'Tis the season when the cherry blossoms scatter,
and nature glows with vibrant green.
The birds are singing, the weather is perfect.
It's time!
For the sports meet!
Leaf Education Board
Here to read the pledge of good sportsmanship is our own Rock Lee!
I pledge!
I can't believe they picked Bushy-Brows.
You're just jealous that he's the center of attention.
No! I'm not...
You think he'll be able to get through the whole thing?
Sure.
Pledge
He spent all day yesterday memorizing it, he'll be fine.
Focus!
W-We... We... Uh...
He's blanking!
Um...
Come on, Lee!
You were up all night working on this, think!
What's going on?
Did he forget his lines?
W-We... We...
We all...
O ye...
W-We... are...
We are here today...
He finally remembered.
To celebrate our graduation!
This isn't...
...a high school!
The Leaf Village Sports Meet
I completely screwed that up.
I practiced so hard, too.
Oh, well, it happens.
Don't let it get to you.
No!
I have to redeem myself by coming in first in everything!
He got over it so quickly...
Even if you're upset, that's getting too worked up!
Of course I'm worked up.
Besides, this isn't just about reclaiming my honor.
The sports meet has really got my blood pumping!
The sports meet is a competition to show off your athleticism!
You're right, and at the same time so very, very wrong.
Since I can't use ninjutsu,
a sports competition is the perfect
chance for me to demonstrate my skills!
I have to produce, no matter what!
Where were you focusing all that power?!
If you mentally corner yourself,
it'll affect your nerves and you'll do even worse.
That's right!
If you strain yourself you'll only be
able to use half your strength, Lee.
So what should do?
Don't sweat it.
I know how hard you try better than anyone.
You've been running at my side for a long time now.
Every time you run together, all the hard work ends up...
...being a bunch of random traipsing!
Have faith in yourself!
If you just go in with your usual level of focus, you'll win for sure!
Remember that!
Yes! I will!
Hold up!
Those are the wrong outfits!
So have you calmed down now, Lee?
Yup, I'm loose and relaxed.
That's too loose.
I'm going to sweep the whole meet.
I won't let you two beat me, either!
Talking big again, huh?
Looks like you're back to normal, Lee.
I hope so...
Our first event is the foot race!
Exit
Have faith in yourself.
If I stay confident, I'll do fine!
On your marks...
Wow, no way!
Kakashi Sensei!
I'm not done yet!
'Scuse me, Bushy-Brows!
Oh, no—
I'm still not licked yet!
Rock Lee
The winner is Naruto!
I'm just getting started!
I'll win. I'll lose.
Rock on, Naruto!
You cleaned house!
Yay!
It was more luck than anything.
It wasn't luck, I'm just that good!
I'm on the fast track to the championship!
You're letting this get to you too much.
I'll win. I'll lose. I'll win.
You okay, Lee?
I'll lose...
This can't be happening.
Guy Sensei said if I just had confidence, I'd win for sure.
Champion, champion, I'm number one!
Knock it off, you're being annoying!
Naruto...
Bushy-Brows?
Lee?
The battle's only just begun.
I swear... I swear, I'll...
I'll beat you, Naruto!
Oh, yeah? Bring it on!
Our next competition is the scavenger hunt.
Each competitor will draw an item from the box.
Brush
They'll then have to find that item and borrow it from someone.
The first person to successfully cross the goal with their item wins!
Winner!
Lady Tsunade, what's the key to winning a race like this?
Luck.
You heard her, folks.
Will Naruto continue his string of victories?
Will Rock Lee win his challenge to the current leader?
Or will we see a new front-runner emerge?
On your marks...
I'm not going to lose this time, Naruto.
Let's rumble, Bushy-Brows.
Spread out, you two.
Get set...
Whoa!
And they're off!
Don't forget about me!
Neji Hyuga takes an early lead!
He's got his slip!
But something seems wrong.
"A somewhat melancholy...
...ghost?"
What a shocking item to pull from the box!
How will he handle this?
I'm not going let this beat me!
Eight Trigrams Rotation!
Exit
Where're you going, Neji?!
And Neji has left the arena in search of a ghost.
Lady Tsunade, what would you say went wrong for him?
Bad luck.
You heard her, folks.
Ah, Sakura's drawn her lot!
"A fleeting dream within a dream."
