Yamato's Unfinished Sentence

So I've been mulling something over in my head for a while, and I thought I'd bring it up here. I'm still pretty new to this, so let me know if I have to repost in the debate thread if this thread has to be closed.

Basically, I've been thinking at how that whole scene with Yamato talking to Sakura about her feelings can be interpreted. I get sucked into debates more often than I like, and I often use that scene as proof that Sakura has feelings for Naruto. Unfortunately, the nature of Yamato's comment being an unfinished sentence makes it fairly difficult to argue whether or not it proves that Sakura has romantic feelings for Naruto. So I guess I'd like to know if it's possible that Yamato could have meant anything other than what most of us thought when we saw that scene.

I'm not a literature expert, but from what I've read, aposiopesis (breaking off a sentence suddenly without finishing) is generally used for dramatic purposes. I think, if Yamato was only commenting on Sakura's friendship, platonic care, or determination to help Naruto, I don't see why Kishimoto left the sentence unfinished, as all of those aspects of her character have been established before that scene. But then again, I don't know if Japanese literature follows different rules as far as this goes.

Also, I'm a little bit curious as to what the original translated comment was. From what I've seen, the manga, anime, and dubbed anime have all used different versions of that line. I've always assumed it was along the lines of, "...what truly matters are your feelings for Naruto. I can tell by looking at you, you truly..." It'd be sort of embarassing if I've been using that scene to defend NaruSaku for all this time while actually being uninformed about it.

Kudos for you and aposiopesis! You're exactly right, too. If Kishimoto intended it to be something insignificant, there would have been no need to break off the sentence in such a dramatic fashion.

The natural conclusion, given the circumstances, is that Yamato believes Sakura cares for Naruto. Which leaves the reader to ponder over the meaning of "cares for" — is it out right love or platonic teammate bond? So Kishimoto has left that end answer vague, and adjustable to the opinion of the reader. But I think everyone (any kind of shipper) could agree where Yamato was going with that statement.

Which says a lot about what Kishimoto wants us to think about Naruto and Sakura's relationship. Yamato could have been written with a line that was more open-ended. For example, "...what truly matters is the time you spend with Naruto. I can tell by seeing your team together, that you truly...."

So, if Kishimoto wrote it that way, then we'd be left wondering if she loved him or loved ramen with him!

But I think Yamato's words are so personal, there's no other way to interpret it but that she cares for Naruto. "I can tell by looking at you...." That's a pretty strong statement! And all the Naru/Saku development to come supports those early words. Lastly, if you flip it around, statements like these are unique to Sakura and Naruto. No other characters have such attention to their interpersonal relationship.

All that being said, I'd also be curious to find out which is the official translation.

Thanks for the input!

The whole thing, as I interpret it, is connected to the deep bond they have. Maybe Yamato was going to say something like, "The truth is, you...care deeply for Naruto". But even then, through the context of the scene, it seems to imply their relationship is definitely closer than that of a mere friendship.

Also, I looked up various translations for that scene. Obviously, since I don't know a lick of Japanese (except for numbers and random nouns, lol) the first two could be bias translations.

Manga (found on Narutoverse - I think it's a MangaStream translation but I'm not sure): "It's not what you do for Naruto that's important...it's how strongly you feel about him that counts...Sakura...I can tell just by looking at you....the truth is, you - "

Anime (Dattebayo translation) - "It's not the size of what you do that counts. What really matters are your feelings for Naruto. Sakura, I can tell just by looking at you. You really l-"

Dubbed Anime - "It doesn't matter whether the things you do for him are great or small. What matters, is how much you care, truly care for Naruto. I can tell, just by watching you, just how much you -"

I obviously prefer the DB subbed anime translation, though it seems to me they kind of made a leap of faith with that last part. I liked the English dub too. If Yamato already commented on how much she cared for him, it would kind of redundant to say it again. But then again, the dubs generally change dialogue so the voices sync up to the lip movement, so the translated manga is probably the safest translation to assume. Maybe I should just learn Japanese, lol.

Also, I kind of was wondering how this scene played into Sakura's later confession. Yamato seemed to react when Sakura said she was over Sasuke. I wonder if it was because he knew Naruto wouldn't believe that, while Yamato knew Sakura's true feelings? *shrugs*

Edited by Boom...Winning, 10 May 2011 - 03:49 AM.

Its all good my friend I'm sure Yamato meant to say You love Naruto and even if he didn't and meant to say something along the lines of a close platonic relationship, after that arc concluded they didn't seem at all "PLATONIC" to me from then on

Edited by Phantom_999, 10 May 2011 - 08:04 PM.

I thought Yamato's reaction to the confession was odd, given his pointed comment about her concern for Naruto. Kakashi seemed to have the biggest poker face, though. Either he saw it coming, or knew something was up...or both.

Even reflecting back on it, both in the anime and the manga, Yamato's reaction was the one I least expected.

I figured he reacted that way because of the time, location, and just the setting of the confession in general. It was out of place, and it made Sakura seem like she wasn't sincere.
They are on the verge or a war, Naruto is desperately trying to get his 'friend' back and convince others not to kill him, and then Sakura decides in the gist of it all to confess?
I wish she had planned it better. She should have done it way before Naruto left and got denied his request for them not to hunt and kill Sasuke. She was way too desperate to stop him as well. She should have left Sasuke completely out of the conversation for a correct confession. With all that Sasuke stuff leading up to her confession, I can understand why Yamato gave that expression.

