Their village is under attack, and Naruto, Sakura and Shikamaru can't stay behind to defend it. They have a top priority mission to track down Sasuke and the Sand chūnin. But with nine bloodthirsty ninja on their heels, the hunters have quickly become the hunted! Back at the village, the Third Hokage is still trapped in Orochimaru's impenetrable barrier. Pushed to the breaking point, the Hokage must decide how far he will go to save what is precious to him!