"Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura have passed the final test to become junior ninja - but now the challenge begins. Tired of menial tasks, the young ninja ask for a tougher assignment, and find themselves - together with their teacher, Kakashi - bodyguarding a cranky old man from the Land of Waves. But Tazuna the bridgebuilder is in more danger than anyone realizes : he's the target of elite ninja assassins, including Zabuza, 'the demon', and our heroes are about to face a trial by fire ..."--Cover.