Recent Naruto Manga (Chapters 400+)

Postby **Psycho Ann** » Fri Oct 01, 2004 6:10 pm

I don't know... I was probably too busy groaning over how much ammo is yet again given to the narusasu community. Arrghhhh...

But hey, it's a better close to an arc than I thought. It was sad how Naruto was aiming for the headband from the start--just to prove a point.

Postby **Lady Arianrod** » Sat Oct 02, 2004 7:32 am

Psycho Ann wrote:I don't know... I was probably too busy groaning over how much ammo is yet again given to the narusasu community. Arrghhhh...

But hey, it's a better close to an arc than I thought. It was sad how Naruto was aiming for the headband from the start--just to prove a point.

Well... I thought that it was a tragic, touching way to end the arc... The use of the one brief flashback, the light falling on Naruto's face (that gradually gave way to rain) and Sasuke's leaf headband falling off were employed very well and added to the feel of the chapter.

I thought that it was very, very sad and I still can't get over the last page/panel. Even so, I do see why people might think that it contains narusasu hints... Naruto's persistence and constant belief that he could "save" Sasuke were very moving, but I don't interpret it as romantic love. It's just the efforts of a lost child that is trying to go back to a time of lost innocence... Naruto just wants to start over and try to perhaps rebuild Team 7 and the friendship that he's lost along with it.

Although he's mainly focused on getting Sasuke back, I don't think that this mission is absolutely EVERYTHING to him. Naruto probably sees this as a chance to take the first step towards being happy again. Sasuke isn't the only person important to him, after all, and the fallen ninja isn't his entire world.

He's just his most important mission at the moment.

Do you agree? Disagree? Think that the narusasu fans are overdoing it?

Postby **Psycho Ann** » Sat Oct 02, 2004 1:24 pm

Yes, I see it as just friendship and loyalty as well, but trust me, being an ex-yaoi fan, I can tell it's going to be interpreted as "romantic love! They just don't realize it yet!" or "Oooh, they're suppressing their TRUE feelings! Because it's forbidden! *girlish squeal*". Bleagh...

Then the 'two finger hold' (I don't think that's a flashback since they never could have done that in the past. It was probably a symbol of what their friendship once was), and the last part where Sasuke falls to face the knocked-out Naruto a bit too close... Yaoi fans will twist anything to find 'proof' as long as the two are male. -_-;;

Back on topic... I'm also relieved that Kakashi arrived just fine. Though, he must be feeling pretty bad for coming late...

Postby **uc pseudonym** » Sat Oct 02, 2004 1:49 pm

Meh. Stylishly done, but he took such a very long time to say so very little.

I completely agree with Ann regarding the sasunaru people... they don't care about what the author intended.

This chapter leaves me primarily wondering what is going to happen next. I sincerely doubt Naruto is dead, particularly since he didn't seem to have the usual effects of a Chidori (and he is the main character, though it would be cool if the main character was only a presence for a great deal of the series). On the other hand, I wonder if making such an effort to kill his best friend would sever ties properly so that Sasuke gets the next Sharingan form anyway.

But what is Sasuke going to do now? I think it's been made obvious he isn't loyal to Orochimaru in any way; he just wanted power. What is he going to do now? More immediately, what is Kakashi going to do?

Postby **Lady Arianrod** » Sat Oct 02, 2004 4:21 pm

I can't wait either!

I *must* see what happens!

And, whether you liked the content or not, I think that we all agree that this chapter was generally well done and worth reading.

I thought that it was masterfully planned and well-timed... I mean, it definitely generates a lot of emotion and suspense.

Oh, and I agree with what you two said about the yaoi fans... Love doesn't have to be romantic or lustful to be love. It can be loyalty or devotion or friendship...

And... this is the first time I'll admit it, but...

I also had a few moments (several months ago) where I thought that several couples in certain animes, including this one, made sense in a romantic setting.... Meaning that I considered yaoi as interesting and probable at one time.

I've since brushed that off as a passing thought, but I did read into many scenes, words, and attitudes in the past as being evidence of 'love'.

I had to say that on this thread... It was relevant to the discussion of sasunaru fans.... I wasn't ever really a fan, but I did consider it.

I just had to clear my mind of those past faults.... Sorry to get off topic.

Postby **Mave** » Sun Oct 03, 2004 6:43 am

Wow, sweet. Very cool effects. XD

But ugh, why provide fuel for SasuNaru fans? Noooo.... >_<;;; It's a dirty marketing ploy, I tell you. I don't mind the friendship finger bond thing but like what Ann said, "that part where Sasuke falls to face the knocked-out Naruto a bit too close." It made me squirm. -_-;;

It's good to see Sasuke and Naruto back in their normal selves (looks-wise) and Kakashi arriving at the scene.

