Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura have passed the final test to become junior ninja -- but now the real challenge begins. Tired of menial tasks, the young ninja ask for a tougher assignment, and find themselves -- together with their teacher, Kakashi -- bodyguarding a cranky old man from the Land of the Waves. But Tazuna the bridgebuilder is in more danger than anyone realizes: he's the target of elite ninja assassins, including Zabuza, "the demon," and our heroes are about to face a trial by fire...