|
|
|
 |
Episode 21; Identify Yourselves! The Powerful Enemies That Have
Arrived!: Gaara reprimands Kankurou for coming to the village and starting something with these kids. Kankurou apologizes to him. Sasuke is haunted by Gaara’s evil eyes, while Gaara is impressed that Sasuke could hit Kankurou’s hand so easily with a rock. The three are Genins of the Hidden Village of the Sand from the Country of Wind. They came to this village to take the Chuunin exam. Before they walk away, Sasuke and Gaara exchange names and hard looks. Hokage-sama calls forth Kakashi, Kurenai, and Asuma to step forth and asks if there are any Genins amongst their groups that should be entered in the exam. Any Genin who has completed more than eight missions is eligible through their recommendations. Kakashi recommends Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura. Kurenai recommends Hyuuga Hinata, Inuzuka Kiba, and Aburame Shino. Finally, Asuma recommends Yamanaka Ino, Nara Shikamaru, and Akimichi Chouji. Iruka steps forth, and challenges Kakashi’s recommendations. He doesn’t believe that Naruto is ready yet. Kakashi stands by his recommendations, and to appease Iruka, Hokage-sama offers to put the rookie Genins through a special preliminary exam. The next morning, Kakashi presents his ninjas with applications for the Chuunin exam. Both Naruto and Sasuke are ready to accept, but Sakura has doubts. After Naruto finishes his missions, he meets Konohamaru and group and offers to play with them. Suddenly, a ninja appears from behind, grabs Moegi, and heads off. Naruto heads after the ninja, who is looking for the first Hokage’s Scroll of Sealing. He won’t let Moegi go until he has it. Naruto is able to use his replication technique and free Moegi. Meanwhile, Sasuke asks Sakura if she’d like to take a walk with him. He doesn’t think she’s ready for the Chuunin exam and should give up. She’s thrilled that he’s worried about her. A ninja attacks and soon Sasuke is pinned to the ground with knives. The ninja tells her to give up before the Chuunin exam or that could happen to her. She tells him that she sees through his illusion and that the real Sasuke would not have invited her for a walk. She also tells him that she knows he’s an illusion as well, and that the real him isn’t even here. He tests her by throwing a large stick, but she walks right into it and it disappears. The ninja, Iruka in disguise, reports back to Kakashi that all nine rookies passed the preliminary exam. Inside the school, a couple of bully Chuunin exam entrants throw up an illusion attack and give several of the rookies a hard time. Sasuke confronts them, praising Sakura’s analyzing skills and illusionary technique know-how, in the process. The main bully and Sasuke go at it, but another Genin named Rock Lee steps in and stops their attacks. Everyone introduces themselves and they go ahead with the application process. The bullies transform back into examiners. Episode 22; Energy 120%: A Modern And Rocking Challenge!: Sasuke seems to have attracted the attention of Rock Lee, who challenges him to a fight. Rock Lee is not only interested in seeing how his skills match up against a descendent of the Uchiha clan, but he also has a mad crush on Sakura, much to her dismay. Feeling neglected in his teammates’ shadows, Naruto offers to fight in Sasuke’s place. Without wasting time, he charges, but is easily stopped by Rock Lee. Rock Lee explains that they cannot beat him because he is the strongest of the Konoha Genins right now. Now interested, Sasuke accepts his challenge. Sasuke attacks and is met by the Konoha Whirlwind and knocked backwards. As he gets back up, he prepares to use his Sharingan moves to figure out Rock Lee’s technique. He again charges Rock Lee, but again, Rock Lee is able to hit him. He senses that his moves are neither ninja or illusory - just straight hand to hand fighting. Unfortunately, with hand to hand fighting, the Sasuke’s Sharingan isn’t helpful because even if he can see the techniques, his body can’t move fast enough to react. Rock Lee does Shadow Dance to finish off Sasuke, but a large turtle stops his attack before it hits. The turtle reprimands Rock Lee for using his forbidden technique. Gai-sensei then appears on top of the turtle and punches Rock Lee hard in the face as punishment. The two then cry and make up. As Kakashi’s three ninjas stare at this ridiculous scene in complete shock, Gai-sensei asks how his eternal rival, Kakashi is doing. He’s ahead in the match record, which stands at 50 wins and 49 losses. Rock Lee then confesses that he is not the strongest of his team - Hyuga Neji is. Naruto comments to Sasuke that they have a lot of training to do to compete, but they all agree that the Chuunin exam will be interesting. |
