Naruto Vol. 8

The Third Hokage explains that the Chūnin Exams serve both as promotion trials and as symbolic conflicts between allied nations. Because twenty-one candidates remain, preliminary matches are ordered before the publicly attended finals. Hayate Gekkō announces that the contests will continue until only the finalists remain and permits any candidate to withdraw beforehand.

Sasuke faces Yoroi Akadō in the first match. Unable to rely on the Sharingan or ninjutsu without aggravating the cursed seal, Sasuke adapts movements previously demonstrated by Rock Lee and develops the Lion’s Barrage to win. Kakashi then takes Sasuke away and uses the Evil Sealing Method to restrain Orochimaru’s mark, although Orochimaru appears afterward and warns that Sasuke will eventually pursue power willingly.

Shino defeats Zaku by secretly blocking the air vents in his arms with insects, while Kankurō overcomes Misumi through the concealed use of his puppet. Sakura and Ino are then matched against each other. Their battle revisits the friendship they shared as children and the rivalry that separated them. Ino cuts her own hair as part of a trap, restrains Sakura, and successfully uses the Mind Transfer Jutsu, placing Sakura on the verge of defeat.