When snow falls in the Hidden Leaf Village, it blankets everything in pure white.
How are Lee and his pals enjoying it?
Hey, that's not Lee...
Okay, let's get 'em!
Roger.
Nada...
I must confirm something.
Is it winter?
Because...
Shino, you idiot!
Shino Loves Insects
Hibernation?
Yes.
Shino's Destruction bugs stopped moving when the weather got cold.
Technically, they aren't hibernating.
They just don't want to leave the warmth of my body.
Because—
But why now?
It's frickin' freezing, that's why.
Yes, it's unseasonably cold this year.
Or as Kiba so eloquently put it, it's frickin' freezing.
Not having Shino's bugs makes things tough.
If only there was another species he could use instead...
Think you guys could help us look for some?
Insects? Sure thing.
Hold on, we can't just drop everything and—
Neji!
Let's do it.
Now hold on!
To be honest, I really can't deal with bugs...
You're not alone. I don't like them, either...
Hinata, it would be very inconvenient if you suddenly started disliking bugs.
Why? Because—
Suck it up!
Look, the type doesn't matter, just find us some bugs that are still moving!
Yeah!
Because it will hurt my feelings.
Darn it all, we ended up finding a ton of them!
I could only find this one.
That one's trouble!
Why? Because that's a—
Ew!
A stink bug!
Neji, you imbecile!
Come back!
Neji, you're so cruel!
It wasn't on purpose!
I swear!
Tenten, Hinata, calm down!
Pill bugs don't bite, sting or stink!
AHHHHH!
Don't any of you even think about leaving!
Hinata, you should get a medal for being on this team.
No good.
Why? Because...
They're too slow.
Forget speed for a second.
Surely you could weaponize the stink bugs?
Neji, please shut up.
Then what about...
The Love Bugs Movie
Let's all count the bug terms!!
The Love Bugs.
Bugs
It really bugs me how selfish you two are!
Bugs
Get off your high horse.
Don't touch me or you'll really get stung!
Stung
You wouldn't hurt a fly, you little tease!
Fly
You're trapped in our web now, baby, and there's no escape!
Web
No, save me!
Freeze!
Tenneth...
Hinata!
Stung by a bug
I was so worried you'd been stung a poisonous bug!
I'm sorry, Father.
I can't... tell him...
I thought you'd been acting strange. That's why I tailed you!
That filthy worm...
Worm
As your father, I'm putting my foot down!
His blood would poison a mosquito!
Mosquito
Just looking at him makes me mad as a hornet!
Hornet
Dad, you meanie!
meanie... meanie...
And the little moth heads right into the flame.
Moth
Our last little run-in really ticked me off.
Tick
Let me handle them, Daddy-o.
Don't call me "dad!"
But we must protect my dear daughter.
Grasshopper
Besides, those punks are knee-high to a grasshopper!
Shoot, they really loused everything up...
Louse
Tenneth!
Hinata!
Maybe it's none of my beeswax after all.
Bees
Oh well.
Thank you, Father.
The End
What're you grinning about?! That didn't solve a thing!
Anyway, we don't even know where most bugs make their habitats.
I see.
Let me give a brief lecture, then.
We're still not done?
In the winter, most bugs stay under leaves, under rocks, and under tree bark.
He found Kakashi Sensei!
What's Kakashi doing here?
To answer that, we'll have to go back a little bit.
You have to find me within the time limit.
Ready...
And there you have it.
Kakashi Sensei?
I've got it. That's not the real Kakashi Sensei!
What're you talking about?
Bugs live in tree bark, right?
Then that's not Kakashi...
Bookworm
It's a bookworm!
Ugh, that's so lame!
Ooh!
Please, don't be impressed by that.
Prepare yourself!
That was good. Because—
Awesome!
That bookworm rules!
There's no such thing!
Now we're getting somewhere!
Everyone keep looking!
Kakashi Sensei's not an insect.
I doubt there're any more—
Here's one.
Seriously?
What's Choji doing here?
Well...
Macarons from four months ago...
Should I eat them or is it too risky?
Ouch...
What the heck, a pit?
Well, I'm not getting out of here anytime soon.
Guess I have no choice!
No, no, no, they're four months old. I shouldn't—
But they look so good...
No, no, no!
No...
No, no, no...
That's funny. I was wondering where he'd been.
Yo, Choji!
Wait, that's not Choji.
That's...
Growl
...a stomach bug!
Stomach Bug
It is not!
I'm sure there are more nearby...
Under... this... rock!
Captain Yamato, what're you doing?!
So, what's Yamato doing here?
Actually, no one knows what Yamato's deal is.
I know, this isn't Captain Yamato, it's a bug.
Bug?
Insect
A bug.
Wiretap
Let's interview him.
Captain Yamato, yes?
What's your favorite food?
What do you do in your free time?
See?
See what?
Here I come!
They'll make excellent replacements for my usual bugs.
Because—
Shino, this is so awesome!
Becaus—
They're the strongest bugs ever!
Becau—
The bookworm, the stomach bug, and the bug, wow!
Beca—
You're really going along with this?
Bec—
Let's keep searching for more!
B—
Yeah!
I found a bedbug!
There's a grasshopper, and a ladybug!
And so, Shino Aburame assembled the greatest insect army in history.
But this was merely the prologue to him founding the Hidden Bug Village,
and becoming its leader, the Bugkage!
Yeah, right.
In reality, everyone went home,
and the team had to create a warmer environment...
...for the original bugs to work in.
Only 6,882 more bug-sized sweaters to go...
