54216 replies to this topic

[TerrorKing]

I very much doubt that Kishi would just "resolve" Naruto and Sakura's relationship off panel.  That would be pure insanity. So far NS has had such a slow and consistent build up and as such, resolving it off panel would be beyond sloppy.

 

That's why I love NS so much. It's pretty much the perfect representation of a "friendship ---> lovers" type relationship.   

Edited by TerrorKing, 02 October 2013 - 11:53 PM.

[Sakamaki Izayoi]

I very much doubt that Kishi would just "resolve" Naruto and Sakura's relationship off panel.  That would be pure insanity. So far NS has had such a slow and consistent build up and as such, resolving it off panel would be beyond sloppy.

 

That's why I love NS so much. It's pretty much the perfect representation of a "friendship ---> lovers" type relationship.   

Which is why i dont believe he was being honest on the "more or less", how could he resolver Naruto's problem on NS off-panel when thoughout the whole manga he avoided Naruto witnessing her devotion towards him and even making Sai tell him when she was doing it for Sasuke when on Sakura's viewpoint we saw that she was doing all this for Naruto's sake and could not kill Sasuke because of her feelings for him.

 

His response was used as a plot device, Minato asked Sakura a straightforward question just like 540, but kishi is hiding Sakura's feelings purposely so he made Naruto say this either as a "joke" or he on a defense mode because Naruto doesnt want to hear what Sakura has to say because he thinks she loves Sasuke.

(both the interpretations still enforce the idea that he wants to be her boyfriend and loves her).

 

Which is why Obi/Rin is important Naruto has yet to realize Sakura's devotion to him, he only saw hers towards Sasuke, and that's a problem by doing Obi/Rin would break Naruto's mindset about it.

[Inferno180]

One reason I loved NS was well, when playing UNS2 back in 2010, there was one moment that really stood out.

 

While the anime made it look much nicer, I believe the game put a lot more emotion into the scene with Sakura hugging Naruto. I seriously teared when this came up in UNS2 at the end.

 

Seriously just watch this starting at the 21:50 mark and listen to the music, this is the scene when everyone rushed to thank and see Naruto and then Sakura enters, just watch the 21:50 mark yourself:

 

[TerrorKing]

Which is why i dont believe he was being honest on the "more or less", how could he resolver Naruto's problem on NS off-panel when thoughout the whole manga he avoided Naruto witnessing her devotion towards him and even making Sai tell him when she was doing it for Sasuke when on Sakura's viewpoint we saw that she was doing all this for Naruto's sake and could not kill Sasuke because of her feelings for him.

 

His response was used as a plot device, Minato asked Sakura a straightforward question just like 540, but kishi is hiding Sakura's feelings purposely so he made Naruto say this either as a "joke" or he on a defense mode because Naruto doesnt want to hear what Sakura has to say because he thinks she loves Sasuke.

(both the interpretations still enforce the idea that he wants to be her boyfriend and loves her).

 

Which is why Obi/Rin is important Naruto has yet to realize Sakura's devotion to him, he only saw hers towards Sasuke, and that's a problem by doing Obi/Rin would break Naruto's mindset about it.

Whether you see Naruto's "more or less" comment as a joke or whatever, it's just an extremely bold comment. I don't think he was joking because as others have already pointed out, that would be pretty tacless. Naruto's dead father has just returned to the world of the living and is now standing before him and Sakura. He then proceeds to ask Sakura an honest question about whether she and Naruto are an item and Naruto chooses to deal with this by telling a joke...at Sakura's expense no less? Sorry, I just don't see that.

 

One of Naruto's biggest desires (as was shown in RtN) is to spend more time with his parents. Why would he waste such a precious opportunity by turning it into a joke? Naruto may be a prankster, but even he has limits. That's another thing. It would also make him a hypocrite? What, so it's not okay for Sakura to joke around with her own feelings, but when he does it it's a-okay? No, just no. Naruto may not be perfect, but he has shown time and again that he takes Sakura's feelings very serious, even if they don't fall in his favor. The idea that Naruto would joke about something like that just completely goes against everything that he stands for.

 

I think 631 was Naruto's response to Sakura's confession. It was his way of telling her that he still loves her and that he is willing to talk things through. 

