La série originale, coupée des épisodes fillers.

Kakashi advises the three to start focusing on the team's well-being instead of their own, and in doing so they are able to pass the test. As one of the team's first missions, they are assigned to escort a man named Tazuna to the Land of Waves. Along the way, the group is attacked by Zabuza Momochi, an assassin sent to kill Tazuna. Kakashi, with the help of Naruto, Sasuke, and his own Sharingan eye, is able to defeat Zabuza. Before he can finish Zabuza off, however, a masked boy named Haku arrives to take him away. In preparation for another of Zabuza's attacks, Kakashi decides to train Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura.

In an effort to get stronger, Naruto trains harder than Sasuke and Sakura. Though he catches up to both in terms of talent, exerting the extra effort leaves him fatigued. To allow him a chance to regain his energy, the rest of Team 7 goes on to escort Tazuna without him. Soon afterwards, however, they are attacked again by Zabuza and a masked Haku. Using his new training, Sasuke does battle with Haku and proves to be an equal match, forcing Haku to trap him in a prison of ice. Naruto quickly arrives to help and joins Sasuke in the fight, though both are soon overpowered. As Haku makes to finish Naruto off, Sasuke uses himself as a shield to block the attack and appears to be killed. Naruto, in his anger, taps into the dormant powers of the demon fox sealed within him.

With the demon fox's power Naruto is easily able to defeat Haku. When Haku's mask breaks away, however, Naruto is unable to bring himself to kill the young boy beneath the mask. Elsewhere, Kakashi and Zabuza do battle. As Kakashi is about to kill Zabuza with his Lightning Blade, Haku takes the attack, saving Zabuza at the cost of his own life. Despite this turn of events Kakashi is still able to disable Zabuza, prompting the arrival of Zabuza's employer, Gato. When Gato orders his own personal army of thugs to kill Zabuza along with Tazuna and Team 7, Zabuza uses the last of his strength to kill Gato, avenging Haku's death before dying himself. With their mission complete, Team 7 and a revived Sasuke return to Konoha. Soon after returning home, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura are entered into the Chunin Exams, a chance for them to rise up the ninja ranks and test their abilities.

Prior to the start of the exam, Team 7 has a chance to mingle with their former classmates and fellow rookie ninja: the members of Team 8 and Team 10. Once the first phase of the exam begins, it is revealed that all of those wishing to advance in rank must first complete a written test. The test's questions, however, prove too difficult for almost all present, and it soon becomes apparent that the true objective of the first phase is to cheat without getting caught. Unaware that this is the test's true purpose, Naruto insists on continuing. Through his willingness to face the unknown, he is allowed to continue on to the second phase with the rest of the examinees who were not caught.

For the second phase of the exams, the remaining teams of three must survive the Forest of Death and arrive at its center in five days' time. Soon after they enter the forest Team 7 is attacked by Orochimaru. Naruto engages him in battle, though is quickly defeated. Sasuke, inspired by Naruto's determination, continues the battle in Naruto's place. Before escaping, Orochimaru brands Sasuke with a cursed seal, knocking him out. Sakura, the only conscious member of the team, is forced to look after her teammates and defend them from the attacks of Orochimaru's followers. As she is about to be defeated Team 10 arrives to help, allowing Sakura to return to attending to Naruto and Sasuke as the others deal with her attackers.

Team 10 and Orochimaru's forces do battle, though their progress is slow in either side claiming victory. Just as additional reinforcements begin to arrive to help Team 10, Sasuke finally awakens, the cursed seal given to him by Orochimaru fueling him with power. With his new strength Sasuke is able to make quick work of their opponents, forcing them to flee. Although the battle is won, Team 7 needs three days to recover. As they make way for the forest's center on the final day they are briefly impeded by a group of stragglers, though ultimately claim victory and complete the second phase.

Seven teams of three pass the second phase, far too many aspiring ninja to advance to the final rounds. To reduce the number of participants ten preliminary matches are held, with the winner of each match advancing to the finals. After the first few matches, where Sasuke is able to claim victory, Sakura is pit against her rival and childhood friend Ino Yamanaka. While neither is fond of fighting the other, both do their best to be worthy opponents. Although Sakura is able to avoid Ino's attacks for much of the match's duration, Ino is eventually able to restrain her. Using one of her family's signature abilities Ino takes control of Sakura's mind, intending to force Sakura to forfeit the match.