4869 replies to this topic

[Radon]

The difference between Naruto and Sakura's outlook on the bonds they have forged are what lead to this argument.

Naruto was alone for most of his life, and how he was treated is no secret, this is why he is obsessed with returning Sasuke to Konoha. He wants to maintain what few bonds he has with the people around him because they are what keep him alive, what keep him from falling into the darkness. He wants his brotherly bond with Sasuke to be returned and he wants to bond that he holds with Sakura to be maintained.

The reason Sakura lied to Naruto about the scar was to protect him from himself. She knows how highly he regards her and injuring her in that state would cause him to lock himself away from her and from everyone. Luckily Yamato managed to redirect that grief for hurting her into determination to use his own power.

As was mentioned above, why would Kish cut off Yamato's sentence? Even if you think of it without any romantic connotations what purpose does it serve to have that end. If he was just telling her that she wasn't useless to Naruto then why end it there.

I think the most telltale thing about what he is trying to say is Yamato's warm smile on those two pages. It's an informed smile that confuses me to no end.

The best thing I can think of to ask a SasuSaku shipper is 'why is that cut off? What purpose does that line serve for the manga for it to be ended like that?'

[Daidoji_Tangen]

:clap, clap: I agree with all that you said except for one thing: Just because a guy tells a female she will protect her doesn't mean it's a confession of love. Since I'm a Bleach junkie, I'll bring it up. The main character, Ichigo, has a name which means "one who protects." He has a hero complex wanting to protect everyone. And, when he implied to the main female, Rukia, that he was concerned over her safety. Another character, Renji, said that it was an insult. Rukia herself said: "I didn't come here to be protected by you!" Sakura doesn't seem to want to be the damsel in distress either, she's a shinobi too, after all. Though we know Naruto loves Sakura, the "I will protect you" may not mean love. I think, it just means to protect. Just my two cents. XD

I agree with this. But like phenoixblood, I was looking at the context. Yamtao was placing special emphasis on Sakura above his other friends (besides Sasuke who is obviously one of his most important people).

Also, the point that Sakura isn't a damsel in distress, nor does Naruto see her as one implies deeper meaning in Yamtao's words.

And while she does need some protection being the medic, Yamtao obviously wasn't talking about team tactics. He was talking about Naruto's most important goals, and how he needs to to get them by himself (and yes, I realize Naruto still wants to be Hokage, but honestly, when does he ever talk about it anymore? I think the Hokage goal has been surpassed by the getting Sasuke back and protecting his precious people goals (though only *Sakura's safety can reign him in when it comes to getting Sasuke back, since hurting Jiraya obviously didn't stop him), which ironically makes him more ideal for becoming the Hokage some day).

*This goes along with my idea that he loves Sasuke and Sakura equally, but more than anyone else. Obviously, I feel the nature of that love is different for the two. This is my opinion. Maybe Kakashi or Iruka's safety could. But I doubt if he hurt Hinata, Neji, Shino, etc. that it would have the impact on him hurting Sakura did.

[Enermil]

I agree with this. But like phenoixblood, I was looking at the context. Yamtao was placing special emphasis on Sakura above his other friends (besides Sasuke who is obviously one of his most important people).

Also, the point that Sakura isn't a damsel in distress, nor does Naruto see her as one implies deeper meaning in Yamtao's words.

And while she does need some protection being the medic, Yamtao obviously wasn't talking about team tactics. He was talking about Naruto's most important goals, and how he needs to to get them by himself (and yes, I realize Naruto still wants to be Hokage, but honestly, when does he ever talk about it anymore? I think the Hokage goal has been surpassed by the getting Sasuke back and protecting his precious people goals (though only *Sakura's safety can reign him in when it comes to getting Sasuke back, since hurting Jiraya obviously didn't stop him), which ironically makes him more ideal for becoming the Hokage some day).

*This goes along with my idea that he loves Sasuke and Sakura equally, but more than anyone else. Obviously, I feel the nature of that love is different for the two. This is my opinion. Maybe Kakashi or Iruka's safety could. But I doubt if he hurt Hinata, Neji, Shino, etc. that it would have the impact on him hurting Sakura did.

I allways thougth when Yamato talked about the whole see Sasuke/protec Sakura thing along the lines of

"If you don´t want to lose both yourself and your most precious people (Sasuke and Sakura) to the Kyuubi become strong on your own".

Sasuke and Sakura are the most important pople in Naruto´s life. Sasuke is his "brother" and Sakura is his closest friend (and he wants just more than a friendly thing) They have and impact on him that none of the other rookie have. Only Iruka, Kakashi, Jiraiya and Tsunade have such a close relationship with him.

[Radon]

Everything in this Manga boils down to subtexts and interpretation in reality. There are so many different views of one event that it's likely we will never know what really is meant by it.

