201 replies to this topic

[ShippudenGirl]

Just thinkin ahead of time Graven-kun; someones gotta fight him sometime, Sakura has to surpass her master who couldn't beat him. Perfect.

[catsi563]

the other reason for her to be the one to defeat Kabuto is thematic as well.

Kabuto represents the dark twisted and dangerous uses of Medicla ninjutsu. how it can be twisted and perverted to dark ends. Sakura represents the lighter and good and benefical side. How it saves and betters lives when used the right way.

theyre two sides of the same coin.

[Hak]

After a "hard" week of (after-)skiing nice to come home and find a laid back chapter pushing things for new start ups slowly! I really liked this and I'd really like to see another one also, because I feel this is the beginning of a third part of the story. This chappie was more of a general summarizing of shippuuden and for me it stopped early!

[pharix]

I don't think Kabuto is interested in Konoha at all, he wanted to fight Sasuke

[Dreamer]

We all agree on Sakura could be the one to beat Kabuto but don't you think she needs a lot more training (slug sage arts) before doing so?

Edited by Uzumakikage, 28 March 2010 - 12:17 AM.

[ciardha]

After a couple of days reflection on this chapter I realized there's some interesting subtle things going on in it. Looks like Kishimoto is again drawing on the similarities between Lee and Hinata in relation to Sakura and Naruto. Both Lee and Hinata get a bit of disillusionment about their images of Sakura and Naruto, and neither say anything in defense of them when other(s) are laying into them. Instead, Naruto and Sakura are the ones that come to each others defense. On Naruto's side it's more subtle- he'd had enough of Kiba going on and on with his angry whining after Sakura apologized and was suffering being the object of Kiba's ire in unhappy silence, he wants Kiba to shut up, they've probably been hearing this for kilometers and they all know in explicit detail just how annoyed Kiba is that he didn't get to fight Sasuke. With Sakura it's overt, she exaggerates the situation to protect Naruto from even stronger irritation if their friends knew what actually happened.

Edited by ciardha, 28 March 2010 - 12:28 AM.

[Dreamer]

After a couple of days reflection on this chapter I realized there's some interesting subtle things going on in it. Looks like Kishimoto is again drawing on the similarities between Lee and Hinata in relation to Sakura and Naruto. Both Lee and Hinata get a bit of disillusionment about their crushes, and neither say anything in defense of their crush when other(s) are laying into them. Instead, Naruto and Sakura are the ones that come to each others defense. On Naruto's side it's more subtle- he'd had enough of Kiba going on and on with his angry whining after Sakura apologized and was suffering being the object of Kiba's ire in unhappy silence. With Sakura it's overt, she exaggerates the situation to protect Naruto from even stronger irritation if their friends knew what actually happened.

That sounds interesting, I noticed that too whenever someone talks negative to Naruto or Sakura the other comes to the defense.

Edited by Uzumakikage, 28 March 2010 - 12:23 AM.

[Gravenimage]

That sounds interesting, I noticed that too whenever someone talks negative to Naruto or Sakura the other comes to the defense.

It doesn't surprise me at all Naruto and Sakura know each other too well, it's like they can read each other's thoughts.

[crazyefra]

That's another big hint to show what has been known since Sakura stopped hating Naruto, and that is ending up together in the end.

[Insurrection]

It doesn't surprise me at all Naruto and Sakura know each other too well, it's like they can read each other's thoughts.

I suppose that's the great irony of all this.

[catsi563]

what makes Ciardhas thought more interesting is this. unlike with Sasuke where Sakura shot down anyone who disagreed with Sasuke or fought with anyone who second guessed him even when he was wrong.

Sakura here defends naruto appropriately when hes right. she doesnt let anyone bad mouth him but she doesnt over do it like she used to.

[ShippudenGirl]

I had a thought... don't know if I wanna say it though, so funny and corny.

Anyways. Hope we have a build to a climax next chapter-

[James S Cassidy]

I had a thought... don't know if I wanna say it though, so funny and corny.

Anyways. Hope we have a build to a climax next chapter-

Do tell, Do tell. I want to know.

Also, yes it is something interesting that Sakura and Naruto got eachother's back not only on the battlefield, but in the arguments between their friends. Lee and Hinata just sit there and say nothing....and where's Sasuke? Oh yeah that's right.

