Naruto

October 10, 2002

Naruto finally graduates from the Ninja Academy and claims to know it all. Well, at least that what he tells Konohamaru, the Village elder's pint-size grandson. Much to the dismay of Ebisu, Konohamaru's teacher and mentor, Naruto teaches him the hormonally lethal "Sexy Jutsu!"

October 17, 2002

On the way to becoming a ninja, Naruto must team up with his classmates, the pretty Sakura and the pretty serious Sasuke...

October 24, 2002

Now that Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura are a team, they meet with their sensei, the enigmatic and aloof Kakashi.

October 31, 2002

With the threat of failure hanging over their heads, Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura try everything they know to pass the grueling survival test.

November 7, 2002

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!

November 14, 2002

Naruto and his squad arrive in the Land of the Waves and learn that an evil businessman named Gato has taken over the land.

November 21, 2002

With Kakashi captured, Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura must defend against Zabuza's attacks. Naruto realizes that working together with Sasuke may be the only way to save Kakashi. Will the combined effort of the two be enough to free Kakashi and defeat Zabuza?

November 28, 2002

With Kakashi free, the fight between him and Zabuza resumes. Kakashi decides to show Zabuza what the Sharingan is really capable of. Can Kakashi's Sharingan defeat Zabuza? And who is the mysterious person watching the fight?

December 5, 2002

With Zabuza gone things are now settling and Tazuna can go and build the bridge without fear. Or so everyone thinks. Kakashi believes something is wrong with Zabuza's death and teaches Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke a way to train so they could better use their chakra. Is Zabuza really dead?

December 12, 2002

While Naruto and Sasuke train, Sakura watches over Tazuna. During a nice dinner, Sakura notices a man's face torn from a picture. The man's name was Kaiza, and he was what the country called...a "hero". What happened to cause Inari so much pain?

December 19, 2002

Naruto has a dangerous encounter with Haku in the forest, but is Haku there to cause trouble? Naruto and Sasuke better complete their training, as Zabuza is alive and has returned for round 2. Will Kakashi, Sasuke, and Sakura be able to defeat the Demon of the Mist? And, can Naruto arrive in time to help out?

December 26, 2002

Round two with Zabuza has started, but this time...Zabuza has Haku fighting along side him. Haku and Sasuke go at it with Sasuke falling behind until he manages to get a kick in. Meanwhile Naruto deals with some of Gato's henchmen. Back at the bridge Haku uses his secret jutsu, Demonic Ice Mirrors. What does this jutsu hold in store for Sasuke? Will Naruto make it to the bridge in time and save Tsunami and Inari as well?

January 9, 2003

Naruto finally joins the battle on the bridge. But when Naruto stupidly gets caught in the middle of Haku's jutsu as well, he and Sasuke must work together to escape. Kakashi is unable to help them, as he must deal with Zabuza to protect Sakura and Tazuna. How will the two escape from the ice mirrors without any help?

January 16, 2003

Naruto and Sasuke continue to fight Haku and are getting beaten bad. After having Naruto try and escape a few times, Sasuke begins to see a pattern. Meanwhile, outside Kakashi and Zabuza begin their fight. Can Naruto and Sasuke escape from Haku's jutsu? What plan does Zabuza have to defeat the Sharingan?

January 23, 2003

Naruto and Sasuke continue their rigorous battle against Haku. When Haku targets a vulnerable Naruto, Sasuke risks everything to save him. Seeing his friend lie before him, a powerful force awakens inside Naruto. Has Kyubi been set free. If so, can anyone stop him?

January 30, 2003

Naruto takes out his rage on Haku, who doesn't stand a chance. However, Naruto realises that Haku is the boy he met back at the forest. Haku tells Naruto the story of his past and asks for Naruto to do him one favour..... Will Naruto do the one thing he could never do just as Haku wishes?