Take chapter 297 for example, there are many different ideas about what he was going to say, both pro and anti-NaruSaku that we may never know what was meant. Honestly that ark has probably caused more debates than almost any other in the manga to date, it keeps fans guessing as to the future of the story and to what was really meant there.

[SakuDotz]

I've read the one on Wikipedia. And I mean, at first I thought that the author was leaning more towards NaruSaku but now that I actually think about it, they were stating the obvious. Naruto and Sakura have a really good friendship... I mean yeah Sakura hits Naruto about but I love how their friendship is now compaired to when Sasuke was there. I hate Sasuke. Finally I can relax from all of those crazy people who love SasuSaku for life or something.. (Sorry if I offend anyone by that statement). But yeah, I could see them together once one of them confesses. I'd really like it to be Sakura, that would make the moment since we already knew that Naruto had a 'thing' for Sakura and continues to try his hardest to keep his promises to her (Which indeed is another great thing about Naruto Uzumaki).

[deafdrum]

As was mentioned above, why would Kish cut off Yamato's sentence? Even if you think of it without any romantic connotations what purpose does it serve to have that end. If he was just telling her that she wasn't useless to Naruto then why end it there.

I think the most telltale thing about what he is trying to say is Yamato's warm smile on those two pages. It's an informed smile that confuses me to no end.

The best thing I can think of to ask a SasuSaku shipper is 'why is that cut off? What purpose does that line serve for the manga for it to be ended like that?'

I strongly agree with this. The interruption was what defined that scene, not so much the actual dialogue, which could be interpreted in so many different ways, but the fact that it was cut off at the very last possible moment. Whatever Yamato was going to tell Sakura, it had to have held some special significance beyond the general theme of his speech.

What convinces me even further is that the "interruption" has been a recurring trend throughout the manga. In three chapters, 261, 289, and 297, we have seen the same general scene:

1. Sakura expresses some kind of concern for Naruto

2. That concern is then associated with Sakura's feelings toward Naruto (not necessarily romantic, but strong nonetheless), either through her own words or through other's observations.

3. Naruto interrupts, and Sakura appears to still have lingering thoughts about him afterwards.

The idea that something about Sakura's feelings is kept from being revealed repeatedly seems to give more weight to the significance and the secrecy of those feelings. We already know that Naruto and Sakura are friends, but apparently there is still something that is yet to be revealed about their relationship.

Heck, even 343 could be considered an "interruption" scene even though it doesn't quite follow the same trend listed above.

Everything in this Manga boils down to subtexts and interpretation in reality. There are so many different views of one event that it's likely we will never know what really is meant by it.

Take chapter 297 for example, there are many different ideas about what he was going to say, both pro and anti-NaruSaku that we may never know what was meant. Honestly that ark has probably caused more debates than almost any other in the manga to date, it keeps fans guessing as to the future of the story and to what was really meant there.

Also quite true. No matter how much we debate and argue, there will still be that invincible wall of relativism to divide the readers.

[Nick Soapdish]

I feel real sad... look at how desperate SasuSakuers are... how low can you get...?

It Burns!!

Not only is it disgusting, it's rude to the people who like SasuIno.

It doesn't represent all SasuSaku-ers. Just the artist and the few that commented in appreciation.

[whoamii]

Well here's what I think
1. Naruto's crush on Sakura was developed before the manga storyline. This is huge considering the fact that at the time there were only two people who accepted Naruto, that being the Third and of course Iruka.
There must be a reason as to why Naruto developed a crush on Sakura and it can't be because he thinks she's hot or whatever since it has been made obvious she isn't the prettiest of the girls. (Large forehead and what not.)
2. Though some may say that Hinata also accepted him before the manga storyline, she never told Naruto that and we all know that Naruto is as dense as a rock so there would be know way that he knew this.
3. Sakura having a crush on Sasuke may be just because he was the 'it' so to speak. Then again her crush could be completely genuine and have no other intentions.
4. Sakura thought it was Sasuke who saved her from Gaara. This obviously shows that Sakura thinks of Sasuke on a much higher pedestal than Naruto (though that has been made clear from the very beginning) I believe that someone earlier said that Sasuke showed jealousy about this (the fact that he wasn't the one to save Sakura) No offense and if one really squints (and I mean squinting so hard that you'll be blind in a second) you may interpret it as such. However I think it is obvious that Sasuke is just jealous that Naruto had the power to stop Gaara while he did not. Proof of this is when Kakashi stops Sasuke and Naruto from hitting each other with the Chidori and the Rasengan respectively. Sasuke smirks at first, seeing that the whole on the water tank he hit was bigger but when he sees the hole in the back of Naruto's water tank, he gets the same angry face that he wore when he told Sakura that Naruto was the one who save Sakura.
5. While Sakura did help to subside the cursed seal on Sasuke in the Forest of Death, she did try to help Naruto when he turned into the four-tailed Kyuubi as well. If the reason for her helping Sasuke was because they were meant to end up with each other that would mean the same for Naruto and Sakura. Again, this could just be because Sakura loves her two teamates (as friends)
6. A major indicator that Naruto and Sakura may end up together (this surprised me to no end) is that Yamato had told Sakura that she loves Naruto as more than a friend and it looked as if she was going to confirm it but due to Naruto waking up, nothing was further said on his topic. Again, fans may think that she was going to deny it or confirm depending on your choice of shipping. (Though there is also the fact that I think that if Sakura was going to deny that, she would have done so, whether or not Naruto woke up. The reason being that Sakura is brash like that and it would not hurt anything to tell Yamato that she didn't like Naruto like that. Some may consider that she didn't want to hurt Naruto's feelings because she knows that he likes her but that doesn't seem to make any sense since she's hit him more times than I can count.)
7. You may also consider the fact that if Sakura did in fact like Naruto that way she would have started calling him Naruto-kun. Again, some may say that she's just too used to calling him Naruto and old habits die hard or that she doesn't want to make it extremely obvious that she likes him that way or she hasn't realized it herself, etc. etc.
This covers up the whole NaruSakuSasu thing(or whatever order it is)

