Naruto Volume #9 - #10

Genre manga Author Kishimoto Masashi Publisher VIZ Media External Links Official VIZ Media Website

The series is a story about Naruto, who lives in the village of Konohangakure. This is a place where ninja reign. School proves to be a battlefield as Naruto and his friends train to become ninja.

In Volume 9, the team is in the middle of exams. Each of the ninja in the school release their signature moves as they spar against each other in an elimination tournament. As clans face one another, the tension builds and the battle scenes become very intense. The competition is fierce and includes very unpredictable endings to each battle. Along with each battle, you learn more about each person and their character. Some discussions on the battlefield are a bit long, mostly dominated by one domineering person who wishes to 'talk' to their opponent to psyche them out.

One of the most intense battles among the elimination tournament is between gentle Hinata and the vicious Neji. Amid the battle is a little lecture on Charka, a little unsettling to start discussing in the middle of a battle and the information keeps surprising Hinata as it is revealed. Is the writer setting up this information here for later use? It interrupts a little too much but afterwards the ending is surprising.

This is a very fast paced manga graphic novel. This volume is filled with a lot of action focused around Naruto and his friends. Every scene intensifies on the next, leading you into more complex problems, as the story moves forward. The artwork is amazing - a credit to Masashi Kishimoto for his duo part in the artistry and for writing the story.

In Volume 10, the school is ready to watch the final few matches left in the preliminaries of the Journeyman Ninja Selection Exams. Rock Lee is challenged by Sand ninja Gaara. This Sand ninja is ultra tough. Lee finds it difficult to fight him because he is constantly turning into sand. All Gaara does is stand in a single place. and Lee wears himself out trying to beat up sand that keeps blocking him.

Lee needs to find the right moves and the strength within him to fight Gaara. It takes some time for him to figure it out. Will he defeat him? Later, Naruto finds himself the pupil of a new mentor, a shadow doppelganger who looks more dangerous than helpful. He is strict in his instructions, keeping Naruto on his toes. Is he really going to help Naruto or is he looking to get him hurt?

Fans of the popular manga Naruto cartoon series will enjoy this series of books as well. The engaging story will keep you on the edge of your seat, wondering who will be championed. The characters are very cute and lively, making them an irresistable joy to learn about.