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IMO, he is creating drama and trying lenghtening the story. Or creating drama in order to try lenghtening the story. Don't look further in it.
Agreed. Drama = More views. It's elementary.
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I don't know if his editors are focing him out to drag the plot out, but I wouldn't be shocked.
I'm hoping his editors won't make him do anything that affects the overall plot.
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And if you think about it, I don't think Kishimoto intends ending the shipping wars too soon. So he throws one bone to shippers every so often (do you remember when Hinata and Naruto walked together as searching Ssuke?).
Purely fanservice. Nothing significant came out of it. It may be evidence that Kishi is, indeed, doing as you say he is.
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It's possible he's throwing bones to US? Perhaps. However, Naruto acknowledging Hinata like a friend, she tagging along in one mission, she confessing... had no consequences. The bench scene, The Promise of a Lifetime, Sai asking Naruto about his feelings, speaking to Sakura about them, Sakura confessing her feelings... had consequences. Grave, far-reaching and plot-affecting consequences. So I don't think those are scenes are thrown bones
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Nope. They're called plot. Hinata, not being a member of Team 7 or a major villain has no significance to the plot - At least, not in any important sense. Everything is between Team 7 now. The only significance she holds is as a member of the Rookies - Thus, as much importance as Tenten.
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I don't understand it, either. Sai is stating Sakura has given up on Sasuke and chosen Naruto (and here ten thousand fics went up in blazes), Naruto should have realized that, and she wants killing Sasuke (something I avoided stating earlier just in case I was wrong) in order to protect Naruto, Konoha, and saving the last shred of humanity dwelling on her ex-teammate, the part she fell in love with (I wonder what she will think if she's told that side never existed).
I reckon all of that is positive.
And you would be right. It's a very good thing.
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But Sai has hinted even if she loves Naruto she may be still in love with Sasuke... and shippers panic.
I was actually expecting Sakura to still love Sasuke. That's a huge piece of the plot, and damned if Kishi just throws it out without any resolution. I'm thinking that's what Sakura's confrontation with Sasuke will result in, her confirming Sasuke's ebilness, thus, she really CAN'T love him anymore. It's pointless to still deny that she loves Sasuke.
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By the way, I reckon the same people claimed "Sai doesn't know what he is talking about" when he uttered Naruto was in love with Sakura" back then are now stating "Sai knows what he is talking about" after what he has told Sakura loves Sasuke.
Absolutely.
Those people claimed that Sai didn't know what he was talking about. Well, of course not. He's just a main character who is indirectly saying words spoken by Kishimoto himself. What the hell does he know?
Oh, but he knows Sakura loves Sasuke because he's an expert and knows everything.
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I agree. I haven't been looking for fanart in weeks due to the mind-numbing, sight-dulling idiocy pervading NS fandom.
I still looks for fics in FF.Net and other places, though. Someone has to keep the Fanfiction List updated, hasn't he?
Kudos, brave soldier.
EDIT: Please allow me to quote myself at another forum I so bravely ventured. Tell me what you think of the theory.
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If you notice, Kishi seems to be darting back and forth between pairings. First, SasuSaku. Then, NaruSaku. Then, NaruHina, and for a brief moment, NaruSaku again, and now, SasuSaku.
As far as I'm concerned, NaruHina will not appear again. Up to this point, all the issues and conflicts have been more focused outside of Team 7; i.e., the Akatsuki, Pein.
But now, with this chapter, things have been transitioned from a free-for-all melee conflict party to solely Team 7's affairs; Sasuke going AWOL, Sakura's willingness to kill him, Naruto's desperation, etc. The only ones that really matter now are Team 7. Therefore, Hinata, being outside of Team 7 as she is, holds no more significance. The only significance she holds is as a member of the Rookies. Basically, she's as important as Tenten or Shino again.
(Shikamaru is exempt from this, since he's always been a flexible character who could be adapted to just about every situation, like in the first Gaara - Chunin exams arc. He's been useful in everything ever since. Fortunately, I don't see ShikaNaru happening )
That said, it comes down to either SasuSaku... or NaruSaku.
Regardless of my obvious preference to NaruSaku, I say it's more likely anyways.
Throughout the entire series, NaruSaku has remained the only constant relationship. NaruHina appeared in short bursts then quickly died, disappearing for an undisclosed time, then coming back randomly and briefly. SasuSaku, well, seemed to be sunk at the start of Part II, but is now "coming back" almost 300 chapters later. With risk of Sakura or Sasuke dying.
Throughout all this, Naruto and Sakura have remained together at a constant, steady rate. Through all the NH and SS "bursts," if you will, NaruSaku has remained; I say it will still remain through this SasuSaku "burst."
Basically; NaruSaku will survive this, another simple bump in the road like it has so many times before. That's why the chapter doesn't bother me. The series is progressing as it was intended to, and this is development, just another bump, wherein I think NaruSaku will come out alive for GOOD, better than ever.
Sorry if it was a little confusing. But I'm thinkin' it's possible.
Edited by Froot, 03 December 2009 - 01:34 PM.