told Chōji that he should eat less and train more. While Chōji was briefly depressed, Shikamaru convinced him to be himself.

Shortly after Shikamaru's promotion to [[chūnin]], the team celebrated at Yakiniku Q. After a brief argument over the meat, Asuma told Chōji that he should eat less and train more. While Chōji was briefly depressed, Shikamaru convinced him to be himself.

When [[Sasuke Uchiha]] abandoned Konoha, Shikamaru asked Chōji to join the [[Sasuke Retrieval Team]], to which Chōji refused. Determined to have Chōji come with them, Shikamaru and [[Naruto Uzumaki]] ate some of Chōji's favourite snacks in front of his house. When they got to the last chip, Chōji burst through the front door to eat it, saying that the last chip was sacred and he cannot let someoneelse have it. Having fallen for Shikamaru's trick, Chōji joined the team to retrieve Sasuke.

When [[Sasuke Uchiha]] abandoned Konoha, Shikamaru asked Chōji to join the [[Sasuke Retrieval Team]], to which Chōji refused. Determined to have Chōji come with them, Shikamaru and [[Naruto Uzumaki]] ate some of Chōji's favourite snacks in front of his house. When they got to the last chip, Chōji burst through the front door to eat it, saying that the last chip was sacred and he cannot let someone else have it. Having fallen for Shikamaru's trick, Chōji joined the team to retrieve Sasuke.

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[[File:Chodan Bakugeki.png|thumb|left|Chōji finishes off Jirōbō.]]

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[[File:Chodan Bakugeki.png|thumb|right|Chōji finishes off Jirōbō.]]

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At the start of the mission, Chōji took on the [[Sound Four]] member [[Jirōbō]]. Jirōbō initially proved to be too strong for Chōji to