This is Masashi Kishimoto's manga, Karakuri. It was created before Naruto and was collected in Naruto: The Official Premium Fanbook.

In order to combat a deadly virus, an implant was made that is transplanted into a human being's nervous system. Unfortunately, this implant technology was also used by the less scrupulous to create human weapons, blood-red eyed creatures referred to as "Roido". To cope with this threat the defense agency has created the Karakuri unit, an elite unit whose human members are monitored by small talking animals. As Kiru the karakuri goes to visit his friends Koten and Koron while on leave, he's going to learn that there are no days off against the Roido!

As the galaxy nears the end of its existence, it won't survive for more than a century. A samurai receives a mission to save all the planets and its inhabitants by finding Pandora's Box. The warrior god Fudo Myoo places a secret inside of it that will save the world. However, in order to open it, they have to find the seven keys and Hachimaru, a weak child who's needed medical assistance since birth might have something to do with it.

(Source: YonkouProductions)

Transfer student Yamaguchi Tsutomu has just joined the baseball team. Yamaguchi is overweight and can't run very fast, so the coach places him on the "D" team. Unlike the "A" team which is has nothing but aces, the "D" team is filled with baseball misfits who don't expect to see any playing time. Despite this setback, Yamaguchi is determined not to give up his dream of someday becoming a pro second baseman!
(Source: MU)

Mario, half-Japanese and half-Italian born in the US, works as a hitman. One day he meets a female colleague, Saori, who does not talk to men and is asked to work together with her.

Before Naruto's birth, a great demon fox had attacked the Hidden Leaf Village. A man known as the 4th Hokage sealed the demon inside the newly born Naruto, causing him to unknowingly grow up detested by his fellow villagers. Despite his lack of talent in many areas of ninjutsu, Naruto strives for only one goal: to gain the title of Hokage, the strongest ninja in his village. Desiring the respect he never received, Naruto works towards his dream with fellow friends Sasuke and Sakura and mentor Kakashi as they go through many trials and battles that come with being a ninja.

ROAD TO NINJA NARUTO THE MOVIE The new shocking movie Naruto fans from all over the world have been waiting for. MOVIE 9: ROAD TO NARUTO THE MOVIE A special one-shot connected to the movie!? Read the manga, watch the movie and find the connections!!