Forty-Fourth Training Ground

The 44th Battle Training Zone, also known as, was the stage for the second part of the Konoha Chunin exams, proctored by Anko Mitarashi. Its primary function served as a testing ground for the survival and fighting skills of Genin trying to become a Chunin. It is a very dangerous place, filled with hordes of flora and fauna; often gigantic, poisonous – or even more likely, both – hence its name.

A metallic fence surrounds its perimeter with 44 gates equally spaced around it; this perimeter is where the shinobi entered. Inside is a river, the forest, and a tower located in the exact center; the forest's radius is about ten kilometers.

Chunin Exam Arc
The tower was the destination of the ninja after they had collected two scrolls. Each team started with only one scroll, either the Scrolls of Heaven or Earth; therefore, to pass the exam, a team had to find a team with the opposite scroll and steal it by any means necessary. They then finished the journey to the tower.

Inside the tower is the large arena in which the third test preliminaries were held, if too many teams managed to survive to that point. Relatively few teams complete this part of the test.

In the Chunin Exam Arc, seven teams completed the test, prompting preliminary matches. The teams that passed the second test were:
 * Team 7
 * Team 8
 * Team 10
 * Team Guy
 * Kabuto's Genin Team
 * Team Baki
 * Team Dosu

Preliminary matches were one-on-one deuls between the potential Chunin. The battles would continue until one participant gave up, the proctor, Hayate Gekko, called a winner, another person jumped into the ring to support or protect a fighter, or one died. The matches were selected at random and were:


 * 1) Sasuke Uchiha vs. Yoroi Akado
 * 2) Sakura Haruno vs. Ino Yamanaka (Draw)
 * 3) Temari vs. Ten Ten
 * 4) Shikamaru Nara vs. Kin Tsuchi
 * 5) Naruto Uzumaki vs. Kiba Inuzuka
 * 6) Neji Hyuga vs. Hinata Hyuga
 * 7) Shino Aburame vs. Zaku Abumi
 * 8) Kankuro vs. Misumi Tsurugi
 * 9) Gaara vs. Rock Lee
 * 10) Dosu Kinuta vs. Choji Akimichi

The Genin who won their battles and advanced to the final round of the Exams were:


 * Naruto Uzumaki
 * Sasuke Uchiha
 * Shikamaru Nara
 * Neji Hyuga
 * Shino Aburame
 * Dosu Kinuta
 * Gaara
 * Kankuro
 * Temari

NOTE: Dosu Kinuta did not compete in the final tournament because he was killed by Gaara. Shikamaru fought his battle against Temari as an extra battle.