156 replies to this topic

[Kyuudaime]

Aside from Naruto's annoying ability to remain in sage mode without using pa or ma toad, Hinata's sudden appearance baffles me. She hasn't been featured in a single panel since things really began to heat up in this invasion. The last time we saw her was when Pain actually infiltrated the village. We saw nothing of what she was doing before hand, and Kishimoto just throws her in as an individual saved, even though we learn that Tsunade saved everyone in the village. I don't understand what the point in showing her is.

I'll get back to my other pet-peeve: Why does Kishimoto constantly feel the need to skim over training methods? Seriously, if Naruto learned to manage sage mode with movement through sheer will and determination, I'll be very upset.

I figured it'd be because people would be like "WTF, where's Hinata "
Might as well show her in a panel every now and then, to show she's not dead.

[Sakura Blossoms]

I'm really not too sure about Naruto being overpowered. Yes, he has become as strong or even stronger than his mentor, but taking out one Pein body in one move does not make him overpowered. 1. He caught that Pein off guard. 2. The powerful villians have a tendency to underestimate their opponents.

I would expect his upcoming fights with Pein to still be difficult as he won't be underestimated, and he most likely won't have the element of suprise. I will have to admit, this is what I have been waiting for. His fighting style seems to have matured and he seems to be more level headed. You can almost see his growth towards becoming Hokage. And remember, it seems that there are limitations to every ability. There may be other vulnerabilities in Sage Mode (time/chakra limit) that Naruto would still need to struggle with or learn to improve.

Thank you. Quoted for truth :thumbs:

I figured it'd be because people would be like "WTF, where's Hinata "
Might as well show her in a panel every now and then, to show she's not dead.

That's exactly what I think it is as well. It isn't some big plot foreshadowing mystery that needs solving

[catsi563]

To be honest I think pein will continue to underestimate him.

this is a guy with a messiah complex after all. little defeats like that simply drive the god complex home further, and tend to make them even crazier as the offender ""Dares challenge their godhood""

[NutMan]

Aside from Naruto's annoying ability to remain in sage mode without using pa or ma toad, Hinata's sudden appearance baffles me. She hasn't been featured in a single panel since things really began to heat up in this invasion. The last time we saw her was when Pain actually infiltrated the village. We saw nothing of what she was doing before hand, and Kishimoto just throws her in as an individual saved, even though we learn that Tsunade saved everyone in the village. I don't understand what the point in showing her is.

I'll get back to my other pet-peeve: Why does Kishimoto constantly feel the need to skim over training methods? Seriously, if Naruto learned to manage sage mode with movement through sheer will and determination, I'll be very upset.

Her appearance isn't baffling by any means. She was showed because as you can see the "younger generation" all survived the explosion. She's part of that so he had to show her along with everyone else.

Edited by NutMan, 02 January 2009 - 09:45 PM.

[Nee-sama]

Jeeze the new chapter needs to be released already so this thread can be dumped into the forgotten realm of never never land.

[Kirby]

Jeeze the new chapter needs to be released already so this thread can be dumped into the forgotten realm of never never land.

Win. Quoted for truth

[narusakuluv]

I don't know if anyone here is familiar with the "Three Act" story structure (I think it may have been mentioned before), but it really seems to apply to Naruto, if you take a good look at it:
During Act one (aka Part 1), the story is going in one direction: Naruto and the others are training as ninja, they're growing stronger and defeating enemies. Then, at the end of Act one, the first MAJOR plot point occurs (Sasuke leaves), and it throws everything off-balance: the focus of the series suddenly shifts to bringing Sasuke back and Naruto leaves to train in order to accomplish that feat.
In Act two (aka Part 2), the protagonist must face many obstacles in order to accomplish their goal and undergo an emotional journey: Naruto faces the Akatsuki several times and attempts to bring Sasuke back, and also deals with the loss of his beloved teacher.
At the end of Act two, the second MAJOR plot point occurs (Konoha's invasion), thrusting the story in a completely unexpected direction: let's face it, hardly ANYONE was expecting Pain to wipe out Konoha. This is also sometimes referred to as the "Darkest hour" or "Black moment" in which all appears lost.
And finally, in Act three, the main character finally triumphs and all the loose ends are tied up.

