishly
so we'll be ready for the next mission!
Not this time.
Warriors need their rest, too!
Guy Sensei?
I've been told a new hot spring business
just opened close to the Leaf Village.
You should all go check it out.
Your next mission is, "give your body a nice long rest!"
And that's how Rock Lee and his ninja pals...
...found themselves in front of the newly-opened "Orochi Hot Springs."
Look at that!
Orochi Hot Springs: 100% natural spring water
All the baths are 100% natural spring water!
"Orochi" Hot Springs?
Oh no, not him again...
Oh yes, none other!
Look at them. The fools don't suspect a thing.
Quite the opposite.
Lord Orochimaru, they couldn't be more suspicious!
Why the heck did you have to call it the Orochi Hot Springs?!
This must be one of Orochimaru's traps!
Was his plan to get us to relax,
then attack while our guard was down?
Precisely!
C-Curses!
One second.
Welcome one and all to the Okuchichi Hot Springs!
Okuchichi?
Yes.
This isn't a "ro," it's the kanji that reads "kuchi."
We are the Okuchichi Hot Springs!
Lord Orochimaru, that's much too far-fetched.
I see. It's read as "Okuchichi."
He fell for it?!
Well, it's true that if this were one of Orochimaru's tricks,
he wouldn't actually use "Orochi" in the name of the place.
Yeah, Orochimaru wouldn't screw up that bad.
Indeed!
He may be a failure, but even he's not that stupid!
I'll get you for that.
Come along and enjoy our beautiful outdoor bath!
I-It's—
Mixed Gender Outdoor Bath
It's a mixed gender bath!
M-Mixed?!
As you might imagine, in a mixed gender bath,
the men and women don't have separate areas,
but rather bathe and enjoy the water together.
M-M-M-M-M-M-M-M-M-M-Mixed?!
A mixed gender bath with Sakura?
Me and Sakura in the same hot spring!
What should we do? Take turns?
There's not much time left until dinner, though...
I know. The Transformation Jutsu will solve this conundrum!
Naruto!
Right, I'm on it!
Neji!
Hey, st—
And me!
Now we're all girls.
We call go in the bath together!
Somehow, I don't think so.
Actually, he might be on to something.
If you and I use the technique...
Ah ha, good thinking!
They had to put on towels before we were allowed to shoot.
I shouldn't have gotten my hopes up.
This is much too dull. There aren't even any flowers.
These will at least brighten up the shot.
They had to put on swan tutus before we were allowed to film.
We can do without those kinds of flowers.
What if they washed each other instead?
Wash, wash!
Rub, rub!
Who on earth is this supposed to appeal to?!
What a relaxing bath!
The food's great, too!
Eat up, everyone!
And enjoy our dinnertime dance show!
Why me?
For some reason...
I feel a strong bond with that girl.
What is it, Neji?
That girl really catch your eye?
O-Of course not!
Whoohoo!
I think it's about time...
About time for what?
Even better food?
Wrong!
Time to punish you little brats!
Orochimaru!
I knew it!
It's too late now.
You're all too loosened up from my resort!
Give me a break!
Rasengan!
I see the hot springs really helped your chakra unwind.
Chakra can't unwind!
Byakugan!
It's no good. I can't see what kind of soup it is!
The soup, now?!
He's right, the springs relaxed our chakra so much,
we can't use ninjutsu!
So chakra can relax, then?
You think you stand a chance against me without ninjutsu?
This hot spring will be your grave!
Even without ninjutsu, I can still fight with taijutsu!
Lee!
Don't worry!
I've got a style that's a perfect fit for hot springs...
Karaoke-Fu!
Wha...
I think ping-pong is more hot-springy, personally.
Interesting. I'll play along!
They're out for blood.
Who'll sing first?
And what song?
I'll sing the theme song to that other famous ninja anime,
Courage 200%!
They're actually singing!
I give us a 200% chance of dying!
Have you no pride as a Leaf Village Ninja, Lee?!
But singing what he wants is a small victory!
Bringing out the big guns already, huh?
I'll counter with a song from that famous idol group!
"Heavy Boa-tation!"
Heavy BOA-tation!
Lord Orochimaru, you're risking both defeat and a lawsuit!
