Recent Naruto Manga (Chapters 400+)

[uc pseudonym]

I'm more curious about that prophecy thing right now. They seem so sure that it is referring to Pain. How do we know it's not referring to Naruto? Just a thought I had.

If it isn't Naruto (which one might assume given his status as protagonist) I would be slightly impressed. It would be interesting if all this prophecy/destiny stuff ends up having nothing to do with the main character. Or he could end up pulling out the Rinengan in later chapters.

Maybe this question was brought up before and it's a bit off topic, but do you think Naruto will become Hokage? Not necessarily after Tsunade, but any time at all?

I doubt he will during the main story, but unless he sacrifices himself at the end I think it will be implied he becomes the Hokage. Tsunade and Jiraiya were already discussing him as a candidate in later years.

[Doubleshadow]

Forgive me if this has already been discussed, but anyone else think Jiraya might die during this fight? Kishimoto is bad about not killing characters and it seems about time, and I think a fight like this should be to the death.

[uc pseudonym]

I think that seems very likely, especially with all the (abruptly introduced) prophecy business. What better way for Kishimoto to hype his final villain than have him kill one of the more powerful characters? Not to mention the fact that he's Naruto's mentor; mentor's have a bad way of dying.

[Mave]

Not to mention the fact that he's Naruto's mentor; mentor's have a bad way of dying.

Not to mention, getting killed by your own student gone bad. *looks at 3rd Hokage and Orochimaru*

I would not be surprised if Jiraiya gets killed but not before, transmitting some message/information back to Tsunade.

Will Naruto become Hokage? Oh yeah, of course. I'm just not sure how and when. I'd imagine that someone would need to dispose Tsunade first though. I think in the history of Hokages, none of them lived to old age and were killed by someone/something.

Murders of Hokage
1st Hokage (not sure, anyone knows how he kicked the bucket?)
2nd Hokage (by Kakuzu....unless I'm very much mistaken)
3rd Hokage (by Orochimaru)
4th Hokage (by the fox spirit)
5th Hokage (??)

While writing this post, I thought Hokages don't retire and get murdered before they surrender their post but the 3rd did retire and only reassumed the role after the 4th sacrificed himself.

[LadyRushia]

If Tsunade dies, I'll be very sad, but if Naruto's gonna become Hokage anytime soon (and with Kishimoto's pacing that might mean five years from now) then that might have to happen D:

[uc pseudonym]

So it looks like Jiraiya will be dying soon. I must admit that I am mildly interested in Pain's ability. If it is just something like "he can do six bunshin simultaneously" or "I'm six different people" that will be disappointing, but right now I'm hoping for a more complex ability.

[LadyRushia]

This battle really needs to get more interesting; it's gone on long enough.

Hmm, I don't really get the feeling that Jiraiya's going to die. He's been holding up pretty well against Pain up to this point---oh wait, I just remembered his arm came off, XDD.

Well, if he dies, it'll be interesting to see how Naruto reacts. . .

[blkmage]

I'm expecting him to die, mostly because of his talk with Tsunade before leaving on this mission.

[Doubleshadow]

And another round of fighting begins. At least there's plot involved.

[MasterDias]

So, Pain has a weird ability that even stumps Jiraiya. Is he Nagato? Yahiko? Both? Neither?

And we have three other battles starting; Suigetsu vs. Kisame, Sasuke vs. Itachi, and Tobi vs. Naruto & Co. The final one is the most interesting to me as Tobi's abilities are still largely unknown. Negatively, this means Jiraiya's fate will probably be unknown for a while.

Random wild theory of the moment: What are the chances that Sai is actually named Houzuki Mangetsu? Heh.

[uc pseudonym]

I'm just glad we've finally returned to some main generation characters (well, not Naruto or Sasuke, but the others just might do something).

The final one is the most interesting to me as Tobi's abilities are still largely unknown.

Yes. If he does an 8:1 fight and wins through something other than brute force it will make up for his late introduction.

[Mave]

YAI, finally a shift back to other characters and fights! And all of them have the potential to be interesting. XD

The name Mangetsu does not ring any familiarity to me. Am I supposed to know who they are?

[Doubleshadow]

I'm just glad we've finally returned to some main generation characters (well, not Naruto or Sasuke, but the others just might do something).

