Kabuto plans on breaking Leaf’s The Four-Corner Sealing Barrier from the inside by using Yukimaru’s power and have the Three-Tailed Beast go on a rampage.

Guren tries to attack Naruto within the Three-Tails, but, in her weakened state, is unable to do so and passes out. Meanwhile, Kakashi tells Sakura and Ino to heal Yūkimaru while he, Shizune, Kiba, Sai, and Hinata search for Naruto. Naruto and Guren soon encounter a horde of mini Three-Tails that try to attack them, but they evade them and begin to argue about Yūkimaru. While Yūkimaru awakens, Naruto summons a bunch of Shadow Clones to look for a way out of the beast's stomach. Elsewhere, Kabuto gives Curse Marks to Rinji's men.

The Sealing Team prepared to start sealing the Three-Tails and tell Sai to take Yūkimaru somewhere safe, but he gets attacked by Kabuto's men. Kabuto meanwhile prepares his plans while Lee, Tenten, and Kiba are also attacked. Rinji finds his men and converts them back to his side, ordering them to attack the Sealing Team; they're stopped by Kakashi, Yamato and Shino. Rinji then makes Yūkimaru eat the pills to control the Three-Tails, which Naruto and Guren learn about.

Shikamaru, Neji, Choji, and Kiba succeed in defeating the Sound Ninja Four. But the enemy uses the Underworld Transfer Jutsu to trap the Leaf shinobi’s souls inside a barrier.

Yukimi leaves the village to see the outside world, taking “Tenzo” with her. Kakashi tries to convince the two to return so that he can set a trap to capture Orochimaru, who is after Yukimi’s blood.

Danzo orders Tenzo to kill Kakashi and take his Sharingan. Reluctant at first, Tenzo decides to carry out his orders after learning that the Leaf Shinobi has come to be known as “Kakashi the Friend Killer.”

After being saved by the target he was ordered to kill, Tenzo realizes that the man known as “Kakashi the Friend Killer” is someone who values the lives of his comrades more than anyone.

Itachi Uchiha is inducted into Kakashi’s unit as the youngest member of the ANBU Black Ops. Itachi’s father, Fugaku, is pleased, thinking this will grant the Uchiha access to exclusive, top-secret Leaf intel.

Hiruzen assigns Kakashi to be in charge of Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura, three genin that bear a striking resemblance to the former Team Minato.

Hanabi adores her sister Hinata, who struggles to become a worthy successor to the Hyuga Clan.

When Hinata is labeled unfit as a successor, Hanabi's heart becomes bound to her destiny.

The story travels back to the time after Sasuke's defection from the Leaf and before Naruto's return from his two-year training journey with Jiraiya.

The Hidden Leaf begin preparing for the Chunin Exams. Ino and Choji ask Sakura to join their three-man team as a stand-in for Shikamaru, who is already a chunin.

The Second Exam finally begins! To pass this stage, each team must take possession of both the Heaven and Earth scrolls and make it to the designated site in the center of the Demon Desert within 72 hours.

Noting the similarities of their circumstances, Lee is outraged at the ones who hurt and belittled Shira and sets out in pursuit!

Lee challenges Shira to a battle between taijutsu users!

Kiba and his team are in pursuit of Hidden Grass Ninja who have stolen their scroll!

Kiba and his team are in pursuit of Hidden Grass Ninja who have stolen their scroll!

As the team prepares for dinner, Tenten pulls out a scroll that contains all the ingredients for okonomiyaki.

An ancient ruin in Demon Desert comes crumbling down during the battle for the scrolls.

As Ino and her team head toward an oasis, they are attacked by a team of Sand Shinobi comprised of Ameno, Shishio, and Kouji.

Sakura and her team continue their trek across the desert towards the goal. Their continuous battles have depleted Sakura's chakra, so they stop to rest. Just then, they encounter a puppet manipulated by a rival team from the Sand and end up being discovered.

Ino and Choji fight to protect an immobilized Sakura although they have depleted most of their chakra due to the relentless fighting.

Sand Jonin Fugi sneaks into the Demon Desert and creates a massive sandstorm in order to assassinate Gaara, the Fifth Kazekage.

Gaara heads out to rescue Matsuri and the others but is attacked by a mysterious priest who binds him with a Chakra Chain to capture his Tailed Beast.