In any case, I believe that the signs are clear: Naruto is coming towards it's final part (not necessarily an official "Part III", but it could be). I foresee the story ending within five years, though I will not assume this to be the case, as I am not Kishimoto himself. This is simply my prediction.

For short-term predictions, regardless of how the Pain vs. Naruto fight turns out, I think that the people of Konoha will either flee to Suna as refugees, or ask their help in rebuilding the Village.

[FullmetalNinja25]

I don't know if anyone here is familiar with the "Three Act" story structure (I think it may have been mentioned before), but it really seems to apply to Naruto, if you take a good look at it:
During Act one (aka Part 1), the story is going in one direction: Naruto and the others are training as ninja, they're growing stronger and defeating enemies. Then, at the end of Act one, the first MAJOR plot point occurs (Sasuke leaves), and it throws everything off-balance: the focus of the series suddenly shifts to bringing Sasuke back and Naruto leaves to train in order to accomplish that feat.
In Act two (aka Part 2), the protagonist must face many obstacles in order to accomplish their goal and undergo an emotional journey: Naruto faces the Akatsuki several times and attempts to bring Sasuke back, and also deals with the loss of his beloved teacher.
At the end of Act two, the second MAJOR plot point occurs (Konoha's invasion), thrusting the story in a completely unexpected direction: let's face it, hardly ANYONE was expecting Pain to wipe out Konoha. This is also sometimes referred to as the "Darkest hour" or "Black moment" in which all appears lost.
And finally, in Act three, the main character finally triumphs and all the loose ends are tied up.

In any case, I believe that the signs are clear: Naruto is coming towards it's final part (not necessarily an official "Part III", but it could be). I foresee the story ending within five years, though I will not assume this to be the case, as I am not Kishimoto himself. This is simply my prediction.

For short-term predictions, regardless of how the Pain vs. Naruto fight turns out, I think that the people of Konoha will either flee to Suna as refugees, or ask their help in rebuilding the Village.

Wow....that was deeper than anything I could ever write. And I think you're on the money too.

[KittenLou]

Her appearance isn't baffling by any means. She was showed because as you can see the "younger generation" all survived the explosion. She's part of that so he had to show her along with everyone else.

If that's the case, then why weren't Ino or Shino, two of the rookie who we saw taking part in exposing their enemy's weak points, shown? When Hinata is shown, we learn half of a page later Tsunade used the entirety of her chakra reserves to save the villagers. Couldn't Kishimoto have simply disregarded Hinata's appearance until she actually serves more of a relevancy to this arc? There was no point in introducing her as a survivor when the last time she was seen was when the infiltration of the village was actually taking place.

[Kyuudaime]

When Hinata is shown, we learn half of a page later Tsunade used the entirety of her chakra reserves to save the villagers. Couldn't Kishimoto have simply disregarded Hinata's appearance until she actually serves more of a relevancy to this arc?

As Sakura Blossoms said, it isn't some big plot foreshadowing mystery that needs solving. Maybe he had a panel he needed wasted.
I stick by my previous thought though.

[shadow_Uzumaki]

Oro's defeat felt really anti-climatic to me, I was dissapointed. His role felt diminished.

But, no matter how anti-climactic it is, Sasuke did go about the 'ninja' way of killing him, which is to strike when the guard was down.

[narusakuluv]

If that's the case, then why weren't Ino or Shino, two of the rookie who we saw taking part in exposing their enemy's weak points, shown? When Hinata is shown, we learn half of a page later Tsunade used the entirety of her chakra reserves to save the villagers. Couldn't Kishimoto have simply disregarded Hinata's appearance until she actually serves more of a relevancy to this arc? There was no point in introducing her as a survivor when the last time she was seen was when the infiltration of the village was actually taking place.

