With Konoha having a shortage of elite ninja due to Orochimaru’s failed invasion, Tsunade was forced to use Genin for more dangerous mission than normally allowed. Team 7 (minus Kakashi who was assigned to another mission) was given an assignment of the escorting a member of Land of Tea's Wasabi clan through a dangerous annual race as it was rumored the rival Wagarashi clan had hired ninjas of their own to sabotage the Wasabi clan. Along the way, they met an arrogant teenager named Idate who openly showed his hatred towards ninja. He also showed off impressive speed by running away from Team 7 after conning them into paying his bill at a restaurant. Upon arriving in the Land of Tea and meeting the Wasabi clan’s leader Jirocho, Team 7 was shocked to see Idate again and learn he was the man they were assigned to escort.
During the race, Naruto and Idate continued to show their dislike of each other. It was also revealed that Idate was actually the younger brother of Ibiki, and formerly a Konoha Genin. They also encountered the three Ame ninja from the Chunin Exams. After defeating them, they encountered Aoi Rokusho, another former Konoha shinobi, who betrayed Konoha to join the Amegakure. He was also originally Idate’s teacher and the one responsible for Idate running away from Konoha. After barely surviving Aoi’s attack, Idate explained how after he was failed by Ibiki himself for the Chunin Exams, Aoi tricked Idate into stealing for him a special scroll and the Sword of the Thunder God. Being able to relate with Idate in both being taking advantage of and desperate to have approval from others, Naruto helped Idate regain his self-worth and continue the race.
While managing to catch up in the race, Aoi appeared again and used the Thunder Sword to initially overpower the Team 7. But thanks to Sasuke weakening the sword with his Chidori, Naruto was able to break it and defeat Aoi with his Rasengan. With the danger overcome, Idate was free to continue and win the race for the Wasabi clan. While returning to the village, Team 7 was escorted by Ibiki himself. While not openly stated, Ibiki was glad Naruto helped his brother grow as a man.
Episodes
| # | Episode Title | Japanese Airdate | English Airdate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 102 | "Mission: Help an Old Friend in the Land of Tea" | 22 September 2004 | 25 August 2007 |
| 103 | "The Race is On! Trouble on the High Seas!" | 29 September 2004 | 1 September 2007 |
| 104 | "Run Idate Run! Nagi Island Awaits!" | 13 October 2004 | 8 September 2007 |
| 105 | "A Fierce Battle of Rolling Thunder!" | 20 October 2004 | 15 September 2007 |
| 106 | "The Last Leg: A Final Act of Desperation" | 27 October 2004 | 22 September 2007 |