3406 replies to this topic

[Paptala]

Because I didn't mention it before, kudos to Kanae for an excellent, uplifting post!

That's one of the things in this chapter that made me pause. I find it interesting that Kishimoto would take the time to include a reaction shot of Sakura during Hinata's speech. Why bother if he plans on making NH cannon? That's why I feel like he's going to pull a troll. There is a lot more to come for the pairings of Naruto, and I'll be damned if I jump off of my ship now.

I really want to believe that Kishi is going somewhere with showing Sakura's reactions, and that this is just Hinata characterization, because just as you said, what's the point of showing those two reaction shots, especially the one this past chapter, if NH is canon and Sakura has zero romantic feelings for Naruto?

I'm also crossing my fingers that Hinata is done with her panel time now that she's been given everything she asked for. Having to see her, of all character, placed as Naruto's right-winger these past few weeks has been unbearable. It's Sakura's turn now.

THIS - so much this. I feel exactly the same way. This isn't even the "let all the rookies shine", because so far it's been "let Hinata (and Neji just a bit) shine" - if the attention was a bit more evenly distributed, or not coming at the expense of Naruto and Sakura (by shafting their spotlight, however temporarily), then I wouldn't mind it so much, but as it is . . . unbearable is more than apt word.

I have to wonder, since Kishi has been pretty much focusing exclusively on Hinata (out of the rookies) since their arrival, its possible that he is working his way through the thoughts that were shown on the way to the battle field. Hinata was first, and she's accomplished what she wanted to do. Then would come the rest of the rookies, fulfilling any subsequent determinations. That would leave Sakura for last.

Here's hoping that you're right, and Sakura's turn is coming up.

The wait for the next chapter is going to be awful

Yep that's my main problem too and as I said it would go completely go against the way Naruto's character has been depicted so far, not only that there was nothing from Naruto' side for 600+ chapters and suddenly he will fall in love with Hinata as if nothing happened and he never had any feelings for anyone else, still it's a possibility with the way Kishi as been writing lately and how much he forces nonsensical stuff on us.
I don't think that's over for NS far from it but until then we will have to bear the fandom's reaction to this new and out of nowhere development, I'm glad that I can't go too much on others forums.
I really hope too that Hinata's development won't last too long, I can accept other's characters development but only Hinata is getting development and no one else even at the expense of all characters main one included.

Again, exactly my thoughts and feelings.

I'm definitely going to be avoiding tumblr for the sake of my sanity - even the NS tag won't be safe.

EDIT: Wow, this thread moves so fast another page was added while I was typing this up! Another amazing post by KnS - completely agree with you. Very interesting points about the suffix, and especially this:

Hinata said, "Always going ahead and never going back on one's words. That's my ninja way too." It's an interesting subtextual reminder that Naruto has unresolved issues that he won't be backing away from -- his feelings for Sakura and saving Sasuke -- and which are yet to come.

I really liked your take on the chapter a lot! And yes, Kishi is an EVIL person for giving us a chapter like this before the break - my precious break will be over by the time 616 comes out

Edited by Paptala, 27 December 2012 - 06:51 AM.

[Tsubaki]

You know what? kitten that, reading some of your posts just gave me hope that there's still a chance for Narusaku. I just know that there are NH Fans on this website reading these posts expecting us to completely lose hope in the pairing, I know I said that I gave up on Narusaku (nearly an hour ago) but some of you guys just gave me faith and hope even if this actually means NH is canon. I'm going to stand strong. The bond between Naruto and Sakura is too strong to be broken that easily, these past two weeks have not been ours..

..DON'T GIVE UP YET!

SAME! I said I had given up but after reading these posts, I decided to stand strong too!!


and again ...It's too early to canonize a pairing .... the fact that NH was brought right now and the fact that almost all the unresolved things between them are almost done, Idk it could be a good thing to us in the end, because there's so many things things between Naruto and Sakura to be resolved yet ...

[Slextrem]

Despite the reassurances I'll admit that it was very damaging. Not just to the ship but to our hearts and minds as well. Here we've invested so much time and effort into this pairing and now we're watching it get disregarded in place of this repugnant, out of nowhere interaction with someone whom I'm really beginning to hate. We should maintain our composure and hold on to see what happens but at times it just becomes overwhelming. Especially with all the panels we've been receiving lately of Naruto and Hinata acting closely together. It sounds ridiculous to get so worked up over a pairing in a Japanese comic book but to me it just means alot.

I'm going to remain steadfast but perhaps some of us who were really shook up by this chapter should back away for some time to try and clear our minds of the whole ordeal. Mind you I'm suggesting this only to the people who were really impacted by this chapter. It might be good to get away for awhile and focus on other things in our lives. I'm torn on whether to do that myself actually. But like others have said the storm is coming and we have to endure it. Whether that means remaining on the forums and keeping up to date on the current Naruto fandom news or taking a sabbatical to get it off your mind is up to you.

