Naruto:
Chuunin Arc

Episode 1-64

 Want it? Go request for it. =P
Episode 65
Posted By: Shoju on January 10, 2004 10:00 P.M. (PST)

Everyone is assessing the Temari vs. Shikamaru battle results.  While Shikamaru decided to give up right after he had captured Temari in his shadow, he is given praise for his calm and cool decisions.  He is said to have great leadership skills, and that is what the judges are looking most for in the participants.  Naruto comes down and starts yelling at him for giving up, but Shikamaru just tells him to get ready to watch the next match.  Naruto remembers it's Sasuke's match next and gets excited.  The people in the audience start to make up things about Sasuke.  Kazekage asks that he is given another ten minutes to show up and Hokage agrees.  Outside, Gai and Lee show up.  He is told that Sasuke's match is next and that Naruto won against Neji.
At the very last second, Sasuke and Kakashi finally show up.  Sasuke learns that Naruto won his match and can't wait to fight him.  Naruto tells him no to lose to Gaara and goes back up with Shikamaru.  Ino complements that Sakura's team is amazing because Naruto was able to beat Neji, and that Sasuke is an elite Uchiha.  Lee overhears this and feels mortified because Sasuke will fight Gaara who he couldn't defeat, and Naruto beat Neji who Lee wanted to defeat.  Gaara starts walking down to the arena floor and kills two Mist ninjas along the way.  Shikamaru and Naruto were shocked as they witnessed his power.  Gaara and Sasuke stare each other down to end this episode.

 

 
 

Shoju's Rating: 8/10 - This episode did pretty much three things: 
1. Explain Shikamaru's actions.
2. Slightly advanced Lee's character.
3. Sasuke showed up.
That was basically it.  It gets an 8 because I enjoy Lee's character. =P
Episode 66-67
Posted By: Shoju on January 21, 2004 3:30 P.M. (PST)

The referee explains the match rules while Kakashi joins everyone in the stands.  Sakura is still worried about Sasuke's seal, but Kakashi reassures her that it's okay.  He then counts off the ANBU in the arena.  Gai explains that the Hokage had to spread ANBU members all over Konoha to effectively protect it.
Gaara and Sasuke stare at each other for a while.  When the referee begins the match, Gaara lets the sand in his gourd out.  Gaara starts muttering stuff about his mother.
Naruto and Shikamaru are still in awe of Gaara's power.
Sasuke starts the match by throwing a few ninja stars.  He checks out the sand armor and then starts his attack.  Gaara immediately notices he moves exactly like Lee.
Sasuke starts his second attack and gets in a few kicks and punches.  Everyone comments on his improvements.  Lee notices that he uses up a lot of stamina to keep up that amazing speed.  Gaara then forms a thick sphere of sand around him.  Naruto then thinks that Sasuke won't be able to beat Gaara and goes to Kakashi to stop the match.
Sasuke tries to attack it, but sand spikes appear and stop him.  Naruto tells Kakashi, but he tells him that they were late for a reason.  Gaara's third eye appears above the sphere.

Sasuke tries to attack the sphere again.  He gives up and decides to use his new move.  In the forest, the Sound and Sand ninjas start to move.  Sasukes goes up the wall and starts to gather chakra.  Inside the sphere, Gaara mutters more things about his mother.  Kankuro and Temari are very worried about Gaara.  Sasuke gathers enough chakra and starts running at Gaara.  Gai explains all about Chidori.  Sasuke hits the sphere with Chidori and manages to break through the sand to connect with Gaara.  The Sand and Sound ninjas move into place and await the signal to attack.  Naruto watches Sasuke's match intensely.  Sasuke pulls back from the sphere as Gaara realises that he is bleeding for the first time.  A big arm pushes Sasuke back and slowly goes back into the sphere.  Sasuke sees an eye of a monster in the hole he made.  The sphere dissolves and Gaara is shown with an injured shoulder.  The arena is then attacked with genjutsu to make everyone fall asleep.  Gai, Kakashi, and Sakura cancel the effects immediately.  Kazekage looks over to Hokage and the attack begins.

 

 
 

Shoju's Rating: 7/10 - 1 hour special is nice.  My most hated character, Sasuke, battles with one of my favorite characters, Gaara.  This was a very slow fight where Gaara finally begins to hint at what his true powers are.  Sasuke, of course, amazes everyone with his speed improvements.  This was a mediocre episode really.  I am looking forward to Hokage's fight and death.

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