Yeah, really. I actually thought to myself, "Wait a minute, when was the last time we actually saw the titular character?" Naruto's story seems to have been relegated to subplot. I wonder where he ranks in the character popularity polls?

So, my line of reasoning is as follows: Pein can move his soul (or whatever) into different bodies and leave a piece there to control them. Horcruxes, anyone?

[MasterDias]

So, Jiraiya is pretty much a goner. But he manages to send away a message.
And meanwhile, we get the first appearance of Naruto's mother in a flashback...

I was practically convinced it was going to leave us hanging on Jiraiya's fate for awhile, as it switched back to the main characters last chapter, but apparantly not. Heh.

[LadyRushia]

I felt that this chapter tied some things together, which was nice because I think too much has been thrown out in the open.

It looks like Sasuke vs. Itachi is going to start soon. My guess is that Sasuke will win because he has main character powers. :3 If he finally gets his revenge, what's left for him? I'm not too sure if he'd go back to Konoha. What do you guys think?

Yeah, really. I actually thought to myself, "Wait a minute, when was the last time we actually saw the titular character?" Naruto's story seems to have been relegated to subplot. I wonder where he ranks in the character popularity polls?

Hmm, it *is* rather strange that Naruto has been out of the spotlight for awhile, but it's good that some other characters are getting attention.

[uc pseudonym]

So, Jiraiya is pretty much a goner.

Yeah, he got a chapter-long sentimental flashback: he might as well be dead. I suspect that instead of leaving us in the dark about his death we won't learn about the identity of Pain for quite some time.

It looks like Sasuke vs. Itachi is going to start soon. My guess is that Sasuke will win because he has main character powers. :3 If he finally gets his revenge, what's left for him? I'm not too sure if he'd go back to Konoha. What do you guys think?

I'm not sure how this will go. This has really been Sasuke's only motivation since the beginning, so it seems possible Itachi will be his last enemy (unless there are revelations revealing Itachi didn't actually kill their clan). Presuming things are straightforward, I'd be impressed if Sasuke wins and has to outgrow this issue. But Itachi has been hyped, even among the Akatsuki, so that seems improbable.

[Doubleshadow]

My guess is that Sasuke will win because he has main character powers. :3

QFT. Because no power in the world, not even determination, friendship, or love, can defeat the force of fanbase backlash!

Yeah, he got a chapter-long sentimental flashback: he might as well be dead. I suspect that instead of leaving us in the dark about his death we won't learn about the identity of Pain for quite some time.

Darn. I have to agree, although I would rather that information be revealed. To keep that a mystery seems unecessary.

I'm not sure how this will go. This has really been Sasuke's only motivation since the beginning, so it seems possible Itachi will be his last enemy (unless there are revelations revealing Itachi didn't actually kill their clan). Presuming things are straightforward, I'd be impressed if Sasuke wins and has to outgrow this issue. But Itachi has been hyped, even among the Akatsuki, so that seems improbable.

Oh, please no. That would be far too cheap.

"Little brother,... PSYCHE!"

I'm hoping for insight into Itachi's motivations, but not that.

[uc pseudonym]

Darn. I have to agree, although I would rather that information be revealed. To keep that a mystery seems unecessary.

Arbitrary mystery is a fairly overused plot element. But we'll see.

Oh, please no. That would be far too cheap.

"Little brother,... PSYCHE!"

I was thinking of a darker reason (like Madara manipulating him) but I like yours better.

Sasuke: You slaughtered our clan! I'll kill you!
Itachi: Hey, look over there... do you see the camera? That's right, you're on TV! You're on an episode of Fake Massacre!
Sasuke: Oh my gosh! Really? Wow! Hi Mom!

[LadyRushia]

It's funny because I had an interesting thought awhile back. What if there were some members of the Uchiha clan who left the village and went off to live somewhere else before Sasuke and Itachi came around?

Sasuke: You slaughtered our clan! I'll kill you!
Itachi: Hey, look over there... do you see the camera? That's right, you're on TV! You're on an episode of Fake Massacre!
Sasuke: Oh my gosh! Really? Wow! Hi Mom!

Itachi: Haha, you fell for it!
Sasuke: You're so silly, Itachi, lololololol

[Mave]

It's funny because I had an interesting thought awhile back. What if there were some members of the Uchiha clan who left the village and went off to live somewhere else before Sasuke and Itachi came around?