 

I agree that just like Sakura, Naruto needs to understand and acknowledge the depth of Sakura's feelings for him as well as the lengths that she is willing to go in order to protect him. That's why I keep hoping that, just like how Sakura and everyone else was able to see inside Naruto's heart, that Naruto will be able to see inside Sakura's heart and understand that they have a lot in common in regards to wanting to protect each other.   

 

It's true what you said about ObiRin. One big difference between OR and NS is that even though Rin didn't return Obito's feelings, she clearly cared a great deal for him and she was very open about it. Perhaps the ObiRin parallel could somehow be connected with the whole "looking into each others hearts" thing. 

 

However, just as we've discussed many times before, something like that is probably not gonna happen until the very end. 

[KnS]

Bolded: how can there be any arguments saying sakura doesn't love naruto now?

 

We say in 631 she didn't deny being his girlfriend so how can she not be in love with him now?

 

She's his gf but they dont love each other????????

 

 

Make your mind up is she or not?

 

not trying to sound aggresive here

 

I think you may have misunderstood what Inferno was saying.  His quote was:

 

"Sakura was crying in joy that Naruto saved a friend like Shikamaru, this was someone who Sakura doesn't love but imagine her reaction to Naruto next time when something directly positive involving them occurs." 

 

If I'm not mistaken, the part in red refers to Shikamaru, not Naruto.  I think Inferno was saying that if Sakura cried for joy over Naruto saving Shikamaru, imagine how much joy she will express when something specific happens between her and Naruto.

 

I very much doubt that Kishi would just "resolve" Naruto and Sakura's relationship off panel.  That would be pure insanity. So far NS has had such a slow and consistent build up and as such, resolving it off panel would be beyond sloppy.

 

That's why I love NS so much. It's pretty much the perfect representation of a "friendship ---> lovers" type relationship.    

 

I don't believe NS will be resolved off-panel, either.  My previous post as to why Naruto said "more or less" accounts for the fact that his response to Minato in #631 did not resolve NS and left it up in the air.  We don't know exactly where Naruto and Sakura stand with each other, and neither do they.

 

However, it's my opinion that Kishimoto HAD to insert a scene where Naruto is shown as having moved some distance off the position that Sakura resolutely loves Sasuke, that he has no chance with her, and that he can't be convinced that her feelings could have changed.  

 

It would be unrealistic if Naruto was completely unfazed by Sakura's confession and Sai's subsequent explanation, and just walked away from it continuing to think nothing had or could ever change between them.  Likewise, it would be unrealistic for Kishimoto to have gone from Naruto's muddled and conflicted response to the confession, and then suddenly had Naruto accept Sakura later as if none of it had happened.

 

There had to be a transition scene to set up the on-panel resolution, and #631 was it.

Edited by KnS, 03 October 2013 - 01:42 AM.

[TouKen4Life3g]

You know, the fact Hinata was placed the same with Shikamaru and others actually hurt her in terms of NH because remember, when it comes to something more, one must stick out differently than the rest. Pretty much, she's like friendzoning herself without being so intentional. So in a way, we don't need to interpret the moment, just let it be. I mean Sakura could say it as well, but somehow she was left out. It's like it's own separate ways, but obviously, Kishi knows there's more to her for Naruto.

[Inferno180]

 

 

I think you may have misunderstood what Inferno was saying.  His quote was:

 

 

If I'm not mistaken, the part in red refers to Shikamaru, not Naruto.  I think Inferno was saying that if Sakura cried for joy over Naruto saving Shikamaru, image how much joy she will express when something specific happens between her and Naruto.

 

 

I don't believe NS will be resolved off-panel, either.  My previous post as to why Naruto said "more or less" accounts for the fact that his response to Minato in #631 did not resolve NS and left it up in the air.  We don't know exactly where Naruto and Sakura stand with each other, and neither do they.

 

However, it's my opinion that Kishimoto HAD to insert a scene where Naruto is shown as having moved some distance off the position that Sakura resolutely loves Sasuke, that he has no chance with her, and that he can't be convinced that her feelings could have changed.  

 

It would be unrealistic if Naruto was completely unfazed by Sakura's confession and Sai's subsequent explanation, and just walked away from it continuing to think nothing had or could ever change between them.  Likewise, it would be unrealistic for Kishimoto to have gone from Naruto's muddled and conflicted response to the confession, and then suddenly had Naruto except Sakura later as if none of it had happened.

 

There had to be a transition scene to set up the on-panel resolution, and #631 was it.

 

 

KnS gets 500+ points, he understood what I was saying.

