Naruto: Kakashi's Story (Naruto Secret Chronicles)

As of right now, there are a total of six books in the series known as the Naruto Secret Chronicles and True Chronicles from the Naruto Shippuden universe. There are three books per series with Kakashi’s Story, Shikamaru’s Story, and Sakura’s Story being tied together while Itachi’s Story: Daylight, Itachi’s Story: Midnight, and Sasuke’s Story are closely and loosely linked. If that makes sense. There are more books in this collection series, but they have not yet been translated From Japanese into English. So, all I can do for now is give my thoughts on the existing U.S. editions. I also decided to review them all together as they are small books that read like a singular episode in the Naruto Shippuden anime.

Before reading on with my review, if you are a brave newcomer that is entering the Naruto and Naruto: Shippuden universe along with the new Boruto series currently being created, I will be revealing some spoilers that aren’t just spoilers in the books but spoilers in the Universe as a whole.

For those that are new to Naruto, it’s an amazing series I started watching in the early 2000’s as a little fourth grader. The anime and manga follow a young ninja’s journey, Naruto, on the path of becoming a Shinobi ninja and Hokage. It is intimidating for newcomers to get into as there are roughly around 750 episodes in the Naruto and Naruto: Shippuden combined. It’s serious commitment as your life will absorb and become one with the series.

The Naruto Chronicles take place after the Ninja war and are connected with one another as time progresses with each novel.

The first book in the Secret Chronicles is Kakashi’s Story: Lightning in the Frozen Sky. Kakashi Hatake is one of the most beloved characters in Naruto as he is a talented ninja that dislikes responsibility and uses any spare time to read his favorite book Make Out Tactics.

Kakashi's Story: Lightning Frozen in the Sky

Kakashi’s story takes place one year after the Fourth Great Ninja War and Kakashi has been chosen to become the next hokage (the leader of the Hidden Leaf village Naruto lives in). Kakashi prolongs his inauguration by going on a mission in the Land of Waves to essentially be security in a ground-breaking event. Technology is a bit of a mystery in the Naruto universe, but the event Kakashi has been hired to supervise is the launch of an airship similar to a zeppelin. This is a huge technological break-through in the civilian world because it will decrease travel time between lands for the trade of goods. But, with the creation of anything new comes a resistance.

However, this resistance isn’t personally towards the airship and its technology. Ninja’s of the Ryuha Armed Alliances Rayho and Kayho are holding hostages in the airship in exchange for the release of their leader Garyo who is being held prisoner as a Madara Uchiha sympathizer (the ninja that was the cause of the 4th Great Ninja war).

It’s definitely an uncanny experience to read Naruto stories rather than watch and hear the famous voices that follow the visuals. Nonetheless, Kakashi’s story is a great segue to ease into this light novel series because it’s written just like the feel of the show with intense action, hysterical interludes from Guy Sensei about the power of youth, analytical and strategized fight sequences, and overall enjoyment of the story progression.

In the world of Naruto, there are a few Dumbledore-like characters meaning when they’re around everyone will be okay. To me, Kakashi Sensei is like Dumbledore in terms of his presence being awe-inspiring and humorous. Now, Kakashi isn’t as old as Dumbledore, but he does have an old soul which makes him relatable. This is partially the reason why Kakashi is chosen to become hokage. It’s neat that the book includes a scene of Kakashi officially accepting his role as hokage while his former students still treat him like their sensei and comrade rather than someone of great importance in leadership. But that’s the Naruto universe we die-hard fans come to love.

What I loved the most about this book was the fact that Kakashi might have possibly found a woman he could relate with as more than a comrade. Kakashi isn’t known for sharing his emotions from behind his mask even though he can empathize for others. It’s just a giddy feeling knowing that Kakashi might have found his first and final love.

I highly recommend this book to Naruto fans who have already watched and completed all of Naruto and Naruto: Shippuden as these books take place after the 4th Great Ninja War and the Last: Naruto Movie but before Boruto. If you’re a new comer skipping ahead, I’ll try not to stress going back and watching everything before reading, but this story shouldn’t be too confusing to get into as it’s mostly adventure and action scenes with well-known Naruto characters. Plus, this book includes a character page so you can see what the characters look like. After this book I’m excited to read more in this series and hope other readers will feel the same way.