Naruto Episode 038 Those Who Pass Cut Down to Half!? It's an Unexpected Fight!

The episode begins with the judge, Gekkou Hayate, explaining to the contestants that this Third Exam will narrow down who will make it to the final matches through preliminary matches, because there were so many who had completed the Second Exam. This has been decided by the Chunnin regulations; however the judge seems to not be feeling well himself, after he had taken requests for those who are not feeling up to the task of fighting immediately.

Naruto, as usual, seems up to the challenge. Withdrawal is allowed, however, none of the participants want to give up now, even though they will be one-on-one matches; even Sasuke, who is experiencing pain does not wish to back down. Sakura expresses her concern for Sasuke and asks him to withdrawal. Even the teachers and the Hokage wish for him to cease, yet Kakshi explains to them that the one from the Uchiha clan would never wish to stop. Anko explains the dangers that await Sasuke if he continues to fight with the cursed seal: an inability to fight properly when molding chakra.

Suspiciously and surprisingly, Kabuto resigns from the preliminary matches. No one knows his intentions, even though he says that his body is too worn out to fight immediately. As it turns out he has withdrawn from this same part of the same exam last time around. His records are not outstanding either, but his history as being rescued from an enemy country as a small boy, makes some suspicion; revealing his connection to Orochimaru as a spy whose duty, for now, has been fulfilled (Reconnaissance on Sasuke and Naruto).

Sakura wishes to inform the teachers of Sasuke’s weakness, yet Sasuke won’t allow her to do so. Sternly and coldy, he tells her to back off of his desire to test his power. Sasuke finally wishes to also challenge Naruto, acknowledging Naruto’s power. The Third Hokage orders for him to continue, but with a careful and watchful eye.

10 matches are to be held in order to cut down the finalists to half. Matches will end when one is unable to fight, or if one decides that he does not want to fight any more. The contestants will be chosen randomly and displayed on screen; and the first match held is shown to be between Orochimaru’s Akadou Yoroi and Uchiha Sasuke; this decision worries Sakura, but Sasuke seems ready to battle. Kakashi warns Sasuke of his weakness due to the cursed seal.

Sasuke, at first, is weakened by his cursed seal but fights evenly, until Yoroi unleashes his Charkra-leeching technique, which is done through contact with Yoroi’s hands. This technique drains Sasuke of his Chakra and greatly weakens him. Sasuke begins hopelessly losing this match. Until he can free himself from Yoroi’s grip, Sasuke is rendered helpless.