Anna Karenina

What's wrong?

Oh, it's nothing!

Actually…

I totally misunderstood and thought this was a two-day mission,

so I didn't bring enough clothes…

And I was thinking how I'd really like to take a bath now…

You'd better call on your mental strength to get over that.

That's something you just have to deal with

on any long mission—

The problem with you is that you think mental strength is everything.

Listen up, Mirai! Stamina is what counts in the end!

Just take a dip in one of the rivers over there like I used to—

I can't do that!

Times have changed, you know!

I hate this hair that I got from my mom.

Oh yeah, your hair is unruly just like Kurenai's!

Basically, I just take after my mom the most.

Even my best jutsu are the genjutsu that I inherited from her.

Hmm…

Well…

We can talk about that once we get into town.

Oh!

We're finally here!

The hot springs district at the border.

I bet you'll get to take a bath there!

Then let's hurry!

Huh?

My, my…so self-serving!

Okay, let's go to the hot springs first!

The Steam Ninja Scrolls: The Dog and Cat War!

The Steam Ninja Scrolls: The Dog and Cat War! Welcome all.

How about some Dog Hot Spring bean-jam buns?!

Dogs are so passé!

How about some Cat Hot Spring cookies?

That's weird. I heard this was supposed to be a quiet town.

I wonder if we'll be able to secure a room?

THE ONCE-A-YEAR TIME FOR FUN! FESTIVAL HAVE FUN JOSTLING EACH OTHER!

THE ONCE-A-YEAR TIME FOR FUN! FESTIVAL HAVE FUN JOSTLING EACH OTHER! Looks like there's a festival going on.

A festival?

Everyone's wearing either a cat or dog mask.

I wonder what kind of a festival this is?

The name of the festival isn't on there.

Wouldn't you usually put that on the poster?

Oh, I get it!

This festival is the Dog and Cat Festival,

or the Cat and Dog Festival.

Why are there two names?

Look at the middle of the street.

Do you know what that is?

Is it something that has to do with the Festival?

It's a border.

What? In the middle of the town?

The Land of Fire and the Land of Steam

have a friendly relationship.

They have no problems with each other in their daily lives.

However, the day of the Festival is a different story.

DOG

This is the Dog Hot Springs.

Once upon a time, when this town was still a village…

A dog appeared out of nowhere

and told the young villagers to start digging.

Lo and behold, they hit a hot spring!

And the village prospered.

Since then, the story of that dog being a messenger from the Dog God

has been passed down by the villagers,

and the hot springs was named the Dog Hot Springs.

And they lived happily ever after.

Why did you make yourself sound like an old man?

Just getting into it, I guess.

CAT And that's the "Cat Hot Springs."

CAT

Once upon a time…

Wait, let me tell the story!

Long, long ago…

A cat appeared

out of nowhere, and…

Stop right there!

This is the exact same story, right?

Yeah, how did you know?

I just had a feeling.

Yes, but there's more to that story.

According to one account,

a third god that's neither a dog nor cat appeared at the end.

A third god?

Yes, the God of Destruction cloaked in flames.

The God of Destruction?

Its name was…

Its name was…?

Lord Nenu!

Huh?

You know, "Ne" from Neko (Cat) and "Nu" from Inu (Dog)…

Never mind.

It's a silly name, it's probably not true.

Anyway, the residents either believe in the Dog God or the Cat God

and that conflict is the basis of this festival.

That's why the festival has two names

that couldn't be listed on the poster.

I see how it is…

But lately, I hear dog and cat lovers from other lands

are coming down for the festival too.

See?

I guess there are dog and cat lovers everywhere, huh?

This festival is a fighting festival.

FESTIVAL Burly men draped in loincloths…

Raising a war cry as they crash shrines of dogs and cats

into each other.

If you're from the Land of Fire,

you probably would have heard of it.

Fate must have brought us here, on the day of the festival.

What do you think?

Let's stay and watch the shrine fight from some box seats!

You've loved this sort of thing ever since you were little, huh?

P-Please wait!

I cannot allow this as your bodyguard!

Hey! What if something happens here?!

Dogs reign supreme!

Keep a dog for three days and they'll never forget your kindness.

Even after three years, a cat will forget your kindness.

But that's what's great about 'em!

A cat doesn't suck up to people.

It's the ultimate creature that stands at the top of the world.

Oh, come on! I almost lost you two!

Can you please not wander away from your bodyguard?

Who cares about you cat lovers?!

Yeah, that's right! You're way outta line!

Heaven did not create anything better than dogs!

Yeah, you tell 'em!

Wow, someone's really looking for a fight!

Peace wouldn't exist in Ninja World without dogs!

Mr. Kiba?!

Huh? Hey, if it isn't Mirai!

Kiba Inuzuka's an outstanding investigator

in the Leaf Police Force and a remarkable Ninja Hound user.

He was also one of Mom's students...

So, what are you doing here?

Oh, well…uh…

I got here and hit it off real nice with the dog lovers.

They're flattering him and it's gone to his head.

It's so stupid.

Miss Tamaki!

She comes from a clan of Cat Users

and is Kiba's girlfriend…

Or, so I thought…

Speak for yourself.

You've become the leader of the cat lovers!

Wait, so what's going on here?

Listen to me, Kakashi Sensei!

See the Dog Hot Springs and the Cat Hot Springs over there?

We decided to talk it over to see which one to go in first, but…

Hey! The majority already ruled in favor of the Cat Hot Springs.

But you just have to keep rehashing it!

You just can't let it go, can you?

Hey! Of course, you're gonna get the majority

if you include all of your cats!

You got a problem?

I said, I'd be fine going to the Cat Hot Springs, didn't I?

But I hate that you agreed even though you don't want to!

Huh? But that's not what I‘m doing!

– Yes, you are! – I am not!

Don't tell me, you're here on a date and

you're fighting over such a trivial thing?

Whatever! If that's how you're gonna act,

then I'm going all in as the leader of the cat lovers!

Okay, bring it on. You better be ready!

CAT DOG

Oh dear.

Not even a dog wants to be a part of a couple's fight.

Yeah, neither does a cat.

Hey, shouldn't we do something?

This is turning into more than just a couple's spat!

Well, it is a private matter between those two…

You don't always have to see eye to eye when you're in love.

That, too, is a part of youth.

CLOSED TODAY

Struck out again.

Don't you think the friction between

the cat lovers and the dog lovers is getting worse?

I think it's because those two became the leaders.

Hmm, if this continues,

we won't even be able to find an inn.

And I won't be able to take a bath!

No, I mean, we have to get those two to make up

or it will affect my bodyguard duties.

Right?

Well, that's true to some extent.

In that case, resolving the conflict between

the cat and dog lovers is also a part of the mission, right?

I guess so.

That's absolutely right!

It's a mission that

young shinobi must take on with all their might!

A mission!

I understand.

For the sake of a bath, let me take on that mission!

Hey…

There she goes.

Make up with him?

Yes! I'm sure you don't want to spend