February 6, 2003

Kakashi prepares to stop Zabuza once and for all, but Haku has other plans. Zabuza's employer shows up and he's decided to take matters into his own hands...

February 13, 2003

Thinking of Haku, Naruto angrily confronts Zabuza, but he learns that cruel reality is the fate of a ninja.

February 20, 2003

Naruto and his team return to the Village Hidden in the Leaves after their battle in Land of Waves.

February 27, 2003

After the three ninjas take their leave, Sasuke realizes he has a powerful rival out there. The next day, Kakashi announces that he has recommended all of them for the Chuunin Exams. While Naruto and Sasuke are pleased, Sakura is afraid of letting everyone down. Also, someone decides they aren't ready and decides to test their abilities.

March 6, 2003

Rock Lee challenges Sasuke to a one-on-one fight. Naruto grows angry and attacks him, only to be beaten in one attack. Sasuke realizes the challenge and eagerly accepts. But will Sasuke be defeated just as easily by this mysterious ninja? Sasuke's only advantage seems to be his Sharingan, but what happens when not even that will work?

March 13, 2003

A reunion of all the rookies isn't a very happy one, as all of them prepare to take the Chuunin Exam. With so many rivals around, Naruto's team will need help from a fellow ninja named Kabuto to know what they're up against. Will the group be able to last through the exam?

March 20, 2003

The first test of the Chuunin Exam is just that, a written test. When Ibiki issues a strict set of rules, Naruto fails to realize the true objective of the test. Can Naruto realize the truth before time runs out? And what about the tenth question?

March 27, 2003

Ibiki declares what seems like a harsh and unreasonable rule for the hardest part of the first exam.

April 2, 2003

Konohamaru, the grandson of Leaf Village's Third Hokage, shows up at the Chunin Exam site. He comes along with Moegi and Udon to cover the events for the Ninja Academy's school newspaper. Konohamaru looks up to Naruto like an older brother and through interviews with the characters, recaps their adventures thus far.

April 2, 2003

The second exam is about to begin, and every ninja must sign a form so that their team can get either the Heaven or Earth Scroll. The goal is to get one of each scroll and make it to the tower in five days.

April 9, 2003

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?

April 16, 2003

Sasuke is about to give up and give their scroll to the enemy, when Naruto stops him and accuses him of being a fake. Naruto then turns his attention to the Grass Ninja.... The battle is intense and when the Grass Ninja appears to get the upper hand, can Sasuke muster up the courage to fight?

April 23, 2003

Sasuke is still stuck in his trance and even Sakura's pleas can't get him back to normal. Meanwhile, Anko searches for the grass ninja fake. When the team appear to get the upper hand the question begs to be asked. Are the ninja truly defeated, or is there more to them than meets the eye?

April 30, 2003

Since Sakura was the only one who did not get injured in the previous battle she must watch over and protect her teammates. Unknown to her though, there are enemies watching from the trees.... They attack, but a friend arrives to help. Will it be enough?

May 7, 2003

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?

May 14, 2003

With Sakura defeated and facing certain death, more reinforcements step into the fray. However, they sense an even bigger level of power, and its not coming from the sound trio! Meanwhile Sasuke wakes up with an ominous dark aura surrounding him and the mysterious seal spreading over his body. He has but one goal....make his enemies pay!

May 21, 2003

Kiba, Shino, and Hinata decide to try and eliminate their opponents by taking more scrolls. They arrive upon a battlefield where three Rain ninjas are battling Gaara, Kankuro, and Temari. They remain hidden and observe the battle, thinking one of the Rain ninjas is a dangerous foe. After realizing Gaara's amazing abilities, they discover who is the really the dangerous one, and will be lucky if they can sneak away with their lives!

May 28, 2003

To heal their wounds, Naruto and his team take a much-needed rest after their battle against the Sound ninja. But it has already been four days since the start of the exam and there is only one day remaining until time expires.

