Hinata... What bothered me the most about her panel was her facial expression. While everyone else is quite obviously overjoyed at Shikamaru's recovery, Hinata looks like she just had her favorite toy taken away. I don't know what Kishimoto's intentions were, but it comes off as Hinata not caring at all about Shikamaru's well-being because she's too busy being depressed over other characters wanting to walk beside Naruto too. That, or she doesn't feel she can keep up with the rest of the R9 and is worried that she'll lose her place beside him. What annoys me the most about this is that Naruto himself acknowledged that she is strong and capable of standing beside him, but she's still second guessing herself. How much more encouragement does she need before the message sticks?
You know, I wondered about that. Actually, I had two different thoughts. At first, Hinata's expression struck me as proof that she hasn't changed for the better at all -- at least in terms of strength, confidence, self worth, or an awareness of anything going on beyond herself and her feelings for Naruto.
I mean, after having the privilege and several opportunities to be directly influenced by Naruto's inspirational leadership, Hinata is basically in the same mental space as the dithering fodder nin who populate the filler scenes. The fodder nin all wring their hands, consumed with doubt and fear, with no clue what to do for themselves. Hinata does the same regardless of how many times she has been helped, inspired, or proved wrong in her tentative, negative outlook.
My second thought was... maybe the subtext is that Hinata was disappointed because there was nothing in Naruto's thoughts -- unconscious or otherwise -- about her. What I mean by that is, not that she's being petulant that he didn't think of her, but that maybe she's aware of the effect Naruto is having on everyone -- the former Hokage, the current Kage, and especially Sakura -- and Hinata either feels or knows she's going to be "left behind" in both skill and importance in Naruto's life.
To readers' knowledge, Hinata doesn't possess any other personal goals or reasons for looking forward positively beyond Naruto. As he continues to grow exponentially as a hero, and those who are capable of keeping up with him or are his most significant relationships are also passing her by, where does that leave her?
I don't know. It was just a thought that came to me when I saw her face in the chapter.
Edited by KnS, 04 October 2013 - 11:45 PM.
she shows no concern for others and it's just sad.
now I pretty much have a mohawk. A lot of people like it including myself. Glad you like it though! 
I'm also really looking forward to Walking Dead coming soon (I'm a total movies/tv junkie when I am able to watch).
