My Three Things about Naruto 631
I'm not sure this was a great chapter- some very clunky story telling with this things that were not foreshadowed well enough and a lot of exposition- but it contained a lot of big plot points. That made it hard to narrow down, but... here's My Three Things about Naruto 631
1) Lol forever at the Hokages. "Go sit down Naruto. It's a manga with your name as the title, and you seem to have magical chakra to protect yourself and everybody else and you are a demon-host AND a Toad Sage, but- chillax. We'll take care of this single-handedly." But, I found it funny when that situation is turned around and Naruto is saying that to Sakura. While Naruto didn't know how to react- Sakura has her moment of Character Growth. Sakura has always been shown to have massive insecurities (both in flashbacks with her and Ino's childhood, and then in part one, especially with her "inner Sakura"). This was a nice moment to appreciate all the growth she's done, even if it is mostly exposition.
2) On a different note with the Hokages- their interactions with everybody! Sakura's reaction to Minato was a little WFT for me. At first I was like, "Oh, yeah. Minato was only in Naruto's head, so Sakura hasn't seen him." But then I was thinking- "Wait. He's on the monument. She sees his GIGANTIC face all day every day practically!" Maybe it was the "Dad!" or not expecting anymore dead people roaming around.
Minato's comparing Sakura to Kushina was interesting. I'm bummed about it, but the fact is that Naruhina seems to be the direction the story is going. And, with Neji dead, I say- bring it. Hinata deserves what she wants if she can't have someone who appreciates her. This little comparison seems to be hinting at NaruSaku...until you note Hinata's understated glance back at everything. Huh. Can't say I love Naruhina but...whatever.
Also- not the manga characters reactions, but what is with everyone in fandom blaming the Hokage for "everything" as if the Leaf were purgatory or something. I've always thought for all the manga's weaknesses, it did a good job of showing the leaders have both strengths and weaknesses; moments and history that did not turn out for the best, regrets but also great successes too. And the problems in the leaf are not just one person's fault.
3) Of course, Sasuke's Return is of course the big moment of the chapter. And even more than that is his surprising pronouncement. Please tell me that this does not seem like a really big and abrupt switch around. I bet Team Taka's heads are just spinning here. My face would have looked exactly like all the Rookies' too.His announcement just seems super out of place too- not just to his character growth but, like, they are in the middle of a battle (oh, who I am kidding?! Everyone in Naruto-verse seems to think that battles are where they need to practice monologuing but still!)
Naruto's happy because they can be rivals again (or, I think he's happy? These two's relationship is so weird to figure out). But Shikamaru's words seem really true to me. You can't erase your past actions. I've read on other (heavily Uchiha/Sasuke fan) sites, all about how Sasuke wants to prevent the tragedy of his family's massacre, or how it is Konoha that needs to thinking about not erasing its past actions. Um. Well, both are true, but these facts are not really making Shikamuru's remarks to Sasuke any less true. Yes, it was horrible his family died. But he is seventeen or so now. You choose your own actions, and need to be responsible for them. At the very least, he's been a member of two terrorist organizations (sound and Atasuki), actively killed Leaf-nin, and/or attempted kidnapping on Leaf-nin allies, and confessed to actively trying to destroy the village. I'm super glad that he doesn't want that anymore, but find he might be facing some more incredulous faces.
Hashirama's very practical reaction, luckily put anymore discussion about it on hold. Thank goodness. Psst. Besides, if we are voting for any of team seven to be Hokage, let's go with the one who's got practical experience and vote Sakura for the job. At least she's seen what a Hokage actually does.
3a) I found the team ten interaction funny! And rather like my Evidence you cannot see-verse Team Ten reactions. Ino interested he's back (though I'm not reading it as a crush persay), Shikamaru worried and Chouji thinking maybe he should be worried.
1) Lol forever at the Hokages. "Go sit down Naruto. It's a manga with your name as the title, and you seem to have magical chakra to protect yourself and everybody else and you are a demon-host AND a Toad Sage, but- chillax. We'll take care of this single-handedly." But, I found it funny when that situation is turned around and Naruto is saying that to Sakura. While Naruto didn't know how to react- Sakura has her moment of Character Growth. Sakura has always been shown to have massive insecurities (both in flashbacks with her and Ino's childhood, and then in part one, especially with her "inner Sakura"). This was a nice moment to appreciate all the growth she's done, even if it is mostly exposition.
2) On a different note with the Hokages- their interactions with everybody! Sakura's reaction to Minato was a little WFT for me. At first I was like, "Oh, yeah. Minato was only in Naruto's head, so Sakura hasn't seen him." But then I was thinking- "Wait. He's on the monument. She sees his GIGANTIC face all day every day practically!" Maybe it was the "Dad!" or not expecting anymore dead people roaming around.
Minato's comparing Sakura to Kushina was interesting. I'm bummed about it, but the fact is that Naruhina seems to be the direction the story is going. And, with Neji dead, I say- bring it. Hinata deserves what she wants if she can't have someone who appreciates her. This little comparison seems to be hinting at NaruSaku...until you note Hinata's understated glance back at everything. Huh. Can't say I love Naruhina but...whatever.
Also- not the manga characters reactions, but what is with everyone in fandom blaming the Hokage for "everything" as if the Leaf were purgatory or something. I've always thought for all the manga's weaknesses, it did a good job of showing the leaders have both strengths and weaknesses; moments and history that did not turn out for the best, regrets but also great successes too. And the problems in the leaf are not just one person's fault.
3) Of course, Sasuke's Return is of course the big moment of the chapter. And even more than that is his surprising pronouncement. Please tell me that this does not seem like a really big and abrupt switch around. I bet Team Taka's heads are just spinning here. My face would have looked exactly like all the Rookies' too.His announcement just seems super out of place too- not just to his character growth but, like, they are in the middle of a battle (oh, who I am kidding?! Everyone in Naruto-verse seems to think that battles are where they need to practice monologuing but still!)
Naruto's happy because they can be rivals again (or, I think he's happy? These two's relationship is so weird to figure out). But Shikamaru's words seem really true to me. You can't erase your past actions. I've read on other (heavily Uchiha/Sasuke fan) sites, all about how Sasuke wants to prevent the tragedy of his family's massacre, or how it is Konoha that needs to thinking about not erasing its past actions. Um. Well, both are true, but these facts are not really making Shikamuru's remarks to Sasuke any less true. Yes, it was horrible his family died. But he is seventeen or so now. You choose your own actions, and need to be responsible for them. At the very least, he's been a member of two terrorist organizations (sound and Atasuki), actively killed Leaf-nin, and/or attempted kidnapping on Leaf-nin allies, and confessed to actively trying to destroy the village. I'm super glad that he doesn't want that anymore, but find he might be facing some more incredulous faces.
Hashirama's very practical reaction, luckily put anymore discussion about it on hold. Thank goodness. Psst. Besides, if we are voting for any of team seven to be Hokage, let's go with the one who's got practical experience and vote Sakura for the job. At least she's seen what a Hokage actually does.
3a) I found the team ten interaction funny! And rather like my Evidence you cannot see-verse Team Ten reactions. Ino interested he's back (though I'm not reading it as a crush persay), Shikamaru worried and Chouji thinking maybe he should be worried.