Naruto Manga 338: When You Cursed Him...

SnowyOwl Says:

A very satisfying chapter overall.

Checkout: relieved!Kakashi (the man knows his limits - is it me or does it feel very Dumbledore-ish that we're starting to see our beloved teacher is human?)
Checkout: Yamato being a smart-aleck. (but there's an inherent closeness in the statement. Yamato totally looked up to Kakashi and still does!)

Checkout: How Pakkun knows his mission before being summoned (Kakashi must have inter-dimentional ESP)

Checkout: Sakura totally backing up Naruto!
Checkout: Naruto's headband blowing in the wind. (Self-created special effects!)

I like the fact that Naruto hasn't quite mastered his super-jutsu yet. Can't wait to see what kind of improvised half-jutsu he's created. Hmm, isn't that the Kage Bunshin sign? Anyway, now on to Shikamaru!

All I have to say is, I am so happy he got his victory. It must have felt pretty sweet. And it looks like he was able to let go (and quit his habit). I think Shikamaru is matured is a very positive way, having a purpose, inheriting will (which he didn't have much of before), and he was able to realize it earlier than Asuma. That was Asuma's parting gift.

Checkout: How close Shika is standing to the explosives. (Now Sakura is going to have to heal him. And we still won't know what Sai can do since there's no one to fight! Arg!)

Witherwing Writes:

Again, the narrator, what's he talking about? 'You can always count on this four man cell'...Well I guess since Team Yamato hasn't failed to backup some other team yet, you can alway count on them. They have a very good track record.

Suspense: What will Naruto do? Well maybe his plan is to use his ultra technique (besides his tenacity attack) to fight against Creepy-guy. I mean, if he uses the bunshins then there's no way that his heart can be sucked out. Or maybe he's going to make billions of tiny rasengans. Or better yet, Harem-no-jutsu followed by a thousand years of pain. Now that would be a great attack. But alas, he looks too serious for that. I can't really tell but does Naruto have his Kyuubi eyes on in the picture above?

Forget's Sakura's support, look at Sai's look of encouragment (or is that smugness?)

Shika's sweet, sweet victory: I wonder how long it took to dig that hole. I also like the idea that Shikamaru, like Kiba, also has a clan. I just hope that Hidan doesn't dig his way out with his teeth and destroy all the deer. But I can't help but picture the deer playing soccer with his head. I need help. It's okay if he's standing close to the expolosion because Shika's amazing brain power has already calculated the distance that he needs to stand to not get hurt and have the most dwamatic effect.

It's good to see him smile again.


SnowyOwl Says:

WitherWing, you totally crack me up. And good catch on the Kyuubi eyes...They totally are! That's so exciting!

Naruto Manga 337: Shikumaru's Skill!

SnowyOwl Says:

Ah, the build up to the very predictable (though not unwelcomed) arrival of Team Deux ex Yamato. Though I might get my wish (I hope I don't regret it!) since Shika is still isolated and in trouble. So close! A couple of visuals:

Chouji got gi-normous! See widdle 'kashi and Ino-chan? Nice to see him finally do something. A long way since his humble Meat Tank just a few years ago.

This. Is gross. What do you think those black tendrils are really like? When I visualize it, it's slimy and make slurping sounds. Man, they have to kill him at least 3 more times if not more. How ironic would it be if one of their hearts were stolen and the others had to destroy the heart of a team mate?

Dyyynamic Entry! Oh man, I nearly cried laughing. Don't get me wrong, I *heart* Team Yamato, but the dramatic super-zooms were all on the wrong places. Instead of the hand on the hilt, the intense eyes, the gritted teeth, we've got Yamato's back. Don't tell me the most distinguishing feature of Yamato is his vest, or Sakura her bottocks for that matter. Hmmm, but Sai wielding his Abs of Steel? Dead on.

Finally: What's with the narrator? When did they become Konoha's most reliable team? As I recall, the only mission they were assigned to was a total bust (ignoring mission after the Friendship "painting" - we didn't see it; it could have been aborted or something!). Though, Narrator-san can never top: They Look Up with PASSION! He Looks Down with SERENITY!*

I will say I'm impressed that Naruto completed his jutsu and is combining it with Yamato to create that awesome Maelstrom. A more immature Naruto would have just attacked on his own to try out his new super-move. I'm eager to see how the 7 of them will work together to beat scarecrow-guy. Juxtaposed with Shika battling for his life and Asuma's memory by his lonesome, it's gonna be great!

*circa chapter 306

Whitherwing writes:

I've been having problems with blogger and now that I kinda have it worked out, I'm too tired to add to this post. But since Snowyowl did a pretty good job with this chapter, I'm okay with not really adding more. Just one thought:

Abs, Butt, Hair. 'Nuff said.