Naruto Chapter 351: A Man to Man Talk

Summary: Juugo attacks Sasuke, who just wants to convince him to join him. Suigetsu intervenes, stating that Juugo can only be convinced through force. Sasuke breaks up the fight between Suigetsu and Juugo as Juugo returns to normal and retreats back into his cell.

SnowyOwl Says: Everyone was awesome!

Karin: What's with the narrator on the cover page? She's not exactly what I call a "sublime beauty".... The line 'For Sasuke to have chosen her, she must be the strongest kunoichi' forshadow tension and confrontation later with Sakura; the parallels being Sakura is a (physically) strong kunoichi whom Sasuke chose to protect, long ago...I'd never thought I'd say this, but I'm rooting for Sakura. I did get a chuckle out of the 'I hope they kill each other' comment though.

Suigetsu: He did come in swinging his sword! Gosh, he's such a punk. I can see him as someone who grew up on the street, covering up for his shortcomings by talking tough and taking more than he can handle. He does seem to have genuine deference towards Sasuke though. I see either him betraying Sasuke later, or demostrating a different kind of loyalty when he gets between him and Naruto.

Sasuke: was...cool. I don't have words, but reading this chapter took me back to the first couple of volumes when Sasuke was cool. It's interesting that much of the fandom see Sasuke as stoic, when he really is an emotional guy. Or rather, he tries to stay in control (being clever, strategic, precise, distant) so when he feels strong emotions, he explodes. Here, he feels in control.

Juugo: Oh the guilt, remorse, and fear when he came back to himself. Poor, angsty, conflicted, Juugo. I think this is love.

So: Three kids, two who hate each other, all the products of experiments and (presumably) unhealthy childhoods, and a broken adult. This is going to be fun.

Witherwing writes:

Sasuke-the-cool: it's been a long time since we've seen not poopy Sasuke. I gotta say though, it must be so hard to not show emotion all the time. Unlike Sai who doesn't know how, Sauske chooses not to. Emotions make you weak? And where did those two gi-normous snakes come from?

Juugo: I must say that his coming back to himself and locking himself back in the room was rather anticlimatic. I thought it was funny yet felt sorry for him at the same time.

Suigetsu: It seems like his actions could be him trying to prove his strength to Sasuke. In his killing the man, it could be either he is defying Sasuke's orders because he doesn't respect him, or he sees Sasuke as a friend (equal?) and doesn't really mind not doing what he says.

Sidenote: I just wanted to point out the look-alike-ness of Suigetsu and Riku from Kindom Hearts I.

Naruto Chapter 350

Summary: News that Sasuke killed Orochimaru has reached Konoha. Karin tricks Suigetsu into separating from the group. She and Sasuke unlock Juugo's cell and Juugo attacks with intent to kill.

SnowyOwl Says:

Is it just me or is Naruto totally getting the shaft? The guy dedicates his heart, body, and soul to protect Sasuke from snakey, body-snatching death for three years and just like that, they take it away from him. I'm reminded of the Prince in EverAfter, when he was all ready to heroically rescue Danielle and when he gets there, she's already rescued herself. Man, what a let down. But Naruto is such a cool guy that he's happy. And still surprisingly naive. Did he forget that Sasuke left on an Avenger's mission? It's almost as if Naruto is still in denial that Sasuke left of his own volition. Sasuke's goal was never to 'escape the clutches of Orochi' dearest Naruto.

I'm so amused that Suigetsu acts so self-assured but can't handle the humongous blade yet. He's got a little growing-up to do physically and (unless I'm reading too much into this) it may be indicative of room to mature in other ways as well. I really hope to see some character development as time goes on. (I can't believe he fell for the 'it's this way--not!' scam. He must be a sucky ninja to not feel the absence of company. Hope he grows up a little bit in that area too.)

Dude, he called Sasuke a softy. Sasuke straddles in an interesting place where he neither adheres to values of Fire country (by no means is he a model citizen), nor the values of the 'baddies'* (Mist and Sound for now). He doesn't seem to belong anywhere and I wonder how that affects him (or maybe he couldn't care less, being so focused on his goal.)

Karin seems a bit immature too. But then again, she's acting just like a teen would. I think I forget because they've all got super-powers, and especially because she's grouped into the 'baddies' group. Antagonists always seem more 'adult' in stories, loss of innocence and all.

And Juugo? He's frickin' CRAZY! (I don't even want to include a picture, it creeps me out). I don't think he has any possession of his mental faculties at this point. It would be awesome if Suigetsu comes and saves them (if Sasu doesn't Sharingan Juugo into a blubbering heap first) and because Sui and Juu fought before, Juu will become attached due to familiarity. And Sui will have a pet** and show a caring side. Maawww! (wishful thinking).