For NaruHina (look at my second point ^)
Also, Hinata is just too shy to be able to tell Naruto that she likes him. Even after the time skip...actually she seems worst than before, perhaps because she likes him even more now. Unless Naruto starts to use his brain more or understand girls better, I really don't see a way in which it would be possible for the two to be together.
In fact the only meaningful conversation they've had was before the Final Chuunin Exams. After Naruto beats the crap out of Neji and then beating some common sense into him, he doesn't think about her again. The part in the fillers don't count, seeing as how the manga didn't even touch upon that.
Then there have been some who have said Sakura is ugly (I'm putting this in nicer terms...) and Hinata is pretty. Well, not that I disagree (Hinata does seem to have a better figure than Sakura, but I wouldn't say that Sakura is ugly. That's just mean.) but, that argument seems very childish because Naruto had developed a crush on her since before the first part of the manga.
Now here's the biggie: Hinata likes Naruto a lot...and I mean a lot, a lot. It's almost at the point of being obsessive. (If I recall correctly there have been instances where she's stalked him...o.O) This would be the only reason that the two may end up together, but the argument would be how does Naruto know that she likes him. Though this couple is cute in it's own aspects, I just can't really think of a way for it to happen.
None of my points have to be taken seriously for anyone and I have tried to point everything out as honestly as I could. Unfortunately I can not say that some of my opinions have been thrown in there, but I tried my best. To be frank I hated Sasuke to no end for a long while so it is entirely possible that these points I've made are completely delusional.
If all these points have already been made then I'm really sorry, but this thread is 44 pages long and I only have the time to skim through some of the comments.

[Daidoji_Tangen]

7. You may also consider the fact that if Sakura did in fact like Naruto that way she would have started calling him Naruto-kun. Again, some may say that she's just too used to calling him Naruto and old habits die hard or that she doesn't want to make it extremely obvious that she likes him that way or she hasn't realized it herself, etc. etc.

Actually, not using a suffix is a point of familairity. Sure, at the beginning it was used to be rude, but now it is a sign of how close they are together. Sai even points this out in one chapter.

There's a much better explanation in Mizura's essay.

[Radon]

Actually, not using a suffix is a point of familairity. Sure, at the beginning it was used to be rude, but now it is a sign of how close they are together. Sai even points this out in one chapter.

There's a much better explanation in Mizura's essay.

Yah, in chapter 311 Sai mentions that Sakura dosn't use a suffix with Naruto. I think Kish put this in there to emphasize the fact that Sakura uses no suffix out of closeness now instead of disrespect, which also emphasizes that the teasing she does to him right after is just that... friendly teasing that really shows their closeness.

[Nick Soapdish]

For NaruHina (look at my second point ^)
Also, Hinata is just too shy to be able to tell Naruto that she likes him. Even after the time skip...actually she seems worst than before, perhaps because she likes him even more now. Unless Naruto starts to use his brain more or understand girls better, I really don't see a way in which it would be possible for the two to be together.
In fact the only meaningful conversation they've had was before the Final Chuunin Exams. After Naruto beats the crap out of Neji and then beating some common sense into him, he doesn't think about her again. The part in the fillers don't count, seeing as how the manga didn't even touch upon that.
Then there have been some who have said Sakura is ugly (I'm putting this in nicer terms...) and Hinata is pretty. Well, not that I disagree (Hinata does seem to have a better figure than Sakura, but I wouldn't say that Sakura is ugly. That's just mean.) but, that argument seems very childish because Naruto had developed a crush on her since before the first part of the manga.
Now here's the biggie: Hinata likes Naruto a lot...and I mean a lot, a lot. It's almost at the point of being obsessive. (If I recall correctly there have been instances where she's stalked him...o.O) This would be the only reason that the two may end up together, but the argument would be how does Naruto know that she likes him. Though this couple is cute in it's own aspects, I just can't really think of a way for it to happen.
None of my points have to be taken seriously for anyone and I have tried to point everything out as honestly as I could. Unfortunately I can not say that some of my opinions have been thrown in there, but I tried my best. To be frank I hated Sasuke to no end for a long while so it is entirely possible that these points I've made are completely delusional.
If all these points have already been made then I'm really sorry, but this thread is 44 pages long and I only have the time to skim through some of the comments.

