Bonds are what make shinobi strong—at least, that's what the previous Hokage had all said. For Uzumaki Naruto, it's complicated. Broken and shattered are what his bonds actually are. Everyone hates him and he hates them. As he continues to grow in a world of ever-shifting politics and alliances, Naruto will have to face the truth about where his strength really comes from.

(The Third Hokage was dead. It wasn't enough.) Team Eight knew loss like the seals on the backs of their tongues. They'd been silenced, branded, abandoned, ambushed, left on the enemy's doorstep like a gift—unlucky was their nickname, but they would make it their trade. (The Third Hokage was dead. It was Danzo's turn.) SEQUEL TO: Hoshigaki