[rocci]

NS is the third or second important relationship in naruto manga.
The first one is narusasu(friendship/brotherhood/rival)
The second is narukaka(student-teacher/surrogate parent)
The third is narusaku(aka lover/husband - wife)
You always get the parallel of three major relationship. And right now in this arc kishi put the lover thing in full force, starting from minakushi and then obirin. For me this sign that kishi put NS as important thing in this manga.

[TouKen4Life3g]

NS is the third or second important relationship in naruto manga.
The first one is narusasu(friendship/brotherhood/rival)
The second is narukaka(student-teacher/surrogate parent)
The third is narusaku(aka lover/husband - wife)
You always get the parallel of three major relationship. And right now in this arc kishi put the lover thing in full force, starting from minakushi and then obirin. For me this sign that kishi put NS as important thing in this manga.

Good point. I don't know any parallel for Naruto/Iruka, but no doubt it's an important bond. It would seem to me that Kishi is building up love and brother to the max for the next arc to conclude in a high note.

[redragon88]

I don't believe NS will be resolved off-panel, either.  My previous post as to why Naruto said "more or less" accounts for the fact that his response to Minato in #631 did not resolve NS and left it up in the air.  We don't know exactly where Naruto and Sakura stand with each other, and neither do they.

 

However, it's my opinion that Kishimoto HAD to insert a scene where Naruto is shown as having moved some distance off the position that Sakura resolutely loves Sasuke, that he has no chance with her, and that he can't be convinced that her feelings could have changed.  

 

It would be unrealistic if Naruto was completely unfazed by Sakura's confession and Sai's subsequent explanation, and just walked away from it continuing to think nothing had or could ever change between them.  Likewise, it would be unrealistic for Kishimoto to have gone from Naruto's muddled and conflicted response to the confession, and then suddenly had Naruto except Sakura later as if none of it had happened.

 

There had to be a transition scene to set up the on-panel resolution, and #631 was it.

 

 

What I don't get is that if 631 was to establish how Naruto viewed Sakura as a love interest still, why did Naruto answer that question based on what Sakura said and not from his own perspective.

 

Naruto basically said that it's according to Sakura that she's something like a girlfriend, not that it's from his own conclusions.

 

And as some have mentioned it would feel in poor taste for Naruto to poke fun of Sakura's feelings given that he said joking about feelings isn't funny. And there's the fact that it feels odd that Naruto would just lie to his dad about such a thing.

 

But given the above it would mean Naruto was serious about his answer and thus thinks Sakura has the genuine intent of becoming his girlfriend.

 

Kishi really takes you for a ride when it comes to Naruto and Sakura's relationship, doesn't he? No wonder so many people just dislike the couple, they don't have the patience to endure all the ups and downs the progression of their relationship has to offer.

[Shadow1275]

 

What I don't get is that if 631 was to establish how Naruto viewed Sakura as a love interest still, why did Naruto answer that question based on what Sakura said and not from his own perspective.

 

Naruto basically said that it's according to Sakura that she's something like a girlfriend, not that it's from his own conclusions.

 

And as some have mentioned it would feel in poor taste for Naruto to poke fun of Sakura's feelings given that he said joking about feelings isn't funny. And there's the fact that it feels odd that Naruto would just lie to his dad about such a thing.

 

But given the above it would mean Naruto was serious about his answer and thus thinks Sakura has the genuine intent of becoming his girlfriend.

 

Kishi really takes you for a ride when it comes to Naruto and Sakura's relationship, doesn't he? No wonder so many people just dislike the couple, they don't have the patience to endure all the ups and downs the progression of their relationship has to offer.

I think its because he doesn't believe that she was honest when she confessed to him in the Land of Iron, even though in my opinion there was some truth to what she said when she confessed.

[Darkness]

 

What I don't get is that if 631 was to establish how Naruto viewed Sakura as a love interest still, why did Naruto answer that question based on what Sakura said and not from his own perspective.

 

Naruto basically said that it's according to Sakura that she's something like a girlfriend, not that it's from his own conclusions.

 

And as some have mentioned it would feel in poor taste for Naruto to poke fun of Sakura's feelings given that he said joking about feelings isn't funny. And there's the fact that it feels odd that Naruto would just lie to his dad about such a thing.

 

But given the above it would mean Naruto was serious about his answer and thus thinks Sakura has the genuine intent of becoming his girlfriend.

