A New Chapter Begins: The Chūnin Exam!

After completing there missin in the Land of Waves, they finally return to Konohagakure. Although Sasuke saved Naruto's life there teamwork seems to have gotten even worse than before. When Team 7 resume missions, Naruto Uzumaki is only focused on beating Sasuke, causing him to screw-up on all of the missions. He de-weeds a woman's garden but also pulls out her speial herbs. He nearly falls off a waterfall before being saved by Sasuke yet again. He then chooses the largest dog to walk, which he can not control and is sent off into a mine field. Kakashi decides that their teamwork is too off that day and sends them all home. Before they return home Sasuke aggrivates Naruto even more by saying that if Naruto wants to get better to just become stronger than him. Before Sasuke leaves Sakura asks him if they can work on their "teamwork". Sasuke says that if she has time to flirt she should be working on her skills. He then crushes her by saying she's as bad as Naruto. Then delivers the final blow by saying she is even worse then Naruto!

A small box stalks Naruto, and explodes revealing Konohamaru and his two friends: Udon and Moegi. They reveal themselves as the Konohamaru ninja squad. Konohamaru wonders between Naruto and Sakura's relationship. He then comes to the conclusion that thye are dating which Naruto says is true. Sakura, already angry by Sasuke's comment, punches Naruto in the face and sends him into a fence. Konohamaru then insults Sakura and she chases after all four of them. Konohamaru eventually bumps into an evil looking ninja from another village. He picks Konohamaru up and threatens to kill him!

Naruto attempts to attack the newcomer but is suddenly tripped by his invisible attack. Just as the mysterious ninja is about to hit Konohamaru Sasuke saves the day by making the ninja drop Konohamaru. Just as the mysterious ninja is about to attack Sasuke another, even more evil looking ninja appears. He reveals himself as Gaara of the desert, and we also find out that the other evil looking ninja is named Kankuro, and the girl ninja is named Temari. Everyone is impressed by Sasuke's rescue, Konohamaru upsets Naruto by saying that compared to Sasuke Naruto is pretty lame. The three ninja from the other village reveal they they are from the village hidden in the sand, from the Land of Wind. They add that they are in Konoha to attend the Chunin Exams. The exams that decide wether you upgrade from a Genin or not.

Meanwhile, all the higher level ninja are gathered along with the Hokage. The Hokage announces that the chunin exams will take place in seven days on July 1st!