Maybe it's a good thing that we have a two week break before the next chapter then. I think it would be wise for any NaruSaku shipper that took this chapter to heart to spend the next two weeks, or maybe more, away from the forums. Some fans like going on websites that foster a lot of NaruHina and SasuSaku fans and I don't understand why. Why give yourself the headache? We all know what they're going to be like, especially after a chapter like this one. So if you feel like you need a break from the forums, go ahead! Even I ended up taking a three month break from the series after chapter 540. It helped a lot. Trust me.

[kidNinja]

All of this will make our counterattack even sweeter. "The race does not go to the swiftest nor to the strongest but he who endureth the longest." <----remember that

Edited by kidNinja, 27 December 2012 - 06:50 AM.

[neoshadow]

I have to wonder, since Kishi has been pretty much focusing exclusively on Hinata (out of the rookies) since their arrival, its possible that he is working his way through the thoughts that were shown on the way to the battle field. Hinata was first, and she's accomplished what she wanted to do. Then would come the rest of the rookies, fulfilling any subsequent determinations. That would leave Sakura for last.

Here's hoping that you're right, and Sakura's turn is coming up.

You know that makes a lot of sense, but I doubt all the rookies will get anything even remotely close to what Hinata's gotten. I would guess it will go Hinata (with bits of Neji) then Team 10 to initiate Shikaku/Shikamaru's plan, possibly Lee afterwards but then all the other Rookies will be put together during the execution of the plan. Then Sakura will be saved for last.

[Uzumaki Naruto]

Well I stopped reading naruto, just wiking it most of the time to get an idea of what was going on. This manga in the right now is a a big disappointment to me, in which case I don't think I'll continue reading it in any way or form other then Fanfiction with NarutoxSakura. The NxH pairing makes no sense in anyway to me other then it magically happened in Hinata's favor. This chapter left me with a bitter taste in my mouth and a heart full of disappointment. I would even have preferred if no pairings happened or a digimon ending where things could be implied for any of the pairings. This manga has fallen hard. We never really saw the villages true hatred for Naruto, just mostly implied. heck the only one who we ever saw take action was Mizuki. Sakura just showed annoyance cause Naruto interfered with her obsession with Sasuke. So as far as seeing Naruto being treated poorly we hardly saw that part of the struggle. This avoid killing and forgive everything crap is bull. It makes the manga a bit pathetic. (sorry for my rant, but NarutoxSakura happening in the manga was the only thing left keeping a hold on me to read the story, due to the story losing its appeal in my opinion).

What's worse is, if I even hear that SakuraxSasuke get together, to me that is 10x worse then NarutoxHinata and I absolutely hate all hinata type characters to the point where i refuse to watch shows with a character with her unless the character is killed off and doesn't effect the main characters love life with someone actually cool. In either case SakuraxSasuke makes me sick to my stomach because what Sasuke is and what he has done. It sends a bad message to people. Even if Sasuke is forgiven it doesn't mean he and Sakura should end up together. It's just wrong. Like an abusive boyfriend and a girlfriend who won't let go of him. how do you cheer for that or think that is a good idea to show in your manga that, that is ok?

Once again sorry about my rant, but this will be the last chapter I will ever read unless some how NarutoxSakura happens (which at this point is unlikely). I have never felt so sick from a manga when the pairing I wanted didn't happen.

[fireandice]

Yeah, of what I've read everything seems done with her character development. That it feels so complete that it is quite literally finish..........but that still doesn't mean Naruhina wont become canon. But it does make it seem off, though everything that happen in this chapter could lead into something more...

I understand, and the hand holding is quite significant because in Western and Japanese contexts hand holding usually is seen as romantic.

But I found it interesting the way Kishi wrote Hinata's choice of words...She didn't quite say "I will make sure you know you how I feel" but instead "I want to be by your side and hold your hand." Sure, the second sentence is still romantic from Hinata's POV. BUT the word choice enabled Kishi to change what we normally see as a romantic symbolism of wanting to be in a relationship with someone ("e.g always by your side, think to death do us apart") into a literal event instead, of Naruto holding her hand, (though not necc in a romantic fashion from Naruto's POV?), apparently to pass her chakra? Notice that Hinata didn't blush either when Naruto took her hand, and as mentioned, when she talked to Naruto, she didn't talk in romantic terms.

(Which IMO is the right thing, and I liked, because I was annoyed in previous chapters how she seems fixated on Naruto romantically).

The way Kishi wrote it would enable Hinata to fulfil her goal and grow as a character, EVEN if it turns out Naruto still doesn't return her romantic feelings. (Platonic, yes) Of course, that's there's the valid possibility it will become a romantic development, but as of now, let's realise it's not the sole and foregone conclusion.

