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So the reason for Kabuto's peculiar chakra signature is that not all of Orochimaru's energy was removed? That doesn't seem all too likely that he would leave traces of that energy behind if he was trying to capitalise on an opportune moment to increase his strength before making an attempt on Sasuke's body.
The argument that Orochimaru is the source of his senjutsu power will only persist now until the final remnants are extracted from Kabuto. It would have been an impressive accomplishment for him to explain how he was able to achieve the form without Orochimaru's assistance by relying on the perks he was given from Karin and Juugo's genetic material. A strength derived from the power of the younger generations instead. Oh well...
I was impressed that Kishi pointed out the striking resemblances that Kabuto has with Obito. Both of them had their sense of morality and self-hood twisted by manipulative relics of the past. Although Kabuto's loss of identity occurred over a much more gradual period of indoctrination under Danzo. The deaths of those close to them was a catalyst to them seeking alternative methods to fill a void in their life, but Obito's experiences with Madara prior to that were mostly filled with recuperation and anticipation of a return to his team.
Even the visuals of these two are similar. Ebony shaded pants that trail off above their ankles, exposed torsos with a surprisingly muscular physique, and noticeable irregularities in their bodies stemming from artificial enhancements that make them look like an unnaturally powerful mutant of science. Features that give an impression of two people that have survived trial and error to act in the culmination of every struggle endured before as a battle-hardened, finalistic warrior who has managed to survive death and push beyond the limits of human capacity both morally and scientifically.
I can't say that Kabuto's change was handled perfectly because there is still more that I think that could be done for him and I have grievances with the mantra that's preached like an overused sermon to get him and Tobi to convert but whatever. Kishi's word is the rule of law in this manga.
On another note, the confirmation of Minato's imperfect and imprecise senjutsu usage answers some hotly contested questions about his status compared to Naruto's.
Did Guy use the 7th gate and not suffer severe damage? What happened to the rule of thumb that with a greater power came a harsher risk and penalty? It wasn't too long ago that Guy was unable to move a single part of his body without intense pain yet he's able to brush off those adverse effects now with just a few broken bones? It's like Kakashi's miraculous turn-around in chakra supply recently. The man who would collapse after just a few gazes with the MS active uses it like an out of style garment now with virtually no ramifications.
Of course, Lee is completely unabated by the intensity of Madara's power. Chalk that up to his personality or the circumstances of his arrival if you want.
I thought the rest of the chapter was surprisingly underwhelming. Guy's performance against Madara is being played up as an important game piece in the fight but it's just not that engrossing. Hopefully the 8th gate will prove more interesting.
Edited by Atheck, 05 March 2014 - 10:02 AM.
