The room was quiet, only the soft crackling of the fireplace breaking the silence. Leonel sat in his favorite leather chair, under the bright desk lamp that provided just enough light for reading. In his hands, he held a thick manga with a colorful cover, featuring Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura in a battle formation. At the top corner of the cover, it read Naruto Volume 4.
He eagerly turned to the first page.
This volume looks promising, Leonel thought, taking a moment to recall a bit about the previous volume.
Volume 2, titled The Worst Client, followed Naruto's adventures with Kakashi, Sakura, and Sasuke as they undertook a mission as ninjas. Their task was to protect a difficult client: a sculptor named Tazuna. Known for his hard-to-please nature, the mission quickly became more complicated than they had expected. Leonel remembered how frustrated Naruto was with the task. What struck him most, however, was how, despite Tazuna's constant belittling, Naruto never gave up on protecting him.
What an unexpected adventure, Leonel murmured, recalling how hard Naruto fought, even when their client looked down on them.
Although Volume 2 mainly focused on the mission itself, Leonel could feel Naruto's character growth. His perseverance, particularly in battles with incoming enemies, became more apparent. There were so many emotional moments, especially when Naruto realized the importance of teamwork and protecting others. Leonel could feel Naruto's growing sense of responsibility and fighting spirit.
"Naruto really doesn't give up. Even when Tazuna treated him poorly, he kept trying," Leonel thought. "That's what makes him cool."
Then came Volume 3, which continued the story of Naruto and Team 7, bringing more action and tension. The most memorable moment for Leonel was when Naruto and Sasuke teamed up to face a dangerous enemy. The dynamic between them, full of tension but also deep emotional layers, intrigued him even more.
Now, with Volume 4 in his hands, Leonel was once again absorbed in the story. He flipped through the pages, starting with the continuation of Team 7's journey in the Land of Waves. This volume reached its peak with an emotional, sacrificial battle full of action. Naruto and his team faced their true test when they fought against Zabuza Momochi and Haku, two ninjas with complex backgrounds and motivations.
Leonel was swept away by every fight scene. Zabuza, wielding a massive sword and deadly skills, was a formidable opponent. But what truly fascinated Leonel was the story behind Zabuza and Haku. As Naruto began to understand the bond between them, Leonel felt there was something different about this story compared to other mangas.
"Zabuza and Haku… they're not just enemies; they have their own tragic story," he murmured quietly.
The moment when Zabuza and Haku revealed their humanity, with sacrifice and deep regret, truly moved Leonel. Especially when Zabuza, who had appeared monstrous before, showed a tender side toward Haku.
Leonel could hardly hold back tears when reading the scene where Zabuza sacrificed himself to protect Haku. "I will protect you, Haku," Zabuza's emotional words were deeply touching.
"What they did was extraordinary," Leonel said to himself, his eyes misting over. "They're more than just enemies. They're an example of how loyalty and love can change someone."
Naruto, who had often been underestimated, finally reached a moment that showed he was not just a ninja, but a true hero who understood the value of sacrifice. When Naruto made his final effort to save Zabuza, Leonel felt the true heroism in Naruto's spirit.
The tension at the end of the volume escalated further with the battle between Zabuza and Gato, an evil businessman trying to take over the Land of Waves. The outcome of this fight not only determined Team 7's fate but also the future of the long-oppressed country. Leonel watched in suspense as Naruto and his friends, who had just overcome so many challenges, finally managed to help save the Land of Waves.
However, what really impressed Leonel was how the story taught about courage—not just in battle, but in choosing to fight against injustice and stand for what is right.
After closing the volume, Leonel sat still for a moment, letting all the swirling emotions and thoughts settle within him.