And I don't think the ObiRin panel is related to anything pairing-wise. To me it was just Obito's flashback to the very moment he was forced to realise he couldn't always protect his friends, having to face the harsh reality of someone dear to him dying, and not being able to do anything about it. Because even when it was HIM who died, from his POV, he managed to save Kakashi and Rin, so it was still what he wanted. Rin's death was him being forced to realise the sad reality of the current shinobi world.

[Transformers03]

I am not ignoring the truth mind you. I am not going to make up facts or say something to change the situation to make it seem more or less than what it is. I am just saying I am never going to jump ship. I am also wondering if like many situations that have occurred before is this going to be swept under the rug.

As I said, realistically speaking, this would not be the first time Naruto was oblivious to a romantic advance. This would not be the first time Naruto has done something heroic or romantic and again thought nothing of it. Even in the movies he was also depicted a such.

If this gets brushed off by Naruto, I would not be surprised.



I am sorry, but then you are not a true NaruSaku fan. No offense. I don't even know why you are on this ship if you are so keen to leave it as soon as it sinks. It is nothing about being delusional or rabid, but rather having loyalty and conviction. You can choose to jump off now if you wish, but I rather have conviction in doing what I love and anyone should respect that. It's the same line as when your favorite baseball teams loses all the time. Why do you still follow them? I don't know. You just do.

I am tired of people confusing loyalty with being delusional and it is happening a lot. Especially now. "You just don't see the truth." I see the truth, doesn't mean it I am going to change my mind.

That's why I posted that mockery of the 300 speech.

Well....when I said that I wont go down I meant that I wont stick with it if it is proven wrong. I usually ship the pairings that I believe the series will show to be canon. I wont ship something I don't think will happen. But if a pairing I ship is proven wrong, then I wont ship anymore. Anyone else will keep shipping it, but I personally wont. It is really just me, and I'm not trying to convince anyone to jump ship or anything. In fact, I'll stick with Narusaku until it is proven right or wrong. If it is wrong, then I'll stop shipping it, but I wont ship any of the other pairings.

If I'm not really a Narusaku fan in your eyes, I'll honestly be alright with it. If I'm not a true pairing fan of a manga series about ninjas, I think I could live with it.

[Deej]

Lost in all this is I don't think Neji is coming back. His death seems final. *weeps for NejiTen*

Oh, and everyone will be tapping into Naruto and the Kyuubi's chakra. Not just Hinata. This looks to be Shikaku's plan.

[TouKen4Life3g]

Well well, I should finally give my thoughts in this one.

I will admit, I was skeptical on what to think about the spoiler, but now after reading the chapter, I got to say that I like it and I guess this marks the highlights of all forces from this point forward. While the discussion here is about if NH is truly canon, I will focus on that. Neji got his highlight in the last chapter (unfortunately) and this chapter, Hinata got hers, a long overdue one. While this is their moment, one thing to note is that the main purpose of this chapter for Naruto is to understand that people will die for him and when they do, he shouldn't stop and mourn, because their sacrifices are not in vain. Kurama has to step in and make him understand completely that when his friends and bonds he cherished are willing to die for him, he shouldn't let it go it waste because all of these moments count as long as Naruto keeps moving forward. There is no love here, unless you want to discuss her side, then sure. What I am surprised is that the holding hand part actually did happen. So I guess she really got her wish come true. Lucky for us, she didn't say "Next time, we'll be holding hands and we'll kiss under the full moon."

Now as for the shipping side, here's the thing: this needs a follow-up. If the follow-up contains Naruto feeling something for Hinata, then it is definitely a NH love moments. If not, it's a NH friendship moment, whereas finally ends her development, thus her shining moment. In other word, wait till the end of the arc, which seems like it's coming near. Well, this battle if anything. I must admit, this shipping war is really firing up. Next few chapters will be the breaking point for everything. To me, this is good enough for Hinata's development, so it could end here or at least have something mentioned about the Hyuuga Clan's future. Anyway, it's not over for anything. Not over the war, not over the shipping war. It does seem like Kishi will follow up with all the rookies' highlights in the next chapters.

If you wonder about me, I will sink with the ship. I haven't lost the shipping war in my life, but if this is the first one, so be it. Just goes to show you Kishi really lost his mind. Not saying that yet. New Year will be grand for all of us. It will be the breaking point for all of us. I have read other posts and they are great. Good to see who is still standing strong after all this. I will bet this, if Kishi managed to make NS standing strong after all this, I will start buying all his volumes twice a week. If I win, well then, time to get busy. As of now, the war has begun. Brace yourself. This could be our final stand.

[kidNinja]

As of now, the war has begun. Brace yourself. This could be our final stand.