Finally, in response to WitherWing's comment on Ch.347, Zabuza also had spiky teeth. And no eyebrows. And a receding hairline. I think Sui can give his senpai a run for his money.
*I call them baddies only because their values are diametrically opposed to the Leaf, our protagonists, and not because they really are all bad.
**Actually, I'm guessing the Juugo is older than all of them, so maybe it won't be cute. We'll see.

Witherwing writes:
So first thing I thought of when I saw this picture: This is what SnowyOwl looks like in the morning. Hehe. Don't kill me.

Naruto really doesn't get it. The problem was not the fact that Orochi might take over Sasuke but that Sasuke wanted to get revenge on his brother. Well, maybe Orochimaru was Naruto's main concern from the beginning. Either way, Naru still has a lot to learn. But maybe now, Sasuke will come back (after he's brought peace to the world) and Naru will give him a shoe and they'll live happily ever after...maybe not.

The leaf ninja: I kinda liked the fact that Suigetsu called him that. Maybe there are redeeming qualities in Sasuke, like his reluctance to kill unless necessary. But I guess to be a fire ninja he is missing the most important thing. The Will of Fire. He's a wonderer right now. Maybe he'll make up his own country like Orochi did.

Wobbly sword: Couldn't Sui pull out his jumbo muscles of death for this?

Karin: So her super power is like Calisto (I think) from X3 where she senses other mutants and their power. Is that all Sasuke needed her for? Now she can leave or just hope that the interaction between her and Mizu is foreshadowing funny times ahead. I don't think that Sasuke's really amused by her antics.

Juugo: Do you suppose that Juugo has a bloodline limit? I mean, I don't think that there's any other expanation if he transforms. It's not like he had to eat the pill for it to happen.

Response: SnowyOwl, I see your point with Zabuza. I forget that he's not all that because I alway picture him with the bandages still wrapped around his face. (For obvious reasons) Still, he had one think that made him more appealing then the other water nins: the Lov-e-ly item*, Haku.

*Reference from Ouran High School Host Club

Naruto Chapter 349: That Place...

**Updated 4-17-07**

Summary: We learn that the Northern Base was the center of Orochimaru's human experimentation and that the curse seal was derived from Juugo's blood.

SnowyOwl Says:

The plot thickens! Mostly exposition, but I was super energized by this chapter. Sorry for the long post, and sorry WitherWings if I took all your topics. Team Sasuke is turning out to be pretty interesting, at least as it stands. I don't know what throwing Juugo/Gollum into the mix will do.

Suigetsu: It's official. Me likes. He's laid back, and for the Naruto world, pretty 'normal' for a teen. Love the characterization that he's the one struggling to keep up and dehydrated because he isn't use to ... land. Heh, he's totally me in a group outing (see pic)

And check out the squatting skills. Even though he tires easily, he can still squat all cool like. Maybe I'm reacting to the jumbo sword strapped to his back. Very Cloud-like, and Cloud it also cool-looking.

Can't help but think that Suigy will get on well with Sai. Sui will make some comment that he thinks is clever and Sai would just look at him, not getting the joke at all. I hope they meet!

Finally, I just have to replicate some dialogue here:

Sui: I heard he [Juugo] came to Orochimaru of his own will, which says a lot about how crazy he was.
Karin: Well, think about it. Why would he have come to Orochimaru on his own?
Sui: I dunno. Because he's retarded?
Sasuke: ...

Ha! Take that, Sasuke! Yes, Water-boy is on my thumbs-up list. Wait, one more:

Sui: Aw crap. He died.

Right up there with Sai's deadpan "Oh. That's me" (see ch.147) when he saw bunshin-him and bunshin-Sasuke get it on. I look forward to more of him.

Karin: The beauty mark is distracting. Everytime there's a close-up, my brain is jibbering 'Moley-moley-moley-moley!' a la Austin Powers. But that said, she actually had some substance here. Karin might not like having Juugo join, but she's has empathy for him and defends him by taking the time to educate the guys. And she totally has thing for Sasuke, but slightly different in that she's embarrassed to be open about it, unlike Sakura and Ino.

Sasuke: He killed fake-Juugo in one panel! You know, I bet Kishimoto gave Sasuke eye-attacks and super-speed so that he wouldn't have to draw fights. Creativity born of laziness!

Juugo: Doesn't he remind you of a crazed Hitsuguya? Oh. Yeah. That's what Hitsu should do to Hinomori, but I digress ... I'm really looking forward to this guy too. If Kishimoto doesn't make him some sort of Igor/animal who has trouble using big words, I can foresee angst coming from him. A lost soul struggling to maintain a stable identity, an lonely, feared boy who wants to lose his 'power' and be normal. Like Gaara, without the demon to blame.

