Naruto, Vol. 1 question

I feel like a geek if I post this. I was never a huge manga fanatic, but I really liked Naruto a lot (for the record I read some manga, but not the more hardcore obscure anime-convention stuff). Great plot, great concept, the story arcs are legendary and the battles are well-thought out.
My favorite character is Kabuto. He's just so darn evil it's entertaining. My second is Shikamaru Nara, who's a lazy genius. Pain and Madara are about as scary a villain as they come.