I loved your post but I cut down to this last tidbit. The war started in 1999 lol. BUT I do agree with this possibly being our last stand. NS and NH have always been mortal enemies and there's no way that both will still be standing when this is all over with. Though I must admit, I would love to see a confrontation between Sakura and Hinata over Naruto just to up the ante even more. It doesn't necessarily have to be a physical one but I still want to see one nonetheless.

[fireandice]

@NaruSaku4Life3g

Lol yeah, I'm going down with this ship too What happened in the previous chapters don't change why I like NaruSaku, for me.

I do think though, if Kishi meant this to wrap up Hinata's character arc so she comes full circle with the "crybaby" (as she called herself) who was inspired by Naruto in Part I, then it is a very nicely done one that enables her to grow without it being just a girl with romantic tunnel vision. Because while she likes Naruto romantically, the words she was saying weren't and spoke to the sentiment for everybody I think- an improvement IMO from when she jumped in front of Pain and ended up setting loose the Kyuubi (who MIGHT have ended up finishing what Pain started.) It enables her to technically fulfil her goal, even if Naruto doesn't return her feelings (I hope, I'm obviously biased )

[Qia]

Maybe Obito will kill Hinata in the next chapter A guy can dream can he?

Maybe not. But it's a bigger possibility now that SHE was the one to encourage Naruto. =/

[Transformers03]

And I don't think the ObiRin panel is related to anything pairing-wise. To me it was just Obito's flashback to the very moment he was forced to realise he couldn't always protect his friends, having to face the harsh reality of someone dear to him dying, and not being able to do anything about it. Because even when it was HIM who died, from his POV, he managed to save Kakashi and Rin, so it was still what he wanted. Rin's death was him being forced to realise the sad reality of the current shinobi world.

I'm sorry, but was Obito's flashback before or after Hinata's little speech?
If it during or after, it is possible that Obito was remembering a time with the person he also loved.

[BecauseYouLetRinDie]

Wow ...well...this is akward. I always said, as long as Naruto didn't love Hinata, then Narusaku had a chance. But it looks like he is heading towards reciprocating Hinata's feelings. Well, I still don't like Naruhina, never will, but if this means that SasuSaku is going to be canon, I'm gonna face palm SO HARD. Well let's just say, I'm so glad I don't read Naruto for the pairings.

[Slextrem]

I'm sorry, but was Obito's flashback before or after Hinata's little speech?
If it during or after, it is possible that Obito was remembering a time with the person he also loved.

It was beforehand, while Naruto was looking around at all of the bodies of those that died.

[Qia]

I'm sorry, but was Obito's flashback before or after Hinata's little speech?
If it during or after, it is possible that Obito was remembering a time with the person he also loved.

It was before, so no. It was just used to emphasize the death of Naruto's comrades around him.

[Tsubaki]

This would be a good time to Road to Ninja coming out ... /sadly we'll have to wait till april


edit: I wrote RTN wrong!

Edited by Tsubaki, 27 December 2012 - 07:19 AM.

[fireandice]

I'm sorry, but was Obito's flashback before or after Hinata's little speech?
If it during or after, it is possible that Obito was remembering a time with the person he also loved.

That's the thing, it was on page 4, before Hinata said anything. It was when he was monologuing about how Naruto had to face cold reality, and leading up to the whole villainous, "Oh, but there is another way. COMEEEE take my hand, Naruto" before Hinata slaps Naruto for considering it. That's why I don't think the ObiRin panel was aimed at a romantic angle- Obito definitely loved Rin, but the emphasis was on Obito remembering why he has changed-that memory was him facing the cold hard reality of someone dear to him literally turning cold in death.

[TouKen4Life3g]

I loved your post but I cut down to this last tidbit. The war started in 1999 lol. BUT I do agree with this possibly being our last stand. NS and NH have always been mortal enemies and there's no way that both will still be standing when this is all over with. Though I must admit, I would love to see a confrontation between Sakura and Hinata over Naruto just to up the ante even more. It doesn't necessarily have to be a physical one but I still want to see one nonetheless.

Lol you are right about the war part. This is like the biggest point of the war, the grand battle. Honestly, if Kishi managed to close NH, I think it is settled that NS will be canon. To me, NH is the biggest challenge because this involves Naruto, the protagonist, and it's not like they are bad with each other, it's just the developments aren't as deep and solid as NS. It's good, but not enough. Also, by the end of the manga, it will determine if all of their moments are friendships or love. So far, Naruto hasn't show anything romantic. Time will tell. If anything, it seems perhaps Kishi managed to take lessons on creating the tension on romance battle with the main guy and two girls. I always felt this is the real love triangle because at least they are in good status, rather damaged (SS). Anyway, I am betting that if he managed to make NS stand strong by the end of the battle, I will buy his manga, starting the day after the chapter. I will buy one or two every time I work.