Team Evil Arc: Actually, they're not so evil. The switch to this new arc was a bit jarring at first, with the sudden defeat of Orochimaru and hero-Sasuke, but with all the new characters (who aren't 2-D) and revelations, I wouldn't mind hanging with them instead of the folks in Konoha for a while. I think I was a bit resistant to the new arc because we had almost 2 years in the fandom to villify Sasuke. Plus, speculation of the Sound focused on Orochimaru, Kabuto, and Sasuke (occasionally the Sound 5), making the Sound very flat (no music pun intended). It's interesting that Kishimoto is now fleshing out the other side. Sound nin weren't all power hungry, in fact, it sounds like most were kept against their will. Plus, it seems as if Sasuke didn't breed contempt amongst the others that I thought would have been the case since he had been a favorite and seemed solely focused on his training. Remember what a jerk he was with Sai and Naruto? Perhaps there's more to him...?

Witherwing writes:
Just a few quick notes:

Juugo the retarded- I agree with cool Mizu-kun. I mean, who would look at Orochimaru and think that that was the cure to killing urges? Did he even SEE Orochi? Well at least he was trying to change...and got experimented on instead. Sasuke's shunpo was so fast, they couldn't even catch in on still panels.

Karin- She might be embarassed to be open about her crush on Sasuke but she's certainly not against making a move on him (after she's locked the door) when she thinks their alone. That is one scary person.

I wonder if Saskuke's ever met Juugo before. How did he know that that wasn't him?
Well that's all I have to say about that.

Naruto Chapter 348: The Next One!

Summary: Sasuke reveal to Suigetsu that he is recruiting him, Karin, and Juugo for thier specific powers to carry out his plan. At the prison Karin oversees, news has spread that Sasuke has defeated Orochimaru and the prisoners are set free at Sasuke's orders. Karin is at first antagonistic and reluctant to go with Sasuke, but then hits on Sasuke when they are alone together and agrees to go.

Witherwing writes:

The conversation - What we find out: Sasuke has a plan. That's good. He's been formulating this plan for years. In order for this plan to work he needs people with very specific abilities (ie. only Karin will do). These abilities might have to do with Orochimaru experimenting on them. It's amazing how flippantly Suigetsu can talk about being experimented on. I do like the reference to how he hasn't used his legs in awhile.The best part if this conversation: Waking on water!

Karin - So who knew that the next person that Sasuke had in mind was his twin sister? He's not the last Uchiha.

Of course this image is shattered when she tries to hit on him. What is that about? Maybe that's her special power. To try to ... woo ... people ... -_-


I also loved that everyone is amazed that Sasuke came alone. And then Waterboy was all offended.

The Plan - Sasuke's plan is revealed: To bring peace and safety to the whole world! Not as evil as you might think and sounds almost as lame as the Akatsuki plan. Maybe Sasuke's reformed and will only use his power for good ...maybe.

Juugo: suffers from gollumitis*

You gotta love the fact that Sasuke's straight and to the point. Check out that directness.

* Gollum, a character from Lord of the Rings, had split personality.

SnowyOwl Says:

Sasuke: 'I've been planning this since the beginning' my bum. He didn't even know the others when he decided to join Orochi. I'm still convinced his decision to defect was a half-baked, selfishly motivated idea. Now he's trying to bring peace to the world. Give me a break. Escuse me for sounding pissy, but I am. There had better be a twist to why everyone regards him so favorably, because right now the story it seems shallow and inconsistant. Wasn't he strongly associated with Big Bad Orochi? Sounds like Oro had Sasuke chained to him the way everyone took Sasuke being without the sannin as hard proof that Oro was dead.

Who's speading the rumors anyway? How can news possibly travel THAT fast? The only witness was Kabuto, but as the right-hand man, there's no advantage to spreading the news. Perhaps everyone is somehow 'marked' and had a psychic connection to Orochi that disappeared after his "death"?

Suigetsu: I'm growing to like him. Can't quite put my finger on it yet.

Karin: She annoys me already on Part I Sakura proportions. Incest is frowned upon young lady! (Well, maybe not for Uchihas, but inbreeding may well be why there are so few left and of questionable mental faculties). Something is suspicious about her - complete personality change when alone with Sasuke. Or is it the absense of fish-boy? Maybe her real secret-crush is Suigetsu, but is confused about her feelings and reacts by hitting on the popular/powerful boy like she's suppose to instead. You know how it is with young (chemically imbalanced) teens: I hate you means love.