Ep 21. Lost in Translation

In NCIS season 12 episode 21, titled "Lost in Translation", the team investigates the murder of a Navy officer who was killed while on leave in Japan. Special Agent Tony DiNozzo joins the investigation, as he spent a year in Japan during his stint with the Baltimore police department and is fluent in the language.

The team quickly learns that the victim, Lieutenant Robert Graves, was involved in a clandestine operation called the "Chrysanthemum Protocol," which was meant to combat cyber warfare in the Asia-Pacific region. The investigation takes the team to Tokyo, where they are met with resistance from the local authorities and government officials, who are hesitant to reveal any information about the protocol or the victim's activities.

As the team delves deeper into the case, they discover that Graves had been working with a hacker in Japan named Tadashi Kuroda. They track down Kuroda, who claims to have no knowledge of Graves' murder, but agrees to help them decrypt a message on Graves' phone that could hold the key to solving the case.

Meanwhile, Agent DiNozzo bumps into an old flame, Dr. Samantha "Sam" Ryan, who is in Tokyo on a forensic conference. The two reignite their relationship, but DiNozzo begins to feel guilty as he is still recovering from the emotional wounds left by his ex-girlfriend, Zoe.

As the team pieces together the clues, they uncover a complex web of espionage, involving foreign governments and powerful multinational corporations, with Graves caught in the middle. The investigation takes a dangerous turn, and the team must race against time to stop those responsible before they can do any more damage.

In the end, the team is able to solve the case, but not without a few casualties along the way. Agent DiNozzo is forced to make a difficult decision regarding his future with Dr. Ryan, while remembering the lessons he learned from his past relationships. The episode ends on a bittersweet note, leaving the team to ponder the consequences of their actions and the impact they have on national security.