 

Kishi really takes you for a ride when it comes to Naruto and Sakura's relationship, doesn't he? No wonder so many people just dislike the couple, they don't have the patience to endure all the ups and downs the progression of their relationship has to offer.

 

I disagree with the bolded part. I've seen many people using Sakura's confession as if it was the reason why Naruto affirmatively answered his father when asked if Sakura was his girlfriend, which is usually followed by the "he was joking" argument.  

 

In my point of view, his answer had nothing to do with the confession. Naruto answered "yes" because it simply is what he wants. It is not that hard to understand that and I believe there's no need to overthink about it. After that we get the "more or less" part because obviously he knows this is not true, but that has never stopped him from boasting about it. You can also argue this was "Naruto's own way" of saying how their relationship is not something that simple to describe, and it really isn't. I also see it as a plot device to show once again where Naruto stands given the most recent events, and at the sime time purposely prevent Sakura from thinking about any kind of relationship with Naruto just yet, as many have already mentioned before, this would terminate the pairing drama of the series. But I just don't buy it that his answer was influenced in any way by Sakura's confession, this is just the way some fans have found to downplay and deny Naruto's answer to something non reliable such as a joke. 

Edited by Darkness, 03 October 2013 - 02:32 AM.

[TouKen4Life3g]

I do agree on the complicated part of the relationship because it is. At the point they're in, it's not a normal friendship anymore. It's becoming more or less a new level that these two have to sort it out when the time comes.

[Fairy Tail Fantard]

I see Sakura and Naruto's relationship as More than best friends, but not quite at the boyfriend girlfriend stage quite yet.

[KnS]

 

KnS gets 500+ points, he understood what I was saying.

 

Woo hoo!  I love points.  But... I'm not a he.    

 

 

What I don't get is that if 631 was to establish how Naruto viewed Sakura as a love interest still, why did Naruto answer that question based on what Sakura said and not from his own perspective.

 

Naruto basically said that it's according to Sakura that she's something like a girlfriend, not that it's from his own conclusions.

 

Well, I'm not sure I understand your perspective.  If I understand you correctly, you're saying that Naruto answered FOR Sakura, on her behalf and that Naruto gave Minato what he thought was Sakura's answer.  Is that right?

 

If so, then I have to say I see it differently.  This is the transcript from the chapter:

 

Minato:  "Thank you for helping Naruto recover.  Are you Naruto's girlfriend?"

Naruto:  "Uuuhhmmm... uhm?  Yeah!  Well, that's more or less it..."

 

Naruto definitely hurried to answer his father before Sakura could say anything, but I believe he answered according to his own feelings and conclusions.  Nothing else makes sense to me.

 

The question is, why did he rush to cover for Sakura?  Maybe Naruto wanted to spare her the public humiliation of having to come up with an answer? But that doesn't really make sense.  If she was going to feel humiliated, it was by Minato's question itself regardless of her answer.  You'd think if Naruto wanted to keep things cool and not embarrass anyone he would have said she wasn't his girlfriend -- especially if that is what he actually thinks.  That would have been easier and much lower risk, considering the circumstances.

 

But instead he says she is his girlfriend. The only reason I can see for him to do that is what I explained in my previous post -- because that's what he wants, it's what she said during her confession, and when he challenged her by saying he hated people who lied to themselves, she said she knew how she felt and what she wanted, and told him if he didn't feel the same way to just say so.  But he didn't.

 

 

And as some have mentioned it would feel in poor taste for Naruto to poke fun of Sakura's feelings given that he said joking about feelings isn't funny. And there's the fact that it feels odd that Naruto would just lie to his dad about such a thing.

 

I agree.  I don't think he was making fun of her, nor was he joking.  As I've said before, there's nothing about his expression, words, or posture in that scene that suggests he was joking or lying. He's hedging, yes, because it's not 100% resolved, but I don't think he was lying.

 

 

But given the above it would mean Naruto was serious about his answer and thus thinks Sakura has the genuine intent of becoming his girlfriend.

 

I think he answered that way because he's leaving the door open to the possibility -- that if she's not 100% his girlfriend yet, he has hope that she will become his girlfriend.

 

Kishi really takes you for a ride when it comes to Naruto and Sakura's relationship, doesn't he? No wonder so many people just dislike the couple, they don't have the patience to endure all the ups and downs the progression of their relationship has to offer.

