A new series of prose novels, straight from the worldwide Naruto franchise. Naruto's allies and enemies take center stage in these fast-paced adventures, with each volume focusing on a particular clanmate, ally, team…or villain. Two years after the Great Ninja War, Shikamaru spends his days racing around, hands full as one of Konoha's key protectors.Then one day a large number of ninja from every region are reported missing. Even Sai disappears. And the place where the missing shinobi end up is the mysterious empire, the Land of Silence.As a ninja, as an adult, to protect all that he is responsible for, Shikamaru must do battle with the shadow of a new generation.