Anna Karenina

I'll beat 'em at their own game!

Hold it.

Leave this to me. You two go on ahead.

Why?!

It will be easier if we fight them together!

You don't get it, do you?

They're puppets. I'm a Puppet Specialist.

There's no way I'll lose, right?

Besides, the strategy here is to put the mission first and foremost.

Uncle is right.

We'll head straight for the Leaf Village.

Why?!

You don't have to fight alone, Mr. Kankuro!

BLACK ANT

This is not the time for you guys to be hanging out here.

Our mission is to keep Master Shukaku out of harm's way.

But—!

Go, Boruto!

Besides, I'm sick of refereeing fights between two brats.

You better catch up to us later, Kankuro!

That goes without saying!

I really can't afford to lose!

They're taking too long to return, aren't they?

Yeah.

Though, I can't believe something would happen

to both Uncle Gaara and Mr. Sasuke.

You're still naïve, Shikadai.

Part of being a shinobi involves thinking about the unthinkable.

That's what your dad would say.

I'm just getting a bad feeling about this.

Is Kankuro really going to be okay by himself?

It should be no problem.

The true value of Uncle's Puppet Jutsu is revealed

when taking on a large number of enemies.

So, his specialty is being outnumbered?

We'd just get in the way if we were there.

Well, he was confident about fighting against puppets.

Let's hurry.

Our duty is to protect Master Shukaku.

Even if we die trying.

The Puppet Battle!

I'm up against four of them.

Well, I have tricks up my sleeve too!

BLACK ANT CROW

A Puppet User can't let puppets make a fool out of him, right?

Black Ant!

CROW Secret Black Move! Iron Maiden!

CROW

Don't amount to much, do you?

It's fast!

This one's not like the others.

So, it's not gonna be that easy, huh?

But I won't let you get to Shukaku.

I'll stop you, no matter what I have to do.

'Cuz, that's my job.

What's wrong?

Enemies?!

I was wrong, huh?

What? It's only a lizard!

I guess even calm and cool elites like you make mistakes sometimes.

Hey…

Don't you think you're being a little too wound up?

If you keep being so tense, you won't make it to the Leaf Village.

Don't think that I'm the same as you…

You're unable to consider the consequences.

I've already calculated my chakra allocation.

Calculated, huh?

Humans aren't machines.

That's why, in order to ensure a smooth mission,

we must be calm and rational like machines.

Are you always like this?

Aw man! Talk about being annoying!

Up we go!

Tum-tum drum!

Master Shukaku!

Oh, come on. I just need a change of pace!

Anyone would get depressed inside all that hot and stifling Iron Sand!

You can't just do what you please!

C'mon! We're in a hurry, right?

Is he always like that?

Who knows?

But he reminds me of the old Gaara.

Huh?! Mr. Gaara was like that?

The old Gaara wouldn't let anyone get close to him.

But someone changed him.

Who was it?

It was Naruto.

My dad?!

Naruto taught Gaara that

he should live for something other than hatred.

He changed Gaara's isolated way of life.

Changed his way of life…

Naruto has the power to pull others to him.

My dad does, huh?

Though, I don't think Shinki will turn out like Mr. Gaara.

Well, he's stubborn too.

Especially now.

He's desperately trying to fulfill the duty that was entrusted to him.

Entrusted… You mean from Mr. Gaara?

No, not just from Gaara.

Hey, why are you wasting time?

Yeah, yeah!

Entrusted duty, huh?

Someone's approaching!

Who is it?

I-Is it the enemy?!

If Lord Kazekage got attacked now—?!

No, it's okay.

Gaara!

I understand.

I can't believe that happened to Sasuke,

and Gaara was attacked as well!

The Otsutsuki that uses the fishing rod.

Lord Kazekage managed to seal him.

But he said the seal will break eventually.

I think we should rendezvous with Boruto and the others.

Please leave Lord Kazekage with us!

We will definitely take him back to the village!

Good, I'm counting on you.

I know you're good from the Chunin Exams.

I leave them to you.

Uh, thanks…

Let's hurry.

Even though Kankuro is with them,

I'm sure he didn't bring all of his puppets.

But it's Uncle Kankuro.

He'll manage somehow, right?

That's exactly why.

He'll always find a way

because he's the elder brother of the Kazekage.

No matter what he has to resort to.

One last puppet.

Where'd he disappear to?!

He was in the sand?!

Looks like Black Ant won't be able to catch you!

You think you're gonna torture me to death?

But you know what?

You're not the only puppet…

who can dive into sand!

Secret Black Move! Salamander!

I lured you right where I want you!

Is this all of them?