You'll tarnish the image of those poor girls!
Are you two sure about this?
If you sing on air without licensing the songs first—
Let's do it!
Have at you!
The karaoke machine mysteriously exploded.
See, it's telling you you can't sing.
There are forces far more powerful than us at work here.
We'll have to pick an alternate way to fight that's still theme appropriate.
I would've liked to avoid doing this on a kids' show...
Oh no, you're going to break the rules?!
Baseball Fist!
Don't do it, Lee!
You can't do that in prime time!
There's no stopping now!
Orochi High vs. Leaf Academy.
It's 0-0, bottom of the ninth,
two outs, and the bases are loaded.
Orochi High could end it right here!
Big brother...
The count's 0-2.
Will the next pitch be the last?!
I have to win this game,
for my dear, beloved sick sister!
Regardless of your circumstances...
I'm going all out!
The pitcher, Rock Lee, sets up...
And throws!
I will win, at any cost!
He's hit by the pitch!
Yes! I won!
Like heck you did!
The bases were loaded and you hit me,
my team won!
Are you kidding me?
That was just the baseball.
Our battle was about breaking the rules!
What?!
You lousy cheater!
That tears it.
Summoning Jutsu!
Now what, a giant monster battle?
Orochimaru, you coward!
I'll crush the life out of you for sure this time!
Freeze.
Who are you?
From the cheapest day spa to the most well hidden gems,
we fight to protect the waters and atmosphere of all hot springs!
We are the hot spring inspecting Spa Rangers!
The minerals in the water here are added, not naturally occurring!
You're coming with us.
Hey, wait a sec—
Hi-ho, Silver!
I won't forget this!
Lord Orochimaru!
And so, Orochimaru won the battle, but lost the war.
Uh...
As always, Orochimaru is plotting to defeat our Rock Lee.
Rock Lee Hotel
Look at this.
I've created a most dastardly "Rock Lee Hotel,"
to trap that eyebrowed eyesore once and for all!
What should I use as bait?
A curry restaurant stamp card that needs just one more for a free meal?
Or an all-you-can-drink on your birthday coupon?
October 27th
I completely forgot!
My own birthday was last week!
October 27th Was Orochimaru's Birthday...
Another year older...
My makeup's having less and less effect, too...
Hey, wait!
The real tragedy is...
...not one single soul remembered my birthday!
Why?!
Why, I say?!
Lord Orochimaru?
Kabuto!
You callous fiend!
You've forgotten something important!
Something of great significance happened last week!
Great significance...?
That's right!
Last week was the first episode of
"Make-Out Fall in Love Picking Chestnuts on Mt. Sarukani,"
and I forgot to set my DVR!
No, you twit!
It was something much more important than television!
Manda, I know you remembered, right?
Something absolutely critical, starts with "b."
B Vitamins
B Vitamins.
No!
Hey, B vitamins are important to a healthy lifestyle.
I'm not talking about health!
Something that starts with "b" that's much more important than vitamins!
Bulbs? Like light bulbs?
If you're going to bring up lighting,
at least use LEDs, they use so much less electricity!
Birthday!
B-i-r-t-h-day!
Oh, is that right?
I'll make Lee suffer the same anguish.
Let's see, Lee's birthday is coming up...
It's November 27th.
He, too, will suffer the loneliness, the misery, the agony...
...of having his birthday forgotten!
What in the world are you wearing?
I can't ask Kabuto for help when he forgot my birthday, too.
I'll just have to play his part myself, instead!
Lord Orochimaru, that's enough exposition.
You're right.
First I need my time-release chakra.
I'll slip it into his shoes,
and set it to go off the morning of his birthday.
It's my birthday!
Happy birthday to me!
Then I'll set a black cat to cross his path.
A black cat!
And finally, when he looks to the sky...
He'll see the death star clear as can be!
I saw the death star on my birthday!
He'll have the most miserable birthday morning of his life!
That plan's unbearably dull, Lord Orochimaru.
Who cares?
Piling up one little annoyance after another can do a lot of damage!
H-Hey, Orochimaru!
What're you doing with my shoes?
Lord Orochimaru, if you're found out now the whole plan will go down the tubes.
You have to trick her, and fast.
