Masashi Kishimoto

While Naruto studies with Jiraiya to harness the power of the Nine-Tailed Fox chakra locked within him in preparation for the Chûnin Selection Exams, other ninja villages are secretly forming alliances against Konahagakure.

Naruto continues to train under Jiraiya; and Orochimaru devises a plan which involves a legendary kunoichi.

Naruto accelerates his training while the Akatsuki systematically continue their assault on those with the Tailed Beasts inside them. First on the list is Yukito, a ninja from the Land of Clouds believed to harbor the Two-tailed Beast.

Naruto prepares to take on the Akatsuki, who may be the most unstoppable foe the Konoha ninja have encountered.

"Their village is under attack, and Naruto, Sakura and Shikamaru can't stay behind to defend it. They have a top priority mission to track down Sasuke and the Sand genin. But with nine bloodthirsty ninja on their heels, the hunters have quickly become the hunted! Back at the village, the Third Hokage is still trapped in Orochimaru's impenetrable barrier. Pushed to the breaking point, the Hokage must decide how far he will go to save what is precious...

In the village of Konohagakure, school is literally a battlefield where classmates are ninjas in training competing to become the greatest ninja in the land.

As the bridge nears completion Naruto, Sasuka, and Sakura train heavily while they await Zabuka's next attack on Tazuna's family.