OH!!! I remember this. I had no idea that was the subtle/cultural message happening there. I know bentos are important, but I didn't make that connection. You are so right. A wife making a bento would be a big deal to a husband who was actually in love with his wife. He WOULDN'T think of his childhood rival and his lifelong crush.
Honestly, I feel like it could be the counterpoint for Karin holding the umbilical cord for Sarada, instead of Sakura. That was another deeply engrained cultural thing that could be easily overlooked. But it would be only something a mother would have. So it's really unusual for Karin to have it. In the same way that it would be unusual for Naruto to blow off Hinata's devotion delivered with the bent box.
I agree, this is Kishi saying that none of them are happy. And yeah, the rabid Hinata shippers seem to ignore the fact that she is such a passive player, stumbling in the her moment to shine, and her love is just completely overlooked by Naruto. It's such an unsatisfying ending, for all of them.
Yes indeed. Let's not forget the umbilical cord fiasco.
So, for those who aren't familiar with Japanese culture; umbilical cord is normally kept securely by Japanese Mothers.
I know my Japanese friends keep their children's umbilical cord as part of the tradition (to be given to the children when they grow up, or when they leave the house to be independent, e.g. married).
Keeping it securely shows how much the mother appreciate their children (hence their husband to the extent) as they keep reminded about the cord that 'connects' the two. Literally.
Now, we were shown that Sarada's umbilical cord is not in Sakura's custody. And the manga explained that it's a symbol of connection between Sakura and Karin. In which Sakura gave to Karin as a symbol of friendship. lol. What a load of BS.
"Hey Karin, Sasuke is mine now, thanks for helping me deliver his daughter. Here, you can have my baby's umbilical cord as a memento of our friendship. Oh, btw, Sasuke is not around." Note: He's never around during my pregnancy and he's not going to be around in the next decade or so. We also found out he doesn't even recognised his daughter nor aware of her existence.
So, Karin is going to be the one giving the umbilical cord when Sarada get married one day? Can you imagine how Sarada would feel, when everyone else is getting their umbilical cord upon growing up or upon marriage, yet her mom won't give it to her because she gave it to someone else. That's how much value Sarada have in front of her parents.
A friendship memento can be anything, but definitely not umbilical cord.
The manga tried hard to emphasis that connection/bond transcend biological relationship. But there's an elephant in the room: Sakura and Sasuke don't care about their daughter.
We were shown caring parents through Kushina and Minato in this franchise. You dont see it with NH/SS.
I'd question the sanity of a husband who don't want to see his wife in over a decade. Let alone aware that he has a daughter. Let alone support his family financially.
I'd question the sanity of a wife who let such kind of relationship to carry on and make the daughter to be the victim of the situation.
This isnt tough love. This isnt bond.
This is outright a sad couple who can't accept the truth that they dont belong with each other. And the repetitive theme of "I don't belong here" also applies with Naruto & Hinata. They don't see each other. They don't think of one another, as far as the manga goes.