 

Indeed.  But I love it.  

[Paptala]

 

I don't believe NS will be resolved off-panel, either.  My previous post as to why Naruto said "more or less" accounts for the fact that his response to Minato in #631 did not resolve NS and left it up in the air.  We don't know exactly where Naruto and Sakura stand with each other, and neither do they.

 

However, it's my opinion that Kishimoto HAD to insert a scene where Naruto is shown as having moved some distance off the position that Sakura resolutely loves Sasuke, that he has no chance with her, and that he can't be convinced that her feelings could have changed.  

 

It would be unrealistic if Naruto was completely unfazed by Sakura's confession and Sai's subsequent explanation, and just walked away from it continuing to think nothing had or could ever change between them.  Likewise, it would be unrealistic for Kishimoto to have gone from Naruto's muddled and conflicted response to the confession, and then suddenly had Naruto accept Sakura later as if none of it had happened.

 

There had to be a transition scene to set up the on-panel resolution, and #631 was it.

 

This is one of the best explanations for 631 that I have seen yet!  Thinking of it as a transition scene makes a lot of sense, and really seems to fit that scene - makes perfect sense!  As always, its a pleasure to see your thoughts on such things.

 

You know, the fact Hinata was placed the same with Shikamaru and others actually hurt her in terms of NH because remember, when it comes to something more, one must stick out differently than the rest. Pretty much, she's like friendzoning herself without being so intentional. So in a way, we don't need to interpret the moment, just let it be. I mean Sakura could say it as well, but somehow she was left out. It's like it's own separate ways, but obviously, Kishi knows there's more to her for Naruto.

I agree.  While I may have been hasty in claiming that this chapter actually confirmed Hinata's intentions to be by Naruto's side weren't romantic in nature, it certainly takes away from the intention's impact when so many other characters also state the same exacst desire.  Kishimoto is not having Hinata stand out as unique amongst Naruto's bonds - just as he had Naruto hold hands with Shikamaru and Tenten right after doing so with Hinata, now he has many others saying they too want to be by Naruto's side.

 

On a bit of a side note, I was reading an old shipping essay for a different fandom and came across this tidbit:

"According to a published romance writer, a romance should have:

 

1. A wonderful, loveable, sympathetic heroine. Your heroine has to be someone your reader can root for, someone who will deserve the happiness you will eventually settle upon her. She doesn't have to be sappy, sweet, or angelic in her behavior, but deep down in her core she must have something irresistible that makes her eventual happiness just and fair.

 

2. Ditto for the hero. Remember, you are giving this man to your heroine in the end. He must be worthy of the gift of her love.

 

3. Something that throws them together. Heck, if they can go their separate ways, the reader just might wonder why they don't. Who needs the trouble that they'll inevitably face before they can find happiness? You must make it darn near impossible for them to walk away.

 

4. An insurmountable obstacle for them to overcome. If she's wonderful, and he's worthy, and something is drawing them together, you better be sure there's some major stumbling block in the way of their happiness or your book will be over on page four (And I mean major, not some trifling differences of opinion that they just bicker over. Think already married, think responsible for the death of a loved one, think pregnant with someone else's child. Well, don't think any of those--they’re mine, and I've used them to keep apart heroes and heroines who were made for each other--just made a little too late )

 

5. A black moment. You've been working toward this from page one, or should have been. This is the scene where it becomes clear to the characters, or the reader, or both, that there is no chance that this wonderful woman can ever spend the rest of her days with the only man in the world who can make her truly happy.

 

6. A monkey wrench. It's always nice to surprise the reader with a little twist she didn't see coming, especially when it complicates the story just a bit more and delays that happy ending for another few pages.

 

7. The happy ending. Readers enjoy romance novels because they offer a safety net stretched tautly beneath all the excitement and frustration the characters will encounter through the course of the novel. They offer a guarantee that despite that insurmountable obstacle, despite that Black Moment and that monkey wrench, all will turn out well in the end. And that ending must be fitting, right, and satisfying. "

 

While its not entirely applicable in this case, it does confirm that conflict and obstacles and moments that make it seem as though the pairing won't actually end up together are not death knells for a literary pairing -  this is how relationships, apparently romantic ones in particular, are supposed to be written. 

