Naruto Manga 333: Affinity!!

SnowyOwl Says:

Whew. Three posts and an update on 329 in one day....

Holy Frickin' Ba-jole! What an awesome chapter! It's awesomeness is too much to put into words. But as this is a blog...a few notables:

1. Shika curses - Not in fear, panic, or other emotional state. Oh yeah, he's jaded and forced to grow so fast. Have you noticed his dark eyes lately?

2. Hidan cares - Turning Malfoy and not-Kisame against each other. Did you see the how panicked Malfoy was and how happy he was that his partner ducked? I guess they do care. Even though they're evil, messed-up baddies, sometimes the Akatsuki make me go awwww. I love this pair's antagonistic but symbiotic relationship.

3. Chouji Spiky Meat Tanked - Huh. He pulled a Jiraiya. Ok, I guess I can forgive him for the new coif. Still can't stand the hair in Ino's face though, unless there's a jutsu that requires her to be half blind.

4. Shika didn't plan everything - At first I thought that Shika planned Chouji to attack so Kakuzu would reveal more of his jutsu and Kakashi could see it and attack. But after a second look I saw Shika's shocked face when Kakashi Raikiri'ed the guy. Shocked. Shocked! Looks like Shika didn't plan on that at all. Go Kakashi. Way to make a statement.

5. Kakashi the shinobi - "And now you're going to die." Very reminicent of Kakashi vs. Zabuza. And a very pointed reminder that Kakashi is a trained, effiecient killer.

And now for the awkwardly placed, but significant discussion between Yamato and Naruto:

"So I've got the right affinity for Sasuke..." I can hear all the fan-girls misinterpreting this and squealing now. But it's what Naruto says next that I can't get over: "The only thing that can save a fire from dying and give it even more power...is wind."

Wow. Literal and metaphorical at the same time. Naru's come a long way. Poetic and poignant. I feel this insight is important in two ways:

1) Naruto doesn't think of his mission as beating Sasuke, but saving him. His big and outwardly egotistical personality belies how thoughtful he actually is and both I as a reader and the characters in the story are often surprised.

2) Seems like Naruto respects Sasuke's mission and despite Sasuke's rejection of him and Konoha, this line foreshadows Naruto helping Sasuke becoming strong enough to beat Itachi. Sasuke will need to realize that together they are stronger; he'll need to accept help and thus accept Naruto in order to fulfill his ambition and to move forward. And that's the depth of Naru's goal: despite being betrayed, he's still reaching out and wanting to see his friend happy; he's not just merely fulfilling his promise to Sakura.

Great action and emotionally meaty stuff in this chapter. I don't know where it will lead...but there's some really great fan fiction fodder here.

Did anyone else notice that Yamato pulled out a pre-inked brush?

Witherwing writes:

Wow, Snowyowl certainly had a long post. Mine, sorry to say will not be as deep or long. ^_^

The fight: Oh man, it took me a second reading to figure out what was going on. How does Shika control both at once and not just move them the same way at the same time? Do you realize that he has to move really fast while he is controling Malfoy?

Ino: The hair is in the way. She looks like she's related to Deidara. Hm...

Chouji: Spikey meat tank? Really.

Awkwardly placed scene: Check out the gi-normous hole that they are standing in. I also liked how Yamato was like 'one more thing, you still can only half beat Sasuke if you're lucky.' But Naru is growing up. So cool. He better go and fight Sasuke and win! I liked the theory that they must work togetha to beat Itachi. But then if he defeats Sasuke first, Sasuke will get all depressed and mopey again about losing to Naruto and then turn to the dark side, again. It's a vicious cycle.

Kakashi: I like his serious face.

Please let Kazuku be dead or dying. At least one. Do they know what to do with the man who can't die? He looked so surprised. Do you think it's from feelings about his partner or the fact that he'll have to fight alone now?

Yamato's pen: Maybe he keeps the ink in his pocket for convenience. You know how that is.

SnowyOwl Says (Updated 12.14.2006):

I would just like to point out that WitherWing made three media pop-culture references in one paragraph. That's talent. For those interested, the references, in order, are as follows: Jackie Chan Adventures, The Incredibles, and The Lord of the Rings (special features). You know you're hard-core when you can reference something from the special features...

