The Chūnin Exams Begin!

Reaching Amegakure, Kakashi announces himself and asks to meet with Hanzō, carrying a message jointly sent by Suna and Konoha. He does not realize that Hanzō is long dead and that the figure before him is Konan in disguise. She relays word of the co-hosted Chūnin Exams to Pain, and the Akatsuki leader instructs her to enter a handful of their genin teams. Back home, Tsunade receives Amegakure's acceptance, suspects a hidden motive, and tells Shizune to keep the Ame participants under close watch.

In Takigakure, Shibuki meets with Fū about the invitation and grants her permission to compete, though he warns her to stay careful. In Sunagakure, Gaara tells Kankurō he means to oversee the exams while also seeking to reconcile with those who once opposed him, to his brother's dismay. In Konoha, Tsunade briefs the jōnin and calls for recommendations, and Asuma puts forward his team without Shikamaru. Ino invites Sakura to round out a three-member squad, and after first refusing out of doubt in her non-combat abilities, Sakura reconsiders and decides to take part.

As Naruto reaches a new milestone in his own training, genin from the participating villages stream into Konohagakure, marking the official opening of the Chūnin Exams. The episode sets the stage for the reunion arc by threading together the separate villages preparing their entrants.