Today's story is about Neji and his cousin, Hinata Hyuga.
Why are you following me?
Why not?
You're going to supervise Hinata's training, right?
If we're talking Hyugas, then we're talking Gentle Fist!
Please let me come along and observe!
Observe what?
Naruto!
We're―
It's nothing.
Also, Sakura was looking for you.
She was?
What could she want?
What was that for, Neji?!
He butts into other people's business too much.
And to be honest, it would interfere if he came.
You don't have to be so mean about it.
He's the main character of Naruto Shippuuden, remember?
Look, I didn't have a choice.
This is the one time he'll be a real hindrance.
Hinata is Neji's Cousin
Hyuga
Since Hinata likes Naruto, she'd faint if she caught a glimpse of him.
And then our plans for training would go down the drain.
That goes for all of you, please don't intrude on―
What was that?
N-Nejis!
Nejis everywhere!
My apologies.
Of course they look like Neji. They're all related!
No, not this much.
Even for family, they look way too similar!
Agreed.
You two look way too similar, and you're not related at all!
Oh, Hinata has already started.
What?
Hinata, you're just like me,
working hard whenever you have a spare moment!
A hard worker with the same hairstyle as us. How wonderful!
It's like we've known each other our whole lives!
Stop it! You're gonna make her cry!
E-Eight Trigrams Defense, Sixty-four Palms!
Lady Hinata!
She's in shock from being associated with those two...
Interfere with training again and I'll throw you out!
Okay...
That attack was Hinata's ultimate defense,
The Eight Trigrams Defense, Sixty-four Palms.
It definitely reminds me of your moves, Neji.
The Gentle Fist and Byakugan have been in the Hyuga clan for generations.
Even today, many ninja endeavor to steal their secrets.
Hinata is next in line to lead the clan,
but was born with no talent as a ninja.
That's why she trains diligently every day.
Right...
But why are you so protective of her, Neji?
You used to hate her.
I...
I did and said terrible things to Hinata.
I can never atone for those sins,
but I at least want to protect her and help her however I can.
That's how it is.
Neji, if you want, we'll be happy to help.
We're partially to blame for what just happened.
Guys...
How about you let us lend a hand, too?
Shino, Kiba!
Ah, these two are on the same team as Hinata and—
Well, they're pretty minor characters, so that's about it.
The heck?!
You can count me in, too.
Naruto?!
Apparently Sakura wasn't looking for me—
Eight Trigrams Air Palm!
Why?!
All right, let's start training.
S-Six versus one?
Oh, of course not.
We just want to help out however we can.
Let me give you a little advice to start off.
Guy-sensei is a hand-to-hand combat specialist.
I'm sure he's got something useful to—
You should wear these tights while you train!
They'll bring you one step closer to being like me.
If Hinata puts those on...
What do you think, Neji?
Eight Trigrams, Sixty-four Strikes!
My tights!
Moving on.
You're up, Kiba.
What's wrong?
Akamaru needs to pee.
Don't do it in the courtyard, go outside!
But Akamaru's gotta go bad.
Over here!
Lady Hinata!
Eight Trigrams, Sixty-four Strikes!
Akamaru!
How can I fix this...
Don't worry.
I, Shino Aburame, and my Destruction Bugs will aid Hinata's training efforts.
Ah, thank you, Shino!
Hinata!
Eight Trigrams, Sixty-four Strikes!
That move's so useful!
A-A-Akamaru...
Buggy... Bugster... Bugtholemew!
Wow.
He's already in standby for the next punchline!
The Eight Trigrams, Sixty-four Punchlines...
That attack is why the Hyugas are such renowned comedians.
I've never heard that.
Set me up, I dare you.
You are within...
...the range of my punchline!
You're rolling with it, too?!
You guys are hopeless. Let me handle this.
We have to start by addressing Hinata's weak point.
Wow, he's actually serious for once!
Perhaps. Lady Hinata and Lee do have similar hairstyles―
I mean, dedication to training.
Maybe I should let him handle it.
My Naruto Defense class...
...is ready!
What's up?
Eight Trigrams, Sixty-four Strikes!
What's wrong with you?!
Lady Hinata?!
L-Lady Hinata...
Lady Hinata!
Freeze, you!
What's the big idea, Neji―
Beat it!
Hyuga
Eight Trigrams Air Palm!
We were smart to observe them first.
