Anna Karenina

Where are you taking me, Old Man?

You'll soon find out.

You said earlier that you want to create a world where everyone can live happily.

What was that about, ya know?

The place we're going to

is the ideal place to make you realize this.

We're here.

There's nothing here!

I once told you the story

when I was in the Hidden Leaf Village, right?

About how my grandchild died?

Oh yeah, his name was Kozuchi, right?

This is the place.

EARTH Kozuchi's Will

Kozuchi's Will

This all happened when I was under a genjutsu?!

I'm sure that Lady Kurotsuchi is also…

Since it's come to this, we must notify the other villages!

It's useless.

You're—!

This village is now under our control.

It is all for Master's sake.

How disappointing…

So, this is the extent of the Hidden Stone under Kurotsuchi's leadership?

I'll leave you in command of the Akuta.

Understood.

By the way, Lord Ku,

I hear the Leaf shinobi that was under our custody escaped.

Right now, the whereabouts of our master takes priority.

It's just one rat.

You should be able to deal with him by yourself.

What is it?

It's nothing. I understand.

This is where your grandchild died, Old Man?

Yes.

This all started when my grandchild, Kozuchi, died.

FIRE WATER WIND EARTH LIGHTNING The Fourth Great Ninja War left massive scars on the world…

Our village was no exception.

We spent day and night restoring our village,

and in a few years, we somehow built a new town, but…

We suffered great losses in human life during that last war.

The younger generation seriously lacks the skills.

How do we compensate for that?

Well, the age of wars is over.

Just give it time and nurture their talent.

Now that you've retired, you make it sound so easy, Grandfather!

You're leaving?

I promised to meet up with Kozuchi.

He's turned into such a doting grandfather.

Welcome home, Grandpa!

Oh, sorry I'm late, Kozuchi!

You seem awfully happy.

That's right, I am!

The Genin Exams are about to begin and I've been looking forward to them!

That's right…

You're at that age now, aren't you, Kozuchi?

Kozuchi, from now on,

it's all going to be up to young shinobi like you.

I've lived a long life and I have no regrets now.

What are you saying, Grandpa?!

You have to live long to see me become a jonin…

no, the Tsuchikage, okay?

Oh, the Tsuchikage, eh?

Then I will teach you the precious words that I live by.

The shinobi who becomes the Tsuchikage must never run away.

He must confront any and every difficulty.

A will strong enough to do so is absolutely essential.

Never run away…

A strong will…

Do you have that?

I sure do!

I'm gonna become a Tsuchikage who will surpass you, Grandpa!

My, my… Such confidence!

I have high hopes for you, Kozuchi.

Yup!

I have no more regrets…

Back then, I seriously felt that way.

However…

Kozuchi's unusually late today.

I wonder where he's loitering about?

Lord Ohnoki!

It's terrible!

Kozuchi is—!

Kozuchi is—!

What?!

Kozuchi! Hang in there!

Why… Why?

Some deadbeat ninja attempted to steal village secrets…

And Kozuchi tried to stop them and…

Grandpa…

Kozuchi!

I wanted to become the Tsuchikage…

But I don't think that's possible anymore…

What are you saying?!

It's still possible!

I really wanted to become…

A shinobi who protects the peace… of the world…

Kozuchi?

Kozuchi!

Kozuchi…

Why?

Why did Kozuchi have to die?!

By chance, Kozuchi realized that robbers were about to attack,

and he confronted them alone…

By himself, until reinforcements came.

Don't tell me…

Was it because I told him never to run away?

No!

What have I done?!

Thinking the world was at peace,

I foolishly set high expectations upon him…

And this is the result!

What have I done?!

It's as if I'm the one who killed Kozuchi!

He's been like this ever since…

It's understandable…

I was like the walking dead…

And spent every day in remorse and despair.

Then one day…

This was found among his belongings.

Is it Kozuchi's?

All right, I'm handing it over to you.

Grandpa always tells me…

That the peace we have in the world…

was made possible by great shinobi who risked their lives.

I want to become a shinobi like them!

A shinobi who never wavers,

who maintains a strong will, no matter what happens.

And this time, I'll be the one to protect the peace.

By becoming a great Tsuchikage, just like Grandpa.

That's right…

That is the least I can do.

I must fulfill Kozuchi's will!

There must never be another tragic death like yours.

I will build a lasting peace,

so that young lives will never be sacrificed again.

That will be my tribute to you, Kozuchi…

But what should I do?

I gave it a lot of thought…

And I came up with one solution.

If those who were to fight weren't human,

but soldiers who had no will and did exactly as ordered…

I unearthed jutsu that had been lost,

and tried to create soldiers who had no will of their own,

who would do the fighting for humans, but…

They were defective and uncontrollable…

There was no way would Kurotsuchi and the others would approve of such soldiers…

I tried everything possible in search of a breakthrough.

And the solution came from a most unexpected source…

What did you want to talk about confidentially?

This plan that you are pushing forward, Lord Ohnoki…

perhaps I may be of some assistance.

What?

This is a sample of what was discovered the other day at a certain ruin.

This is—!

Wouldn't you agree that with this,

great progress can be made in the research to create non-human soldiers?

Why have you brought this to me?

I support your plan wholeheartedly.

And so, rather than show it to Lady Kurotsuchi, I thought I'd first...

But to rely on something like that…

Would such a thing be approved?

What do I do?

Kozuchi…

I must carry on Kozuchi's will and fulfill his wish.

For that…

Even if the means is detestable…