Naruto Chapter 375: Ni Dai Sennin

Summary: Pain attacks Jiraiya with a series of summons. Jiraiya response by summoning the two great hermits. (read 375 here)

SnowyOwl Says:

Lots of action, not much plot, which is fine after a healthy dose of flashback and monologuing. I fear for Jiraiya though, if his life depended on a self-deprecating frog. I seriously wanted to shake that frog, or put him in therapy, or something...and unless it's for some reverse psychology jutsu, he really shouldn't be saying how weak he is out loud.

No idea what Pain is up to, but I did find it intriguing that all his summons have his eyes like he hypnotized them. And that bird reminded me of Birdramon (Pain, I feel your loooove)*.

Finally, Jiraiya, WTH? Why did your eyes turn froggy and your nose turn big? Don't tell me you turned yourself into a frog! I'm afraid of what's in the shadows.

*reference to Digimon Adventures

Witherwing Writes:

I totally loved the digimon reference. It made my night.

Naruto Chapter 374: Growing into a God

Summary: Pain sees himself as a God of peace and reveals his plan to end all wars by creating a forbidden jutsu using the tailed beast that could destroy whole countries in seconds and thus create a world of pain and fear in the survivors. Jiraiya and Pain call out their summons and prepare to battle. (Read 374 here)

SnowyOwl Says:

Jiraiya was right: Pain is a comedian. Notable Quotables:

...since you're going to die, I can tell you my plans.
...but I, living in an infinite universe of pain...
I am a God of Peace, after all.

I can not believe he pulled the 'since you're going to die, I can tell you my plans' line. Pain obviously hasn't crossed off item #7 from his to-do list. Man, can that guy head-trip or what? I'm also a little disappointed that Kishimoto is drawing parallels to the atom bomb so blatantly. While I understand the theme is extremely important to the Japanese, it feels flat and cliche...at least implement horrific destruction in a more creative way that consistent with the Narutoverse and not just settle for the mushroom cloud. The real-world reminder completely pulled me out of the story and I think takes away from the message that Kishi is trying to present.

That said, at least Pain's "real" plan is a little less lame than "Then, we'll take over the world!" I'm intrigued as to why he's taken up Yahiko's philosophy. Either a) Pain came to that conclusion himself b) When Yahiko died he took on the mission of his fallen comrade, or c) Pain = Nagato + Yahiko! I wouldn't be surprised at all if "he's been dead for a long time" is meant in the "Vader killed your father" way.

I'll be saying this a lot, but I love Jiraiya. Perhaps the greatest advocate for peace are those that have lived and seen it all, and yet still possess a child's hope and humanity. Gambatte!


Witherwing writes:

I Live! Yes, contrary to popular belief, I'm not dead. Take a moment to gather yourselves. Much thanks to Snowyowl for working hard.

Oh Pein, Of course he has to start monologuing. It's the protocol for all baddies. I'm getting a Folken (escaflowne) vibe from him. He's trying to start the war to end all wars. Redirecting fate! But what I don't get is how Tobito fits into all this. Is he the mastermind behind this plan. It doesn't really seem like he's pulling the string behind Pein because Pein seems to be pretty self-motivated.

Oh and do we think he can summon powers from the tailed-animals. Notice: the lobster thing looks a lot like the three tail. But notice: The iguana thing looks really gross. What's with it's tail?!

I second the Jiraiya comment. I sure hope he doesn't meet his death by Pein (heheh, bad pun intended). But all signs lead to the Rome. I mean, he set his affairs in order. Finished training Naruto, met up with old students. Maybe he'll pull out a yellow crayon* story and talk Pein back into humanity. Here's hoping.

*Reference to Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Naruto Chapter 373: The Student/Teacher Era

**Updated 10-21-07**

Summary: Jiraiya discovers that Negato possesses the Rin'negan, the greatest of the eye techniques, but decides to teach the kids ninjutsu regardless. Negato is shaken by his own actions (killing a hostile nin) and explains that he wants to protect Yahiko and Konan no matter what. After three years of training, Jiraiya expresses his confidence in the kids' ability to fend for themselves and leaves for Konoha. (read 373 here)

SnowyOwl Says:

I really love flashbacks. Here we see the Rain kids before their convictions and paths were set and a glimpse of what could-have-been. Now I'm really, really curious as to what happened to them. What betrayal, what tragedy or cruelty did they go through to make them so distrustful of 'outsiders' and so protective of themselves? Where is Yahiko?

[Of Yahiko]
As much as he looks like Juugo, I don't think that Juugo and Yahiko are the same person. Juugo's affliction is genetic, and there was no indication in the flashback that Yahiko ever goes into crazy-killer-mode. But goodness, he was the Naruto of the last generation. Checkout his eager face and his cry face. Give the kid some whiskers and a headband and there you go.

[Of Negato and Konan]
Does anyone else think they're siblings? Same dark, limp hair, same build. They were together even before they met Yahiko and are together still. There's unquestioning loyalty (both ways). Maybe the Rin'negan is recessive and only Negato got it.

[Of Jiraiya]
He spent 3 years out there! While I admire his humanitarianism, didn't he have duties in Konoha? Konoha really sucks at keeping track of their nins. His heart-to-heart with Negato was really sweet (did you notice that he was the only one that said thank you when Jiraiya left? They totally had a special bond) but what a terrible exit. He didn't give the kids a chance to prepare emotionally for his departure -- I bet this second experience of abandonment is what screwed them up!

[Of the Rin'negan]
Take that Sasuke! You have the lowest form of eye techniques!

Witherwing writes:

Yes, that's right, an update here too, albeit a short one.

Nagato and Konan being siblings, I can see that. I just hope that he didn't go all crazy and kill Yahiko. That would really stink. Man, that two of them have no emotional ties to Jiraiya at all. I mean, they are ready to kill him. Do you think it's because he left them so long ago?

I really want to know what Nagato's eye-jutsu does. Is it the reason that he could change into other bodies with lots of piercings on it? Or maybe it's just used to make him really crazy looking so that nobody will mess with him.

I like the flashbacks too. I really like seeing what the older generations were like before Naruto took place. But I guess if the story was set earlier, then the manga would be called Jiraiya or something...