Oh, I—
It's getting colder out now,
so I'm warming up everyone's shoes so they won't catch colds.
That makes no sense!
Th-They're in for a big surprise if they think I'll give up that easily.
I've got lots of other options...
The morning of his birthday,
I'll make him step in dog doo!
Are we clear?
I want you to drop plenty of land mines on Lee's morning running course!
And you're feeding him a month out?
I will not be broken.
I've got plenty more in store for him.
Your happy birthday lands on the anniversary of Buddha's death!
And even worse...
Friday the 13th
Lord Orochimaru, if it's the 13th,
that means it's not his birthday.
What else would ruin someone's birthday?
I know, I'll search the internet!
Coogle Leaf
Worst birthday memories ever
Let's see here...
None of my subordinates remembered my birthday.
Even when I asked,
"Didn't you forget something important?"
all they could talk about were vitamins and light bulbs and stuff.
Wait, this is my blog!
Lord Orochimaru, you have a blog?!
It's clear now.
Of all the things that can happen on your birthday,
that is the worst!
Whew, it's about time.
We're finally back onscreen!
I wasn't sure we'd even show up again.
Yum!
Orochi Ramen
Open 11/27
First 10 customers get an all-you-can-eat buffet!!
Hey, look, a new restaurant.
Sweet, it's a ramen place!
Open November 27th.
First 10 customers get an all-you-can-eat buffet!
Oh man, I'm lining up first thing in the morning!
It begins.
I bet Choji will want to come along, too.
Nope, Choji said he's going over there.
November 27th Yum!!
Orochi Barbecue
All-you-can-eat!!
Another promo on November 27th?
Wait, November 27th?
Yes. What's up, Neji?
That's funny, the Hyugas are holding a memorial service that day.
It should've been the day before,
but for some reason they couldn't book the venue,
and had to push it back.
Now that you mention it,
Lady Tsunade's women's summit is that day,
and I was planning on attending.
So everyone has plans on the 27th?
What's so special about November 27th?
November 27th is...
...Fishing Day!
Fishing day?
Yes! The fishiest day of them all!
The village fishing holes are letting us catch as much as we want!
Another thing on the 27th!
Actually, I invited Kakashi along, too,
but he's lining up for this.
Make-Out Mixed Bath
On sale 11/27!!
New Chapter!
Why are so many things happening on that day?
November 27th is my birthday!
Don't tell me you're all...
That's right, I'm behind all of it.
Now no one will be able to make your birthday party.
You'll be all alone,
crying into your birthday cake!
Don't tell me you're all...
You're all conveniently making plans so that Sakura and I can...
...spend my birthday together, just the two of us!
How can you be so positive?!
And the night of my birthday,
when Sakura and I are all alone,
it'll be like those risqué manga...
Happy birthday, Lee.
Come unwrap your present.
I'm a bit embarrassed, but so, so happy!
That's crossing the line, Bushy-Brows!
Sakura would never do something like that for you!
Ah, so the 27th is Lee's birthday, too.
Enjoy yourself while you can.
Because!
Oh, you'll get a present,
but it won't be that Sakura girl!
Come unwrap your present!
I see, so you arranged to be delivered to him on the 27th?
Yes...
Right as Lee's at the height of despair,
Orochimaru will pop out to cheer him up!
What's this package?
I heard something laughing inside.
Must be a joke.
It's creeping me out, let's just trash it.
H-Hey, stop!
No!
I'm not garbage!
No!
Surprise.
It's a little late, but Happy Birthday, Lord Orochimaru.
Kabuto...
Why didn't you do this on the right day?!
Because, Lord Orochimaru, you were wandering...
...the mountains looking for a hot spring on that day.
I had no idea where you were!
All's well that ends well, right, Orochimaru?
Happy Birthday!
Thank you, everyone!
Sakura's My Nurse! One Vote For Rock Lee!
Next time—
Next time is "Sakura's My Nurse!"
and "One Vote For Rock Lee!"
Hey, Lord Orochimaru's supposed to be doing the preview,
don't cut him off!
It's all right.
We're celebrating my birthday,
I want everyone to share in my joy.
Just this once.
Lord Orochimaru, that's not how the bad guy should talk.
I'm the bad guy?