"The Star's Radiance"
Naruto is running across the rope bridge back to the village. Neji tells him to wait. He says he doesn't want to. Neji is the one giving orders though, he can't just go off on his own. Naruto doesn't want Sumaru to get away, Lee says he had a strange look in his eyes and Twenty brings up that he clearly wants revengenance for his mother's death. Lee brings up the obvious that if he raises his hand against Akahoshi the people will denounce him and he'll probably lose the fight. Hokuto runs past Lee and Tenten and joins Naruto in the pursuit. Sumaru is flying towards the training ground and uses his purple magic eyes to see his mother collapsed with three kunai in her back. He embraces her body and says Not now. They were finally together, don't go. In that time the entire village has surrounded the training hut.
Naruto is about to go out and cause a ruckus when Neji pulls him back. He asks what the big idea is. Neji sssh's him and tells him not to run off, he's a hot head, a loose cannon, he's one day away from retirement, chain of command, etc. Naruto says there is something really weird going on there. Twenty agrees, that many ninja means something pretty serious is going on. Hokuto says that looks like ALL of the Star Ninja. Neji says that's why they are going to stand back and uses his Byakugan to see inside the shrine. Sumaru and his mother's body. Naruto asks about Sumaru's mom but Neji can only shake his head. No way. Hokuto is also saddened by the loss. Akahoshi's henchmen once again show signs of having a heart when they ask the fourth hoshikage for clemancy for the boy. Not a chance. That boy is a danger to the village. Can't let him live, too risky, etc, etc. Non Roy Mustang sounding one brings up that Sumaru is their most promising Genin but Akahoshi says there are more pawns in the village to train. Out loud. Hokuto and the rest hear it from behind the rock. Naruto is once again ready to jump out but Neji holds him back again, internal Star Village matter. Twenty says there must be something they can do to help and good guy Lee says he's about to punch out Akahoshi himself before Tenten jumps him, calling him out for sounding just like Naruto. Naruto asks Neji one more time if he's just going to let them kill Sumaru. Neji says that unless the village asks them to attack Akahoshi there is nothing they can do. He apologizes but his hands are tied.
Akahoshi orders his archers to fire their flame tipped crossbows. Sumaru apologizes to his mother's corpse. He's sorry for resenting her all those years. A tear escapes his eyes and falls to the ground...activating the seal her mother had died writing! All the dead souls of Xerxes are getting their revenge! Sumaru now knows what she was trying to do by staying away for all those years and his eyes glow as he vows Revenganance again. The door bursts open in flame as he hears his mother calling out his name from beyond. Akahoshi and his goons are talking like this is all over. One of them says it's a pretty pathetic way to go. Akahoshi disagrees and likes the poetry of a mother and son dying together, not a happier ending than that! The sicko laughs with one of his eyes bugging out. Naruto can't stand it anymore and remembers the first time he met Sumaru when he tried to kill him/saved his life. Then he remembers the time he discussed star training with him and his dream to become Hoshikage, then their discussion about Natsuhiboshi. How can we do nothing and just let this happen.
Hokuto has had enough though and runs over to the burnt down temple calling out Sumaru's name. She then lays out the whole sad tale to the village. Sumaru's mom stole the star because she knew the training was killing all of the students and that was the only way to protect them from it. Some of the older ninja ask Lord Akahoshi if that is true. He asks them if they really believe this nonsense. The only ones who fail the training are those who don't really believe in the village. One day their humble land will surpass the five great ninja villages. The older ninja are discussing this; either the innocent looking girl in suspended leg warmers or the evil looking usurper is telling the truth. Suddenly a bell rings. It's Mizura, Hokuto's backup boyfriend. He tells everyone to wait. There's something everyone here needs to see.
Those girls from GTO wrote all over him! Oh it's damage from the star training. The village is legit shook. Yes that's an effect of the star training. "Lord Akahoshi, you know my heart is full of pride for this village. How can you say I failed due to lack of pride for this village?" He collapses and Hokuto catches him. The peanut gallery has seemingly made up their mind; no way that boy is lying and besides, didn't the third Hoshikage ban this for a reason? Maybe they did get carried away.
