S19 • In Naruto's Footsteps: The Friends' Path
Naruto and the Allied Shinobi manage to extract Obito’s Tailed Beasts, leaving Madara as the final foe to defeat. Obito realizes the error of his ways, but Black Zetsu prevents him from interfering. Nine Tails is extracted from Naruto, and he and Sasuke are left near death. In the midst of all this, the turbulent history of the Hyuga clan and events that took place in the Leaf Village while Naruto trained with Jiraya are revealed!
The New Chunin Exams
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 Chunin Exams Begin!
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 Three Questions
The Chunin Exams finally begin and the proctor for Round One is none other than Shikamaru!
One Worthy As A Leader
The genin are unable to figure out the answer and start to panic.
The Night Before the Second Exam
On the night before the Second Exam, the entrants gather in the cafeteria, and a brawl breaks out.
Demon Desert Survival
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.
As a Taijutsu User
Noting the similarities of their circumstances, Lee is outraged at the ones who hurt and belittled Shira and sets out in pursuit!
The Ultimate
Lee challenges Shira to a battle between taijutsu users!
Escape vs. Pursuit
Kiba and his team are in pursuit of Hidden Grass Ninja who have stolen their scroll!
Unwavering Gutsiness
Kiba and his team are in pursuit of Hidden Grass Ninja who have stolen their scroll!
Tenten's Troubles
As the team prepares for dinner, Tenten pulls out a scroll that contains all the ingredients for okonomiyaki.
The Imprisoned Pair
An ancient ruin in Demon Desert comes crumbling down during the battle for the scrolls.
The Place Where I Belong
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.
The Yamanaka Clan's Secret Ninjutsu
As Ino and her team head toward an oasis, they are attacked by a team of Sand Shinobi comprised of Ameno, Shishio, and Kouji.
The Cursed Puppet
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.
Their Backs
Ino and Choji fight to protect an immobilized Sakura although they have depleted most of their chakra due to the relentless fighting.
The Hidden Plot Set Into Motion
Sand Jonin Fugi sneaks into the Demon Desert and creates a massive sandstorm in order to assassinate Gaara, the Fifth Kazekage.
The Targeted Tailed Beast
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.
Neji's Judgement
Neji and the team come across Matsuri collapsed in the desert and find out that Gaara is in danger. Meanwhile, the chains of a mysterious priest bind Gaara and Foo.
Hopes Entrusted to the Future
Gaara meets with Fugi, the mastermind behind the assassination attempt on his life. He confides that perhaps, after all the fear and pain he has wrought upon the Sand, he has no right to be their leader.