Masashi Kishimoto

With only a few matches left to be fought in the preliminaries to the third portion of the Journeyman Ninja Selection Exams, the highly anticipated bout between mysterious Sand ninja Gaara and intense, earnest Konoha ninja Rock Lee begins.

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.

Sasuke finally takes on Danzo, the leader of Konoha, determined to interrogate him about the Uchiha clan and what really happened between the political factions of Konoha and his brother, Itachi.

"Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura have passed the final test to become junior ninja - but now the challenge begins. Tired of menial tasks, the young ninja ask for a tougher assignment, and find themselves - together with their teacher, Kakashi - bodyguarding a cranky old man from the Land of Waves. But Tazuna the bridgebuilder is in more danger than anyone realizes : he's the target of elite ninja assassins, including Zabuza, 'the demon', and our heroes...

"Madara of the Akatsuki joins the fray on the battlefield. His powerful attacks, and a secret plan, take their toll on the Allied Shinobi Forces. Naruto and Bee rush to help their friends, but the leader of the Cloud Village will do anything to stop Naruto from risking his life - even if he has to fight Naruto to do it!"-back cover.