The third season of the Naruto: Shippuden anime series is directed by Hayato Date, and produced by Studio Pierrot and TV Tokyo. They are based on Part II for Masashi Kishimoto’s manga series. The third season aired from April to August 2008 on TV Tokyo. Titled in Japan Twelve Guardian Ninja (守護忍十二士 Shugonin Jūnishi), the anime only season follows Naruto Uzumaki attempting to protect Asuma Sarutobi’s monk named Sora.