White Day
It's March 14th.
White Day!
The token chocolate I got on Valentine's day from Sakura...
And he still hasn't eaten it...
I wonder if it really was just a gesture of friendship?
No, I can tell.
It appears to just be a nice gesture,
but there's the faint scent of love baked in!
Yes, White Day is another big day for romance,
where the boys who were confessed to on Valentine's Day give their answer!
This White Day, I must answer Sakura's confession of love!
And of course my response is,
I say yes!
Say yes!
The Alliance to Destroy White Day!
Leaf Department Store
White Day Sale!
Come early!
What on earth...
What happened here?!
I thought this white chocolate looked a little black.
This is dried mullet roe!
That's not the half of it.
The cookies got switched with pickled veggies,
the biscuits with smoked daikon,
the baumcuchen with herring rolls,
and the marshmallows with freeze-dried tofu!
But White Day's tomorrow...
Who would commit such a dastardly deed?!
Culprits x 3
This is sure to ruin White Day!
White Day Candy Theft Investigation HQ
You wanna find the culprit?
Yes.
Otherwise, I won't be able to properly express myself on White day.
Even if they're only token gestures,
you'd be upset if you didn't get anything, right, Tenten?
Why are they automatically token gestures?
Never mind! We need to take back White Day now!
The White Day candy was stolen from the store,
and the decorations were dyed black.
There must be a clue in there somewhere.
That's not much to go on.
Wait, I've got an idea.
Do you have business with me?
I need to ask you a few questions about the White Day candy theft.
Huh? Do you suspect Shino?
I think we can safely profile our criminal as having a sweet tooth,
as well as an affinity for black.
The only group who fits that description...
...are those...
...in their teens, twenties, thirties and forties...
That's a big group—
...and are rhinoceros beetles!
Rhinoceros beetles?!
Those things love sugar and are black as midnight for their whole lives.
There's no way the culprits were a bunch of bugs.
Don't resist, Shino. Hand over the beetles.
I'm afraid I can't do that.
Why?
Because they've been in hibernation since last month.
If Shino's rhinoceros beetles have an alibi,
it must've been another gang of them.
Can we just drop the beetle thing already?
Enjoy!
What's this?
Marshmallows?
Have you lost your mind, Mr. Teuchi?!
S-Sorry, I had too many.
This is starting to get troublesome.
I've gotta think of a way to smooth this over.
It looks like we've found our three culprits!
Ah ha, I see!
You finished creating your new menu, right?
Y-You noticed, huh?
How troublesome.
Choji!
Where'd you get those cookies?!
Shikamaru gave 'em to me.
Shikamaru!
I had no choice!
There was no way I could eat them all myself.
That means Shikamaru must've...
...baked some cookies.
I never would've expected that lazy bum to have...
...such a demanding hobby. What a surprise!
I thought we were busted there for a minute.
How're things looking?
I took the famous "White Lover's Snowcaps" imported from up north,
boiled them in soy sauce,
and turned them into "Black Lover's Snowcarps."
Our plan to destroy White Day is a success.
So that's your scheme!
Lee?! How did you find us?!
I just happened across this place while searching for rhino beetles.
Still looking for beetles in March?
You really aren't to be underestimated.
So you three were the ones who stole the White Day candy.
But why?!
As you know, Lady Hinata is eagerly looking forward to getting a gift from Naruto.
But knowing Naruto...
Almost White Day...
I completely forgot.
Well, I'm broke anyway, so I'll have to skip it this year.
And Lady Hinata will be crushed!
I'd rather wipe White Day off the calendar than see that happen!
I hate White Day, too!
I just know there'll be a bunch of lowlifes...
...who use it as an excuse to go after my Ayame!
I'd rather there be no White Day, as well.
It's...
...too troublesome.
Seriously?!
You're all trying to ruin White Day for such selfish reasons?
You're all crushing the hopes of eager young girls,
who are waiting for a response from their valentines?!
If you won't back down, I'll stop you myself!
White Day's nothing more than a stupid spin-off of Valentine's Day anyway!
That may be true,
but it's still wrong to make light of what it means to others!
Oh gosh, I'm so nervous my knees are trembling...
Don't worry, Tenko, I'm sure you'll pass.
Thanks, Leeko. I'm glad you came with me.
Next, please.
Right here, I'm coming!
Wh-Wh-What a gorgeous girl!
Wh-What's your name?
I'm...
No, I'm just here as Tenko's friend—
You're the kind of beauty we only see once a decade around here!
You'll be a megastar in no time!