See, it;s the little things in life that detail what is the most important.

[No WhereMan]

Yeah maybe if he didn't have Orochi's power/jutsu, not even 4-tails could beat Orochimaru. It would be a bad cop-out for Sakura to somehow beat him with punches. Sakura needs to learn some jutsu that's all their is to it.

About the 4-tails comment, that's not correct. Naruto's in a berserk stage at that moment, meaning he has no focus, or any type of logical thinking going on. So he's not fighting opponents he's just fighting what's moving in front of him. Which is part of the reason why Sakura got hurt.

And let me further state that Orochimaru barely survived that fight with the 4-tails. If Naruto/4-tails found out where Orochimaru ran off to, he would have made snake-skin shoes out of that guy.

[JG111580]

After reflecting on this chapter a bit longer and rereading some of the posts, I have had a few more thoughts.

Sakura vs Kabuto

Not only would this make sense in terms of emphasizing Sakura surpassing her master and light vs dark medical ninjutsu, but Kabuto and Orochimaru were the ones that put Sauske on the fast track to hatred and revenge. Thus, they are also partly responsible for putting Naruto in the terrible position that he finds himself in now. Remember how Kabuto and Orochimaru taunted Naruto and dehumanized him with their comments at the bridge. Kabuto also still wants to go after both Sauske and Naruto. However, Sakura does need to develope more, possibly her genjutsu skills, in order to have a chance. That is, unless part of Kakashi's big year is confronting Kabuto.

Tsunade

Tsunade is now awake and I believe she will resume her role as hokage and allow Kakashi to train Naruto. It will be interesting to see her reaction to the news that Naruto is to be hiden and protected. She has complete faith in Naruto. She believes that he is the child of prophecy and should be the one confronting the threat rather than hiding from it. She will find an ally among the kages on this topic in the Tsuchikage. Eventually, Naruto will be sent to the front lines.

Kages

It will be interesting to see how Naruto impacts the other kages. I think that interacting with and fighting for them will make him a legend throughout all the nations, not just the Leaf Villiage. Then he will have the influence to promote his vision of a peaceful world. I just hope that peace is achieved by Naruto and not by the memory of Naruto!

Naruto and Killer Bee

The more I think about it, the less likely it is that Naruto and Killer be will train together. I do think that they will either cross paths or information of how Killer Bee controls the eight tails will help Naruto with his training. However, at some point the eight tails will have to be captured to put Madara on the verge of accomplishing his goal. Plus, it would be a major tactical error for the alliance to keep the two people they have united to protect in one place. This will bring it down to Naruto and Sauske determining the fate of the world. Naruto will most likely find his own path to controling his chakra, using the key and with the help of Yamato and Kakashi. He will surpass Killer Bee with tailed beast chakra just as he surpassed Jiriya with sage mode.

Question: Will Naruto work on his father's final jutsu first, or will he learn control of the nine-tails? Obviously he needs the nine-tails charkra to complete the jutsu, so it would make sense for him to work on chakra control first. However, he developed the Rasen Shuriken first and was only able to complete it after learning to control natural energy.

Naruto vs Sauske

The question is, will the nine tails be extracted, and if so, how will Naruto come back with the power to defeat an almost invincible Madara? Will Sauske kill Naruto as foreshadowed by the nine-tails at Orochimaru's lair? Will Naruto be able to turn Sauske and the both of them take down Madara together? Afterall, their flawless teamwork and complimenting chakra elements have been highlighted in the past.

Itachi's Eyes

I wonder if the power that Itachi gave Naruto will only react to his eyes. In other words, Itachi may have anticipated that Sauske would take his eyes if he chose the dark path. That would also explain why nothing was triggered in this most recent confrontation. (May have just been that sharingan was not used though...)

Naruto and Sakura

We have seen the smiles, looks, and gestures that Sakura has given Naruto since the beginning of the manga, but I have one more observation. These seem to occur in conjunction with Naruto overcoming an obstacle. The more diffcult the trial, the more heartfelt the response from Sakura.

