“Naruto” is an awesome manga series and it’s going to get better from here on in as the stakes are higher and things are going to start looking quite grim for the Konoha Leaf ninja. Prepare for the emotional rollercoaster folks because “Naruto” volume 41 is the start of one heck of an action-packed yet emotional ride for longtime “Naruto” fans.
© 1999 by Masashi Kishimoto. All Rights Reserved.
MANGA TITLE: Naruto Volume 41
STORY AND ART BY: Masashi Kishimoto (岸本 æ–‰å²)
FIRST PUBLISHED IN JAPAN: SHUEISHA, Inc.
PUBLISHED IN USA BY: VIZ Media, LLC/Shonen Jump Manga
RATED: T for Older Teen
RELEASE DATE: March 3, 2009
Mysteries from Naruto’s teacher Jiraiya’s past rise up to confront the Toad Sage. Could something that the Three Great Shinobi of Konoha legend did in their youth have deadly consequences now? Find out as Jiraiya’s investigation into the secrets of Pain and the Akatsuki organization bears shocking fruit!
Jiraiya is on a mission to uncover the secrets of the Akatsuki and what he discovers will shock him.
In volume 41 of “Naruto”, Jiraiya finds out that the leader of the Akatsuki is his former pupils that he once took care of and trained when they were children. But these children have changed, especially the one named Nagato who now goes by the name of Pain.
And the revelation of why they were going after the jinchuriki is revealed in this exciting volume of “Naruto”!
What is “Naruto”?
The popular manga series “Naruto” has been going strong since its debut in Shueisha back in 1999 via “Weekly Shonen Jump” magazine.
The manga by Masashi Kishimoto is about a young ninja named Naruto Uzamaki, a ninja of the Konoha leaf village who grew up facing prejudiced within his fellow ninjas because the evil nine-tailed fox was sealed inside him. But throughout the series, we have seen how Naruto is a kind-hearted boy who has worked hard in protecting his friends and staying true to his word with the goal of someday becoming the next Hokage of the village.
In the beginning, Naruto was part of Team Kakashi, alongside Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno and as a team, have grown up together taking on missions and also, joining with other teams of Team Konoha as well as other villages in taking on other major missions as well.
But now years have passed since those earlier years of Team Kakashi and Naruto and his friends are much older and his teammate Sasuke has left the village to pursue his brother Itachi for revenge of killing everyone of the Uchiha clan but worst of all, Sasuke is in search of the traitor of the Konoha village, the evil Orochimaru, in order to obtain more power.
During Naruto’s last confrontation with Sasuke, it appears that a black evil curse has consumed him. But as a promise to his teammate Sakura, Naruto will do what it takes to bring Sasuke back despite whether or not Sasuke has become evil.
Now, Sasuke along with his new team featuring team captain Yamato, Sakura and a ninja named Sai (an emotionless young ninja who was hired by the Black Ops leader Danzo to spy on Naruto) are now on a mission to investigate the Akatsuki criminal organization led by its founder Madara Uchiha who have been doing all they can to capture all tailed-beasts including Naruto’s nine-tailed demon fox.
With volume 41, Naruto and his team continue in pursuit of Sasuke Uchiha, while Jiraiya goes to investigate the Akatsuki and who is leading them. But what he finds out are those responsible are none other than his former students that he trained. Nagato, Yahiko and Konan…three students that Jiraiya hoped they would fight for the path of good have changed.
But only two have shown their presence, with the third have not shown himself yet. Why have these former students of Jiraiya turned bad and what is their purpose of trying to get all the jinchuriki?
The latest volume of “Naruto” is an action-packed volume featuring Jiraiya and for those who have watched the anime series or have caught up with the spoilers know that the Jiraiya/Pain storyline is one of the biggest shockers to happen in quite some time in the “Naruto” series.
In this volume, we are introduced to those responsible for the Akatsuki and get to know Pain. Meanwhile, in a battle between Jiraiya and Pain, we get to see Jiraiya showcasing his true power against one of the most powerful adversaries that he had to fight.
Major revelations are in store for “Naruto” fans in this 41st volume and I’ll leave it at that, as I don’t want to spoil the storyline.
As always, Masashi Kishimoto does a wonderful job in his artwork and story, he really came through in showcasing a deep storyline surrounding Jiraiya and his former pupil but also showcasing Jiraiya that many have never seen before.
Overall, “Naruto” is an awesome manga series and it’s going to get better from here on in as the stakes are higher and things are going to start looking quite grim for the Konoha Leaf ninja. Prepare for the emotional rollercoaster folks because “Naruto” volume 41 is the start of one heck of an action-packed yet emotional ride for longtime “Naruto” fans.
Definitely recommended!