June 4, 2003

Naruto's team joins Kabuto on their journey to the tower, but on the way, they are trapped by the genjutsu (illusion technique) of the Hidden Rain Village's genin (low rank ninja), Oboro's team.

June 11, 2003

The exam is over, but did they truly pass? An old friend arrives to explain and show his concern. Meanwhile, Anko informs the ANBU about Orochimaru, the S-Class criminal who even they cannot stop. Later the Third Hokage explains to everyone what the third exam truly means....

June 18, 2003

With so many participants still left, the groups are told that they will be pitted against each other in preliminary matches. Kabuto leaves, then Sasuke is told he has to fight. They know that Sasuke was given the cursed seal and if it takes over they will stop him. Can Sasuke stop the seal from taking over again and still win?

July 2, 2003

The preliminaries of the third exam consist of one-on-one combat, and the first match is between Sasuke and Orochimaru's minion Yoroi.

July 9, 2003

While Shino and Zaku finish their fight, Kakashi works on Sasuke's cursed seal. However, someone sinister shows up to ruin things, will Kakashi be able to protect Sasuke from this skilled foe?

July 16, 2003

Kankuro takes on Kabuto's teammate, Misumi, in a quick battle, proving how tough the Sand ninja really are. However, the real match comes when Sakura and Ino are pitted against one another!

July 23, 2003

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?

July 30, 2003

Temari of the Sand Village battles against Tenten from the Leaf Village. After the battle its Shikamaru's turn, but can he defeat an opponent who has already seen his moves once before?

August 6, 2003

The match between Kiba and Naruto kicks off, with Kiba immediately proving he has the upper hand in the battle. Everyone still believes Naruto is the weak ninja he's always been, everyone except for Hinata, Kakashi, and Sakura. Now it's Naruto's time to shine, and this time...everyone will be watching him!

August 13, 2003

The battle between Naruto and Kiba draws to a close, with each of them giving it everything they've got. After being tricked by Naruto, Kiba can no longer rely on Akamaru's help. Naruto decides now is the time to release his new jutsu, only Kiba won't give him time to prepare it!

August 20, 2003

Kiba alerts Hinata, as he's being taken away, that there are only a few fighters left. He warns her that if she fights Gaara, she has to give up immediately or she could be killed. He also tells her to give up if paired against Neji, because Neji already has issues with her. Just then, the board shows the next fight...Hinata vs. Neji. Just how far will Hinata go to prove herself?

August 27, 2003

Hinata will not give up so easily, especially with Naruto watching her. Will Hinata be willing to give up her own life in order to prove herself, or will the match be stopped before Neji can connect a killing move?

September 3, 2003

The second-to-last match finally arrives! Rock Lee must face down the mysterious and dangerous Gaara, a ninja who is said to have never been truly injured in a fight before.

September 10, 2003

As the battle between Lee and Gaara continues, Gai remembers how hard Lee used to train and how Lee has pretty much no ninjutsu or genjutsu skills. Lee is also a dropout, like Naruto. In order to defeat Gaara, Lee will have to use the move Gai forbade him to use.

September 17, 2003

The match between Gaara and Lee draws to an end as Lee unleashes his ultimate move. But will even this be enough to defeat Gaara? Even if Lee does make it out in one piece, even more shocking news awaits him.

September 24, 2003

As Chouji faces off against Dosu, Orochimaru gives an order for Kabuto to abduct Sasuke. He also tells Kabuto that if he wants to stop him, he'll have to kill Sasuke. As Kabuto approaches Sasuke, he hesitates on what to do. His spy cover is soon blown though, as Kakashi appears on the scene. Will Kakashi save Sasuke from Kabuto's grasp?

October 1, 2003

Naruto wants Kakashi to train him, but Kakashi has other plans. Ebisu arrives to an unhappy Naruto and makes a deal with him. If Naruto can get away from Ebisu, he'll make Kakashi train him. Naruto decides to accept Ebisu's challenge, but can he win?