Yeah, Naruto's gotta be alive. No way, they'll kill him after hinting so much going on between him and Sasuke ( ^^;; ). I wonder what Sasuke will do though coz it seems like he "failed" to kill his best friend. I have a bad feeling he'll go to Orochimaru anyway. Where else can he go, really? But he's badly injured by the looks of all the blood coughing. Oh noo...Sasuke T_T

As for Kakashi, if he finds Naruto in decent shape (nothing critical), maybe he could use his dogs to catch the smell of Sasuke from Naruto and go after Sasuke? Or if the rain has already washed away all smells, maybe he'll just bring Naruto back? But I would still go after Sasuke since he isn't too far away yet.

*Mave continues to wonder*

Postby **Lady Arianrod** » Mon Oct 04, 2004 5:29 pm

wow... chapter 334 is OUT ALREADY! It's a miracle!

The chapter's not bad either... It has a surprise ending. ^__~

Postby **glitch1501** » Mon Oct 04, 2004 6:05 pm

that was quick, i liked that chapter

especially how sasuke walks into the darkness and naruto is carried to the light

Postby **Lady Arianrod** » Mon Oct 04, 2004 6:55 pm

glitch1501 wrote:that was quick, i liked that chapter

especially how sasuke walks into the darkness and naruto is carried to the light

Yeah, the chapter was cool.

I'm somewhat glad that Sasuke didn't go back to Konoha in the end... that would have been far too conventional/cliche of an ending.

I'm also glad that Naruto's showing some signs of life. However, two questions remain at the end of the chapter:

1) Who is that odd-looking Akatsuki (spelling?) guy?

and

2) Is Sasuke going to Orochimaru now? Also, it seems like he almost regretted trying to kill Naruto (either that or he's mad that he followed his brother's wishes...).

Does anyone else think that Sasuke purposely planned his attack so that it wouldn't be fatal? If so, why? (I think that it's a combination of the two reasons I surmised... that he really doesn't want to kill a teammate or do what his brother wanted.

Thoughts?

Postby **MasterDias** » Mon Oct 04, 2004 7:13 pm

Well, I've enjoyed the past two chapters.
My thoughts:
I pretty much knew Sasuke wouldn't go back to Konoha. His thirst for revenge is too strong and he knows he wouldn't be able to gain enough power in leaf village. Naruto scratching Sasuke's headband was a fitting use of symbolism.

1) Who is that odd-looking Akatsuki (spelling?) guy?

How do you know that guy is a member of the Akatsuki? Did I miss something?

2) Is Sasuke going to Orochimaru now? Also, it seems like he almost regretted trying to kill Naruto (either that or he's mad that he followed his brother's wishes...).

Probably. Itachi is one of the most dangerous shinobi's in the world. Very few people could possibly train Sasuke up to his brother's level. Although, Sasuke has expressed a strong desire not to be used as a puppet. And Orochimaru would be pretty bad in that regard.

We shall hopefully find out the fates of Neji and Chouji in the next chapter.

Postby **glitch1501** » Mon Oct 04, 2004 7:29 pm

MasterDias wrote:Well, I've enjoyed the past two chapters.
My thoughts:
I pretty much knew Sasuke wouldn't go back to Konoha. His thirst for revenge is too strong and he knows he wouldn't be able to gain enough power in leaf village. Naruto scratching Sasuke's headband was a fitting use of symbolism.

How do you know that guy is a member of the Akatsuki? Did I miss something?

Probably. Itachi is one of the most dangerous shinobi's in the world. Very few people could possibly train Sasuke up to his brother's level. Although, Sasuke has expressed a strong desire not to be used as a puppet. And Orochimaru would be pretty bad in that regard.

We shall hopefully find out the fates of Neji and Chouji in the next chapter.

the clothing that the figure was wearing looks like that of itachi and the shark man, and since they are in akatsuki, i figure that its some type of sign

its been so long i have forgotten, has orochimaru already transfered into that one persons body?

Postby **Lady Arianrod** » Mon Oct 04, 2004 7:32 pm

Yeah, he was wearing one of those cloud-robes that Itachi and Kisame wear.

Postby **blkmage** » Tue Oct 05, 2004 4:13 am

We know that Sasuke got his Mangekyou Sharingan before he killed his closest friend. So why'd he attempt to kill him? That made no sense whatsoever. Even then, he still failed at killing him.

Postby **Lady Arianrod** » Tue Oct 05, 2004 4:20 am

blkmage wrote:We know that Sasuke got his Mangekyou Sharingan before he killed his closest friend. So why'd he attempt to kill him? That made no sense whatsoever. Even then, he still failed at killing him.