Naruto Manga 332: Shikamaru's Fight

SnowyOwl Says:

Hella yeah it's Shikamaru's fight! He's still explaining his plan, but check out his serious face. This time its serious, and seriously personal.

And did you see Itachi dotdotdot at his immature mafia-mates? Precious. Annoy him enough and he'll go all clan-slaughter on the Akatsuki too. The ironic hero. It'll be great.


Witherwing writes:

Man, Shikamaru's so cool that he even has the bad guys admitting that he's smart. Better beware he's a horse! He's got bendy thinking and all that jazz.

I don't get the scary head thing that sucks out the souls of the jinchuriki. Why is it so scary? And what's with it's eyes. I noticed that there were nine of them....do you think that's important?


Last but most amusing, I love how what's-his-face talks to Hidan like he's a pokemon. Too funny.

Naruto Manga 331: Team Ten, What is the aim of the three man cell?

*Updated 11.30.2006*

Witherwing writes:

Just a few thought:

Whhoooooaaaa, Kakashi is soooo hip! I can't think of a better person to go with them.. Cause next to the team, Kakashi probably was impacted the most. I wonder what he did to hurt his hand?

Good to know that Shika-kun is only a temporary smoker...so he says. By the time the mission's over it'll be too late. He'll be an addict.

I don't really see the logic in having team seven go as back up. What I mean is, why was Sakura right in saying they could easily contact them? Do they have a special team ten ESP thing going on? What makes them so special?

And where is Sai during all this? You don't suppose he's still in the library reading up on human emotions.

Snowyowl Says:

Late update. Sorry.

Kakashi's so cool. Was he keeping an eye on the grieving Team 10? Because he very conveniently overheard the dispute and had already settled everything with Naruto's training so that he could leave without trouble. On second thought, yes, he totally did predict this. He's pretty attentive to these things...probably more so after he misread Sasuke.

I like to think that his injury is due to him developing an awesome new jutsu and not Naruto burning up his sensei (but maybe that's why he's so eager to leave Naru to his training?). Time will tell.

So what's with these strict four man teams? I mean, where are Kotetsu and Izumo? Are they teamless now? Probably just an excuse Tsunade made to prevent the kiddies from doing something reckless. Darn that Kakashi spoiling her plans. I wondered if he whispered something else other than what the reader knows. Tsunade was quick to oblige after that.

What IS with the whole we-can-contact-team-10-easily? Maybe not ESP, but Team 7 will be the closest because all the other qualified teams are already gone? But that doesn't jive with Shika saying he's arranged for the teams (plural) to meet -- doesn't that make those teams capable of close contact with Team 10? So confused. Ah well, I-grieve-by-smoking boy is allowed a little incoherency for now. He didn't seem very happy that Kakashi volunteered (boo!), unlike Chouji.

Oooo...Egger the bounty collector is gonna get it from Ibiki. Heh.

Ummm....so why does Naruto *have* to get his new jutsu down before backing up Team 10? Wasn't Team 7 perfectly capable of completing missions before his new super-jutsu? I mean, is it really such a good idea to send a reckless guy with a brand-spankin' untested jutsu-that-surpasses-all-other-jutsu jutsu as back-up?

But! If Tsunade's "four man team ONLY" fix holds, it means we might see Sai. Sai! I didn't realize how much I liked him, but when Sakura referenced Team 7, my heart just jumped in anticipation. Go my little Asperger!*

*high functioning autism. What? ^_^!

Naruto Manga 330: The Sad Message!

**Note: Updated**

Snowyowl Says:

First off...Gwah! Kishimoto made Shika a smoker! Noooooes! ::pouts::

That said...I had a good yuk at Naruto's reaction to Kakashi. It only took 317 chapters to earn Kakashi's respect and the moment he does, Naruto takes it the wrong way. Who's mind is in the gutter, Naru-kun?

Why is Kuranai so unattractive? And what was Asuma's message? Yes, I am the father of your unborn child. The children is the 'king' maybe? I know I'm being unreasonably mean, but for some reason she rubs me the wrong way.

Did you see Kakashi's sad, regretful face (well, you know he made one). He lost another friend. And I'm pretty sure Asuma was one of Kakashi's closer ones too. Poor Kashi. I feel worse for him then anyone else (well, maybe Shika).

