Naruto Chapter 353: Akatsuki Gathers

**Updated 6-1-07**

Summary: The Akatsuki gather to extract the four-tail from its jinchuuriki. The leader informs everyone that Hidan, Kakuzu, and Orochimaru are dead and warns Itachi to stay alert.

SnowyOwl Says:

Please allow me to fan-girl for a moment: Kyaaaa! Akatsuki daisuki!

Lot's to love in this chapter. Not only was Itachi wet, he was pouting! I find it interesting that Kisame's comment implied that Itachi doesn't really fight (taijutsu vs. genjutsu) and even more interesting that Itachi seemed affected by it. Also note worthy is the concern over Itachi's welfare. Thus far Itachi has been portrayed as something of a god (or demon, however you want to look at it); something not quite human, untouchable. The others' concern shows that he's fallible and vulnerable. And not only is he defeatable, but the others are asking about his feelings in regards to Sasuke ('are you alright with this?'), implying that he may still have emotional ties to the world. In short, Itachi is actually human. It doesn't mean that he's not psycho, but I predict that we'll finally find out more about Itachi, from his perspective.

Itachi and Kisame's interactions were pretty awesome. Goes to show that even crazy baddies can bond as teammates.

And Dei and Tobi. Love! I love how Tobi totally rubs Deidara the wrong way. To think that Deidara use to be so cool when he was unorthodox one in the Dei-Sasori team. Now he's the miffed senpai that can't stand his cheeky kouhai. The tables have turned. And I've convinced WitherWings that Tobi is Obito. Heh.
But Suigetsu knowing Kisame from 10 years ago? Was he some psycho kindergarten killer? Or does he just not age because he's made of water? I love his smile though. Can someone put a word to it? It's not psycho, or altogether genuine, but not completely fake either...

Witherwing writes:

Just a few quick notes:
Aboslutely loved Tobi pissing off Deidara. Too funny. I especially loved the picture with his hand raised. You can just picuture him saying: hai, hai, Gomen-esai. (page 12 bottom left)

Hebi: Did you notice that the akatsuki have all heard of all of them? Well, minus Karin. They're like famous. They were impressed with Sasuke and acknowledge that the rest would be problematic. Dude, the akatuski thinks that they will be a problem. I guess Sasuke chose wisely

Suigetsu: He must have been some baby killing machine. That makes him an Juugo opposites. Sui-kun doesn't seem to feel remorse for his gift in the art of murder while Juugo is haunted by his.
Karin mentioned that Sui was like a Kappa. Good thing we all read Harry Potter book 3.