Naruto Shippuuden is the continuation of the series Naruto, taking place 3 years after the end of the original series.

Naruto Shippuden

The Naruto Shippuden anime series is the second anime based upon the manga series Naruto, created by the writer and artist Masashi Kishimoto. The series was directed by Hayato Date, music by Yasuharu Takanashi and -yaiba-. It's a shonen action series in the tradition of Dragon Ball. It is produced by the Studio Pierrot and has aired in Japan on both the TV Tokyo and Animax networks. It is mainly targeted toward a younger male audience, but does have cross gender appear. the first episode originally aired on February 15, 2007.

After Episode 135 of the original Naruto anime that aired in May of 2005, the series began a constant run of filler episodes that would last till the series end in February 2007. At which point, the Naruto Shippuden series picked up the Naruto manga story from the point of the beginning of a two year time skip and much of the younger cast grew and developed in skill.

Plot

After two years, Naruto returns to the Hidden Leaf Village.

Fifteen years ago the Village Hidden in the Leaves was attacked by a fearsome threat. The Nine-tailed Fox Demon claimed the lives of hundreds and of the village leader, the Fourth Hokage. Years later, the village is at peace and a troublemaking kid named Naruto Uzumaki struggled to graduate from Ninja Academy. His goal may be to become the next Hokage, but his true destiny will be much more complicated. The adventure begins now! 

Two and a half years later after Sasuke abandoned the village and the team, Naruto has returned to find that all his fellow ninja have been promoted in rank. Sakura is a medical ninja, Gaara has become the Kazekage, and Kakashi is still the same. He's both grown and fallen behind. Naruto wants to be the best ninja in the land. He's done well so far, but with the looming danger posed by the mysterious Akatsuki organization, Naruto knows he must train harder than ever and leaves his village for intense exercises that will push him to his limits. He must fighter harder, train harder, and not be overcome by the weakening seal that holds the deadly Nine-tailed Fox inside.

Characters

Team 7

Team 7, led by Yamato

The Team 7 of the Hidden Leaf Village consist of Naruto Uzumaki, Sakura Haruno, and their replacement for Sasuke Uchiha, the enigmatic Sai. It is also known as Team Kakashi, named after their ninja master, Kakashi Hatake. Though Kakashi does not always lead the team. He is sometimes replaced by a fellow Jonin named Yamato, a surviving test subject of Orochimaru. Yamoto was injected with the D.N.A. of the First Hokage.

In the two years time during their training, Naruto was trained by the legendary Sannin of the Hidden Leaf, Jiraiya, the same man who taught Naruto to walk on water, summon frogs, and the power Rasengan. Sakura was trained by the Sannin and Fifth Hokage, Tsunade. Not only was Sakura painstakingly taught all of Tsunade's medical-jutsu, but her skill in hard-to-hand and Chakra control. Thus making her a force to be feared. The newest member, Sai uses a special ninjutsu that allows him to bring life to his elegantly painted creatures. Though, Sai's loyalties are in question due to his connections to a corrupt and power hungry elder of the Hidden Leaf Village, Danzo Shimura.

The Akatsuki

 The Akatsuki

The Akatsuki are rogue ninjas all considered S-rank criminals and ninjas from the various villages from across the nations have been instructed to kill them on sight. In the original anime their motives and goal was unclear, but in the Naruto Shippuden series they became the primary villains Each member wears a black cloak covers in red clouds and their forehead protectors are marked with a slash through their village symbol, a common practice of proudly rogue ninja. The Akatsuki are paired into teams when they are sent on their missions. The goal is to gather all the Jinchuuriki (human vessels) that house the Bijuus (Tailed Spirits) for an unknown goal.

The original founder of the Akatsuki is a ninja of mysterious powers named Pain, but the true force behind their deeds is a legendary ninja who has been pulling the strings of events for generations in the Land of Fire and released the Nine-tailed Fox to the world, Madara Uchiha.

Orochimaru

 Orochimaru

Orochimaru is one of the legendary Sanin of the Hidden Leaf Village, and once a member of Akatsuki. He left in order to gain more power and immortality for himself. He originally wanted the body of Sasuke Uchiha as his latest vessel, but was betrayed and killed by his newest pupil. Later is remains were merged with the body of his desciple Kabuto.

Team Hawk

 Team Hawk

Team Hawk was the team formed by Sasuke Uchiha after he abandoned and killed Orochimaru. The team is formed up of  Suigetsu,  Karin,  Juugo, and led by Sasuke. Each member has unique abilities to assist him in his goal to kill his brother Itachi. Jugo is the being whom Orochimaru extracted the curse filled blood from. He is the source of  curse cursed and thus can access level two curse seal with ease. He is also ravenously blood-thirsty, with Sasuke as his only control. Karin who is a rare seeker type ninja, can sense the Chakra of other nearby ninjas and has the ability to replenish chakra through drinking of her blood..Suigetsu, who is made of water, wields the deadly zanbato sword of the demon Zabuza.

After the death of Itachi, Tobi, who reveals himself as Madara Uchiha convinces Sasuke to join the Akatsuki. Though originally hesitant and confused, he accepts once Madara reveals the truth about Itachi's defection from the Leaf Village and the conspiracy that inspired the slaughter of the Uchiha Clan. The rage that was once targets solely onto his brother is now aimed at the people of the Leaf Village.