Twelve years ago the Village Hidden in the Leaves was attacked by a fearsome threat. A nine-tailed fox spirit claimed the life of the village leader, the Hokage, and many others. Today, the village is at peace and a troublemaking kid named Naruto is struggling to graduate from Ninja Academy. His goal may be to become the next Hokage, but his true destiny will be much more complicated. The adventure begins now!

"Together with his sworn friend Shisui, Itachi takes on a mission to assassinate a spy in the village in order to join the Anbu. The rivalry between the Uchiha clan and the village grows ever more fierce, until finally death comes for his friend. Despairing at both his clan and the village, Itachi heads into the tragic night with his new eye and a fatal resolve. The hope and the dreams he spoke of to his brother ... The gentle yet cruel truth awaits."--Back...

Naruto and Gaara face a common enemy in the Akatsuki.

"Now aligned with the tailed beasts and his fellow jinchûriki hosts more than ever, Naruto impresses the Allied Shinobi Forces with his newfound strength. But his comrades are not going to leave this final battle with the forces of Tobi up to Naruto alone. As they rush to assist their friend, Sasuke returns. And this time, he's intent on taking out Naruto once and for all" -- from publisher's web site.

Morphing out of control, a stronger-than-ever Naruto turns on his own teammates. Orochinaru triggers a frightening change in Naruto and revelas a sinister plot that has been the death of far more people than anyone knew.