I think Sasuke is going to die. (Not that he has to, storywise, but it would be the most fitting for me.) He has pissed off too many people who want him dead. Even if he didn't, his current insanity wouldn't let him rest. Anyone weaker that Sasuke, he treats with contempt. Anyone of equal or stronger strength becomes a threat to his existence (and ego), so conflict is inevitable.
Naruto has been looking to Sasuke for acknowledgement, that they are friends and equal shinobis. I think that as Sasuke is dying, he can let go of the conflict and madness, and finally let Naruto know he much he meant to him. (As a friend, not the other way!!
)
Sasuke's death would also raise some interesting issues:
- Talk-no-jutsu would have saved everyone it was used on, except (tragically) the person who meant the most to Naruto
- Naruto would have his most important promise broken
- Naruto and Sakura would have to turn to each other to deal with the grief
I'll go one step further, and hope (predict?) that Sakura will be the one to kill Sasuke. Not outfight him, clearly. But I could see Sasuke dismissively turning his back on her, likely to apply a killing blow to Naruto, which would trigger her response. I like the idea of Sakura causing the breaking of Naruto's promise to her, in order to protect him.
Edited by RedDelicious, 27 August 2009 - 04:06 PM.