I wouldn't be surprised because that option is always conveniently open if it should present itself useful. What about Uchiha clan members who were travelling 'overseas' at that time? LOL

[LadyRushia]

What about Uchiha clan members who were travelling 'overseas' at that time? LOL

Talk about an interesting homecoming surprise.
"Oh dear, this letter says that Itachi has killed everyone except Sasuke!"
"Darn, what are we gonna do with all these gifts?!"

But maybe this really *is* an unkown secret plot device. After all, Sasuke *did* say that he is also going to revive his clan.

[Mave]

Talk about an interesting homecoming surprise.
"Oh dear, this letter says that Itachi has killed everyone except Sasuke!"
"Darn, what are we gonna do with all these gifts?!"

But maybe this really *is* an unkown secret plot device. After all, Sasuke *did* say that he is also going to revive his clan.

Bwahaha! Assuming Sasuke is truly the only one who survived, how exactly is he supposed to revive the clan?

Oh. Wait.

I suddenly have this very bad thought: Sasuke heavily procreating after killing Itachi

Sasuke: Now that I've eliminated the last member of my clan, it's my sole responsibility to continue the genetic line. Come here, Sakura. I need you.
Sakura: Kyyyaaaa!! <3 <3 <3
Naruto: WTH??!!! Noooo!!!! Ewwwwwww!!!!

[LadyRushia]

Yeah, either there are other Uchiha out there, or Sasuke has to do some serious procreating. >_<;;

[uc pseudonym]

In that case they'd have serious issues with inbreeding. Or maybe that's where shinobi get their powers. Whatever.

I wouldn't be surprised because that option is always conveniently open if it should present itself useful. What about Uchiha clan members who were travelling 'overseas' at that time? LOL

Madara showed up with no real explanation whatsoever, so even excuses like this might be unnecessary.

[mechana2015]

In that case they'd have serious issues with inbreeding. Or maybe that's where shinobi get their powers. Whatever.

This explains so many plot holes in so many anime that I've seen...

I did have the same question about traveling when the whole -massacred a whole town- thing came up in the manga/anime. I always wondered about since... you know... practically every town they've ever shown had ninjas on mission (exam... exile...) SOMEWHERE during the arc.

It seems like last of the ______ is sort of a common fallacy of the series. (or any anime for that matter)

[Mave]

In that case they'd have serious issues with inbreeding. Or maybe that's where shinobi get their powers. Whatever.

Gross, UC. Gross. XD But yeah, I've wondered whether that made the Uchiha clan such a powerful yet gloomy bunch. Maybe Itachi snapped when he was ordered to marry his auntie/cousin sister.

It seems like last of the ______ is sort of a common fallacy of the series. (or any anime for that matter)

Sasuke, the truth is you're actually the 5th last of the Uchiha clan. Too bad the other 4 are all male. 3 are old and smelly, and the last one is your brother.

Sasuke: Curses! I'll kill all of you.

Anyway, I guess Jiraiya is really gone, huh?

[LadyRushia]

Anyway, I guess Jiraiya is really gone, huh?

Looks like it. I can only imagine how Naruto and Tsunade are going to react.

[Mave]

Well, finally...it's happening.

Sasuke vs Itachi

I can only wonder how many round of genjutsu those two are going to play with each other.

"My foolish brother, this was just an illusion."

"Oh yeah, so is this!"

"Really, but you fail to notice that you are also in another illusion."

"Pah! Take that! What do you think of this illusion of that illusion of the first illusion?"

"Awesome, except that this is an illusion too."

"Just you wait, I'll genjutsu the crap out of you."

XD

But seriously, I'm glad those two are finally fighting.

[LadyRushia]

Yes; this is the fight that has had the most tension throughout the entire series, but I don't remember Sasuke learning genjutsu. Anyway, I expect this fight to be long, epic, and filled with flashbacks; and for once I don't mind because this is a major plot line.

Heheheheh.

"Foolish brother, the death of our clan was also an illusion! They really just went off to stay in our beach house!"

[uc pseudonym]

With the illusions the fight could take quite a while (though I could see Sasuke having actually stabbed Itachi at the end, given that he got one of those three-shot spreads). But it could be worse. They could fight, then have it be revealed it was just the conflict in their minds before they really fought. Then Sasuke wins, only to wake up and discover it was a dream.