Naruto Manga 325: There is No "After"

Snowyowl Says:

So, I can come to one of two conclusions after reading this chapter. Either 1) I'm as clever as Shikamaru, or 2) Ninjas just aren't very bright. I'd like to think it's the former, but I felt nature of the curse a mile away. Which is fine, I still think it's awesome that Shika just needs to step out, but for Pete's sake, don't spend half a chapter explaining it and making the other guys look totally clueless. They're suppose to be Konoha's elite, dag-nabbit!

Regardless...Asuma Lives!! Oh, and did you see his 'don't F*ck with me' face? Wow.

Sorry for the language, but speaking of which...Man, Hidan really did go all Jekyll and Hyde on us. What a potty-mouth! And why won't he die? Does he have some kind of hidden core like Sasori? (Remember him?). They need to act fast and chop Hidan's body up into little pieces before not-shark-guy gets to it. But of course they won't. They want to see what happens next. Meh.

Come on! At least kill ONE of them before the arc is out. Let's move forward people!

Witherwing writes:

Man! Snowyowl so called this one with the stepping out of the circle thing. I can't help but think that Shikamaru wouldn't have had to work so hard if one of his teammates just pushed him or something. You know that the half a chapter explanation is for the benefit of other readers but Shika needs a reason to talk. But just because they're elite doesn't mean anything. They just fight well. That's why there is always a leader to tell the others what to do. ^_^

Just a thought: where are Chouji and Ino during all this?

Well if they were to kill at least one of them, they should start with ones that can be killed. I for one think it would be great if inverted-eye-guy didn't bring Malfoy's body with him. Talking heads are scary though. Especially if they look like that:


He's like the knight that keeps insulting you in monty python. I had the same reaction as everyone else.

Naruto Manga 324: Shikamaru's Analysis

Snowyowl says:

Oh! We so called it. Malfoy the Immortal kills himself to get his opponents. Man, what a cheat.

I was extremely moved the moment when Malfoy was all 'DIE' and Shika was all 'I WON'T LET YOU!!' Wow, what a great, super-tension, high-adrenaline moment. I can't wait until THAT scene is animated and voiced. Kaaaa-saaaaan!* I've always loved Shikamaru because you know that he really, genuinely cares for his comrades and he internalizes the responsibility to watch out for them. I think that's partially why he chooses to be (or appear) apathetic: if he lets himself he could easily be overwhelmed by the sense of responsibility for other people's welfare and guilt if he is unable to prevent bad things from happening.


So he's figured something out about Malfoy's Hari-Kari jutsu? How much do you want to bet that he's just going to take a step to the side so skeleton-man isn't in his transmutation circle anymore?

*The seiyu for Shikamaru also voiced Kadaj in the 'Final Fantasy: Advent Children' movie, in which he screams passionately and desperately for his 'mother.' Needless to say that that's one of WitherWing's and my favorite moments. So much passion, Voice of Shikamaru! To our dear readers, sorry for the inside joke.

Witherwing writes:

Oh Man! What a great chapter.

I was going to comment on the Shikamaru thing. I think it was his most passionate outcry to date. I agree that he takes the safety of his teammates very peronally and has a hard time forgiving himself if anything happens to them.

I'd also like to mention how Asuma is taking his precious thinking time to think about Shikamaru's thinking. He's like 'I must think of a fabulous strategy to get out. Good thing Shika's thinking for me instead.' Stay on task man, you're dying! And notice how impressed Shika's teammates are with his cool, collected thinking ability.


It would be the absolute best way to defeat this guy if all Shikamaru had to do was take a step. Then Malfoy would regret making that tiny circle. So simple yet brilliant like hitting the girl's head on the wall at prelims.

I appreciate the reference. ^_^

Naruto Manga 323: The Judgment of God

SnowyOwl Says:

Gwaaah! Asuma don't diiiiiiie!

Hidan (a.k.a Malfoy) totally kills his prey by getting a little of the opponents blood in his system and KILLS himself. He totally got the nibi that way. So if he can take down a fully unleashed biju that way, Asuma'sgoingTODIE! Ack! (though there may be a little hope, that transmutation circle is a lot smaller this time.)

vs.

And just a thought...do you think this was the fastest Shikamaru has ever moved?:

Witherwing wrote:

Oh man, the fight begins!

The hanky: Why do you suppose Malfoy was shocked and zoomed in on Asuma's hanky? He's not in it for the money. Could it be that he's thinking 'oh, another one'. I know he asked who they were and this shot was like the answer to his question but it's just not the right answer. Hmm...

End of Asuma: He's gonna DIE! No! You know what, I don't think that that's a transmutation circle. It's just a circle with a triangle in it. Malfoy liked his blood and then went Crazy. Now he's some skeleton-like evil man. That's just not normal. Man, Shikamaru better use his superior brain power to make sure that Asuma isn't a sacrificial piece. What's a gambit?

Shikamaru: I think he must have been honing his dodging skills these years becasue getting hit would be too much trouble. I also liked Asuma's rush to protect him. Gambatte!

Naruto Manga 322: In which I have no idea what the title is but has lots of ninjas

Witherwing writes:

Sorry for another late post but to make it up, there's two in one day!

I really liked the chapter picture for this week but I gotta admit that I still have no idea what the names of those boys are. Forgive me.

The Akatsuki - They are so powerful that Asuma's already sweating even before they've battled. I think that's smart of him to not underestimate the enemy. Also revealed it the fact that the guy I've dubbed 'Malfoy' can't die. Duh, duh, DUH! It seems that 'Inverted eye guy' has a problem with keeping his temper and need to kill in check. It makes me wonder how many times he's tried to kill his partner already and how many he's killed before.

The Training - I don't think it's that fact that the super bunshins are wiping Naruto out. I think it's the fact that he keeps on blowing himself up all the time. But, man, he was concentrating so hard that he Kuubied himself. Four-tails and everything. Was it just because he was trying to use a lot of chakra? Cause if he was just trying to control it to work then he wasn't doing a very good job controlling. Poor Yamato again. I mean, could he have any more pressure on him? The success of Naruto "rests on your shoulder." Which on a large scale it the chance that Naruto will become stronger than Sasuke, Kakashi, the Fourth, and all others rest all on Yamato. :sigh:

I also enjoyed how the disgruntled Malfoy was sitting all by his lonesome outside worrying about his smell. I really liked the last panel. Great line. He can't die. Asuma!


SnowyOwl Says:

I don't know what it is, but I love it when Naruto kyuubifies. But only to a certain point of kyuubification. Crazy sharp red eyes and wrinkled muzzle. Cool. Ovally pupiless eyes and blood crusted body (and snoutless?). Lame. I think I like the idea of Naruto struggling...I like my boys troubled. Angst!

And ditto on my sympathies for Yamato. He carries the weight of the Fourth's memory and legacy on his shoulders. But what a poignant senpai-kouhai moment! The wind beneath their wings.