Honestly, I don't understand why everyone is freaking out about Hinata being shown in one panel. It's not like we are suddenly witnessing the rise of Naruhina before our eyes (though on the NaruHina fanclub site, there are probably people celebrating the "return of hinata"...lol). As a member of the Konoha 11, she is a semi-major character, so Kishimoto probably likes to show her once in a while. Besides, let's be honest: if there was a random panel of Kiba somewhere that didn't seem to have much relevance at the present time, no one (except for Kiba-haters) would be saying, "What the f*** is Kiba doing there?!"
You do have a fair point about what relevancy this has. I think instead of asking, "she's not relevant, so why is she there?" we should be asking, "she's there, so what relevance does this have?" It could be that Kishimoto wants to include all of the Konoha 11 in these chapters, because they will all have very important roles to play in the near future. Or perhaps it has something to do with what that other Uchiha guy mentioned, that Hiashi and Hanabi were away. It may be just an insignificant little detail that really has no point, but I have the sneaking suspicion that it is relevant in some way.

But my question in all of this is: Where is Sai?

[iwant2bnaruto]

Honestly, I don't understand why everyone is freaking out about Hinata being shown in one panel. It's not like we are suddenly witnessing the rise of Naruhina before our eyes (though on the NaruHina fanclub site, there are probably people celebrating the "return of hinata"...lol). As a member of the Konoha 11, she is a semi-major character, so Kishimoto probably likes to show her once in a while. Besides, let's be honest: if there was a random panel of Kiba somewhere that didn't seem to have much relevance at the present time, no one (except for Kiba-haters) would be saying, "What the f*** is Kiba doing there?!"
You do have a fair point about what relevancy this has. I think instead of asking, "she's not relevant, so why is she there?" we should be asking, "she's there, so what relevance does this have?" It could be that Kishimoto wants to include all of the Konoha 11 in these chapters, because they will all have very important roles to play in the near future. Or perhaps it has something to do with what that other Uchiha guy mentioned, that Hiashi and Hanabi were away. It may be just an insignificant little detail that really has no point, but I have the sneaking suspicion that it is relevant in some way.

But my question in all of this is: Where is Sai?

I don't think that everyone is necessarily freaking about Hinata's appearance. It was simply an observation that it did seem rather out of place with respect to the flow of how the other characters were shown throughout Pain's attack. It would make sense for Kishi to show whether or not the characters that were shown battling in previous chapters survived Pain's techinque. However, Hinata's presence wasn't indicated at all throughout the battle and yet she's shown as one of the survivors. I find that it merely didn't flow well which led to the question of her relevance.

Personally, I feel that it was just Kishi's way of showing the reader the status of the other characters that had not yet made an appearance during these events. As you mentioned, among other possible meanings, at the very least it was a method to also inform the reader where Hiashi and Hanabi during all of this. I also assume you meant to say the "other Hyuuga" as opposed to the "other Uchiha".

Interesting point about Sai. We know that Danzo is up to something to wrest control of Konoha (at least up until the point the village blew up) so perhaps this is where we see if Sai's loyalties truly lie with his new team or with Danzo.

[Nee-sama]

Not only Sai, Yamato seems to have disappeared as well.

And I was hoping to see Tsunade kick the crap outta Danzo but I'll settle for Sai doing it. :teehee:

About the 3 act thing I have to agree. I thought he was going to end part two with another training trip until I read about the sage training. It's entirely possible that he could wrap things up with a few more arcs in part 2 but still I sense a part 3 coming. Naruto is becomming a grown man so it would be exciting to see what he does with his powers after becoming the strongest shinobi in town.

