AsNaruto Shippudencontinues, the battles between the ninja teams from the Hidden Leaf and Sand villages and the members of the evil Akatsuki come to spectacular climaxes as director Hayato Date introduces an increasingly flashy array of special effects. Itachi, Sosuke's murderous brother, is a master ofgenjutsu, a technique that produces illusions indistinguishable from reality. He causes Kakashi-sensei to see himself as a paper cutout that slowly incinerates, and Naruto to see the faces of his friends reproaching him. To escape these hideous visions, Naruto remembers the techniques "Pervy Sage" Jiraiya taught him, then applies those lessons: the popular knucklehead has actually grown and matured a bit. Even the hard-bitten Granny Chiyo is impressed with Naruto's fighting strength--and his ability to make friends, a talent she'd never considered important. But the situation is more dire than anything the members of Team Kakashi and Team Guy imagined: the Akatsuki are proceeding with their terrible plan to exploit the power of the multitailed demons, and it may be too late to stop the first phase of it. These episodes showcase the balanced mixture of friendship, slapstick, and hard-hitting action that has madeNaruto Shippudenan international hit. (Rated T+ Older Teen, but suitable for ages 12 and older: violence, grotesque imagery)--Charles Solomon(14. Naruto's Growth, 15. The Secret Weapon Is Called… 16. The Secret of Jinchuriki, 17. The Death of Gaara!)