And so a young lady who went along with a friend to her audition,
caught the eye of the scout, and ended up making her debut instead!
And then...
I have an announcement for all you wonderful people out there.
Tonight, I graduate from KHG48.
Starting tomorrow, our new center is...
...you, Tenko.
I'll be the center?
Do me proud, okay?
But I've spent all this time trying to catch up to you...
How can I push myself without?
You idiot!
I won't stand for whining like that.
Leeko?
From now on, you're the center.
You have to make the others chase you now!
Wait, what was I talking about?
White Day!
Oh, yeah.
Right, so the point is not to belittle something just because it's a spin-off!
As someone from the Hyuga branch family,
you should understand that better than anyone!
I...
Just because your family's a sideshow of the...
...main family doesn't make you worth any less!
You're right.
Hey, who're you calling a sideshow?!
This is so troublesome.
Leaf Women's Weekly
Captain Yamato Exposé
The collapse of White Day!?
What's this?
Just read it.
Let's see...
"Give your male friends a little token 'friendship' chocolate,
and watch as they repay the favor with a high quality handbag on White Day.
Accessories beat chocolate any day!"
Designer handbags? Accessories?
Is this for real?
I'm afraid so, son.
I see.
Do you understand now, Lee?
Will you join our side?
Yes!
Let's combine our strength and fight together!
And so White Day came!
All according to plan.
This'll be the most relaxed March 14th ever.
Ultra-Popular!!
White Day
Tasteful
What the...
What's going on here?
But we destroyed White Day!
Ah, Neji, Shikamaru, Mr. Teuchi.
Lee!
What have you done?!
But you agreed that White Day needed to be eliminated!
I did.
And it has been!
Then what is all this?!
I remade it.
Remade it?
Yes!
A brand new, fully renewed holiday: White Day, version 2.0!
White Day
Or White Day GX for short!
That acronym makes no sense!
I've completely changed the day's image,
and now mullet roe and herring rolls are the gifts to give.
It's surprisingly popular!
There are lots of customers that prefer foods like these to sweets,
especially since they go so well with sake!
Candy's gotten unpopular because it doesn't...
...jive with the needs of today's woman!
You three opened my eyes.
No...
That wasn't what we were saying at all!
To all the boys who received chocolate on Valentine's:
Make sure you return the favor on White Day!
Oh, and if you didn't get anything, don't sweat it!
Another staple of March is Doll's Day.
It looks like the Leaf Village held their festival a few days ago.
Look at that wonderful display of dolls!
Wait, what?
The dolls are back again.
No matter how many times we clean up,
the display's back up again the next day.
How many days has it been now?
This has happened every day since the festival, right?
Clean Up the Dolls!
The dolls were put up again?
Why're you acting so surprised?
It's happened every day since the festival.
What a baffling phenomenon.
It's not a phenomenon. It's just mean!
March 3rd was over a week ago and they're still putting the dolls out!
It certainly is mean.
I can't believe Leeko and I hung out so late!
I've gotta get home and clean up all my dolls!
The 3rd's almost over!
Last train for the Leaf Village, #666, departing.
Wait!
What was that story about?
You don't know?
They say if you leave your dolls out on display,
you're doomed to miss the last train home.
No one says that.
Oh, maybe it was oversleep?
It's "You'll be late!"
Yes!
The saying goes that if you leave your dolls out past March 3rd, you'll be late.
As in, you'll be late in finding a husband!
Wow...
Oh no!
What?
It all makes sense now!
It's because of all those dolls being left out,
that Lady Tsunade's still single—
Who're you calling an old maid?!
He didn't use those exact words...
I'm sick enough of those things being put out year after year as it is.
Fix it.
We don't even know what's causing it.
Maybe it's a prank.
A normal display would be one thing,
but that's a fifty-tiered one created especially for the Leaf.
If it's a prank, I have no idea why they're doing it.
I have no idea why we're doing this.
You say something?
No!
Are we doing it again tonight, Lord Orochimaru?
Of course!
By repeatedly leaving the dolls out,
we'll turn the Leaf into a village of old, unmarried spinsters!
Another overly-elaborate, yet petty plot.
Of course.
Who else would it be but these two?
Is there nothing they won't stoop to?
The Emperor and the Empress, having a staring contest...
I didn't know they made dolls this big.
Lord Orochimaru, what's wrong?!
The Emperor doll twisted his head around and was all like, "Boo!"
Are you joking?
The imperial dolls always look calm and composed.
No way, I could've sworn...
Let's stop wasting time and finish up already!
Hi, I'm Lee!
Play with me, play with me!
Get away from me!
