Naruto Chapter 357: Deidara vs. Sasuke

**Updated 6-25-07**

Summary: It's revealed that Kabuto grafted part of Orochimaru's old body to his own and that the 'Orochimaru part' is taking over quickly. Kabuto tells Naruto that he is his target after he avenges Orochimaru. Sasuke holds his own against Deidara and Tobi, forcing Deidara to use his C2 explosives.

SnowyOwl Says: Some quick notes so I can go read the next chapter.

Kabuto is so useful! With his declaration to go after Sasuke, Naruto's mission suddenly has meaning again. Save Sasuke from Oro...er...Kabuchimaru instead of mindlessly trying to convince Sasuke to come home or whatever. So in Kabuto's record, he's gotten Team 7 through the 2nd chuunin exam, prevented Jiraiya and Tsunade from defeating Orochimaru, healed Sakura, told Team Kakashi (lead by Yamato) where Sasuke was, dropped off a book of Akatsuki info, and became the incarnation of Orochi to target Sasuke and Naruto. I wonder if he feels used as a plot device.

I thought it was Neji when I saw the Byakugan. Wishful thinking that he was there rather than Hinata I guess.

But loving the action of the DeiTobi/Sasuke side. I was struck by Deidara's comment about Sasuke: That Sasuke is not strong due to his own power, but by virtue of his heritage. I don't totally agree; while Sasuke's gift did grant him the potential to be much stronger than your average shinobi, he actually took advantage of that gift and pushed it as far as it will go (minus the Mangekyou). What does irk me about Sasuke (and Deidara brought this to light) is that Sasuke doesn't seem to acknowledge his hereditary gift as a gift and his arrogance stem from his solipsism.

And oh Tobi. So melodramtic! [falls to knees. NOOOOO! shakes fist in air] I love it. He was so distraught thinking Deidara was gone. Oh ye of little faith: Dei-sama is much too pretty to be killed so quickly. But I wish Kishimoto was a more creative with character design. Dei's art pieces have so much potential and Kishimoto just lets these design opportunities pass.

So...Tobi can be sliced in half and regenerate? He's also immortal? He has no body because a boulder crushed him as a young teen and he's really a floating head!?! And he's a lot taller than I thought next to Deidara.

Witherwing writes:

Just a few quick notes since I seem to have fallen behind once again. (But now that schools out, maybe I'll be more on time.)

Oh Kabuchimaru, Does anyone else thinks it's gross that he has somehow absorbed Orochi's flesh? skin cells? scabs? and that it is now trying to take over his body tuning him into the Thing from Fantastic Four? He doesn't seem too concerned that he's becoming all deformed and growth-ful. He seems to want to surpass Orochi but will his hero worshipping of his stop him? Maybe he's just trying to harbor Orochimaru in his body so that one day the dark lord will rise again. Quick find unicorn blood, Kabuto!
The way I see it, the flesh cells have to choose between Kabuto or Orochi and in the end I think that Kabuto will be like Kadaj from Advent Children. He can't win.

Hehe. Tobi cracks me up.

::sob sob:: He was a strict sempai, but still a good one.

I can't tell if he's just immature or hiding something more behind the jokes. Like Chichiri from Fushigi Yuugi. Maybe there's more to him behind the mask. A troubled past? A lost friendship *cou-kakashi-gh*?

note: Sasuke looks really cool in action.

Now we wait for 'that'.