"Kabuto's hold over his army of undead minions tightens as he senses that he's losing power over the stronger members of his Immortal Corps, including Nagato Pain. Sasuke's brother, Itachi, may have the best chance of of breaking Kabuto's hold. But he's still not completely in control of his actions, which means Naruto may have to take him down once and for all."From the publisher.

The battle between Sasuke and Naruto continues as the former best friends find themselves to be the fiercest foes either has ever faced.

"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...

"Naruto and his team engage in an intense battle with the Akatsuki organization as both sides seek the power to determine the future of their land."--Page 4 of cover.

With Kakashi and Guy backing him up, Naruto appears to have the upper hand against the mysterious Tobi, but Tobi then suddenly uses pieces of the Eight and Nine-Tailed beasts to bring the enormous Gedo statue to life to use as a devastating weapon.

"Madara has finally succeeded in regaining his living body, and now he's going after the biju! Naruto and the others try desperately to stand in his way, but is Madara's new power too much? Will Naruto be able to protect Nine Tails from the most powerful villain the ninja world has ever seen?"-- "With Obito finally defeated, all attention now turns to the man behind everything bad that has happened, Madara. Naruto and Sasuke will need to work together...

"Now preparing for the finals of the Chunin Selection Exams, Naruto studies with naughty new mentor Jiraiya and struggles to harness the power of the Nine-Tailed Fox chakra locked within him. Meanwhile, other ninja villages are forming secret alliances against Konohagakure"--Cover.

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. Will yet another ninja fall to the evils of the Akatsuki?

"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!"--Publisher's web site.

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