Recently Read: Naruto Vol. 24, by Masashi Kishimoto

 

Naruto's complex narrative, previously in danger of becoming repetitious, picks up in Vol. 24 with the very welcome return of Rock Lee. Also welcome: the return of the Sound Ninja Four, now fighting on behalf of Konoha.

Meanwhile, the story ping-pongs with great suspense between Shikamaru's entanglement with Tayuya and Gaara and Rock Lee's battle with the body-horror based Kimimaro. There are also alternating interludes with Lady Tsunade, working behind the scenes to confront Lord Orochimaru's threat, and the schemings of Orochimaru and Kabuto. 

The art is, as always, amazing. 

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Recently Read: Naruto, Vol. 20: Naruto vs. Sasuke

Naruto Vol. 20 begins on a bittersweet note, with Tsunade taking on the role of fifth Hokage and Sasuke falling under the malevolent influence of Orochimaru, due to his desire for revenge against Itachi. Tsunade's healing powers, at the same time, can do little for the physically broken Rock Lee, who nevertheless becomes mentally reinvigorated after a long talk with his mentor, Guy.

Sasuke insists on tackling Naruto in combat, a proposition Naruto is enthusiastic about. Their bout ends with an interesting talk between Kakashi and Jiraiya. Orochimaru's scouts The Sound Ninja Four, meanwhile, have made their way to Konoha and give Sasuke a proposition he may not refuse. Vol. 20 provides some relative quiet time after the previous chapter's storm and set the stage for more intrigue.

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Recently Read: Naruto, Vol. 10

The preliminary portion of the Journeyman Ninja Selection Exams end with, in part, an epic battle between the friendly Rock Lee and the quiet and mysterious master of sand, Gaara. Lasting 85 pages, the intricate test reveals hidden strengths of both physical and mental powers. Meanwhile, the spy Kabuto and Orochimaru plot against the ill Sasuke, and Naruto gets a new trainer, Master Ebisu. Writer and artist Masashi Kishimoto also tells of the life-changing event of seeing Otomo Katsuhiro's art for the first time. All in all, another exciting and involving chapter in the series

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Recently Read: Naruto, Vol. 6

The Forest of Death plot line isn't going as I would have preferred (I was hoping for a
more traditional, Hunger Games-type contest), but it has gotten a lot more complicated.
Anko, one of the Konohagakure Academy's proctors, finds three dead bodies, minus faces, and surmises it's the work of the immortality-seeking Orochimaru. She takes off in pursuit of him.

Meanwhile, Sasuke and Naruto have lost consciousness after a fight over one of the
sacred scrolls with an enemy ninja, leaving Sakura to defend them from the threat of
Team Dosu. Sakura becomes a stronger character here, and the Sakura-smitten Rock Lee also comes to her defense.

This is a jam-packed volume and it ups the ante on the complexity of Naruto's world
and the ever-widening past connections of so many characters involved in it. Masashi
Kishimoto's art is expressive and beautiful, as always, and in this volume he highlights
some of his artist assistants.

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