Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura face Orochimaru's Sound Ninja in the forest of death even as Sasuke is trying to fight off the influence of Orochimaru's curse. Then, the three ninja trainees advance to the third round of the Journeyman Ninja Selection Exams, fighting against their classmates, including the Sound Ninja spies.

Orochimaru's influences are felt when Sasuke names his new ninja cell Team Serpent. While Naruto and friends keep tabs on Sasuke, their long-lost pal ends up in fierce battle with an old enemy.