Obstacle Naruto's Major Development Sakura's Reaction
Zabuza Overcame fear and lived up to his words Blushing and asking herself about her feelings toward Naruto
Nejii Demonstrated his will and talent in front of the villiage Sakura realizes Naruto's growth and is inspired to work harder
Gaara Naruto discovers his will of fire to protect his important people with his life Sakura smiles and begins wanting to show gestures of kindness toward him
POAL Naruto puts his own feelings aside for Sakura Sakura realizes that Naruto truly understands her and was always there for her
Sauske Escapes Naruto tastes failure, but does give up and stays positive Sakura sees how how far Naruto went and becomes determined to help Naruto
Gaara is Kazekage Naruto overcomes jealousy and reaffirms conviction to his goal Sakura smiles and realizes Naruto actually has matured
Kakuzu Naruto has developed a jutsu farther than the 4th, defeats an Akatsuki Sakura sees Naruto happy after developing and using his
own strength, offers to feed him (with seductive look... )
Pain Overcomes revenge, surpasses Jiriya, saves the villiage, meets the 4th, etc VERY affectionate hug following knock on the head you would get from
someone worried sick about you
Confronts Sauske Lifts his burden of trying to make Sauske a "nice guy," confronts his hatred Smiles knowing he is at peace, at least for now

There are other moments where Sakura's feelings for Naruto are revealed, but I found this to be an interesting pattern in that, the greater the accomplishment, the greater the heartfelt and genuine response from Sakura.

I think this all points toward a NaruSaku conclusion. Afterall, if this pattern holds, how will she respond once Naruto has saved Sauske (in some way, shape, or form) united the ninja world in peace, and become a Hokage greater than any before?

[James S Cassidy]

There is just one thing I thought about. Everyone wants Sakura and Tsunade to have a convoy about Sakura's confession to Naruto, but I don't think it would happen like that.

I think it would more like play out like this. Naruto goes into hiding or goes with Killer Bee for some kind of training or even just put under heavy guard. Sakura is worried about Naruto and she can't stop thinking about him. Tsunade notices this and tells Sakura a lesson in life. Because Tsunade lost Jiraiya before she could convey her feelings for him, she tells Sakura that she should not miss any and all opportunities presented to her. That she should follow her heart to happiness and let things go as they go. If you keep everything bottled inside, you end up having regrets. Tsunade has vision of Jiraiya as she says this.

Sakura smiles and goes looking for Naruto who seems to be missing in action. He is found on the faces of the mountain looking over Konoha. She tries to finally get with him, but is always interrupted by something.

Sasuke attacks the village or after Naruto and they fight. Sakura gets in the middle and gets hurt, but alive. Sasuke is either kills himself or is drained to the point of exhaustion. Madara attacks and Naruto goes off to fight. Sakura kisses him and he goes off to fight.

That's how I see it.

I know far fetched beyond belief and a little bit too romantic for Kishimoto's writing style, but I can see something similar to this happening

[No WhereMan]

You know everyone even myself is thinking that Tsunade is going to take Sakura back under her wing to finalize her training. And to be honest it's the most logical move out there.

But a part of me wants Kakashi to teach Sakura something. I keep feeling that the whole Team 7 and now Team Kakashi thing, Sakura's been getting the raw deal with Kakashi's expertize. To be honest I'm beyond thrilled that Kakashi is taking so much of an interest in Naruto's training, especially since part I, Sasuke got the majority of the attention, considering how things turned out.

But Sakura lately has been feeling inferior to the boys in the combat aspect. And I think if anyone besides Tsunade could impart some wisdom in that area, it's Kakashi.

Also I think it's a foolish idea to attempt to put Naruto into hiding. (I say attempt because the moment he hears about it he's going to laugh his head off and completely ignore the order) If anything Naruto is almost kage level in strength. And with Konoha at the level it is currently they're going to need all the help they can get.

Edited by No WhereMan, 28 March 2010 - 09:00 AM.

[ShippudenGirl]

@No WhereMan

That does make sense. He even told Sakura that he hasn't been a very good sensei to her, and honestly he kinda hasn't. Out of the whole series I think the only things he taught her was to climb tree's, chakra control, and camouflage(?) I think.
He should teach her some Genjutsu; she has perfect Chakra control right? Easy-peesey.

But...
Who will teach Naruto? Fukasaku? That's his name I think. Maybe some good ol' Team seven training together? That'd be adorable. I love when Naruto and Sakura train/fight together, even Kakashi says there perfect teammates and lovers.

[Cloud]

I swear, the Kaminari Daimyo looks like Tazuna.