This was the turning point. Shika's hardened and serious now. No more half-@ssing everything. How much time has passed while he was doing all that mourning/thinking/training/studying? Because if the story continues linearly from there, we just lost a lot of time in the small window in which they could save Sasuke.

Um...they have standard-issue funeral outfits? That's weird. And they're ugly. What's with the Leafy obsession with ridiculously huge collars?

Witherwing writes:

Just wanted to apologize for the delay in posting. School was kicking my butt. I also posted on chapter 329 too.

Shika: I'm so sad that he's decided to take up smoking. I though that it might have been a one time thing or he could carry the lighter as a momento but nope. Now he'll get lung cancer and lathargic and addicted and looking like Hayate. On the bright side, his cigarette smoke can make cloud shapes for him. Kinda mourning the loss of lazy, indifferent Shikamaru. He was just forced to grow up. It was so sad, he pulled a Magneto with the lonely shogi playing. Except, you know, Magneto played chess. I don't doubt that he'd make a good Hokage he sure has the heart for it. I just wonder if the has the physical strength.
He was trying to use the blades. I forget, is he a wind user?

Poor Kakashi. I saw his sad face. Cut him a break, man.


On a lighter note: Naruto's training. So funny. I love Kakashi and Naruto's reaction. I don't know why it took him so long to figure it out. Granted, I probably wouldn't have, but using the bunshins is basically the same thing that he did for the rasengan. But it just might take too long and not be very effective in a fight if he has to call out his clones to make his ball of fast moving wind.

Question answered: Asuma is Konohamaru's uncle. Whew!

Maybe now that Kurenai is angered she'll go and do something. But then again, now she might do something irrational. Why wasn't she part of the brigade?

Naruto Manga 329: That Goal?!!

Snowyowl Says:

Can we all have a quiet moment for Asuma-taichou? As much as I enjoy seeing Naruto again, I feel like we haven't been given enough time to mourn. Ah, but the world goes on, sometimes ignorant of tragedy. So onward...

Of Training:

You can't imagine how amused I was when the Naruto's yelled 'There's one that's going Kyuubi!' Heehee, I'm grinning just thinking about it. Even though it makes complete sense, I've never really understood that Kyuubi splits itself between the bunshin. Does that mean that given enough clones, the Kyuubi will be weak enough to die if the orginal is killed (since there's no original body for the split chakra in the return to?). Hm. Something to ponder.

Ah, and how awesome was the exchange between sensei and student? Naruto was all frustrated and feeling hopeless - and Kakashi was all inspirational when he wasn't even trying - and Naruto was all -lightbulb- in his occasional flash of brilliance. Let's see what he comes up with.

Of Baddies with Really Lame Diabolical Plans:

Um...yeah. Was anyone else disappointed with the shadow leader's plot? I mean, it started out pretty good, it was relatively interesting even, a band of baddies leveraging their ridiculously scary talent for material want, political manipulation to incite perpetual war. For a sadistic need for fear, hate; to saturate the human experience with darkness? I wish. No, they just want to take over the world. Does every big boss have to be a megalomaniac? Tolkien was right: evil has no originality.

I don't think the other members even knew what they signed up for. I wonder how Itachi react. (I went postal on my clan for this? huh.) Maybe he's taking advantage of his idiot leader to reach a much more diabolical end (or some deep, uncomprehensible, sociopathic end). Better yet, somehow this helps Kabuto win in the end. Yeah.

Witherwing writes:

On training - Yeah the kyuubi thing does make you wonder. I always thought that the fox was in the original Naruto and the clones are just for show. But if the original Naruto dies, then all the clones will disappear. I don't think that Kyuubi will transfer to another vessel, so that doesn't really make sence to me.

Note: Gotta love Kakashi.

Diabolical plan?

I must agree that I too was diappointed in the not-so-evil plan. It was like a group of highly powerful ninjas got together and just wanted to be evil. Then they realized that they didn't have and evil plan so opted to "take over the world!" But what are they going to do tomorrow night, Brain?
I must say though that leader of the pack has some crazy eyes. Don't you think that his shadow outline is very Yondaime like?

SnowyOwl Says:

Here's my contribution to WitherWing's Yondy comment:


Yondy as Akatsuki leader would be unlikely, but a great twist. The comic isn't mine, I just found it somewhere. If you know who's it is, let me know so it gets proper credit.