Recently Read: Naruto Volume 26

 

This is another excellent volume in the action-packed series. The epic fight between Naruto and Sasuke reaches a conclusion with both exhibiting powers never before displayed. With Naruto vowing his friendship and determination to bring Sasuke back to Konoha, he accesses powerful red chakra provided by his fox spirit, while Sasuke can only retaliate with forces which can threaten his own life. Kakashi, meanwhile, learns of Naruto's pursuit and tracks him down with the help of Pakkun. The volume ends with the various ninja healing in a hospital, with Shikamaru determined to make good on a mission he considers a failure.  

The flashbacks are poignantly written, the artwork magnificently detailed and imaginative, the pacing and editing constructed for maximum suspense. I recommend this series. 

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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. 23: Predicament, by Masashi Kishimoto

 

For the second volume in a row the chapters are centered on close combat as a result of the rescue mission for Sasuke's body and soul. The combatants are Naruto, Shikamaru, Kiba and Akamaru, in contention with Kimimaro, Tayuya and Sakon, respectively. While the battles themselves are tense, bizarre and suspenseful as always, the limited scope and missing longtime characters gives the feel of a series that's lagging and running out of inspiration.

I don't yet know whether the upcoming jump in time will benefit the series or harm it, but Naruto was a near perfect series for its first twenty volumes and its unsettling to see it start to falter. 

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Recently Read: Naruto Vol. 21, Pursuit

 

Despite Sakura's protestation that she loves him, Sasuke leaves town on his own plan of private vengeance. The new Fifth Hokage, Tsundade, then assigns Shikamaru to gather a team to track down and return Sasuke, consisting of Choji, Neji, Naruto, Kiba and tracker dog Akamuru.

Even with strategic plans, the venture goes south quickly; first Sasuke submits himself to be killed by the Sound Ninja Four, and then our heroes are also beaten by the same, in a deadly, Chakra-sapping trap. Choji's hidden talents seem to come to the rescue. The emotions are raw and threadbare in this volume, as the stakes for salvaging friendships and lives are raised ever higher.

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