Naruto is sleeping and dreams of being Hokage, Konohamaru wakes him up and says he (Naruto) is head of the Konohamaru Corps and the mission is to search for the crimson four leaf clover. Naruto puts on his headband while Konohamaru explains that Naruto is the leader, he is the head of the squad, and that's it, only 2 members! Naruto gets mad but Konohamaru explains that there is really a dangerous mission.

Flashback: Says there's a girl Yoshino Kaede on his mind. She is moving away because of her father's mission. She doesn't want to go. Her friend says if only they had a crimson 4 leaf clover. There is only one in Akagahara (red field) which will grant any wish, but it's a forbidden place so it's impossible. Kaede says she wants to say goodbye to Konohamaru. The girls leave. Konohamaru was hiding behind a sheet (camouflage). He heard everything and cries.

In the present he kneels and begs Naruto to help. Naruto accepts the mission.

Meanwhile, Sasuke and Sakura are waiting for Kakashi who is late as usual. But Sakura is pleased that Naruto is late so she can spend romance time with Sasuke. Naruto runs by with Konohamaru and says an important mission came up so they’re going to Akagahara, but will try to finish before Kakashi comes.

Sign on the fence says "Forbidden, off limits to all ninja, Hokage." Naruto and Konohamaru stand on the barbed wire and see a field of red. Naruto jumps down and sinks into the ground - it's a trap! Konohamaru says there are a lot of traps to prevent ninjas from other villages from entering and that they used to hold the chunnin exams here a long time ago. Naruto jumps out of the hole, runs, and sets off kunai traps.

Kakashi finally shows up reading his book (still Flirting Paradise) - excuse "an old lady asked me for directions on my way here." Sakura calls him a liar! He asks where is Naruto, Sakura says he's on a special mission and Sasuke says he's going to Akagahara. Kakashi says "In that case Naruto will die, for sure."

Naruto is running and screaming "I'm going to die!" as he and Konohamaru are followed by explosions. Konohamaru says they’ve been running for hours but not getting any closer. Naruto performs kage bunshin, but just sets off more explosions. They finally land on the red field and search for the 4 leaf clover. After a while Konohamaru is about to give up but Naruto gives one of his inspirational speeches – look for it desperately and worry about what will happen later.

Kaede starts to move her stuff into a wagon.

Konohamaru finds the four leaf clover under the statue but can’t reach it so Naruto tips the statue over. Evil looking puppets rise from the ground!

Kakashi says "This sure brings back memories. I took the chuunin exams here." Kakashi uses a pair of binoculars to look for Naruto. Sakura comments that Naruto must have triggered all traps. Kakashi sees that "everyone of the marionette ninja squad has been activated. But I guess it will be good training for all of you." Their mission is to go rescue Naruto and Konohamaru. Sasuke says it will be good training for the chuunin exams. Sakura is not happy about it.

Naruto tells Konohamaru to escape while he fights the marionettes. Konohamaru asks why is he risking his life. Naruto replies because it’s a mission and he must complete it. Suddenly the marionettes are on fire! Sasuke used katon goukakyuu no jutsu (fire element, blazing fireball). Sakura apears and tells Naruto that Kakashi says if he returns the stone statue to its position the marionette ninjas will stop. Naruto gives that mission to Konohamaru. The team is getting tired, but Konohamaru finally pushes it in place. The marionettes are deactivated but one unexpectedly shoots out a kunai. Kakashi appears and catches it easily with two fingers. Konohamaru takes out the clover but one leaf falls off!

Konohamaru presents it to Kaede (taped) and tells her to make a wish.

Kakashi says genins in the old days dreamed of becoming the best ninja and went into Akagahara. Only those who returned safely were accepted as chuunins. But as time passed, it turned into a legend which said your wish would come true if you returned safely.

Kaede has to go but she says her wish already came true since having the clover is like having Konohamaru with her and she gives him a kiss goodbye.

Kakashi says to return to their original mission, and they can go to Ichiraku later, but he won’t pay for them. The team calls him cheapskate!

Review:

Fun filler episode, amusing, at least Kakashi gets a few good lines.

Notes:

Special was shown after ep 25, but Sakura still has her long hair so it predates the chuunin exams.

It took 4 hours for Naruto and Konohamaru to get to Akagahara.

Kakashi took the chuunin exams at Akagahara 20 years ago when he was 6 years old.

Not clear what is pulling the wagon - could be horses, car or even people.

Thoughts:

Wonder why they no longer use Akagahara for chuunin exams - maybe in order to compete with other countries they needed a different test format or maybe the traps were too difficult to maintain.