 

NaruSaku has obstacles (unfulfilled POAL, Sakura's lingering feelings for Sasuke, Sakura's not knowing exactly what she feels for Naruto), it has a "black moment" (arguably Sakura's confession and resulting reveal of her remaining feelings for Sasuke) and it has a monkey wrench (arguably 615).  Not to mention that Kishimoto himself said in an early interview that his main focus was on bonds, particularly in depicted the complications and resulting struggles of those bonds.

 

There are no obstacles, complications, or struggles with NaruHina (certainly not on Naruto's end), no "black moments" or monkey wrenches.  I suppose there was Naruto's obliviousness and Hinata's shyness, but those obstacles were eradicated over 200 chapters ago and Naruto still hasn't shown any romantic interest in Hinata, nor has Hinata changed in her disposition towards Naruto - their relationship hasn't really changed.  You could argue that Naruto's feelings for Sakura are an obstacle, but it would actually have to be brought up by Hinata or Naruto or during an NH moment in order for me to believe that Kishimoto was making said feelings an obstacle to NaruHina.

 

This is just one of the many things I feel demonstrate that NaruSaku is the relationship Kishimoto intends to be the romantic focus in this story, and not NaruHina. It seems that Sakura's feelings for Sasuke were always meant to be an obstacle, and the major NaruHina moments monkey wrenches, on the path to NaruSaku, going by how they have been developed and presented in the manga overall.

NS is the third or second important relationship in naruto manga.
The first one is narusasu(friendship/brotherhood/rival)
The second is narukaka(student-teacher/surrogate parent)
The third is narusaku(aka lover/husband - wife)
You always get the parallel of three major relationship. And right now in this arc kishi put the lover thing in full force, starting from minakushi and then obirin. For me this sign that kishi put NS as important thing in this manga.

In terms of importance to the story, I would actually place Naruto's relationship with Sakura before his relationship with Kakashi - we really haven't gotten any bonding between the two outside of the fight with Obito, and I never really saw them as having a particularly close relationship personally until that fight.

 

As far as Naruto himself views it, I think he considers all of his bonds with the original Team 7 and Iruka to be on the same level of imporance to him ("They saved me from the hell of loneliness.  That's why they are the most imporant."), and that these four particular individuals will always hold a special place in his heart above and beyond everyone else (bar his parents, of course).

Edited by Paptala, 03 October 2013 - 03:05 AM.

[rikakim94]

You guys this is a really good neutral rant about the way how sakura has been written as a character.

 

http://bodegacowboy....ght-sakura-rant

 

You know at one point i was gonna post an interesting topic of the reason why kishi has been giving sakura a lot of screentime lately  i think he's doing it out all the times he neglected her. However i can't get the feeling that he's also failing at that to. So i guess sakura really is failure of a character haters and anti's do have a decent point. "sigh" a wishful thinking if i naruto had a short about the team 7 turning into adults and it was animated with a better studio. I would be involved in and i will do my best to make sakura a consistent character with the plot being revolved around her most of the time.Then have get her plenty of fight scenes of villains who are more powerful yet challenging opponent for sakura and finally have sakura tag team with her teammates to fight a strong villain. A girl can dream. 

 

I have to admit this is reason why i didn't read the manga or never will when i heard sakura appear in this chapter i didn't care much because i thought she would get tiny panels instead i heard that sakura saved shikamaru i got a little hopeful that sakura got more panel time.when it was confirmed that tsunade was the one who healed shikamaru with one hand i got a bit disappointed and i mean i was little happy that tsunade complemented sakura. However sakura again being downplayed as a healer just really made me lose hope that kishi kinda made her a fodder like character. Except the fact that she knows naruto more than anyone in this chapter, but it really really makes me upset everything about her as a strong lead just feel like something that be laughed at in a satire matter and i hate that.

 

Well i already lost interest in this manga due to slow pacing of the plot, dragged out pairings, a very poor mistreatment of sakura as a heroine, and finally NS being my opt anymore maybe when the manga is finally over i'll just be happy and relived.  

 

The only think im looking forward to is kishi's Mario manga Kishi's  seems to show his spark as a writer again. Im happy there no love triangle in that manga pilot hopefully it stays that way when the manga turns into a series. 

[redragon88]

 

I disagree with the bolded part. I've seen many people using Sakura's confession as if it was the reason why Naruto affirmatively answered his father when asked if Sakura was his girlfriend, which is usually followed by the "he was joking" argument.  

