Recent Naruto Manga (Chapters 400+)

[uc pseudonym]

He ranked Third, ranking higher then Naruto in Japan.

Ah, I must have missed this poll somehow. Good to have that, as I always like to see how the characters fall out. This one only makes me more cynical about people overall, though. Personally, I note the 4th Hokage's rank less than Iruka's: except for the first chapter, Iruka has been completely insignificant for the entire series. Does anyone here have any insight as to why he is so well-liked, or are people honestly that sappy?

The series still has a long way to go since we haven't seen the other unknown Akatsuki members unless for some bizarre reason, Kishimoto-sama is forced to pull the plug on Naruto and have them quickly introduced, only to be obliterated in seconds by Naruto. Hooyeah.

Then again, the most recent two Akatsuki members were introduced and eliminated in essentially the same arc. I hope there won't be a repeat of that, but as Naruto and company gain strength a typical member of Akatsuki becomes less and less of a significant opponent.

As for Orochimaru, he was so hyped in the beginning of the series I certainly hope Mave is correct and he remains a significant player.

[Eaglestrike]

Well, so much for Sasuke being stupidly powerful (I forget if that was this forum or another complaining about Sasuke seeming really really strong) considering how he's currently fighting with Deidara. Sasuke actually looked similar to pre-time skip in his facial reactions to things in 360, sort of gives me hope that he's not a completely lost cause to return to Konoha, lol.

[R. Zion]

In regards to 360....

[spoiler] When did Deidara get his other eye back? I thought he had a camera or something implanted there...or was that removeable?

I haven't read everything after the Timeskip (only up to around Naruto's return, some parts where they meet Sai and then around when they find Sasuke again and on from there), so I may have missed it.[/spoiler]

[uc pseudonym]

This battle has seemed more fair, as you wouldn't expect Sasuke to be that much above an Akatsuki member. I approve, overall, especially if we then assume that Sasuke only beat Orochimaru because he was in poor condition.

More negatively, is it just me, or is anyone else getting tired of the Sharingan? Way back when Kakashi first used it I was interested, but by this point the gimmick is becoming tiring. Hopefully this battle will end before too long so we can get to other characters.

[MasterDias]

Deidara has some pretty cool moves. Microscopic bombs, huh?
I like him better than Hidan and Kakuzu. I suspect the battle will probably end next chapter.

Ah, I must have missed this poll somehow. Good to have that, as I always like to see how the characters fall out. This one only makes me more cynical about people overall, though. Personally, I note the 4th Hokage's rank less than Iruka's: except for the first chapter, Iruka has been completely insignificant for the entire series. Does anyone here have any insight as to why he is so well-liked, or are people honestly that sappy?

My guess is probably no better than yours, but there are apparantly quite a few...er... KakaIru fans in Japan. Now, I would hope that they wouldn't be able to affect the polls to this extent but...

More negatively, is it just me, or is anyone else getting tired of the Sharingan? Way back when Kakashi first used it I was interested, but by this point the gimmick is becoming tiring. Hopefully this battle will end before too long so we can get to other characters.

Yes. Sharingan was a cool ability at first, but at present, it seems far too powerful most of the time. I know he was trying to have Itachi be this uber-powerful character, but Kishimoto should have balanced the ability better, instead of making it a nearly-impossible to counter move.
If Deidara has truly managed to counter it here, consider me impressed...

[Mave]

I'm enjoying this fight quite a bit too. XD I'm glad it's not one-sided especially in the power vs strategy aspect. I get the feeling that while Sasuke may be more powerful, he lacks fighting experience and sneakiness, which Deidara seems to champion in this match. I was a little tad surprised at how Sasuke held back from killing his opponent straight away; I guess he really just wants to kill Itachi.

As for the Sharingan, I've always thought there was too much hype about it and hope Kishimoto-sama will demonstrate the most powerful abilities can be toppled over eventually.

Zion, I'm afraid I don't have a clear answer on your question on Deidara's eye.

[uc pseudonym]

My guess is probably no better than yours, but there are apparantly quite a few...er... KakaIru fans in Japan. Now, I would hope that they wouldn't be able to affect the polls to this extent but...

If I'm correct, that trend spawned early, when they were the only major older characters in the manga. I would hope it had died out by now, but...

Yes. Sharingan was a cool ability at first, but at present, it seems far too powerful most of the time.

I also don't like that it seems to have too many abilities. Reading techniques makes sense, reflecting genjutsu was alright, but Itachi can cast people into genjutsu worlds and Kakashi teleported someone's arm? What?

