Recapping the drama of the last episode, Naruto is almost eaten by a large snake but escapes using Shadow Replication, while a powerful Grass nin attacks Sasuke and Sakura. The two narrowly escape as Sasuke stabs himself in the leg to break the fear spell. The Grass nin, however, chases his prey, as Sasuke sinks deeper and deeper into his fears. Soon, Naruto shows up to help.
Sasuke warns Naruto to run, but Naruto’s not one to retreat - especially without a fight. Naruto is also slightly annoyed that the Grass nin sent that huge snake to gobble him up previously. Sasuke, however, believes this nin is well above their levels and they should run before they are killed. In a moment of clarity, he decides the only way to survive is to bargain with the Grass nin - their scroll for their lives. Naruto thinks Sasuke has lost his mind at this point and catches the scroll in mid toss before the Grass nin can catch it. Naruto then punches Sasuke angrily. Not only does he refuse to give up, but he accuses Sasuke of being a fake because the Sasuke he knows isn’t such a coward. He mentions there’s no guarantee that this guy will let them go even if they do given him the scroll. Naruto then rushes the Grass nin, who summons his snake.
Outside the Forest of Death, a group of men find three dead bodies. Their faces are gone as if they were melted off. The men immediately inform Anko, who comes over to investigate. At the scene, they learn that the dead ninjas were Chuunin Exam registrants from the Hidden Village of Grass. Anko has her suspicions that this might be the work of ‘him’ and immediately asks for the pictures of the applicants. Once she sees their true faces, she recognizes the one of them that handed her back her kunai right before the Forest of Death phase began. Now worried, Anko immediately sends the inspectors to inform Hokage-sama and requests for a mobilization of at least two ANBU squads to the Forest of Death. She’s going in after these guys.
Inside, the Grass nin charges Naruto. During the exchange, Naruto’s demon fox spirit is unleashed and he lets lose on the snake. The Grass nin counters to give him enough time to attack Sasuke. Fortunately, Naruto is able to stop the snake just in time. Sasuke remains almost paralyzed, but after a few taunts from Naruto, he remembers a similar situation where he saved Naruto. Naruto again repeats that this can’t be the Sasuke he knows.
As Naruto tries to snap Sasuke out of his daze, the Grass nin picks up Naruto with his tongue and seals his demon fox spirit using Gogyo Fuuin (Five Element Seal).. Sakura screams to Sasuke to help Naruto, who transforms back to his original self and is now unconscious. The Grass nin then takes Naruto’s scroll and tosses him away. Sakura throws a kunai to prevent Naruto from falling and then again screams at Sasuke, who is still paralyzed by fear, to join this battle.
Sasuke is still trapped in his thoughts. He envisions his brother taunting him - to hate him… to run away. Finally, he is able to snap out of it and prepares to fight.