NARUTO -ナルト- 巻ノ三十八

This volume feels like a turning point, but I wonder what specific moments or influences guided Naruto's growth here.

The fight scenes are intense, but the emotional moments hit just as hard. I'm curious if others felt the same or if they preferred more of one over the other.

The character designs are so distinctive; I wonder if Kishimoto drew inspiration from anywhere specific or if they evolved organically during creation.