Mari Morimoto

"Naruto inches ever closer to discovering the true identity of his nemesis, Pain. But is it worth it as the frustrated ninja begins to morph at last into the dreaded Nine Tails? Plus an unexpected confession reveals incredible secrets about his past as Naruto prepares for the ultimate battle with Pain. Can the chakra-challenged Naruto win when one misstep could spell disaster?" -- from publisher's web site.

"Naruto and his team engage in an intense battle with the Akatsuki organization as both sides seek the power to determine the future of their land." --p.[4] of cover.

"Naruto is a young shinobi with an incorrigible knack for mischief. He's got a wild sense of humor, but Naruto is completely serious about his mission to be the world's greatest ninja! As Madara uses his dominating power to fend off the Five Kage, Sasuke is reunited with his brother Itachi. Can the brothers put aside their differences and help each other out? When they come face to face with Kabuto, the man who revived Itachi from the dead, they'll...

"The threat of Dead Moon Circus is so great that the outer planet Guardians return to fight alongside their compatriots. But with Usagi now coughing up black blood as well, are they too late? And to make things worse, Queen Nehelenia's servant Zirconia casts another curse upon Usagi and Mamoru, sending them both back into childhood. However, Helios whisks away their spirits to Elysion, where they manage to break free and return to their true forms....

Kikyo, the killer of Inu-Yasha in the distant past, is distraught from the shock of being resurrected, and she must make a decision--whether to return to death for Kagome's sake or hold onto her second chance at life.

"This volume locked in battle with Ryōkotsusei - the same demon responsible for his father's death - Inu-Yasha may have a chance at victory... but not if he can't master the "Backlash Wave" (Bakuryu-ha). Meanwhile, when Kagome is bitten by Tsubakí's familiar, the Shikon Jewel shards themselves are affected. What can it mean for the shards to turn black...?"--P. [4] of cover.