No more... No more!
What seasonal activity do women love more than anything?
Good morning.
Time for another early-morning train— Huh?
Tenten's not here.
She's apparently battling her fellow females today.
Battling girls?
Tenten fights a Maiden's Battle!
Leaf Department Store Huge Sale!
This year I'm winning it all!
Welcome!
Don't push! No running!
Perfect rhythm!
Please don't push!
Megaphones, radio warnings, even whistles.
They're pulling out the big guns as usual, but this year I'm prepared!
Fools.
They only put cheap junk out in the bins to lure in suckers!
The real prizes...
...are in the back!
Sorry—
Move it—
All of you?
Looks like another year of battling for supremacy.
I haven't forgotten last year's "Bamboo Pipe" incident!
We may fight for the same village, but today it's every woman for herself!
Um... sure...
First is that pretty chain sickle I saw during my recon.
There!
You cheater—
Power moves?
No holds barred!
It's gone!
Where...
Byakugan!
There it is!
I win.
I won't lose again.
Ah!
The new classic ninja hakama pants they debuted in the spring!
And in the sold-out flamingo pink!
Rare treasure!
Dibs!
Tenten's fighting a pro bargain hunter.
Looks like she'll need a hand.
Wow, these have been sold out forever! Lucky me, I found a rare collectible!
Too bad it's an extra-large!
Nice work, Ino!
The old Bargain Bluff jutsu?
No sweat.
Um...
Thanks, guys.
You know, maybe we oughtta be working together.
Yeah, a little cooperation could be just what we need.
Being at each other's throats will only hurt us in the end.
This is truly a war zone.
Strategy, weaponry, and at times, emergency measures.
A female war zone where only the most merciless women come out on top!
Without allies, you are doomed.
Special Ops Team Honey and Boa is in position.
Commanding Unit Sunny Spot is in position.
Flower-print wrist armor spotted by mirror three!
Honey has visual.
Boa, infiltrate beneath the bin and retrieve.
Yes, ma'am.
Hold!
Attention shoppers, we are now holding a special limited-time ultra-discount sale!
Yes! The biggest battle of the day begins!
Change to plan "Iron Curtain!"
Iron Curtain! Bargain Cliff!
The most dangerous foe at this point is the bargain stealer.
Filthy cowards who snatch your hard-earned clothes...
...the moment you leave yourself open!
But this is the perfect formation!
Perfectly balanced offense and defense.
I'm gonna make it this year!
Lady Tsunade?
Is that... Tenten?
I suggest you let go.
I'm the Hokage.
Hokage or not, on the floor of a bargain sale, we're nothing but fellow ninjas.
I will not let go!
Excuse me?
Hold up, deep discount or not, this is Lady Tsunade.
We can't beat her...
Tenten...
We outnumber them, and things are different this year.
If we work as a team we've got a chance!
So it's a fight you want, is it?
Whenever you're ready!
I'll go!
Yay!
Secret Technique, Tablecloth Magic Trick!
A high level move that instantly identifies the smoothest fabric...
To think a young girl like her has mastered it...
Huh?
That's chainmail... No, it's wool!
Organic wool, they'll never pull that out!
Three, two, one,
zero!
No way!
The roughest fabric there is, grabbed like it was nothing...
She moved the whole rack!
They cheat without batting an eye... Adults are fearsome opponents!
You see that, girls?
We've been coming to sales since before you were born, you never had a chance!
Wait, we're not that old...
So many powerful attacks... And even worse...
Such deep pockets...
There's no hesitation in their moves.
But us... We think of our wallets and pause for that fraction of a second.
I hate to admit it, but we're outclassed.
Well then...
We need to fight on a field where money doesn't matter.
Are you with me, ladies?
Of course!
At this point, we all share the same fate.
To the bitter end, Tenten.
You've completely dominated us so far.
But there's one final battle to be fought.
The most dangerous and difficult one of them all.
You can't mean...
We challenge you...
...to the forbidden "Grab-Bag Throwdown!"
Are you trying to get yourselves killed?!
Are you scared, too, Lady Tsunade?
Fine.
We accept!
Now I've done it.
Sorry, I know the grab-bags are just land mines waiting to blow...
But it was the only thing I could think of...
...where we have a chance to beat the adults.
Don't be silly, Tenten.
We just need to win.
Yeah... That's right!
We'll beat them, and return to the village arm in arm!
Yeah!
Considering the season, the heavy ones will be coats.
High value targets, but the wrong choice will prove fatal.
The uneven weight suggests multiple items.
That spreads out the risk, but...
We could try our luck...
And pick a light one hoping that it's something really valuable!
Using their grownup finances to win with sheer numbers?
We won't know until we open them up!
Let the battle begin!
Go!
I'm finished!
W-Whoa...
How do you even...
Um...
How about these?
The last one...
Bring it!
10 Guy Tights
10 Lee Tights
Tights?!
All junk...
Of course, in this anime no one changes their clothes,
so it doesn't matter anyway.
Here comes the cavalry!
Where's the battle?!
Why me...
Next week is "17 Nights of Staying out of Sight"
17 Nights of Staying out of Sight Cleaning the Bathroom Cleanses the Soul
and "Cleaning the Bathroom Cleanses the Soul."
Come to think of it, you're 17, aren't you, Lee?
You really don't look it...
Yup, I'll be 17 next year and the year after that, too.
Such is the life of an anime character.
You, too, right, Tenten?
Er, sure, I'm eternally 17, too.
Boy, they can do crazy things with the settings, huh?