I've got a plan to take the Hyugas' powers for our own.
Naruto!
Is he training with his shadow clones?
Gotcha.
Who are you?
And why are you dressed like Naruto?
Our plan to lure out Hinata Hyuga worked!
You're coming with us. We're gonna steal your power!
What?!
How could I have missed those rogue ninjas?
Wait for us, Neji!
I'm going on ahead!
I would say you're pretty good,
but you're mine now, believe that!
That?
I hear everyone hates the Hyugas.
No one's gonna save you now!
Neji...
I'm sorry, Hinata.
I can't apologize enough.
If it's about the training, don't worry...
It's not just that.
I once forgot what was really important,
and did some awful things...
What're you mumbling about over there?
Lady Hinata...
We should combine our powers to help one another,
as fellow clansmen!
Neji...
We can do it.
If we attack together, we can take all of them out!
Right!
Don't forget us!
M-More fake Narutos...
We're taking the Byakugan. You can't stop us!
Not on my watch!
This is getting complicated.
But this is our chance...
Hinata, you're on defense!
Okay!
Eight Trigrams Rotation!
Eight Trigrams Defense, Sixty-four Palms!
Eight Trigrams Infinite Whirl!
Wow...
We did it, Lady Hinata.
Yes, but I still need to keep working!
Someday, I want everyone to acknowledge my strength.
Neji!
I finally found you, ya jerk!
You got a problem with me?
T-T-T-The real Naruto...
Huh?
Naruto, why must you have such bad timing?!
Wait! I didn't do anything―
Eight Trigrams, Sixty-four Palms!
The heck?!
And so Naruto is sent blasting off again.
Everyone has some kind of weakness,
and overcoming them is never easy.
Your footwork is too relaxed!
You need to be more offensive, Lady Hinata.
Nothing will happen if all you do is block!
R-Right!
Lady Hinata!
Oh, please no...
Hey, I thought you were sparring. This is no time to lie down, Hinata!
Don't quit now.
Again... It's your fault!
Whoa, w-w-what's my fault?!
I don't blame Neji for being fed up with me.
I'm pathetic.
My skills are bad enough,
and with such a big weakness on top of it...
Aw, don't be sad.
Yeah, all you need to do is overcome your weakness.
Overcome it?
But how?
Well, if you could hang out around Naruto 24/7,
you'll have to get used to it eventually.
That's it, Tenten!
We just need to create scenarios where Hinata ends up next to Naruto!
Huh? What're you talking about?
I'll call it "Dating to Fix the Fainting!"
If Hinata and Naruto start going out,
they'll always be together!
There's no way she won't get used to being around Naruto at some point!
I like it!
That'll fix Hinata's weakness in no time,
and dating her hero would kill two birds with one stone!
Wait, we're getting ahead of ourselves.
That may be just the drastic measure I need.
I must go on the offensive.
Hinata...
All right!
Rock Lee, the Master of Love,
will do everything he can to aid your quest!
Master of Love?
Hinata's Weak Point is Naruto
So, Lee...
When exactly did you become the "Master of Love?"
Have you forgotten, Tenten?
The way I passionately pursued Sakura,
and the bittersweet days of my youth that resulted?
I remember she flat-out turned you down.
It was less bittersweet and more complete defeat.
Still!
Failure breeds success!
Be casually kind,
make him happy with presents,
be open and honest about your feelings,
and get a little forceful every now and then.
Follow these four principles,
and next time,
your target will fall for you!
Wow...
Why the Primary Lotus?!
He didn't just fall,
he got dropped on his head!
Did you just laugh?
Think I'll have a bite...
U-Um...
What's up, Hinata?
Who's that?
Don't mind me, I'm just a stage hand.
Okay...
Remember, Hinata, rule one:
Casual kindness!
Right!
Um...
I just happened to have this on me!
Whoa, you're awesome Hinata!
Nice timing!
Looking good!
Time for rule two.
Presents! Go!
Also, um...
It's not healthy to only eat cup ramen, so...
So?
Hold on, Naruto.
I'll get it!
My eye, my eye!
Oh, no!
This time!
Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow, ow!
I've got a pretty good idea of what's happening up there...
Wh-What do I do now?
We've gotta go with the last two!
Be open and honest and go in for the kiss!
Kiss?!
What are you thinking?!
Naruto's panicking right now.
