Storyline

The Beginning
Episodes 1 through 19
Naruto manages to graduate Ninja academy and is grouped with classmates Sasuke and Sakura, who will have a profound affect on his life as he grows up. There's no on-the-job training though, and Naruto learns quickly that even easy missions are deadly.

Chuunin Selection Exam and Surprise Attack!
Episodes 20 through 80
The young Ninja seek to become Chuunin, but the Hidden Sand and Sound villages have a different idea.