It certainly has been a while since I've done one of these, and I think the time has come for me to resume reliving the journey with the Volume 18 highlights:
One of the key things of progression in Volume 18 is Naruto's rasengan training atleast when it comes to the second stage of it, and what I really appreciated from it was the flashback in the academdy where Iruka brought up the symbol of the leaf and what it represented. What made it work for me was how it correlated with Naruto's training as he thinks back to it.
This one is kinda small, but I also like how Jiraiya recognizes the amount of hardwork Naruto has been putting when it comes to the training at this particular point. Despite wanting moving onto the third stage, Jiraiya insisted on Naruto that they held it off as they were soon about to run into Tsunade.
Of course we also get Orochimaru reappear before Tsunade after what took place during his battle with Hiruzen (The Third Hokage), so that his arms may finally be held. His manipulative tactics definitely made him stand out as a great villain for the series when it came to Tsunade and resurrecting the dead more specifically her younger brother and Dan.
Here we are finally introduced to the third stage of Naruto's rasengan and the meaning behind where Jiraiya's been taking it ever since the knucklehead ninja begun it. The way how it was explained was done well and flowed naturally within the story as far as exposition goes, and with how it belt up the rasengan's introduction into the story had defintely made it one of the biggest moments in the story even for Naruto as a character and his determination.
What the volume also highlights is the reunion between Jiraiya and Shizune. It wasn't just like hey what's up how are you doing? all happy go lucky, it got down to a very serious matter right on the spot as soon as Jiraiya and Naruto are able to spot her. Despite showcasing how determined Tsunade is as a character you can also see how Orochimaru has tested her into a corner when it comes to the decision he's laid out for her, and how that conflicts her with the idea of being Hokage as requested by the village elders.
Of course shortly after she badmouths the meaning of Hokage by representing her grandfather and the second hokage for being loosers how died while their dream was established brought an upsetting look on Naruto. That would later cause Tsunade to challenge him to match in order to see how he stands out and ultmately she manages to pull through and succeeds. of course given the character Naruto is he pulls out the rasengan as a surprise to Tsunade who knows that only the 4th and Jiraiya are the ones to know what the rasengan is and the ones to master it. Which is where we get to a point where Tsunade wagers the ultimate decision between her and Naruto regarding her necklace and the set up that's established for a moment waiting to have been made.
Another thing to appreciate from this volume is the peptalk Jiraiya makes to Tsunade about the decision that she's ultimately going to make. It showcases not just what a great master he, but also what a great friend he's trying to be to her given their past history as the legendary sanin and being the same time serving under Hiruzen. What can also be taken out that he knows how far to go when push comes to shove for the village and the decision Tsunade makes will ultimately decide what Jiraiya will make and eliminate her. It gives his character more spotlight and sign as to what the volume presents itself.
The significance of the Necklace of Death was a really interesting concept, and did it deliver regarding the history it's had on the people that've worn it. Obviously, given the circumstances that took place with Tsunade's little brother and of course the love of her life Dan showcases why that is to be the case. Now of course one can argue that the outcome of the necklace happens to be just a mere coincidence, and I get that. However, in terms of Tsunade's character and what the volume showcases it works because the significance of the necklace and the death of those she cared about ultimately set her up on a path to becoming a great medical ninja.
Before I forget, Shizune's character is handled greatly in the volume's showcase. It's quite understandable that she's the student of Tsunade, and like her master she isn't necessarily a push over. When things like this take place it really makes her character stand out as earlier in the volume you see her thinking that Jiraiya is the only one that can help her, and she comes to Naruto's aid after the amount of training he spent which completely wore him out. She knows full well what her master's strengths are, and what her weaknesses showcase. It's important to not that like Jiraiya she wants to do what's best for Tsunade, and despite that she ends up falling unconscious as Tsunade makes her leave.
Finally, the volume comes to a close with Jiraiya reuniting with Naruto and Shizune after being drugged by Tsunade, and tells Shizune to let them know the whole story behind what Orochimaru and Tsunade had before their arrival and ultimately what set her on this course. Shizune ultimately filled them in on the whole story along the way, and they all know the choice that has to be made, and for Jiraiya it's tough since he might have to kill her. While the final pages showcase Tsunade and Orochimaru meeting with one another once more as she begins to make her decision regarding Orochimaru and ofcourse the ones she cares out.
Side note: I know it's a really long post, but I wanted to include as much as I can that made the volume stand out, and considering it's been a while since I've done these highlights so cut me a bit of slack, not that i'm complaining .