She's picked a very lightweight item!
How the heck am I supposed to find something like this?!
The competitors find themselves utterly stumped by their difficult tasks!
It seems that Lady Tsunade's analysis was correct.
It all comes down to luck!
God, Buddha, whoever is listening up there...
Please grant me some luck!
It's neither God nor Buddha. It's says "sweet devil!"
Wasn't that a song by Candies in the 70's?
I don't have time to rent a copy of that now!
But I can't let Naruto win!
Hopefully this'll result in a way to help Lee, too.
Tenten makes her pick.
"A thrilling conclusion where seeing your best friend killed...
...causes you to snap and awakens your latent powers?!"
That's straight out of Dragon Ball!
This isn't a scavenger hunt, it's a plagiarism fest!
Forget this mess!
You okay, Lee?
What is that?!
For the second stage...
Where did that summoning circle come from?!
Now I just call this number...
You can summon demons over the phone?
Hi there, I'm at the sports meet track,
could you please send a demon right away?
Send a demon?! You sound like you're calling a taxi!
Right, right, just turn at Shuuei—
I'll finish Bushy-Brows off right now!
Huh?
Naruto seems confused...
What's up, Naruto?
Um...
I need to borrow something from you, Sakura...
"Find the girl who stole your heart on that fateful day,
and borrow her..."
I just need them for a minute...
Oh, dear!
Red Team
White Team
We need someone to check on Naruto!
What in the world was on that paper?
Chicken Fights are Part of the Thrill of Youth
The scavenger hunt has been called off due to an injured participant.
The real problem with that race was the lottery, not the injury.
Sorry.
It's no big deal.
Next we'll begin the red team versus...
...white team cheerleading competition.
Cheerleading competition?
I have to win the next one.
I will win!
Definitely win!
Yeah, I'll win for sure!
I can win.
What's wrong with winning?
Is there a law against it?
Maybe it would help him a little if I cheered him on.
Champion
But I'd be way too embarrassed to wear a cheerleading uniform...
Oh, well, I'll do it for Lee!
Go, go, white team!
No, this is wrong! Somehow this is wrong!
Fight, fight, white team!
Like, totally!
That's definitely wrong! A million times more wrong!
Red Team
Hooray, hooray, red team!
You rock, Sakura!
I'll do my best, too, Sakura!
Hey, why are you motivated by the enemy team?!
I'm sorry!
It's on to our next event.
This time it's the tug-of-war!
Unlike most tugs-of-war,
these will be one-on-one matches.
Does our color commentator,
Lady Tsunade, have any insight as to how to win?
Luck.
You heard her, folks...
You ready, Lee?
Of course.
Guy Sensei said if I believed in myself, I'd win for sure.
Okay, but let me know if you need anything.
I'm here to help.
I'm fine!
I'll show everyone I can win on my own.
Red Team
White Team
Go.
Lee and Naruto are evenly matched!
Wait, Lee has taken a small lead!
Sexy Jutsu!
Hi!
A dirty move by Naruto, but effective nonetheless!
Fine, I'll counter with my own ninjutsu!
Lee, you know you can't use—
You just changed your clothes!
Time to wrap this up!
Naruto moves in for the kill with
the Shadow Clone Jutsu!
Why didn't you just use that to begin with?!
Gotcha, Bushy-Brows!
I refuse to lose...
'Scuse me...
It's here!
W-What's that?
A Mr. Rock Lee ordered a devil. Where might he be?
That's me.
Oh, I apologize, Master!
How may I be of service to you?
Can you help me with this tug-of-war?
Understood, Master.
The sweet devil joins the fray!
He's brought Lee back from the jaws of defeat!
Isn't it supposed to be one-on-one?
Technically, I think Naruto was the first one to break the rule.
Forget the rules, that's a devil for crying out loud!
We have to keep things in-universe!
What's your analysis, Lady Tsunade?
The rule does state matches must be one-on-one.
They lucked out.
Huh?
You heard her, folks.
This is insane!
Forget it. I'll win with brute force!
Both competitors go flying!
The decision now rests with the referee!
Kakashi Sensei!
Who won?
Oh, um...
Sorry, I wasn't paying attention.
We'll now break for lunch.
Want something to eat, Lee?
No, thanks. I'm trying to stay in the zone.
Oh. Then how about a shoulder rub?
