Naruto returns to Konoha after a two-and-a-half-year training journey with Jiraiya and is reunited with Sakura.

Tsunade has left Naruto's life in Sakura's hands. As she rides off with Naruto on Gara's sand to find Minato, the Fourth Hokage, the scene skips backwards to two years after Naruto left the Hidden Leaf Village to train with Master Jariaya. All of Naruto's comrades continue to be inspired by him even in his absence and train hard for his return. Amidst all of the training, the Fifth Hokage, Lady Tsunade, and the Fifth Kazekage, Gara, meet to discuss the return of the chunin exams. Written by jtbigpapi14

Kakashi gives Naruto and Sakura a test to see how far they had improved. Meanwhile, two Akatsuki members, Deidara and Sasori, arrive at the entrance of the Sunagakure to capture the One-Tailed Shukaku's host, Gaara.

The Hidden Leaf begin preparing for the Chunin Exams. Tsunade orders Kakashi to personally deliver an invitation to the Hidden Rain Village and, at the same time, gather intel. The Mist, Cloud and Stone send their regrets, but the Hidden Waterfall and Hidden Grass accept. Ino and Choji ask Sakura to join their three-man team as a stand-in for Shikamaru, who is already a chunin. But Sakura is hesitant and turns them down.

Sakura and Naruto both demonstrate their newly acquired skills. Meanwhile, Deidara commences his attack on Sunagakure and is confronted by Gaara.

The Chunin Exams finally begin and the proctor for Round One is none other than Shikamaru! The first exam is a written test. The entrants are separated from their teams, and with little explanation from Shikamaru, the exam begins. The time limit is 30 minutes and there are only three questions. As the minutes tick away, Neji remembers the last Chunin Exams where Naruto turned in a blank sheet and still passed. He begins to realize that this exam is not about measuring one's problem-solving skills!

Gaara is quick to detect Deidara's presence, and an aerial battle ensues with Deidara on his giant bird and Gaara atop sand.

The genin are unable to figure out the answer and start to panic. Neji announces to everyone in the room that he will tell them how to answer the question. Some of the genin don't agree with Neji's taking the lead and try to pick a fight, but fighting is prohibited. Those who fear elimination follow Neji's instructions, and soon the time limit is up. However, Shikamaru introduces another question to be answered within three minutes. Will Neji and his team be able to pass this round?

Naruto and Sakura defeat Kakashi in the survival challenge. Tsunade assigns them to a three-man squad led by Kakashi, who tells them they are now his equals.

Kankuro tries in vain to stop Gaara from supervising the exams due to the lack of security and the threats against his life. Gaara vows to see the exams through to completion because of their significance to him as the place he first met Naruto. On the night before the Second Exam, the entrants gather in the cafeteria, and a brawl breaks out. While the Hidden Leaf stand by helpless, the only one who can calm everyone down is Fuu from the Hidden Waterfall Village.

In order to protect his village from Deidara's explosive clay, Gaara uses his chakra to create a giant sand shield.

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. Neji, Lee, and Tenten dash out at the starting signal. After observing Shira deflect Lee's kick and Fuu's enormous power, Neji decides they must avoid any encounter with their two teams. However, Lee is eager to challenge Shira!

Gaara, his strength completely exhausted, is whisked away by Deidara. Kankuro ignores Baki's efforts to stop him and immediately sets out in pursuit with a platoon to rescue Gaara.

Like Lee, Shira can only use taijutsu. In the Hidden Sand, those who can't use ninjutsu cannot become shinobi. However, Lord Gaara recognizes Shira's taijutsu abilities and appoints him as his own taijutsu coach. Envious of Shira's sudden rise to prominence, the other Sand shinobi criticize and attack him. Noting the similarities of their circumstances, Lee is outraged at the ones who hurt and belittled Shira and sets out in pursuit!

On her way to the Sand Village, Temari encounters Kakashi and his team. Kakashi admonishes Naruto when he tries to rush ahead...

Lee challenges Shira to a battle between taijutsu users! Although it first appears the two are evenly matched in speed and attacks, Lee's smaller physique begins to sustain damage. In order to counter this, Lee resorts to using his Eight Inner Gates, but he is unable to release the First Gate!

An urgent message from the Sand Village detailing the Akatsuki's kidnapping of the Kazekage reaches the Hidden Leaf Village. Tsunade wastes no time in ordering Team Kakashi to the Sand Village.

Kiba and his team are in pursuit of Hidden Grass Ninja who have stolen their scroll! Their foes are experts of escape and prove elusive even for Kiba and his team of expert sensory ninja. Their goal is just before them, but unless they find the enemy, the Hidden Grass will get there first!

The Sand ninja fight against time to treat Kankuro. Even the Sand's poison expert, Granny Chiyo, is baffled. The only hope lies with the reinforcements sent by Tsunade.

Kiba and his team are in pursuit of Hidden Grass Ninja who have stolen their scroll! Their foes are masters of escape and prove elusive even for Kiba and his team of expert sensory ninja. Their goal is just ahead of them, but unless they find the enemy, the Hidden Grass will get there first!

Sakura treats a critically ill Kankuro. After extensive training she's now a full-fledged Medic Ninja, and Sakura amazes everyone with her sure, steady hands.

As the team prepares for dinner, Tenten pulls out a scroll that contains all the ingredients for okonomiyaki. Lee is amazed at her ability to conjure up anything and mentions that she is convenient to have around. Tenten takes offense and storms off. The following day, they run into Ajisai of the Hidden Rain and her team. As fighting breaks out for the scrolls, Tenten feels an intense rivalry with Ajisai, who also specializes in Transportation Ninjutsu.

Pakkun finds the hideout of the Akatsuki. Team Kakashi and Temari prepare to set out to get Gaara back, but Temari is ordered to stay behind and help guard the village.

An ancient ruin in Demon Desert comes crumbling down during the battle for the scrolls. Tenten and Ajisai fall deep below the rubble. When they realize they're trapped, they call a truce in order to find a way out. While searching for an exit, they are attacked by a swarm of giant ants. Witnessing Ajisai's proficiency with the Summoning Jutsu, Tenten recalls her training with Guy.

Team Kakashi encounter Itachi Uchiha, who had dealt them a bitter defeat in the past. Kakashi warns everyone not to look into Itachi's Sharingan Eyes.

Ino, Sakura and Choji trudge across a desert under the blazing sun without any provisions. Ino and Sakura are arguing when a giant scorpion attacks and injures Sakura. While Ino tends to Sakura's wound with Medical Ninjutsu, she remembers back to when she ducked out of her Ino-Shika-Cho training and how her intense rivalry with Sakura drove her to ask Lady Tsunade if she could become her apprentice.

Guy prepares to use a forbidden secret jutsu. Meanwhile, Naruto falls under Itachi's genjutsu, and all the anti-genjutsu training he underwent with Jiraiya races through Naruto's mind.

As Ino and her team head toward an oasis, they are attacked by a team of Sand Shinobi comprised of Ameno, Shishio, and Kouji. Ameno is a Medical Ninja whose skills rival Sakura's. She also has a jutsu that proves difficult to counter. Kouji is a ninja who specializes in power-based attacks, like Choji. Shishio has a jutsu that enables him to disappear and stalk Team 10. Just as Ino and her teammates are pushed to the limit, Ino remembers her Yamanaka Clan training, which she once tried hard to avoid, and unleashes her Sensory Perception Jutsu!