Zion, I'm afraid I don't have a clear answer on your question on Deidara's eye.

Seeing as no one here seems to have an answer, I will just use Wikipedia:

Deidara wears a scope on his left eye for long-range observation, and he has trained the eye itself to dispel genjutsu, which he did in response to Itachi's powerful genjutsu skills.

Not very helpful, but it's more than what I know.

[Eaglestrike]

The big drawback of the Sharingan is chakra usage. From what Kakashi said early on, both Sasuke and Naruto have potential chakra amounts greater than him. Kakashi has run out of chakra a few times in the story, and Sasuke did it himself as well, which was what released the cursed seal in the early times. Counter this with Naruto, who has the supposedly very chakra consuming Kage Bunshin which in most fights has no negative effects on his chakra supply (and chidori also takes out a lot of chakra) and there is a pretty big negative for the Sharingan. Even Itachi, the strongest sharingan user has been stated a few times that he needs to hold back how often he uses the sharingan because of the chakra consumption. It's an awesome 1 v 1 jutsu for whoever has it, but if you're going to be fighting for a long time you cannot rely on it. I think that's an acceptable drawback.

[blkmage]

I seem to remember Kakashi asking Itachi something about whether his eyesight was getting worse when Kakashi started using the Mangekyou.

[uc pseudonym]

With Kakashi, however, there is also the question of how the Sharingan works, being implanted. I've heard others speculate about how his chakra is weak because the Sharingan is constantly draining his supply, as he cannot turn it off.

I think that's an acceptable drawback.

It would be acceptable for me if this actually impeded use of it. Consider this fight: Sasuke was using the Sharingan pretty much constantly. Similarly, Itachi has had no real trouble with every opponent so far. Kakashi is the exception, but even for him it has only caused him to collapse at the end of battles, which in shonen manga is no hindrance at all.

Basically, I agree that logically the Sharingan does have a reasonable disadvantage, but I feel that in practice this doesn't come into effect very strongly.

[MasterDias]

It would be acceptable for me if this actually impeded use of it. Consider this fight: Sasuke was using the Sharingan pretty much constantly. Similarly, Itachi has had no real trouble with every opponent so far. Kakashi is the exception, but even for him it has only caused him to collapse at the end of battles, which in shonen manga is no hindrance at all.

Indeed. I was thinking something similar.

Anyway, the new chapter is out. Not as good as last chapter, but it was decent. This has probably been my favorite fight in Part 2 so far.

[uc pseudonym]

While I enjoyed this fight overall, I am ready for it to be over. I would hope it is by this point; it would be ridiculous if he pulled the fake-Akatsuki thing again as he did with Itachi. Now we can move on to other characters.

Given that Sasuke is exhausted, however, one might think he won't be able to take on Itachi during this arc. I wonder how things will develop.

[Eaglestrike]

Itachi has retreated at least once (possibly more) because of the Sharingan chakra consumption. Remember how they didn't really put up a fight against Jiraiya in the early days? They just ran because Itachi only had the chakra left to get them to escape, not enough to do anything else. I know Jiraiya is a Sannin, but I don't honestly think two (and certainly not Kisame and Itachi) would be scared of fighting him if not for Itachi being in such a weakened state. I also believe that Itachi left Konoha (after the fight with Gai/Kakashi) partly because they didn't "want a war" like they stated and partly because using Mangekyou really took chakra out of him. Not sure if it was stated there or not. But I always remember Kisame talking about how Itachi must be worn out from using the Sharingan, it seems to be one of their top conversations, lol.

[MasterDias]

So, the last two Akatsuki members were finally revealed this chapter. This means we are probably getting close to the endgame.

But, three things:

1. I seriously doubt Tobi is dead, or he will be one of the most pointless characters ever.

2. So, summons can die too. Meh, I was sort of hoping we would have another massive summon battle at some point, like in Part 1.

3. Now, who is Akatsuki's leader talking to at the end of the chapter?

[Hitokiri]

I knew why I was waiting so long for this chapter. This was an amazing chapter.

[spoiler]Diedra's death, while expected, was amazing. I don't know why but it was very abrupt and quick. Very intresting. He was quite an amazing character.

Poor snake.

Pein looks very cool, very intresting design. I also noticed he was surface piercings on his wrist as well as what appears to be either chained piercings, tattoos, or a necklace around his neck.

However, the unamed girl with a flower in her hair wins. I can't wait to see how she is involved in the plot. I have a feeling this secret character will was character introduced earlier. A former Hokage? Who knows. By all things considered, it would be confusing to introduce a entirely new character in Akatsuki thats has authority over Pein.