 

In my point of view, his answer had nothing to do with the confession. Naruto answered "yes" because it simply is what he wants. It is not that hard to understand that and I believe there's no need to overthink about it. After that we get the "more or less" part because obviously he knows this is not true, but that has never stopped him from boasting about it. You can also argue this was "Naruto's own way" of saying how their relationship is not something that simple to describe, and it really isn't. I also see it as a plot device to show once again where Naruto stands given the most recent events, and at the sime time purposely prevent Sakura from thinking about any kind of relationship with Naruto just yet, as many have already mentioned before, this would terminate the pairing drama of the series. But I just don't buy it that his answer was influenced in any way by Sakura's confession, this is just the way some fans have found to downplay and deny Naruto's answer to something non reliable such as a joke. 

 

Regardless of whether Naruto's answer is in reference to Sakura's confession or not he was indeed casually quoting Sakura for it. Megi already explained this a long time ago.

 

When Naruto answered he ended the sentence with "datte", which is for refer to what someone else said (at least that's how I remember the explanation). Which means that Naruto's answer is that according to Sakura she "more or less" his girlfriend.

 

 

Well, I'm not sure I understand your perspective.  If I understand you correctly, you're saying that Naruto answered FOR Sakura, on her behalf and that Naruto gave Minato what he thought was Sakura's answer.  Is that right?

 

In a way yes. I think Naruto did answer for himself, but he's explaining that he believes Sakura's something like a girlfriend because that's what she herself established.

Edited by redragon88, 03 October 2013 - 03:47 AM.

[TouKen4Life3g]

Funny that Minato is like, "Ok." Well, he's settled. Now, just keep it that way. Be the plot shield that he is.

[xxRomanceGirlxx]

The thing about Naruto is that he can joke about feelings, but not in serious contexts or situations. For example, he described Sakura as "his girlfriend" to Konohamaru a long time ago, and it was extremely obvious he was blatantly lying for his own satisfaction; however, it was still a joke, more or less. You could tell by his behavior it was, he wasn't meaning literally. He just liked to hear himself say it. And of course his date requests are comedic and innocent, it purposely makes it that way because it's not like he's confessing. Now it doesn't mean his feelings aren't real, but he's playing them off as light-hearted and playful. Something he often does, probably partly why Sakura didn't even know he fell in love with her until Sai told her.

 

Say it's a life-or-death situation or something as intimate as a love confession. Those are very serious atmospheres that Naruto doesn't and never has treated as a "joke".  Sure he's playful, but if raise the bar up to the love of his life saying she's in love with him out of the blue under suspicious circumstances when he was convinced she loved someone else ... then yeah, Naruto's going to be angry and hurt. He takes his feelings very seriously, and the confession was teetering him out of his comfort zone. While Naruto can "joke", he would never joke over love. Hence the constant "This joke isn't funny" because he didn't understand what was going on and the possibility of Sakura lying genuinely hurt him enough to be mad.

 

The war example is sort of an odd one. In comparison to the first time he did something like this, his reaction is starkly different. Not only that, but it was a serious situation. Again, Naruto never really jokes about romance in serious situations. He wouldn't say that if he didn't have feelings for her still, I know because Hinata was right there and he wouldn't want to hurt her unnecessarily if she had heard it. I feel that, ironically, Sakura's confession is what triggered this different response. Naruto does not believe Sakura is in love with him, I'm sure. He's still far too stubborn and "traumatized/"insecure" by Sakura's shows of love for Sasuke in the past. But I think there was a small crack in his wall of extreme denial. That is, while he doesn't believe she returns his feelings, he knows their relationship is complicated and hard to define. She did confess to him, after all. Even if Naruto wholeheartedly believes Sai's view on the situation ("She loves Sasuke so much ... she will kill him to save him from himself"), there would still be questions and the small voice saying "Why did she do that?" because he never really heard from her own lips. Instead, he got Sakura denying everything he said about "lying to herself", getting angry, and walking away from him. No matter how much P1 SS has demolished his hopes, Naruto would still be hellah confused on some level.

 

 Basically this: Naruto will not allow himself to believe Sakura loves him quite yet, but he's not dense enough to deny their friendship is not just a normal friendship anymore. He knows "something weird" happened between them, but he won't really let himself define it yet. So saying Sakura was "more or less his girlfriend" is more like Naruto saying "I don't really think she loves me, but part of me is confused."

Edited by xxRomanceGirlxx, 03 October 2013 - 03:52 AM.