Two and a half years later, and Naruto's grown incomprehensibly stronger, thanks to a new mentor named Jiraiya, who used to work with Orochimaru.  While Naruto still pursues his goal of becoming Hokage one day, he has another goal: to bring Sasuke back, who, as it turns out, has run willingly to Orochimaru's side, believing that the only way to gain vengeance on his brother for massacring his family lies with him.  Meanwhile, a new group of elite shinobi, known as the Akatsuki makes its presence known, and is revealed to be on the hunt for all of the Tailed Beasts' hosts -- including Naruto. 
 

Naruto: Shippuden (Naruto Shippūden, lit. Naruto: Hurricane Chronicles) is the ongoing sequel to the original Naruto anime and covers the Naruto manga from volume twenty-eight on. After training for two and a half years with Jiraiya, Naruto returns to Konohagakure, reunites with the friends he left behind, and reforms Team 7, now called Team Kakashi, with Sai replacing Sasuke. All of Naruto's classmates have matured and improved in the ranks, some more than others. Unlike the original series where they only played a minor role, the Akatsuki organization takes on the main antagonistic role in their attempts at world domination.

                                                          -- RG