Naruto trap Hoko in a gully.

In the final match of the preliminaries, Choji fights against Orochimaru's minion Dosu. The preliminaries are finally over, and the Hokage reveals the third exam.

Naruto, Lee, Neji and Tenten are ordered on a mission to take back the town.

Naruto and his team begin the first exam, a written test. The exam proctor is a special jonin (upper rank ninja) named Ibiki Morino, who is an infamous expert in interrogation.

Mizuki escapes from prison.

Naruto, Sakura and Sasame are attacked by members of the Fuma Clan.

As Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura prepare for the exam, a ninja with short bobbed hair and thick eyebrows named Rock Lee appears. Lee proceeds to challenge Sasuke to a duel.

Moso and Komei disagree; Neji begins to think the Cursed Warrior is part of a scheme..

Gaara employs his Playing Possum Jutsu, which allows the Sand Spirit within him, Shukaku, to display its true power.

By the time Naruto and Sakura catch up, Sasuke has exhausted his strength and collapsed.