[Kirby]

Hm...Maybe Part III will be just an epilogue, like Bleach's "Turn Back the Pendulum," 'cept it'll be "Turn Forwards the Pendulum"

[narusakuluv]

I don't think that everyone is necessarily freaking about Hinata's appearance. It was simply an observation that it did seem rather out of place with respect to the flow of how the other characters were shown throughout Pain's attack. It would make sense for Kishi to show whether or not the characters that were shown battling in previous chapters survived Pain's techinque. However, Hinata's presence wasn't indicated at all throughout the battle and yet she's shown as one of the survivors. I find that it merely didn't flow well which led to the question of her relevance.

Personally, I feel that it was just Kishi's way of showing the reader the status of the other characters that had not yet made an appearance during these events. As you mentioned, among other possible meanings, at the very least it was a method to also inform the reader where Hiashi and Hanabi during all of this. I also assume you meant to say the "other Hyuuga" as opposed to the "other Uchiha".

Interesting point about Sai. We know that Danzo is up to something to wrest control of Konoha (at least up until the point the village blew up) so perhaps this is where we see if Sai's loyalties truly lie with his new team or with Danzo.

Haha, you caught that mistake, huh? That's what happens when you post at 2:00 a.m., I suppose.

I'm actually really excited that Danzou's plotting was revealed. I get the feeling that Naruto is just going to go uphill from here, with all the excitement Kishimoto has set up: Konoha blowing up, Akatsuki finally coming after Naruto for real, the inevitable Naruto vs. Pain finally here, Danzou wanting to overthrow the Hokage, the Kage meeting, not mention Kabutomare lurking out there somewhere... I can't wait for the next chapter to come out!

[Derock]

Haha, you caught that mistake, huh? That's what happens when you post at 2:00 a.m., I suppose.

I'm actually really excited that Danzou's plotting was revealed. I get the feeling that Naruto is just going to go uphill from here, with all the excitement Kishimoto has set up: Konoha blowing up, Akatsuki finally coming after Naruto for real, the inevitable Naruto vs. Pain finally here, Danzou wanting to overthrow the Hokage, the Kage meeting, not mention Kabutomare lurking out there somewhere... I can't wait for the next chapter to come out!

You forgot about Sasuke, Madara, and the rest of Akatsuki plus Killer Bee's escape as plot moments

[narusakuluv]

You forgot about Sasuke, Madara, and the rest of Akatsuki plus Killer Bee's escape as plot moments

Yeah, i kinda did that on purpose, hoping that Kishimoto would forget about Sasuke and his crew. lol, not that it's likely to happen, but one can dream, right?

[Kamina-Yoshi]

But, no matter how anti-climactic it is, Sasuke did go about the 'ninja' way of killing him, which is to strike when the guard was down.

Erm... wuht? Orochimaru was on full guard in his 'snake' mode, about to take Sasuke's body, when, magically, Sasuke reveals 'teh reverzor sharingan of DEWM' and takes over Orochimaru by magic of, dun dun dunnnn, poor plot writing!

Also, Itachi killed Orochimaru by a sword that we have never heard of, and never will of again. It seems really, really disappointing. Also, how does one go about and gaining a spirit sword that seals a person into a 'eternity of sleep', when he is being monitored by his own comrades? How does one do that?

[Nate River]

Erm... wuht? Orochimaru was on full guard in his 'snake' mode, about to take Sasuke's body, when, magically, Sasuke reveals 'teh reverzor sharingan of DEWM' and takes over Orochimaru by magic of, dun dun dunnnn, poor plot writing!

Also, Itachi killed Orochimaru by a sword that we have never heard of, and never will of again. It seems really, really disappointing. Also, how does one go about and gaining a spirit sword that seals a person into a 'eternity of sleep', when he is being monitored by his own comrades? How does one do that?

I thought there was also something about Sasuke's will overpowering Orochimaru because I had heard there were lots of posts over at NF about the Will of Hate being stronger than the Will of Fire after that chapter.