High 2. ( )

There's a rival between Sakura and the other girl and I just don't understand the emotional importance. Like, who in the regular, real world has rivals? I get it in sports but I don't cat fight with frenemies.

Sasuke's issue is interesting but hardly makes up most of the volume. Plays a role in a couple chapters but otherwise not central. The central story is the preliminary matches, and I just don't care about the fights. The manga makes up new rules for fights so it hardly feels like something clever is going on, just more rules to catch me off-guard.

Key Takeaways:
-If you are strong of both body and mind, then you will always be in the path of safety. If one is lacking, then train it.
-Don't let the ambition of your dream dehumanize you (Sasuke's curse) ( )

Cut scene to the beginning of the tournament. Tournament? Why? Oh yeah... we gotta weed out the remaining slackers and the peeps who aren't doing their countries proud.

Fortunately, we're not asked to do much soul searching, here. Instead, we get some quick and interesting battles with peeps with wide abilities and mismatched aptitudes. It's a much more fun read, in general, over the previous volume, but never as mind-blowingly cool in quick instances, such as Sasuke's curse.

On the other hand, the fight between Inu and Sakura was enough to make up for everything and make me cheer and laugh. She really has my heart in this one, and it doesn't matter if it's just a carry-over from her greatness in volume 6. She's earned it. ( )

I had forgotten how whack Shino's abilities are. Cool stuff.

I know Sakura apparently gets better later in the series, but the fact that her whole rivalry is based on affection for a dude is just so...ugh. Typical. Yeah, there's more to her friendship with Ino, which is shown in this volume, but that's like the entire reason they had a falling out.

Hinata is still best girl. ( )

I've only added the first 8 (although I've read(seen) all), but if you love cartoons/anime this series is GREAT! It's about family, love and kick-ass action. My daughter and I are HUGE fans of the show and the Manga. ( )