Shikamaru is promoted to chunin, and he and his squadmates celebrate at a BBQ restaurant. In the hospital, Lee decides to undergo a dangerous surgery to repair his body so that he can remain a ninja.
Boss Jirocho waits, confident that Idate will win. But Aoi, the ninja sent by the Wagarashi clan, stands in the way.
Despite interference from Aoi, Idate continues his run. Idate still trusts no one, and it's revealed that during the Chunin Exams, Idate's older brother was the proctor who posed the tenth question.
Naruto and his squad manage to catch up to Idate, only to find him hurt and unconscious with Aoi nearby.
Naruto practices hard so he can win the necklace from Tsunade. Meanwhile, Tsunade is in a dilemma over Orochimaru's offer.
Naruto is incensed at the way Tsunade disrespects the position of Hokage and challenges her to a fight.
In exchange for healing his arms, Orochimaru offers to bring back to life Tsunade's younger brother Nawaki and Dan, her sweetheart.
Orochimaru and Kabuto suddenly appear before Tsunade and Shizune who are out sightseeing. Orochimaru, injured by the Third Hokage's Reaper Death Seal, seeks the former Sannin's medical expertise.
Naruto manages to complete the first step of his training. But the next step, making a rubber ball explode with chakra, proves extremely difficult.
Naruto finally begins his training with Jiraiya. The technique Naruto will learn was the trademark of the Fourth Hokage, a technique which even a genius like him took three years to master.
Deeply hurt mentally and physically, Sasuke is taken back to the Hidden Leaf Village by Guy. If only the medical specialist Tsunade were there...
Jiraiya saves Naruto from Kisame just in time. It turns out that Itachi and the Akatsuki organization are definitely after Naruto to obtain the power of the Nine-Tailed Fox.
Intent on confronting Itachi, Sasuke rushes to the town where Naruto is staying. On the way, tragic memories of his past come flooding back.
Jiraiya and Naruto journey to find Tsunade, one of the legendary Sannin. Jiraiya's purpose is both to protect Naruto from the clutches of the mysterious organization the Akatsuki and to train his apprentice.
Kakashi arrives in the nick of time to help Asuma and Kurenai, and Itachi too enters the fray. The ultimate battle between two Sharingan users begins.
Orochimaru's plan to destroy the Village Hidden in the Leaves is stopped. But the damage is extensive and work proceeds quickly to make repairs.
With every ounce of their power, Gaara and Naruto continue to fight. Determined to protect Sakura, Naruto attacks Gaara again and again.
Gaara employs his Playing Possum Jutsu, which allows the Sand Spirit within him, Shukaku, to display its true power.
In Shikamaru and Temari's match, Shikamaru who had the upper hand suddenly makes a surprising decision!
Sasuke's match is postponed and suddenly, it is Shikamaru's turn. He has shown no eagerness to fight, thinking that his is merely a secondary match...