Maybe he wanted to duel Naruto one last time....and, in the process, he went from his old "must-defeat-stupid-Naruto" self to "must-become- evil- and-betray-my-past" self.

But, alas, I'm probably wrong... These messed-up ninja kids are so hard to figure out :sweat:

.

Postby **Psycho Ann** » Tue Oct 05, 2004 4:32 am

Sasuke got his Mangekyou??? Either I entirely missed an important event or you're saying the full 3 koma Sharingan is the same as Mangekyou Sharingan which I believe is not. Mangekyou sharingan should be the weird shuriken like sharingan that enables Itachi to use the tsukomi--tsyomi--tsu... ah, whatever you call that move.

And I believe the last chapter explained why Sasuke didn't go down the path to kill Naruto to gain the power after all. He didn't want to listen to what Itachi told him (the whole 'I don't want to be your puppet' thing), and wanted to gain the power by his own means. But of course, I personally say he just couldn't bring himself to do it to his best friend XD (or maybe he just truly did it to spite his brother which is kinda shallow but understandable anyway)

And yes, the mysterious guy is definitly from Akatsuki. Man, I actually hate it with all the weird monster transformation things. Where did the pit ninja skill against ninja skill go?

Postby **uc pseudonym** » Tue Oct 05, 2004 6:55 am

This is unusual; two chapters in quick succession. But ah well. Mayhaps this arc can wrap up now.

I am likewise glad that Sasuke did not return to Konoha. My thought on the entire issue is that he honestly was attempting to kill Naruto, but couldn't bring himself to do it at the end. At the moment he seems like he'll stay away from Itachi's path, but that doesn't gaurentee he won't go to Orochimaru. Alternately, he could be deciding to do everything alone.

Personally, I'm glad to see more from the Akatsuki. Orochimaru might be the most villainous antagonist, but they're the most dangerous force involved in Naruto. This guy looks interesting, but hopefully he will have some unique abilities, not just an overfed Venus Flytrap.

To answer an unanswered question: no, Orochimaru is staying in his young but cursed body at the moment. At least, as far as we know.

Psycho Ann wrote:Mangekyou sharingan should be the weird shuriken like sharingan that enables Itachi to use the tsukomi--tsyomi--tsu... ah, whatever you call that move.

...how cheap of him to steal my idea for middle-level Shadow Gaze...

Postby **glitch1501** » Tue Oct 05, 2004 11:28 am

i agree with psycho ann
i dont think he did get the Mangekyou
i think he didnt kill him because he doesnt want to be like his brother(maybe there is some good left in him)

thanks for answering my question uc

Postby **blkmage** » Tue Oct 05, 2004 2:08 pm

I was under the impression that the three spoked Sharingan was Mangekyou, since so much emphasis seemed to be put on it.

In which case that'd mean he doesn't have the Mangekyou. Of course, it was stupid for Sasuke to assume Naruto was dead. If he wanted the Mangekyou that badly, he should've beat him a bit more just in case.

Postby **Lady Arianrod** » Tue Oct 05, 2004 8:38 pm

So, is everyone assuming that Sasuke's just going off to Orochimaru now? I personally wouldn't mind if he doesn't show his traitorous mug for the upcoming arc...

The Naruto manga needs a new villain...

Postby **MasterDias** » Tue Oct 05, 2004 10:27 pm

I rather hope Kishimoto will focus on some other characters besides Naruto and Sasuke in the next arc, or at least not focus on them as much.

I think one of Kishimoto's problems is that he has a lot of characters and tends to focus only on a few at a time. He has characters that have little or zilch in the way of characterization/character development(for example... Tenten). And characters that certainly do have interesting pasts but have never been focused on for very long (Anko...given her past relation with Orochimaru, one would think she would have more to do with the current storyline.)

Chouji was given some character development in his last battle, so that was good...

Postby **uc pseudonym** » Wed Oct 06, 2004 5:35 am

blkmage wrote:Of course, it was stupid for Sasuke to assume Naruto was dead. If he wanted the Mangekyou that badly, he should've beat him a bit more just in case.

I interpreted it differently, that is, he beat Naruto, and could have killed him while he was comatose, but decided not to. His comment regarding not becoming his brother's puppet strikes me that he knew exactly what he was doing.

Meanwhile, I would agree with MasterDias' opinions regarding characters. I would like to see more of Anko. Or Kakashi, for that matter.

Postby **Lady Arianrod** » Wed Oct 06, 2004 7:34 am

MasterDias wrote:I rather hope Kishimoto will focus on some other characters besides Naruto and Sasuke in the next arc, or at least not focus on them as much.

