A mystery from Jiraiya's youth! What did Naruto's teacher do in his past that could have deadly consequences today? Find out as Jiraiya's investigation into the secrets of Pain and the Akatsuki reveals shocking news!

Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura face Orochimaru's Sound Ninja in the forest of death even as Sasuke is trying to fight off the influence of Orochimaru's curse. Then, the three ninja trainees advance to the third round of the Journeyman Ninja Selection Exams, fighting against their classmates, including the Sound Ninja spies.

"It's shades of the influence of Orochimaru when Sasuke names his new ninja cell The Hebi. While Naruto and the others try to keep tabs on Sasuke, their long-lost pal ends up in fierce battle with an old enemy. The outcome could bring the ninja world as Naruto knows it to an end faster than he ever imagined!"--P. [4] of cover.

"Naruto is a young shinobi with an incorrigible knack for mischief. He's got a wild sense of humor, but Naruto is completely serious about his mission to be the world's greatest ninja! As Madara uses his dominating power to fend off the Five Kage, Sasuke is reunited with his brother Itachi. Can the brothers put aside their differences and help each other out? When they come face to face with Kabuto, the man who revived Itachi from the dead, they'll...

"Operation Destroy Konoha finally ends. But when a long-lost ninja returns to the Leaf Village with a dangerous entourage, Naruto finds his life in more danger than ever before. Meanwhile, Jiraiya attempts to train Naruto to push beyond his limits while Orochimaru uses threats to coerce a legendary kunoichi into helping him. But will her tragic past play a part in destroying Naruto's future?" -- from publisher's web site.

Naruto is a ninja-in-training with a need for attention, a knack for mischief and, sealed within him, a strange, formidable power. His antics amuse his instructor and irritate his teammates, but Naruto is serious about becoming the greatest ninja in the village of Konohagakure. "Naruto inches ever closer to discovering the true identity of his nemesis, Pain. But is it worth it as the frustrated ninja begins to morph at last into the dreaded Nine...