it's the training

After the fight with Zabuza, it was time for some special chakra training: tree climbing. All 3 members of Team Seven weren't really enthusiastic about it, but at the same time, it wasn't as easy as they expected it to be; except for Sakura, who has been very good at chakra controlling all along. Both Sasuke and Naruto had their own problems with gathering the right amount of chakra at their feet in order to climb the trees.

First Sasuke seemed to be far ahead of Naruto, but as time went by Naruto was constantly catching up with him. Especially after Sakura had told Naruto a "secret" - he shouldn't concentrate on Sasuke, or otherwise he'd get too distracted and wouldn't be able to focus anymore.

A little time later, Sasuke asked Naruto what Sakura told him (which again, completely startled him and therefore he lost his focus - after all he wasn't used to Sasuke talking to him first :D) but as expected from the little prankster that is Naruto, he told him off and didn't say anything. (..the deadly silence followed afterwards.)

This incident just prodded both of them to surpass the other one even more- both were extremely motivated and excited to get stronger as fast as possible. Spending nearly night and day climbing trees and eating like crazy during dinners (plus throwing up afterwards) it wasn't long until both managed to reach the top of the highest tree.
Having achieved this, arm in arm they returned together to the mansion, proud and satisfied with their efforts. As for me, I liked those scenes a lot, because one could clearly see how well they were already getting along. Even if their rivalry constantly urges them to beat the other one in whatever way, they still have grown a lot on each other, without realising it.

Those were one of my personal favorite scenes, even if they, as it is said, didn't really contribute to the story's main line- although this is another controversial issue, since their friendship as a whole is one of the actual key points of the series. It was simply necessary to provide a look at the development of their friendship, in which Kishimoto-sensei fully succeeded in here. Slowly but surely they got to know each other better, and without realising it, they already shared a hidden bond, which got more and more visible.

Found at Chapter 18-22, Episode 11, 12