Kakashi becomes part of the ANBU Black Ops, an elite team of shinobi who are under the direct command of the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze.

Following the aftermath of the Nine-Tails incident, many on the Leaf Council voice suspicions that the Uchiha Clan were behind this tragedy. The Uchiha are then placed under 24-hour surveillance by the ANBU, which causes further tensions to arise.

Orochimaru brings Sasuke to the Coliseum fighting ring, to lure out En Oyashiro, who may have some information regarding the Exploding Human incident. The match is called off when more Exploding Humans appear and the opportunity to meet Oyashiro seems lost. However, impressed by Sasuke’s Sharingan, Oyashiro approaches him in person.