Following his battle with Naruto, Kiba offers some advice to Hinata: give up! But with Naruto watching, Hinata isn't about to step down, even when she must go up against her cousin Neji, who bears a deep resentment against her branch of the Hyuga clan. His aggressive tactics almost take her down, but Naruto's inspiring example just might give her the courage she needs to keep fighting!

The splendid ninja, Rock Lee, must face the formidable Gaara of the Sand! With his mentor Guy cheering him on, Rock Lee unleashes his ultimate move. But will even this be enough to defeat Gaara? And as the prelimaries to the Chunin Exam draw to a close, Orochimaru lurks in the shadows, plotting his next evil move. The target? Sasuke!

Sakura and Ino go to pay Sasuke a visit in the hospital, only to find he's disappeared! And in the shadows a sinister plan is hatching that could affect the entire Hidden Leaf Village forever...

Naruto's encounter with the great Chief Toad, Gamabunta, lands him in the hospital! Shikamaru drops in for a visit, and the two of them confront a creepy visitor in Rock Lee's room. Then, at last, it's the final round of the Chunin Exam! Naruto's just in time for his battle with Neji... But where's Sasuke?!

Naruto gives his all in his final-round battle with Neji - all his chakra, that is! With Sasuke still a no-show, his match with Gaara is put off, moving up Shikamaru's battle with Temari. What's an apathetic guy to do against one fiercely determined female ninja?

It's the battle everyone's been waiting for: Sasuke versus Gaara! With a few new tricks up his sleeve, Sasuke takes on the ninja no one, not even Naruto, thinks he can beat. But then a sinister plan is put into motion, and the Hidden Leaf Village finds itself under attack. What does it mean for Naruto? His most dangerous mission yet!

The Hidden Leaf Village is under attack! While Naruto, Sakura, Shikamaru and their ninja dog guide Pakkun take off after Sasuke and the Sand ninja, the Third Hokage must face Orochimaru in battle. Can the most powerful ninja in the land defeat his one-time protege? Even if that protege has achieved the most dreadful forbidden jutsu imaginable?

The Third Hokage summons his last ounce of strength in his attempt to seal away Orochimaru's soul forever, while the shinobi of the Hidden Leaf bravely defend all they hold dear. And far from the village, Sasuke finally catches up with Gaara! But the Sand ninja has begun an eerie transformation that may be more than Sasuke's newly mastered Chidori can match.

Tired of the same old menial tasks, Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura ask for a mission with some real excitement. Amused by Naruto's hyperactive initiative, the Hokage gives them - along with their sensei, Kakashi - the simple task of escorting Tazuna, a bridge builder, to the Land of Waves. But these young ninja get more than they bargained for when they are attacked by ninja, including the infamous Zabuza Momochi!

With Sasuke's strength wasted and Sakura slowly being crushed to death, Naruto must battle Gaara alone to defend what is precious to him. Can he prove that the path of friendship is stronger than the path of hate? In the battle-torn Hidden Leaf Village, the Third Hokage and the Leaf ninja make their final stand against Orochimaru and his minions.

In the aftermath of Orochimaru's attack, the village mourns, but the life of a shinobi goes on! An eager Naruto departs on a training mission with Jiraiya to find a legendary kunoichi, while a troubled Sasuke reflects on the past. But who are the mysterious strangers that have slipped into town? And why are they looking for Naruto?!

Sasuke faces the brother he has long vowed vengeance against, but finds that he is still no match for Itachi. Jiraiya steps in, but Sasuke has fallen into a deep coma, and the only one who can save him is the woman Jiraiya and Naruto are looking for: the legendary medical ninja, Tsunade.