Ep 169: Memory, The Lost Page

Anko has a nightmare involving her cursed seal and dreams of standing on a pier then being locked in a room.

Naruto sees Sakura and Ino and runs up to greet Sakura. Ino has been helping out at the flower shop since she had a cold and the rest of her team went on a mission. Shino suddenly appears behind Naruto and says the Hokage sent him to get Ino and Naruto.

Tsunade and Shizune explain a mission involving a sea monster to Anko. A small group of islands' (Ocean Country) commuter ships have been attacked and plundered. Ocean Country doesn’t have a hidden village and pays money to Water Country for defense services. Last month the sea monster attacked the boat carrying the money. Her mission is to protect the next payment and eliminate the seamonster. Naruto and the rest of the team arrive and Tsunade gives them the assignment saying this is the best team combination for the mission while Shizune thinks in actuality it’s whatever genin were available.

Ino reads from a book about Kaima (sea monster) which appear to be part fish and human. Naruto doesn’t think something like that can exist but Shino says ninja who become pirates can use henge and genjutsu.

Shizune reads from Anko’s file and notes that her mission log from age 10 has blacked out portions that have connections to Orochimaru's actions. Orochimaru erased part of Anko’s memory before he left the village

The team arrive at the coast and see Hahajima island. Anko has a flashback of running away from snakes. She leaves arranging the boat to the genin. Her seal throbs and she has another flashnnack to Orochimaru.

Ino sees a girl in bandages selling fish. The man gives the girl a low amount and Ino complains but the man says since the Kaima this area is less frequented by buyers. The girl runs off and Naruto asks about her outfit. The man says that on Hahajima is a small village called Arma where she is from. The villagers there refuse to do business with her. She was taken by sprirts once and then returned. In the past a large number of islanders diappeared and she was the only one to return. The girl lives far away from the village by herself.

The girl now carries some groceries but two men surround her. One hits her in the stomach and she doubles over without being touched. Naruto appears and scares them off. But the girl sees he’s a ninja and runs off.

There are no more boats available since they stop before dark because of the Kaima but the man agrees to lend Shino and Ino his private boat. Naruto appears and Ino complains how he and Anko are both alike. Naruto protests but Anko appears behind him with a kunai at his throat. Naruto does the rowing while the rest of the team sits. Then the boat rocks and the oars are stuck and they’re headed for a whirlpool. Ino is suddenly grabbed by a tentacle. Anko uses Sen-ei Jashui: Hidden Shadow Snake Hand to grab her back. They all abandon ship as it gets sucked into the whirlpool. Naruto summons Gamabunta but he gets Gamakichi instead. He tries again but gets Gamatatsu. Gamakichi explains they are fresh water animals not salt water.

Anko hands Ino over to Shino then runs toward the tentacle and uses katon, ryuuka no just (fire element fire dragon technique) but it’s just a water clone and the man (from before with clear glasses) attacks the girl and grabs her from behind but Naruto kicks him from behind The other guy with dark glasses grabs Naruto from under the water. Naruto’s chakra is absorbed and he falls unconscious. The man in dark glasses uses Naruto's chakra for Suiton Daibakure no jutsu (water element huge explosion technique). Naruto sinks into the water but is saved by the girl.

Review: Off to a decent start. Little Anko is very cute!

Notes:

Hahajima = largest of the Ocean Coutry Islands in the middles

Tarojima to left and Jirojima to right and Kikajima

Kaima = sea monster

Thoughts:

Why not hire the Mist shinobi to protect their own payment?

Framed pics on Anko’s dresser - who are they of? Orochimaru?