Naruto Uzumaki wants to be the best ninja in the land. He's done well so far, but with the looming danger posed by the mysterious Akatsuki organization, Naruto knows he must train harder than ever and leaves his village for intense exercises that will push him to his limits. Two and a half years later, Naruto returns to find that everyone's been promoted up the ninja ranks--except him. Sakura's a medic ninja, Gaara's advanced to Kazekage, and Kakashi... well, he's the same. But pride isn't becoming of a ninja, especially when Naruto realizes that Sasuke never returned from his search for Orochimaru. Naruto is finding that he's older, but will he prove wiser or stronger? www.naruto.viz.com