"The Message" (祝いの言葉, Iwai no Kotoba) is episode 500 of the Naruto: Shippūden anime.
Synopsis
Iruka dreams back to when Naruto stole the Scroll of Seals. Konohamaru wants to record another message from Iruka, finding the previous one to be uninspired. Iruka still doesn't know what to say. He scolds Tsukune, Mibuna, and Sansho for vandalising the Third Hokage's statue again. Sadoru asks Iruka if he'll be making a speech during the ceremony, but Iruka says Kakashi will do it. Ayame runs into Iruka, noting he hasn't been to Ramen Ichiraku in a while. Iruka explains he's still trying to figure out what to say. Naruto visits Iruka, asking him out for ramen. Iruka is trying to cook his own dinner, without much success. Naruto wants to have fun in his last days as a single man, and Iruka scolds him for it. Naruto wants to go out with him to tell him something. Iruka wonders why he struggled so much with his message. Naruto asks Iruka to attend the ceremony as his father, moving him. Iruka accepts. Iruka and Hinata talk about Naruto's request. Iruka records another message with Konohamaru, finally getting it right. The guests arrive for the reception and mingle. Naruto and Hinata go get married.
Trivia
- The final eyecatch shows Naruto passing on his forehead protector to his son Boruto, signifying the end of the Shippūden series and the beginning of the upcoming new series Boruto: Naruto Next Generations.
- This is considered not only the 500th and final episode of Shippūden, but also the 720th episode in total with the original Naruto and Shippūden series.
- The end credits consist of various fan art made by Naruto fans and the Shippūden anime staff.