The only thing that ever calms an out-of-control heroine....
...is a sudden kiss from the main character!
It's common knowledge.
In movies and stuff.
He's no heroine and she's no main character,
and why are you swooning?!
Go on, Hinata!
Go on!
K-K-K-Kiss?
Me?
K-Ki-
She overheated!
That weakness is a real problem...
Lady Hinata?!
W-What the...
I'm sorry. You were doing so much to help.
No, I'm sorry for being so useless.
Easy, easy.
It's no good.
I want to change, so I went on the offensive, but...
Offensive?
Of course, that's it!
Tenten?
Sakura is more Naruto's type, right?
Wait, hear me out.
Sakura's got a very forceful, confident personality.
Naruto & Sakura
In comedy terms, she always nails the punchline.
And Naruto's the perfect setup man!
Meaning what?
People are drawn to people who compliment their personality.
If you can get him in a situation where he sets you up...
Naruto & Hinata
What the heck?
That was some punchline, Hinata!
You'll have another shot at overcoming your weakness!
Me? Do a punchline?
I'd like to help, too.
Neji?
We're working on that one weak point, right?
There you go, Hinata.
Welcome to the world of reaction comedy!
Is this a good idea?
She's... not really the type.
Hinata's fine the way she is.
Don't be a wet blanket.
What do you think?
The Hyuga clan has long practiced the art of delivering punchlines.
They do?
I'll do it!
Tashi & Toka
When we get back 10
This book will teach you jokes for any situation.
"The Fire Country?!"
That little phrase is an old favorite.
Tenten, you're into comedy?!
Ready when you are.
Here goes.
The fire nation?!
The fire station!
A counter-punchline!
He hit back with twice the force of her line.
So that's Neji's comedic power!
Your delivery's too relaxed!
You'll never master true comedy with that attitude.
There it is!
The Eight Trigrams, Sixty-four Punchlines!
She's within the range of his punchline!
Too weak!
Not a peep!
Are you going to attack or go to sleep?
I can do it...
I'll nail the punchline,
then I'll nail Naruto's heart with Cupid's arrow!
Heart?
Yeah, that's what this is all about.
Our plan is for them to start dating. That way she'll stop fainting!
Neji came in late, so he had no idea.
What are you talking about?!
Forget comedy, dating is out of the question!
No way!
Neji is using his best bits!
You can work on something else!
Ecology, biology, chiropractic medicine!
He's relentless!
She's going to get overwhelmed.
Hinata, just react! It doesn't matter what you say!
It sounds easy, but...
Never.
You and Naruto... doing things like that...
It's...
...an infamy!
Quit daydreaming!
Lady Hinata...
What a perfect reaction...
Yes!
Sea Cucumber
& Crab Miso
So good...
The crab miso and sea cucumber are in perfect balance.
This is some rich flavor they came up with...
You're not rich!
I can't do it...
It's no good!
What's up? You come to swat another bug off me?
There's a lot of things I don't get about you,
but I'm never surprised to see you acting nice.
I like that about you.
She's... not really the type.
Hinata's fine the way she is.
This thing's leaking something...
It's a stink bug!
Gross!
You're really stopping? After all that effort?
I don't think I have it in me to whack Naruto for comedy.
You are who you are, Hinata.
So in the end we didn't make any progress.
That's not true at all.
I feel like today I managed to keep...
...myself together around Naruto for longer than usual,
and as long as I have time to mentally prepare...
Hey, Hinata, I forgot to give this back to you.
Hinata!
It all goes to waste when you pop in out of nowhere,
you idiot!
Huh?
What'd I do?
After enduring a long struggle,
Hinata managed to make a little bit of progress on her weak point.
The fire nation?
No...
Th-The fire nation?!
Elsewhere, having been defeated by Hinata's punchline,
Neji goes back to basic training.
I'm just in the summary?!
I didn't get one good scene this week,
so I'm at least gonna nail the preview.
Um, Naruto, about this episode—
Oh, you here to watch me kill it, Hinata?
No, I—
Next week is "Teamwhoa—"
Hinata is the star this week.
Take a hike!
Please read the preview, Hinata.
Naruto, I'm sorry!
Next week is "Teamwork Symbolizes Youth,"
Teamwork Symbolizes Youth The Culprit is Among Us!
and "The Culprit is Among Us."
Why is the hero of the main series relegated to bit parts?