I think one of Kishimoto's problems is that he has a lot of characters and tends to focus only on a few at a time. He has characters that have little or zilch in the way of characterization/character development(for example... Tenten). And characters that certainly do have interesting pasts but have never been focused on for very long (Anko...given her past relation with Orochimaru, one would think she would have more to do with the current storyline.)

Chouji was given some character development in his last battle, so that was good...

I also hope that Kishimoto focuses more on some of the genin that he's so callously shoved aside...

Maybe he doesn't like to focus on the females or something... *grumble*... There was the Tsunade arc, but I want to see more of Anko!

And what happened to Neji? I read somewhere on another message board that he's "past his prime" and that he has no need for any further character exploration or anything...

That just made me sad because Neji's so young.... why should his life be washed-up now if he's only 13?

=(

Postby **MasterDias** » Wed Oct 06, 2004 12:03 pm

Lady Arianrod wrote:And what happened to Neji? I read somewhere on another message board that he's "past his prime" and that he has no need for any further character exploration or anything...

That just made me sad because Neji's so young.... why should his life be washed-up now if he's only 13?

Past his prime? No further character exploration? I don't think so. Even if his defeat by Naruto during the Chuunin exams changed him from the jerk he was, he still has so far unresolved issues with Lee and especially Hinata. One reason why I'm relatively certain Neji is still alive (although we should find out soon enough.) Plus his will to live is very strong given his past.

Postby **Lady Arianrod** » Wed Oct 06, 2004 8:35 pm

MasterDias wrote:Past his prime? No further character exploration? I don't think so. Even if his defeat by Naruto during the Chuunin exams changed him from the jerk he was, he still has so far unresolved issues with Lee and especially Hinata. One reason why I'm relatively certain Neji is still alive (although we should find out soon enough.) Plus his will to live is very strong given his past.

I do agree that his will to live is very strong... even in chapter 198, with his supposed 'death scene'.

I never said that I agreed with the cynical commenter on another board... I was just saddened for a moment by what they were implying. In my heart, I know that Neji is still alive AND that he'll get another chapter or two with Hinata and/or his old team...

He really is one of the best genin...

Postby **uc pseudonym** » Thu Oct 07, 2004 5:30 am

I strongly doubt Neji is dead. Chouji I could believe, but the manner in which Neji collapsed does not strike me as a death (certainly not how death happens in this manga). Likewise, he has a great deal more development.

Postby **Lady Arianrod** » Thu Oct 07, 2004 1:23 pm

uc pseudonym wrote:I strongly doubt Neji is dead. Chouji I could believe, but the manner in which Neji collapsed does not strike me as a death (certainly not how death happens in this manga). Likewise, he has a great deal more development.

I hope they're not dead... Maybe Shizune will find them...

Postby **Psycho Ann** » Thu Oct 07, 2004 3:06 pm

I second UC. Although I'm hoping beyond hope that Chouji is not dead, the closing of his fight just screams 'dramatic death scene'. Neji however, didn't 'die' so dramatically, and so I do believe he's alive... just severely injured.

Who knows, maybe Kishimoto would come and surprise us all by revealing Chouji is alive and Neji is dead. HA! I can imagine the flood of angry fan letters to his editors...

Postby **Lady Arianrod** » Thu Oct 07, 2004 5:05 pm

The manga's getting exciting now because it could take any turn.... Kishimoto has a multitude of characters and plotlines to focus on now...

I can't wait another week!

Postby **Kaligraphic** » Fri Oct 08, 2004 11:08 am

The mangekyou sharingan has an extra spikey thing in the middle. The three-koma form is simply the adult form. Kakashi has the three-koma form, but not the mangekyou form.

Personally, I want to see if Naruto meets up with Gaara again. (seriously, Naruto and Gaara can't join forces - even if they were to become friends, they'd have to stay at a distance, because two monsters together would simply be far too powerful.)

Postby **Lady Arianrod** » Fri Oct 08, 2004 3:00 pm

Kaligraphic wrote:The mangekyou sharingan has an extra spikey thing in the middle. The three-koma form is simply the adult form. Kakashi has the three-koma form, but not the mangekyou form.

Personally, I want to see if Naruto meets up with Gaara again. (seriously, Naruto and Gaara can't join forces - even if they were to become friends, they'd have to stay at a distance, because two monsters together would simply be far too powerful.)

I'd like to see them meet up sometime later on, but I have no idea what would happen with the two of them. Gaara doesn't seem as sadistic as he once was, so... who knows?

Nice avatar, by the way. Saito rocks.

Recent Naruto Manga (Chapters 400+)

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