The Sasuke Retrieval Mission is the best arc in Naruto. I'm surprised to see it so lowly rated. The main build up is fantastic, starting at the end of the Chuunin Exam when Sasuke's unable to rescue Sakura from Gaara and witnesses Naruto's growth, feeling lackluster himself. But the real impetus for Sasuke's actions, Itachi completely mind raping him, forcing Sasuke to reevaluate everything he's been through when his goal seems so out of reach? I like that, a whole lot. I'm not the biggest Sasuke fan, but the mentality behind Sasuke's decision to leave always made sense to me and gave the arc unique flavor. It wasn't bad guys vs good guys, with Sasuke being brainwashed or turning evil. It was Sasuke having to make a choice, between his current life or the one Itachi killed, and he valued the latter much more. Tricked or not, Sasuke left to pursue his own path / ambition and not to be some evil guy twirling a mustache.
The fights in the arc for the Rookie 11 were too good to pass up too. Choji, the weak guy who Kishi at been lowkey hinting at feeling bad for his weight / pathetic fighting ability, rising to the challenge and risking his life to defeat Jirobo? Literally one of the best moments in the arc. Kidomaru vs Neji allowed us to see how Neji's character grew since the Chuunin exams, then Shikamaru/Kiba/Lee all getting help from the sand Shinobi? Such a hype moment, especially with Lee and Gaara working together against a monster like Kimimaro.
Altogether a great arc to end the first part of the series on. Gave some underlooked characters a time to shine, let Gaara redeem himself and made the struggle between Naruto and Sasuke real for me, for a moment.