pariahs

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

The preliminaries to the third portion of the Journeyman Ninja Selection Exams continue, and with tensions at an all-time high after one of the last combatants was rushed to the emergency room, the much-anticipated bout between mysterious Sand ninja Gaara and Konoha ninja Rock Lee begins.

Naruto is pushed to his limits while training under Jiraiya, and a mysterious shinobi appears who could change everything for the ninjas.

Sakura feels trapped in the middle when her long-time teammates Naruto and Sasake, now young men and accomplished ninjas, seem headed for separate destinies.

Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura battle their classmates one-on-one to advance to the third round of the Journeyman Ninja Selection Exams. Presented in graphic novel format.

Naruto faces off against Kimimaro, a mysterious foe with ties to the Sound Ninja Four, as he tries to get to Sasuke before Orochimaru can make him a part of his master plan.

Tsunade and his team are sent out to hunt down Sasuke, who has joined forces with a new set of teammates.

Naruto sets off with Shikamaru to save Sasuke--who is trapped in the Darkness under the control of Orochimaru--leaving Neji to face Kidomaru alone.

"Stakes are high as Naruto, Sakura, Granny Chiyo and Kakashi engage in deadly conflict with Sasori and Deidara. One wrong decision, and one of Naruto's closest friends could pay the ultimate price. Upon returning from battle, Team Kakashi is rankled by new member Sai, whose secrets may be disastrous for Naruto"--Back cover.

Naruto knows that the only way he will be able to defeat the Akatsuki is to decipher to code left behind by his mentor, but as Naruto struggles to unlock the hidden message, he begins to doubt his powers.