I'm pretty confident that at some point, Hinata will find the confidence to confess to Naruto. However, I think that's all that is necessary to conclude her development. Her development doesn't require that Naruto answer affirmatively. In fact, I think it would speak better for her to be turned down, but still be able to retain her confidence.

She does stalk Naruto, but it's all in filler scenes in the anime. The anime got pretty absurd about that, even to the point of having her watching Naruto during his flubbed attempts at tree-climbing (which was during the Wave Country arc and would've required her to follow him there).

[Nick Soapdish]

I don't think the debate would've ended. It's "just" Yamato and I can easily see the argument that he wouldn't necessarily know because he isn't privy to the Team 7 relationship.

But yeah, it got cut off at "you really" although some translators include "you really l-" because of the context of the situation.

[whoamii]

My point about Yamato's line was just that it was extremely suggestive. Sorry if I made it seem as if it was more than what it was. The only thing I was pointing out was that Sakura views Naruto in a very different light now.

[Daidoji_Tangen]

I don't think the debate would've ended. It's "just" Yamato and I can easily see the argument that he wouldn't necessarily know because he isn't privy to the Team 7 relationship.

But yeah, it got cut off at "you really" although some translators include "you really l-" because of the context of the situation.

Actually, it's better that's coming from someone who doesn't know them well. It means it's pretty obvious if he can see it (I would point out it can be seen as a sign of Yamtao's perceptiveness, but even Sai saw it too, so I'll go with the obvious route).

[Nick Soapdish]

Actually, it's better that's coming from someone who doesn't know them well. It means it's pretty obvious if he can see it (I would point out it can be seen as a sign of Yamtao's perceptiveness, but even Sai saw it too, so I'll go with the obvious route).

It's better in most ways, but he's unaware of the degree of their attachment to Sasuke which is going to have an impact on how it gets realized at the least.

Putting that into perspective, it makes Ciardha's theory that Kakashi is subtly trying to keep them apart (such as eventually taking her place in feeding Naruto). He may be seeing them getting closer and trying to delay that because Sasuke's return might then confuse the issue. Or for other reasons or not at all. Personally, I'm skeptical of that interpretation of Kakashi's behavior and really reluctant to speculate even further based on it (aside from me mentioning it just now, that is).

[Daidoji_Tangen]

It's better in most ways, but he's unaware of the degree of their attachment to Sasuke which is going to have an impact on how it gets realized at the least.

Putting that into perspective, it makes Ciardha's theory that Kakashi is subtly trying to keep them apart (such as eventually taking her place in feeding Naruto). He may be seeing them getting closer and trying to delay that because Sasuke's return might then confuse the issue. Or for other reasons or not at all. Personally, I'm skeptical of that interpretation of Kakashi's behavior and really reluctant to speculate even further based on it (aside from me mentioning it just now, that is).

Hmm... I never heard that theory.

Is there anywhere I can find this theory?

It seems kinda fishy to me. Kakashi never interfered before in their personal lives unless it effected the team. And any growing romance has not. But I want to see it before I say more.

[Nick Soapdish]

I'm not sure. I've read a lot of posts by her and it wasn't in its own thread or anything. She's a member so you can PM her about it (or she might notice that we're mentioning her name and volunteer a better explanation than what I gave).

[Radon]

I think Kakashi is doing it strictly for the situations they get in.

Naruto chased after Deidra and therefore having to follow Naruto to make sure he was alright, and to balance the power between Naruto-Kakashi and Chiyo-Sakura.

Then on the bridge mission they were split up because Sakura is the medic and the team leader guards the medic, while the attacking force stay together (Naruto and Sai).

Then on the next battle Yamato sent Sai and Sakura to help Shikamaru because he was fighting solo and could use a medic-nin and they needed Naruto for the main fight with Kak.

Then on this ark he placed Naruto with Yamato and Hinata for Yamato's bloodline and Hinata's tracking ability.

So I don't think hes trying to screw up their love life I just think he was doing what was in best interest of the mission at hand.