Play with—
Stop screwing around!
Sorry.
I totally became the doll. I was possessed by its soul.
Stop with the scary stories.
L-Lee?
When did you two—
And why am I one of the five male musicians?
I should be the Empress!
Sorry, that role was already taken.
By whom?!
By us.
Why is Neji the Empress?
Aw, Tenten, that's so cute.
Don't worry. I have an outfit for you, too!
Tonight, you are the princess.
Thank you.
Wait, what're you trying to pull?!
Hey, can we get back to me now?
To re-display all the carefully cleaned up dolls...
...in a plot to ruin women's chances at marriage...
We won't let you get away with this!
Looks like we've got no choice but to use force.
Bring it on.
Let's go, Kabuto!
Right, Lord Orochimaru!
Finally, an actual fight!
Let's go, Tenten, Neji!
Right!
Wait!
I'll put the dolls up by force!
Then I'll clean them up by force!
That's what he meant by force?
How long are we gonna do this?
Probably until one side runs out of energy...
It'll go on forever at this rate. I need to use that move!
Lee, what are you planning this time?!
Leaf Ninja Art, Every Other Step!
Grade-schoolers can do that!
A fearsome move, but overuse will leave your legs sore later!
Don't take it seriously!
Time for my trump card!
Summoning Jutsu, Escalator!
You lose!
This time, I'm the victor.
Too easy.
You couldn't have done this to start with?
No way.
Unless you somehow find an elevator,
you cannot defeat my escalator!
And even if you did, it would be useless!
That's not true!
It can go higher and faster!
So naïve!
You don't realize your elevator's glaring weakness!
Glaring weakness?
Sure, it goes up and down quickly.
But you still have to gather the dolls manually.
In particular, for the dolls at the middle
it'd be just a quick to walk from the bottom!
I never even considered that!
Victory is mine!
Ultimate Escalator Technique!
Bringing Lots of Dolls to the Platform All at Once Jutsu!
I am so sick of this.
We don't stand a chance at this rate...
How can we beat an escalator?
So, Leeko, have you picked a high school yet?
No, I'm still waffling...
Are you kidding?
Leeko, you're more than smart enough...
...to continue on to this system's high school.
No way!
Hidden Leaf High's way beyond my level!
I'd never get in.
What about you, Orochimaru?
Um, I've already got the referrals I need to...
...get accepted into our high school.
Referrals? You mean...
You're on an escalator?
Don't tell everyone yet. It'd be too awkward.
This is an escalator school for Orochimaru?
But...
She's never outscored me even once on the mock entrance exams...
I won't lose!
Not to Orochimaru!
Wow.
So you rode the escalator and skipped the entrance exams, Orochimaru?
You geniuses are something else.
Oh, I'm not...
Oh, Leeko!
You're amazing, Leeko!
I can't believe you skipped a grade...
...and you're starting high school as a sophomore!
Leeko skipped a grade?!
That's like an elevator!
That's right, Orochimaru.
I studied day in and day out, all so I could beat you!
I didn't expect the "skip a grade" elevator...
Now I'm embarrassed for being complacent...
...just because I had an easy ride on the escalator...
This has nothing to do with our battle!
Only one option left!
The dolls are up!
I'm home...
Welcome back, Orochimaru!
Look, it's the imperial dolls.
Oh, thank you!
I'm sorry I couldn't buy you real dolls.
No, no, I know how hard things are.
You work yourself to the bone just to pay for my school.
I couldn't be happier with these.
I'll take good care of them.
Poor Orochimaru...
You didn't want to make the village women miss their chance at marriage,
you just didn't want the Dolls Festival to end!
It's true!
Oh, oh...
Hook, line, and sinker.
Why don't I help you?
Why do I have to get dressed up, too?!
Because, by becoming a doll,
you'll be able to enjoy the holiday to the fullest.
Then wouldn't I normally be the Empress?
What are we even supposed to be here?
I think we're bales of rice.
Why does every episode end like this?!
Orochimaru is thwarted again.
Taking Care of Guy Sensei! Lady Tsunade's Marriage Interview!
Next week is "Taking Care of Guy Sensei!"
and "Lady Tsunade's Marriage Interview!"
About time, Lady Tsunade's more than old enough for marriage interviews.
You could say the same about your daughter Ayame.
Yes, but there simply isn't a man suitable for poor Ayame, you know?
If a good, respectable man came along she'd certainly be free to marry.
So if they came to you and said there was a man she wanted to marry—
I'd obliterate him!
So you wouldn't let her marry!
You'll be the reason she's single the rest of her life!