Anna Karenina

The Climbing Silver strategy right off the bat?

I thought you didn't like moves like that.

To defend your king from a superior opponent,

one must sometimes make sacrifices.

Did something happen?

No, nothing in particular.

It's just that I only now understand the importance of the King.

Hey, Shikamaru…

If we match up Leaf Shinobi to chess pieces,

do you know which one the King is?

It's the Hokage, right?

That's what I used to think too, until recently.

But I was wrong…

Then who is it?

You'll know the answer when the time comes.

KING

KING Mirai should be reaching the age when she'll be able to realize…

who the King is.

Is there really a hot spring in an area like this?

Don't worry, don't worry!

On the hot spring route,

it's known as the secret, hidden spot you must visit at least once.

Sorry, Tatsumi.

I know you came with us in memory of your mother, but…

Oh, no!

Traveling with all of you makes me feel safe!

Besides, I think my mom would be happy about going to a hidden hot spring.

You must be like your mother, Tatsumi.

I was told that often.

Which parent do you take after, Miss Mirai?

My mom, I think.

My father died before I was born.

What?

I'm so sorry.

Don't be!

It doesn't bother me at all.

We should be arriving soon.

Um…

There's supposed to be a hot spring village beyond this hill.

Kakashi!

I'm taking the first soak!

Hey! No fair!

Please wait!

Oh.

It's a mountain.

Yeah, it sure is.

It sure…isn't a mountain!

Something terrible's happened here!

The Steam Ninja Scrolls: Potato Chips and the Giant Boulder!

Are you folks…

here to visit the hot springs?

Yes, but what happened here?

I hate to disappoint you,

but about a month ago, a giant boulder fell from the mountain.

And everything got crushed beneath it.

So, the hot spring is under all of this?

But we were fortunate that no one got hurt.

Seems it was a blessing that

this was a hidden hot spring deep in the mountains with only a few residents.

Oh, too bad!

If I were 20 years younger, a boulder like would be easy to move.

It's been like this for a month, even with all this damage you sustained?

Hey!

Are you travelers?

Thank you for coming all this way!

Our village has nothing to offer, but how about joining us for a drink?

Have a drink!

Well, I just can't refuse your offer.

You as well!

Yes, thank you!

May I have another?

Huh? Well…

How did you—?!

Sure. You look like you enjoy drinking.

I won't lose this match, Kakashi!

Oh, so you're a drinker too?!

I'm just getting started!

Seems like you're a seasoned drunk!

How's the reconstruction going?

It's impossible.

But you can't leave things as they are, right?

I can't tell if it's a boulder or a mountain.

It's not like we can do anything about it by ourselves.

Yeah…

We cleared away the mud and sand.

We've done everything we possibly can.

Why haven't shinobi from the Hidden Steam come to help you?

Recently, several young women have gone missing nearby.

Girls just about your age.

Huh?

Human lives are at stake.

So, of course, that takes priority.

Why don't we just seek help from the Land of Fire?

You think they would cross the national border

and come all the way to a village like ours?

I doubt it!

But we are here! We're right in front of you!

And say they did come to help.

For something like this, they'd only send low-ranking guys with no authority.

Don't you think so too?

No, you're wrong!

He's the previous Hokage!

Not gonna happen.

Like I can move it by myself.

I'm sorry you embarked on a long journey for nothing.

Oh, no!

This is a specialty from the Land of Steam.

They're potatoes roasted in an underground pit.

Please have one!

Thank you very much!

It's delicious!

I'm sorry that's about all we can offer.

I wish you could have soaked in the hot spring, but…

No, I'm sorry we can't help in any way.

Why did I become a shinobi?

I can't even help this one old woman who's in a bad situation.

All right.

Eat up now.

Even if the boulder is removed, there will be lots of debris.

Simply hauling that away will be a huge task.

It's near impossible with this amount of people.

But—!

Are we just going to give up?!

Isn't there anything we can do?!

You've got guts.

Huh?

I've already taken steps.

Mr. Choji is?!

Yeah, he was on a mission nearby.

To be able to move a giant boulder like that…

He's the only one who can do it! He's the strongest man in the Hidden Leaf.

Oh, someone's coming!

He looks very strong.

Please, Mr. Choji, help us.

Mirai!

That sharp gaze!

No wonder he's a Hidden Leaf hero who lived through the Great Ninja War…

I ate…

…all of my potato chips.

Why did you even come here?!

I haven't eaten anything for so long…

I get it.

He had a rough mission and hasn't eaten for days!

The last time I had potato chips was…

already…

30 minutes ago!

Huh?!

I'm sorry…

The way I am now, I can't move that boulder…

Please wait!

If it's food that you need, I have some delicious potatoes!

Here you go!

Th-These are—!

These are the Land of Steam's potatoes roasted in an underground pit, all right!

They live up to their delicious hype!

So, they'll do the trick?

Nope.

There's not enough fat in the roasted potatoes.

I have to have potato chips.

Why does it have to be chips? Can't you just drink cooking oil?

This is a problem.

You can't buy potato chips this deep in the mountains.

Potato chips…

If I just had potato chips…

Potato chips…

Potato chips…

Potato chips!

I'll think of something!

Are you sure?

I feel bad making you help me like this.

I'm a pretty good cook.

My mom taught me.

I don't have much experience with cooking…

So right now, you're the big sister.

Could you cut them more evenly, and thinner?

Like this?

Yes, yes.

I'm sure there are thick-cut chips out there that have a flakier texture.

But I prefer thin and crispy potato chips

that showcase the true essence of the potato!