Akahoshi calls him a weak little loser. What a heel. Talk like this will cause the downfall of this village. He grabs a crossbow and aims it at Mizura. The villagers tell him to stop, he's just a kid. Hokuto steps in front of him, then another trainee steps in front of her. You dare betray our village? The trainee who stepped in front says he won't follow him blindly anymore and the rest of the trainees follow suit. Akahoshi orders them all to be killed and one of the adult ninja asks if he has gone mad while another asks if he'd seriously have them kill all these children. The non bald, non Roy Mustang goon also thinks he has gone too far. Bald Roy Mustang tells him to back down. Akahoshi has none of that saying those two have just as much blood on his hands as he does. One of the adults is interested in THAT comment but Akahoshi continues saying they should take pride in their dumb, purple, children killing, radiation poisoning star that gives them stupid peacock powers. It sets them apart from others and he could stand by and let their foolish leader prevent them from using their strongest weapon. You mean...yes, the fool just admitted to Shadowcide. That explains the mystery of his death. The village asks him to answer these charges. He laughs and says it was the three of them who did it. It was the only way to save the village. The village is pissed. The two henchmen throw all the shade onto Akahoshi. They no longer recognize Akahoshi's leadership and call him a criminal. The heart of the village is inside those children. They all join with the children and ask them for forgiveness and pledge to fight with them. The goon squad urges Akahoshi to give up, but he refuses and fires the crossbow.
Mizura puts his back into it in classic Naruto fashion. Mizura tells Hokuto to keep on fighting for him. The adults are telling the former Hoshikage to stand down. He laughs and doesn't think they pose much of a threat. The villagers ask if he's gone insane, he's already lost and should accept his fate like a man. How can I lose when I have the star! With it's power he'll become the fourth Hoshikage as he plunges the star into his ribcage.
That's...probably not covered by his health plan. Oh and the crazy look in his eye is back, now with a purple glow. Such power! He's surpassed all training and should have done this sooner. He's one with the star. Wait, what's this?
What is happening to him asks a shook Naruto. Neji uses his Byakugan to investigate. All of the chakra from the star is overloading his network. His hair grows out and turns pink! He knocks away his two lackeys with a pink tornado..which turns into Kujaku: Dragon. Everyone is LEGIT SHOOK. It shoots out a purple breath that floors the entire village. Naruto is worried about Hokuto. It then turns its breath to the Leaf Ninja...knocking them all out except Naruto. Naruto asks an obviously wounded Neji if he can fight back now. Neji says he can't...but Naruto doesn't care. Neji tells him to do what he wants and that he won't be responsible for it. Right on, tell them when you get back that I disobeyed like always.
Akahoshi is going to kill Hokuto and Mizura when Naruto tells him not to even think about it. He's right behind him. Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu! He takes them out with a casual swing. Two of them land and make a Rasengan for the nut job...but the dragon blows him away like paper. Naruto promises he's going to get it as he lands on the rubble of the shrine. Natsuhiboshi, why are you so red? That sounds like Sumaru's mom as the floor begins to glow purple. Ghost Natsuhi carrying her very alive son as the song continues to play. Akahoshi is shook, she's using Ninja Art Kujaku to protect her son even from the grave! He sends the dragon after her, it bounces off. She puts her son down and sprouts wings, and picks up Naruto. She's gonna help him fight.
What the...The empowered butterfly aided Rasengan pierces right through the dragons breath and hits dead center on the star...oh crap there's forty seconds left in this arc. Quick cut to the Fifth Hokage's office. The mission was to protect the star...and you destroyed the very thing you were hired to protect! Not only did you fail but the damages inflicted...Naruto tells her there was no other way but to smash the star. Neji tries to fall on his sword as mission leader for not stopping Naruto, but Lee and Tenten also want punishment for the failure. Nah, she can let this one slide. They've received no formal complaint. The mission was canceled altogether on account of the deputy Hoshikage being a criminal. Speaking of which what happened to him? He and his cronies are being held at the star village for punishment. Shizune knocks on the door and says the Genin can be cured. Naruto asks about Mizura and she says he is fine, they are all getting ready to leave. Naruto whoops in joy and starts leaving as Tsunade tells him this lecture isn't over but then laughs and says the boy never changes. Naruto catches up to Sumaru/Mizura/Hokuto. He asks how Mizura is doing and he's getting better. Sumaru tells him this changes nothing though, he'll still become Ho-shikage first without the star. Naruto says he'll become Hokage way before you. Sumaru tells him to shut it but Naruto says he'll be first and that's a promise.
BONUS GIF: This arc is done.
NEXT EPISODE: "Kiba's Long Day!"