Agreed, the Sasuke stuff was the reason why Naruto doubted what she was saying. I mean, I suppose her old flame for Sasuke would have to come up in a love confession, but her comments kind of gave her away. I also thought it was interesting how she only gave her 'lying face' (big smile with closed eyes) while she was talking about caring about Sasuke, but not once while confessing her love to Naruto.

Anyways, back to the topic of discussion, ever since he's been introduced, Yamato's seemed like a pretty sharp individual, with analytical skills that pretty much rival Kakashi's. To me that tells me that Yamato's reaction must have been caused by something other than just surprise. But maybe I'm making mountains out molehills, it's not too hard to believe that Yamato was just shocked by her saying she'd given up on Sasuke.

To me, Yamato's reaction when Sakura confessed is at first very surprised.
If we analyse, back then, when he pointed out Sakura's feelings for Naruto (when she was healing him), it's obvious he noticed romantic feelings. His attitude, his words, everything linked to that.
But I think we can also see that Yamato though Sakura NEEDED SOMEONE TO TELL HER this truth.
I think Yamato noticed Sakura was not aware of those feelings.
So when she confessed to Naruto, under the snow, i think Yamato was astonished.

And when she began to talk about Sasuke, he sensed something was wrong, and even wanted to step in, to ask her what was goin' on.
Yamato saw through Naruto and Sakura, he understood them, their feelings, and why they were doing a thing, hiding another...
He saw Naruto and Sakura was deeply caring for each other.
I think he was shocked at Sakura's confession, because something is weird with it.
It's the facts.
She hid the truth about Sasuke.

I think Yamato is fond of Naruto and Sakura. He's very father-like with them.
He cares deeply for them.
And in his mind, he knows them well.
So he didn't understand what was goin' on, and he was near to step in because he didn't very like the situation.

I think his reaction doesn't proove at all that Sakura was lying.
A lot of people keep claiming this.
I don't analyse it like that at all.

Hope you will agree with me. ^^

Edited by Otaru, 11 May 2011 - 12:47 AM.

Yeah, that definitely makes sense. I was just surprised that Yamato almost flat out says, "You love Naruto" and then he's surprised when she tells him. But, of course, there were other factors at play, considering the location and everything. Not to mention that Sakura is the last person to say something like that in front of six people (and a dog, lol).

But I don't think it's too much worry about. I don't think Kishi would put Yamato's unfinished sentence in the manga for no reason. But I suppose I always have this awful nagging feeling that maybe he's not as great a writer as we all give him credit for, and that he sometimes just makes stuff up on the spot. (*shivers at the thought*). But I don't think we'll have to worry about that.

To me, Yamato's face when Sakura declared her love is the face of "oh my god she told him"
I think it's the face of someone that was aware of the fact.

Edited by Otaru, 12 May 2011 - 01:33 AM.

Hmm, right, though it seemed to me like his reaction was surprised when she said it, but confused when she said she didn't care about Sasuke. I think he was the same as Naruto, and realized the Sasuke part wasn't completely honest. I mean when you mix the truth with a less than honest statement, of course the latter will seem more important.
I kind of like the idea that Yamato tried to stop her because he knew Naruto wouldn't believe her. But, like it was said earlier, sometimes the simplest answer is the right one. He probably just realized that there was an ulterior motive, just as Naruto did.

Well if it was just care like friends why was it cut off.......game set match he meant to say LOVE.....boom winning

So true! If it just about being good friends why leave us hanging like that! When i watched that episode i stayed up all night trying to figure out what he meant to say, talk about frustrating. But giving the show dramatic scenes like that is what an anime is all about, right? I know it had to be sumething about love but Uhrg! I wish i knew what he was going to say!

Edited by narusaku-hime, 21 August 2011 - 01:00 AM.

the most common anti argument against it is the claim that he was going to discuss her confidence issues.

IE: Sakura I can tell just by looking at you you have confidence issues.

The problems though is that her confidence issues have nothing to do with the context of the moment which is about the strength of her feelings for Naruto.

the one has nothing to do with the other.

the most reasonable context of the scene given the mention of the strength of her feelings is that what he intended to sayw as how much she clearly cared for/loved Naruto. Intent then follows form and in the form of the story we have an interrupted romantic moment with a light hearted form of comedy as Naruto sees shes crying and gets clobebred for shooting his mouth off.

Wow, I've never heard that anti-argument before. It's possible, but it feels very out of place to me, what with Yamato's knowing smile (why would he smile if he's talking about her problems?), his talk of the magnitude of her feelings, and Sakura's reaction to seeing Naruto wake up.
I guess I didn't even ship Naru/Saku at the time I saw that scene, and yet I still thought that the implication was pretty obvious.


+9001.

It's true, though, that scene, and the next one after Naruto collapsed, both had highly romantic undertones. It really seems like Kishi was hinting at Naru/Saku in that part of the arc.

I agree, maybe they will be together in the future

I guess the little things like that is what draws us to the narusaku pairing, never knowing what will happen to them in the end is why we want to find out and why we want them to be together

Edited by narusaku-hime, 21 August 2011 - 05:24 AM.