You must be pretty beat.
I want to focus on finding a way to beat Naruto,
lunches and shoulder rubs are only going to distract me.
It's fine to put the competition first,
but maybe you shouldn't try to do everything on your own.
Why not?
This is my battle.
I guess, but...
The time for our final event has come.
Last up is the chicken fight!
Teams of four will duke it out,
trying to take their opponent's hat,
or knock them off their teammates' shoulders.
The last group standing wins!
Winner
Lady Tsunade, what's the key to winning a competition like this?
Luck.
Is that all you can say today, Lady Tsunade?
That's not a chicken, it's a horse!
I stayed up all night making it.
Hop in here and you'll feel like a thoroughbred!
Where's Neji, anyway?
We need four people to compete.
No time, the two of us will have to be the vehicle.
You really want me to get in that thing with you?!
Lee, we're short one person, don't go crazy.
I don't think so.
This is the final battle.
I'll beat Naruto by myself, no matter what it takes!
You keep saying that...
Hold on tight and go.
Charge!
No, we should be retreating—
Lee's vehicle, conspicuous for its
appearance and being short one person,
quickly finds itself surrounded by the red team!
Lee's in a tight spot!
You don't have to rub it in!
I've got this!
Leaf Un, Deux, Trois!
Yeah!
When did you hide that tutu?
Hornet Stinger!
Stop spinning!
We'll just knock him off their shoulders!
The horse is gone?!
Nice try, I used the Replacement Jutsu!
Good one, Guy Sensei!
No, you didn't, you just jumped out of the costume!
Elimination by Depantsification!
Too many layers!
Keep it up, Lee.
You're really moving up now!
Guy Sensei, please pull your pants back up!
So it's come down to this.
Leaf Crapsho-
You're not using that one!
Ow...
Are you nuts, trying to use the Leaf Crapshoot...
...while you're standing on our shoulders?!
I'm sorry...
Do you see now, Lee?
See what?
You finally started using your real strength.
Didn't you? Didn't you?
Yes...
You've been trying to fight on your own all day.
It's understandable.
There are a lot of solo events at these sports meets.
But!
It's when you're fighting alone that
you need the support of your friends the most!
The support of my friends?
What do you mean?
Like I said...
Have faith in yourself!
If you just go in with your usual level of focus, you'll win for sure!
Remember that!
You should understand what I'm saying by now.
When do you have the most confidence in yourself?
When I'm with my friends.
You think you can beat Naruto now?
Yes!
The battle enters its final round!
It's Lee versus Naruto, winner take all!
Luck.
I didn't ask you anything.
The cheers have reached a fever pitch.
Who will emerge victorious?!
Let's go, Naruto!
Yeah!
He's strong!
Nothing less from Naruto—
Lee!
Gotcha, Bushy-Brows!
Lee's inches away from defeat!
I can't lose now...
I can't disappoint the friends who support me!
Sorry I'm so late!
That voice!
Neji!
Neji reappears out of nowhere with "a somewhat melancholy ghost!"
Ouch...
Lee wins an incredible comeback!
Neji, completely oblivious to the dramatic atmosphere,
literally propels Lee to a huge comeback victory!
I lost this one.
Naruto...
I'll get you next time, though!
Next time it'll be one-on-one for real, though.
Sure!
But even if it is,
can I still have my friends come cheer for me?
Of course! I'd want my friends there, too.
Well, I'm glad you managed to beat Naruto.
I didn't do it on my own.
We all won!
Friends are wonderful, aren't they, Lee?
Yes.
As we run through the days ahead,
we must always cherish our friends!
Follow me!
Yes, sir, Guy Sensei!
Wait up, I'm coming, too!
Me, too!
Me, too...
You don't need that many friends!
Ow!
This week's horoscopes:
The worst goes to A-type Sagittarii.
You are highly susceptible to a string of bad luck.
Avoid be sure to avoid contact with B-type Scorpios.
Lee, aren't you an A-type Sagittarius?
I don't believe in horoscopes―
Ah, a bird pooped on my head!
Orochimaru is a B-Type Scorpio Love Letters are the Ultimate Trap
Next week,
"Orochimaru is a B-Type Scorpio,"
and "Love Letters are the Ultimate Trap."
Ugh, I stepped in dog poop!
Hey, you guys, wait―
Where did this washbasin come from?