Thirteen original novels have appeared in Japan; eleven of these are part of a series, and the other two are independent novels unconnected to the series. The first independent novel, titled "Naruto: Tales of a Gutsy Ninja" (2009), is presented as an in-universe novel written by Naruto's master Jiraiya. It follows the adventures of a fictional "shinobi" named Naruto Musasabi, who served as Naruto's namesake. The other independent novel, "Naruto Jinraiden: The Day the Wolf Howled" (2012), is set shortly after Sasuke's fight with Itachi.