Naruto, Vol. 26: Awakening

Orochimaru?s nefarious plans for Sasuke are revealed and Naruto vows to save his friend. But first he and the others must battle they mysterious Kimamaro, who has deadly past ties to The Sound Ninja Four!

Naruto returns! It's been two years since Naruto left to train with Jiraiya. Now he reunites with his old friends to find out he's still not the most accomplished of his former teammates. But when one of them is kidnapped, it's up to Naruto to prove he's got the stuff to save him!

Guy vs. Kisame!! Kakashi vs. Itachi!!! We finally learn what may be happening to Gaara and what might also be in store for Naruto, when they both come face to face with a devious common enemy...the Akatsuki!

As Sasuke delves deep into his own past to reveal how his ideal big brother, Itachi, became the feared ninja he is today, Naruto is drawn into a bloody battle with his best friend. Naruto?s about to find out that being close to an Uchiha brother could be his downfall in more ways than one.

The Search for Sasuke: A new ninja causes trouble among the ranks of Team Kakashi when they return from losing Granny Chiyo in the battle against Sasori. The secrets this stranger hides may be disastrous for Naruto. But Orochimaru may have bigger problems when the mysterious Akatsuki infiltrates his stronghold with a spy!

Naruto, Sakura, Granny Chiyo and Kakashi engage in deadly conflict with Sasori and Deidara. Ultimately, someone is not going to survive, and if any of them makes the wrong decision, it could be one of Naruto's closest friends who fights their final battle.

Morphing out of control, a stronger-than-ever Naruto turns on his own teammates! Orochimaru triggers a frightening change in Naruto as he reveals a sinister plot that's been the death of far more people than anyone knew.

The Reunion Naruto finally finds Sasuke! But Sasuke won't return to Konoha without a fight. This time it might take all of Team Kakashi to bring him down--and bring him back.

Practice Makes Perfect Naruto finds that his new jutsu is harder to handle than he thought. Meanwhile, Sasuke seems to be falling even more under Orochimaru's spell. Despite all Naruto's efforts, he may have finally lost his best friend forever. But he'll use all his skills as a ninja to keep that from happening!

The Secret of the Mangekyo: To truly end the Akatsuki's reign of pain, Naruto's teacher Jiraiya must delve deep into the past to uncover the secret of Pain's origin. At the same time, Sasuke moves toward the final battle of the Uchiha brothers when he closes in on the elusive Itachi!