Naruto Episode 036 Replication Match! I'm the Main Character!

This episode begins during the evening of the Fourth day of the second segment of the Chuunin Exam. Naruto and company (Sasuke, Sakura, and Kabuto) have just realized that they have been lured into a Genjutsu that had them trekking around the jungle in circles, draining them of energy, making their Earth Scroll easier to aquire.

The team then becomes surrounded by what seems like countless enemies: clones of the Rain ninjas. Naruto begins his physical assault on these clones; at first they seem to be quite weak and not much to worry about, as Sakura points out; however, soon the team realizes the special techniques used by these clones.

The clones seem to be not normal; by splitting through one, each clone replicates itself into two entities. Sasuke tries to get to the bottom of this technique by attempting to use his Sharingan to see deeper into these enemies. Yet to his, and everyone’s surprise, Sasuke’s fresh scar, begins to ache and he becomes powerless in his pain.

Kabuto continues to help the team by saving Sasuke, all while getting injured himself. Kabuto realizes that these enemies are no ordinary Shadow Clones , these Kage Bunshin’s do not disappear when beaten, and they do utilize real kunai and deal real physical damage.

Sasuke figures out that this technique is not as intricate as it seems. Sasuke and Kabuto both realize that this is still only part of the Rain ninja’s Genjutsu. Their Illusionary technique allows them to give the look of an onslaught of enemies, while the actual ninja’s are merely attacking from the same direction as their illusions. Therefore, it gives the real impression that these clones are doing physical damage themselves. This allows the enemy to further tire out their victims. All the team can do now, is to dodge while trying to conserve energy.

Naruto, in his explosive approach, then suggests defeating all of the clones at once with his own Kage Bunshin no Jutsu, creating for the team an opening to rest and formulate a plan. Soon, Kabuto, Sasuke, and Sakura also join in the fight. Yet, even though the beginning of this plan seemed bright, they are soon beaten down by fatigue; just as the sun rises for the beginning of the 5th day. After such a fight, the Rain ninja become confident and come out of hiding to finish of the team. However, to the Rain ninjas’ surprise, Naruto and the team had a different plan in mind, a plan that would make the Rain ninja the “mouse in a trap.”

The seemingly fatigued team, plus Kabuto, who were cornered were merely Shadow clones made by Naruto, while the real team lay in wait among the trees. Even through his great fatigue and loss of chakra, Naruto still manages to give the final blow to the three Rain ninjas. Everyone, including Kabuto, become impressed with Naruto’s amazing Chakra stamina.

Even though the Rain ninja have been beat, they are unwilling to lose their scroll. They then use “Oboro Bunshin no Jutsu (Hazy Relications technique)” Sasuke tries, once again, to help, but he is again rendered useless by his scar. Sakura then realizes that Naruto has attacked each clone, and none of them have turned out to be the real ninja; then in final act of his strength, Sasuke uses his Sharingan to find the weakness of the technique; he finds that this technique is just another trick to tire out the team: the clones are just merely distractions, while the actual ninja come from within the ground and attack the team.

Kabuto gets injured, but also releases just a glimpse of his “true” side through his red, murderous eyes. After that, Naruto quickly ends the fight, finally, by striking the three Rain ninja with a kick to the head. The team gets their scroll of Heaven, however that now, seems to be the least of Sasuke’s worries as he says, “He [Kabuto], isn’t what he says he is.”

Then, at the tower, Naruto and Kabuto’s teams both make it into the tower; just in time to complete the exam. Kabuto is then shown to be who he really is, a spy from the Village of Sound; he hands a data card to Orochimaru in their private room.

While in the other private room, Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke look upon the sign that reads,
“If you do not possess Heaven, gain knowledge and be prepared. If you do not possess Earth, run through the fields and seek strength. If you open both Heaven and Earth scrolls, dangerous paths turn into safe paths. This is the secret of something something. It shall lead you on your way.”

Sakura takes this as a hint to open both scrolls; her and Naruto begin to peel away at their scrolls, fearing its contents.