Their village is under attack, and Naruto, Sakura, and Shikamaru cannot stay to defend it. They have a mission of utmost priority: to find Sasuke and the genin from the Sand Village - a task that becomes even more difficult when nine ninja are on their trail. Meanwhile, back in the village, the Third Hokage is still trapped within Orochimaru's impenetrable barrier. Reaching a critical point, the Hokage must decide what sacrifices he is willing to make to protect his village!

The story of the world's most famous ninja continues in the thirteenth volume from Anubis Manga!