Naruto Anime Analysis

Season 3: Episode 107

Source: Wikipedia,
"The Battle Begins: Naruto vs. Sasuke."

"As Shikamaru is officially promoted to Chunin while Lee accepts undergoing the operation, Sasuke is recuperating in the hospital after the injuries he received in the Land of Tea. Angry and jealous that Naruto has continued to get stronger while he is still not strong enough to defeat Itachi, he challenges Naruto to a fight when he and Sakura come to visit. Naruto accepts, and the two head to the roof. After exchanging several attacks, Naruto creates a Rasengan, and Sasuke prepares his Chidori. The two rush towards each other, with Sakura screaming for them to stop."

Analysis

After exchanging several attacks, Naruto activates his Rasengan, while Sasuke activates his Chidori.  When they were about to rush towards each other, Sakura arrived, screaming at them to stop. Therefore, the episode will focus on the battle between Naruto and Sasuke, Shikamaru's promotion as a chunin, and Orochimaru's plans, just to mention a few.

As Shikamaru is officially promoted to Chunin while Lee accepts undergoing the operation, Sasuke is recuperating in the hospital after the injuries he received in the Land of Tea
At the beginning of the episode, the scene takes place at a hospital in Hidden Leaf Village. At the hospital, Sasuke is recuperating from the injuries he got in the Land of Tea. At that moment, Sasuke is disappointed in himself because Naruto is stronger than him. To support this, we are shown Sasuke's memories. For instance, he remembers how Naruto defeated the Rain Ninja and Aoi while he couldn't defeat them. Therefore, Sasuke is devastated when he is lost in his thoughts to the extent that he can't hear Sakura offering to bring him food to eat. Moreover, Sasuke's feeling worthless reminds him of when Itachi told him he was weak. This feeling of hatred will later compel him to make bad choices; hence, this scene is a foreshadowing of what will happen later in the plot.

There are two reasons why Shikamaru is promoted to Chunin. In the episode, Tsunade said that the third Hokage was very impressed with Shikamaru's match. Even his proctors were impressed, hence why Shikamaru is a Chunin. It is ironic, isn't it? Shikamaru, who doesn't like too much work, is now a chunin. From my point of view, Shikamaru is now a Chunin because he is a better strategist and is intelligent. When it comes to battles, he comes up with a plan or evaluates whether it is worth the risk to fight. Therefore, the village needs a ninja who plans first before taking drastic actions, hence why Shikamaru is a chunin. He is a dynamic character who has grown as a ninja because of the story's action. 

There are other points to consider about Team 10. For instance, Asuma and the rest of Team 10 celebrate Shikamaru's success as Chunin, as this is supported by a guitar and a Japanese flute playing in the background. While they were conversing, Ino told Choji that she plans on having a diet because she believes that boys are only interested in slim girls. Furthermore, she said that Choji should take care of himself because no girl will date him because of his weight. 

However, when Ino left, Shikamaru gave some words of encouragement to Choji. He said, "Despite what most women seem to believe, men don't always go for the skinny girls. Most guys I know like girls with a little meat on their bones; it just looks healthier. Oh yeah, and the reverse is true too, you know. I bet she would be twice as popular if she put on a few pounds instead of starving herself. She should eat."  In response, Choji laughs, saying, "You're one hilarious guy, Shikamaru, but you're kind of a genius too." Choji then said in his mind, "He is more amazing than Sasuke and Neji could have dreamed of being."  Shikamaru's words seem to convey to women that they should not worry about their weight to have a man in their life. Rather, they should learn to love themselves, because the right guy will love them for who they are. Therefore, this episode is intriguing. Moreover, there is a description of Shikamaru in which Choji says he is funny and a genius. The way it seems, the episode reveals Shikamaru's personality. Despite being lazy, he is very wise, hence why he is Chunin.