I think Tobi bieng dead is 50-50. The starting of the chapter seems convincing that he died. As well, Pein talking about Tobi's death indicates he did die since Pein, who knows all of Akastuki's whereabouts and abilities, does not contend Zetsu. As well, if Tobi is so powerful - I bet Pein would figure it out before he was made a member.

So either Tobi dies or he survives somehow (barely) and either continues as a weak character, evolves into a more stronger character, or surprises the readers by actually having a hidden power.

Who knows.[/spoiler]

[uc pseudonym]

I'm personally hoping for a large shot of Tobi, unharmed in the vicinity of the blast. Otherwise he'll be pretty pointless.

The big thing about this chapter, of course, is the last Akatsuki team, including the leader. It is implied that Zetsu is on his own (or his own partner, given his two halves). And of course we have the shadowed figure to whom they report. That could potentially be very significant and increase my level of interest in the manga. For the moment my hope is that since the female Akatsuki is the leader's partner she won't be insignificant.

[Hitokiri]

I am glad that Pein wasn't the Fourth Hokage.

Maybe the shaowy figure is though?

Who knows.

[uc pseudonym]

I do, now that the next chapter is out. Sure wasn't trying for subtlety, was he? While I was hoping the figure would be unrevealed for a while, at least it isn't someone random and new. Kind of, anyway... was he ever mentioned before the Nine Tails said something to Sasuke earlier?

Rereading Naruto as it comes out in the American SJ, it strikes me that Akatsuki was really introduced rather abruptly as well.

[MasterDias]

No, I don't think he was mentioned before the Nine-Tails. But this is an interesting develepment.

At any rate, it looks like Sasuke's group and the group from Konoha will encounter each other soon, if Kiba's nose is correct.

[Mave]

*sees face of leader* ARGGGHHH!!!

Guh...not what I was hoping for (i.e. a new face). I'm disappointed.

Team Sasuke: Man, that girl Karin scares me and is getting on my nerves. She gets so unnecessarily violent after being provoked by one or two words. Juugo goes whacko on a random basis but at least, he's a decent guy when he's not in killing mode. XD

Pain and lady with flower on her head: They look cool although Pain looks like an older Naruto gone delirious-crazy-punk (nice!). I am looking forward to their battles.

I'm sorry to lose Deidara. *sniffs* He was special. I'll going off to mourn for Deidara quietly.

................ ( T_T)

[rii namuras]

[spoiler="Chapter 364"](Looks like the Tobito theory lives.)[/spoiler]

[uc pseudonym]

Heh. Wouldn't it be funny if Kakashi has the last fight of the series instead of Naruto or Sasuke? Not that it will happen, but...

At any rate, it looks like Sasuke's group and the group from Konoha will encounter each other soon, if Kiba's nose is correct.

For a moment I was worried this arc would end with only one battle and without seeing any of the secondary characters do anything.

[Doubleshadow]

[spoiler] Alright, I must say I am quite sastisfied with this chapter. It looks like the the plot is going to get moving again, the question of what happened to Tobi has been answered well and who he actually is is something I didn't see coming. [/spoiler]

[Kurama]

I Love Tobi Even More Now!!!! Xd

[MasterDias]

Well, the last chapter was decent, I think. Sasuke's group finally realized that they are being followed by Konoha.
However, I'm hoping that the ending cliffhanger doesn't lead to a third Naruto vs. Itachi confrontation that doesn't really accomplish anything.

[uc pseudonym]

I'm not sure where the plot is going at the moment. Even with an Akatsuki dead, we're essentially in exactly the same circumstance as before, with three opposing groups. There is the added detail of the leader coming, though we don't know how far away he is. How things fall out doesn't matter to me so long as it uses more of the characters.

[Sanctum Angel]

Do you guys think Tobi/Madara is Obito?

[MasterDias]

I find that unlikely. I don't really see how Obito could have seriously escaped getting crushed by rocks. Changing his given name, but keeping his family name the same, and then taking on yet another alias as well, doesn't make much logical sense to me either.

[uc pseudonym]

My response would probably have been a lot like MasterDias', but with the note that logic doesn't necessarily hold true in all of the Naruto universe.

I think that theory stems mostly from people who really liked his character or think he seems to important to never comes in again. The latter part is a good point, but there are other characters that have barely come in as well (what happened to Kakashi's other partner, by the way?). While I hope Madara turns out to be connected in some way to characters we know (instead of a random new antagonist) I somewhat doubt he's Obito.

[Sanctum Angel]

Yes, yes I see what you mean guys.