For a decade Darrow led a revolution against the corrupt color-coded Society. Now, outlawed by the very Republic he founded, he wages a rogue war on Mercury in hopes that he can still salvage the dream of Eo. But as he leaves death and destruction in his wake, is he still the hero who broke the chains? Or will another legend rise to take his place? Lysander au Lune, the heir in exile, has returned to the Core. Determined to bring peace back to mankind...

Saroja and Kumaresan, a young married couple, return to Kumaresan's family village where they hope to build a happy life. But they have a dangerous secret: Saroja is from a different caste than Kumaresan, and if the villagers find out, they will both be in danger. Will they--and their marriage--survive?

This second volume of the fictional biography of Siddhartha, Gautama Buddha, covers his upbringing and early manhood. Unhappy with the injustice of the caste system, the prince leaves his life of luxury to find a way to fight it. He marries and fathers a child, but unable to live in his luxurious palace, he cuts off his hair and departs into the wilderness to become a monk.

In the village of Konohagakure, school is literally a battlefield where classmates are ninjas in training competing to become the greatest ninja in the land.

$a Sakura takes her place at the front of the fight to save Naruto. With Granny Chiyo at her side, she must battle Sasori, who can create golems from the undead. But Granny Chiyo is a puppet master too - only it could be Sakura's strings she's pulling! Naruto and Gaara face a common enemy in the Akatsuki.

Asuma's new team and the former Cell Number 10 battle Hidan of the Akatsuki, who may be the most unstoppable foe the Konoha ninja have encountered - and who could mean the end for one of Naruto's longest-standing allies. As Naruto prepares for the worst, the Akatsuki reveals its master plan!

Naruto and Gaara face a common enemy in the Akatsuki.

"It's shades of the influence of Orochimaru when Sasuke names his new ninja cell The Hebi. While Naruto and the others try to keep tabs on Sasuke, their long-lost pal ends up in fierce battle with an old enemy. The outcome could bring the ninja world as Naruto knows it to an end faster than he ever imagined!"--Page 4 of cover.

"Naruto inches ever closer to discovering the true identity of his nemesis, Pain. But is it worth it as the frustrated ninja begins to morph at last into the dreaded Nine Tails? Plus an unexpected confession reveals incredible secrets about his past as Naruto prepares for the ultimate battle with Pain. Can the chakra-challenged Naruto win when one misstep could spell disaster?"--Publisher's web site.

In this third volume of the fictional biography of Siddhartha, Gautama Buddha, Prince Siddhartha undergoes hardship and ordeals in his search for enlightenment.