Tired of doing lame missions, Naruto asks the Hokage to give them something challenging. The Hokage caves and gives them a C-rank mission. They will be bodyguards for a bridge builder. It appears to be a simple mission, until the group is attacked by something more than common thugs...other ninja!

To prevent further problems, Sasuke thinks up a password to determine friend from foe, but will it be that simple? Meanwhile Naruto has his hands full with a giant snake. Can he handle this on his own and what about Sasuke and Sakura, can they survive the ordeal?

Lee in his weakened state is having trouble defeating Dosu. Sakura realises everyone has been protecting her until now and that its her time to protect them! Can Sakura succeed where even Lee failed?

Sakura and Ino prepare to settle the score once and for all! However, when Sakura becomes the victim of Ino's Mind-Body Switch Justu, will she be forced to give up the match?

Jiraiya and Naruto look on as Sasuke takes on Itachi alone. However, when the young ninja is severely outclassed, Jiraiya is forced to step in. Itachi and Kisame try to flee, but Jiraiya isn't about to let them get away so easily.

While Naruto continues to try and master the third step, Tsunade continues to think about Orochimaru's offer. Jiraiya tries to convince her by taking her out for a drink, only she slipped a paralyzing potion into his drink while he wasn't looking. Will Tsunade agree to Orochimaru's offer? And will Naruto master the Rasengan before the week is up?

After their mission, Naruto persuades Sakura and Sasuke to help him unmask their sensei, Kakashi. However, Squad 7 soon finds out that this is easier said than done...

Now that word of Sasuke's departure has spread to the Fifth Hokage, she calls upon the newest Chunin, Shikamaru, to put together a squad to bring Sasuke back to the village.

Faced against the vicious twin duo of Sakon and Ukon, Kiba and Akamaru team up to take them out, using their most powerful jutsu.

Naruto and Sasuke face off in battle as we get a glimpse into Sasuke's past where his achievements were ignored by his father and his brother Itachi's behavior began to take a turn for the worst.

Sasame leads Naruto, Jiraiya, and Sakura to Orochimaru's hideout. They send Sasame back to the village because of the danger level. Jiraiya summons Gamakichi to go in first and investigate. The four come to three tunnels. Jiraiya goes off to the right, Naruto and Sakura down the middle and Gamakichi down the left. Will the four of them make it past the traps?

Naruto, Iruka and Pakkun meet up with Mizuki's fiancee Tsubaki and she has come to offer help to the three. Meanwhile, Shikamaru, Ino and Chouji are having trouble holding the two brothers at bay. While this is going on, Tsunade discovers a startling secret about Mizuki and Orochimaru and plans to take matters into her own hands....

Lee is left facing Raiga alone while Tenten and the others hurry to bring them the curry of life. Ranmaru is reunited with Raiga, but are things the same as they were before?