One of the best arcs of Naruto, the Chunin Exam Arc, is known for closely introducing other important characters and future allies of the protagonist. Having some of the best episodes of the anime, this arc is most known for showcasing the personal growth of these characters, while also having an undertone of political intrigue.
Although there are some crazy battles during this arc, others fail to shine in comparison with the best. These battles can be considered bad owing to clear disadvantages of one of the participants or owing to the uneventful nature of the fight itself. Having battles that were fought, both during the Chunin exams, as well as outside of it, a few fall in the category of the worst battles from this particular arc of Naruto.
Sasuke Vs Yoroi
Warned by his sensei Kakashi that the fight would be stopped if Sasuke’s curse mark started misbehaving, the young Uchiha had to face Yoroi Akado unable to use any techniques that involved chakra. Facing a sturdy disadvantage, Sasuke’s fate seemed hopeless when pitted against Yoroi’s Chakra Absorption Technique.
However, having mimicked Lee’s Front Lotus, and combining it with the Shadow of the Dancing Leaf, Sasuke managed to defeat Yoroi, using his original Lion’s Barrage. Regardless, Lion’s Barrage isn’t the most powerful attack at Sasuke’s disposal, and the fact that he couldn’t use any of his typical jutsus, makes this fight quite tame.
Kankuro Vs Misumi
Misumi Tsurugi from Kabuto’s team faced Kankuro, one of the Three Sand Siblings during the preliminaries. Using the Soft Physique Modification, Misumi was able to wrap the Sunagakure genin in a python-like grip, threatening to pulverize him unless Kankuro surrendered.
Unbeknownst to Misumi, the body he was wrapped around was actually a puppet, which Kankuro eventually used to turn the tables and instead crush him. The anticlimactic manner, in which Misumi was defeated, makes this one of the worst battles during the Chunin exams.
Shikamaru Vs Kin
Having faced Kin Tsuchi in the Forest of Death, Shikamaru had a clear disadvantage. Whereby his technique was known to the Sound ninja, her techniques remained a secret. However, three things made this battle one of the worst in the Chunin exams.
Firstly, Kin used a weak weapon like senbons, attached with and without bells, as well as genjutsu, to fight and distract a highly intelligent Shikamaru. Secondly, she fell for the same Shadow Imitation Technique that Shikamaru had previously revealed; albeit the latter had implemented it quite intelligently using the shadow of Kin’s senbon threads. Thirdly, the fight ended with Kin Tsuchi banging her head against a wall, which is arguably one of the most unimpressive ways for a shinobi to lose.
Shino Vs Zaku
Having already damaged one arm against Sasuke in the Forest of Death, Zaku Abumi was already wounded when he entered the fight against Konohagakure’s Shino Aburame. Therefore, the battle was quite unfair when it started; which was further accentuated when Shino used Kikaichu insects to overwhelm Zaku and jam the tubes in his arms.
While this battle could have been highly entertaining, with Zaku’s arm being severed at the end, much of its appeal was taken away with the anime constantly shifting from this preliminary fight between Zaku and Shino to Sasuke’s curse mark being treated by Kakashi.
Naruto Vs Kiba
Battles involving Naruto are either badass, or outright silly, and this confrontation with Kiba Inuzuka falls in the latter category. Weakened by Orochimaru’s Five Elements Seal, Naruto starts the fight on the back-foot. He is hugely ridiculed and underestimated by Kiba, who goes as far as to describe the intricacies of his technique.
Naruto uses this to his advantage, tricking Kiba to fight against his ninken Akamaru by cleverly using the Transformation Jutsu. However, he finally beats Kiba with the Naruto Uzumaki Combo, but not before taking advantage of his opponent’s heightened olfactory senses and disorienting him, by literally "breaking-wind."
Sakura Vs Ino
Sakura, a character with one of the weakest arcs in the anime, has been a close friend as well as a fierce rival of Ino. Therefore, when these two face off against each other in the Chunin exams, fan expectations were arguably high.
However, the battle was anything but, with the two kunoichis merely trading punches. Ino was finally able to put Sakura under her Mind-Body Switch Technique, which Sakura rebuffs. The match ends in an unimpressive stalemate as the two punch and knock each other out simultaneously.
Gaara Vs Dosu
While not technically part of the Chunin exams, this battle falls within the arc. Dosu attacks Gaara one night during the interval between the preliminaries and the finals. Having lost his faith in Orochimaru after realizing that the Sannin had sent Team Dosu to actually test Sasuke’s ability rather than kill him, Dosu vows to thwart Orochimaru’s plans by actually killing Sasuke Uchiha.
However, to do this he has to ensure a fight, and with Gaara being Sasuke’s next opponent that seems highly unlikely. Therefore, to execute his plan, Dosu attempts to kill Gaara, who easily defeats him without even batting an eyelid using his jinchuriki Shukaku. To see Dosu Kinuta, a shinobi who held his own against Team 7, Team Guy, and Team 10 in the Forest of Death be defeated so easily, makes this battle quite appalling.
Team Oboro Vs Team 7
During the second phase of the Chunin exams, Team Oboro tries to attack Team 7 on two different occasions. While their first attempt of infiltrating Team 7 transformed as Naruto is easily thwarted by Sasuke, their second attempt is similarly foiled. Naruto, who uses his Multi Shadow Clone Technique, combining it with the Transformation Technique easily fools Team Oboro into revealing their position and ultimately be defeated.
Dosu Vs Choji
Choji Akimichi is one of the laziest and least motivated characters in Naruto, who transforms into a complete opposite when bribed with food. Therefore, when Asuma Sarutobi, promises him food if he fights against Dosu in the preliminaries, fans hope to see a spectacular performance from the young Konoha ninja. Having already witnessed Dosu’s technique in the Forest of Death, Choji’s win is also expected to be easy and forthcoming.
However, despite having the right idea of using the Human Bullet Tank to hide his head and block himself from Dosu’s sound-based attacks, Choji is defeated within minutes by Kinuta. Dosu uses the water in Choji’s body to transmit sound waves and easily incapacitates him.
Temari Vs Tenten
Another member of the Three Sand Siblings, Temari is seen as quite mysterious before the start of her fight against Tenten. Equipped with Fuinjutsu and Bukijutsu, Tenten, a character that has lacked development in Naruto, attacks Temari with her typical barrage of weapons.
However, the Sand ninja easily thwarts this downpour of sharp projectiles with her Wind Release jutsus. The match ends disappointingly within minutes of having started, with Temari winning without even having suffered a single scratch during the fight.