Naruto Chapter 406: The Key to the Future

Summary: Shikamaru seeks out people close to Jiraiya to crack the code he left. He also has a heart-to-heart with Naruto about dealing with loss and growing up.

Serenphoria Says:

This chapter was sweet. But first, two little criticisms:

1 - Girl with swirly glasses. Do not like. Reminds me too much of Karin and I have a general dislike of people who don't deserve Shika. Maybe if she was more like Nanao Ise of Bleach fame (pictured left), but this new girl is unkempt and seems sheltered (as in, holed up in the KIB*) and just uncool. Plus, she was unfortunately the person Kishi cast to make Shika look ignorant, which brings me to -

2 - Poor exposition delivery. Kishi missed in his choice of through whom he'd tell the audience about the key to the code. Shikamaru should already know from his work experience (and intellect). The information should have been delivered a different way to keep things in character.

That said, I enjoyed:

1 - Kakashi's memory. In the past, you got the sense that they had a mentor/mentee relationship, but colored by a stand-offish mutual respect. I think this is the first time we see evidence that not only were they closer, but had guys-being-guys moments. Sweet.

2 - Kakashi's concern for Naruto. I'm actually quite pleased that Kakashi asked Shika to check in on Naruto. Not the moment my inner fangirl imagined, but very much in character. He cares, but he keeps an arm's length. Instead, he guides the young'uns to help each other grow. He's the invisible hand that, like Jiraiya, will never get his fair share of acknowledgment until much too late.

2. SHIKAMARU. I won't quote everything, but basically everything he says from the hospital onward is gold. I love his dedication to Asuma's memory and how sweet he is to Kuranai. I love how he's grown to not be afraid of showing that he cares (he may still be laid back and practical, but not actively indifferent - if you can be such a thing). I love his maturity in recognizing they are the leaders now, they are the role-models, and they're the ones who have to step up and make their teachers proud.

And if Asuma had to die for anything plot-wise, it would be for this moment. To allow Shika to have already mourn and heal so that he can empathize with Naruto and help usher Naruto to the next stage of his development.

"Like Asuma and Jiraiya, I want to be as cool as them"

Shika, my dear, you already are.

Sidenote: There's speculation that the numbers correspond to something in Jiraiya's books. While I wouldn't be surprised if they were (pervert to the end) I think Kakashi would have been the one to recognize it (Naruto didn't really get into them). I'm hoping that'll it'll be something between the two of them and we'll finally get a little insight into what they were doing those 2.5 years.

6/29 Edit: I found it interesting that 3 new characters got names (Oyone, Umador, Shiho). Since Kishi took the time to tell us, I expect they'll show up again, though not in a super meaningful way.

*Konoha Investigation Bureau

Naruto Chapter 405: Left Behind

Summary: Naruto remembers and mourns Jiraiya's passing. Shikamaru is charged with decoding Jiraiya's message.

Serenphoria says:

Yup, meltdown. And blaming Tsunade...oh, sting! And refusing Iruka's ramen offer was an especially nice touch in expressing how much the news was affecting Naruto.

To be honest, I was actually a little annoyed at Iruka for butting in so soon. I mean, 'you can't be depressed forever'? It's only been a few hours. Let the boy mourn! As a reader, I wanted to spend a little more (real) time in that melancholy mood so I definitely felt the pacing was off here. Not enough respect for Jiraiya. And I love 'Ruka and all, but it was a little too predictable that he'd be the one to show up conveniently after a long hiatus to bring Naruto back up. I would have loved it if had been Kahashi since Jiraiya was also more or less his sensei and surrogate father.

Okay, I love that Shikamaru is back and all, but wasn't the message for Tsunade? Wasn't it suppose to be meaningful for her? Well, I guess she's a bit preoccupied at the moment.

A Tsunade flashback next?

Naruto Chapter 404: Falcon and Akatsuki

Summary: Naruto learns that Jiraiya had passed away. Madara reveals to Kisame that he's the Mizukage and solicits his help. Sasuke plots to target the elders of Konoha only. Madara proposes that Falcon work with the Akatsuki in return for a tailed beast.

Serenphoria Says:

[The passing of a giant]

Jiraiya-cha~an! It was endearing how fondly the frog sages spoke of Jiraiya. And it looks like we'll hear a little more about Jiraiya's mission/role and Naruto's role in the prophecy! Maybe this is the point where Naruto will start to grow up dealing with the death of someone really close to him and having to shoulder responsibility that is not self-imposed.

Didn't it seem like everyone but Naruto knew about Jiraiya? It might be because they were all afraid how hard the news would be for him, but I'd be a little pissed and that would upset me even more. Kishi avoided Naruto's face for the initial reaction. I think there's going to be a bit of a melt down soon.

[Water and distortion]

So Madara's been hiding out in plain sight as the Mizukage. There's something beyond fishy about Kishi still not revealing Madara/Tobi's face since we already know what Madara looked like via the flashbacks. I'm prepared for Madara to not be Madara at all and someone completely different and the whole story he told was (while most likely true to some extent) a diversion. Or there's a twist in Madara's appearance that actually means something to us. Meaning that if he does look different than we expect, he won't look like a random new person (because that's not very twisty) but familiar.

[The diabolical plan not so diabolical]

Okay, so I guess not doing it his brother's way is a good thing here: Sasuke will not be murdering Konohaians indiscriminately, just targeting the brass. I hope that doesn't include Tsunade - she had nothing to do with the Uchiha Decision.

I really don't know how to read his reaction to the Tailed Beast offer - he didn't seem particularly excited, since he's probably arrogant...er...confident enough that he can meet his objective without a bijuu. And did he ask about Naruto out of concern or calculation? (Sadly, I think it's a bit of both)

[A gap in time]

So seriously, what happened to Hebi and Kisame while the Uchiha boys were mentaling each other to death? Suigetsu was all ready to fight Kisame a year ago before the Uchiha fight started and now it looks like they never got a chance to play.

Naruto Chapter 304: Tears

Summary: Naruto recalls his encounter with Itachi in the woods where Itachi asked what Naruto would do if he had to choose between Konoha and Sasuke. After Naruto responds that he would find a way to save both, Itachi gives Naruto part of his power. Sasuke understands now that he saw Itachi cried the night of the massacre and but refuses to take Itachi's eyes for himself, determined to revive the Uchiha clan his own way. (read 304 here)

Serenphoria Says:

[Naru and Ita]

I knew that the Naruto-Itachi encounter couldn't have been as simple as it appeared in chapter 366! Well, no, I was confused, but in retrospect, it makes sense that they'd have a revealing conversation that we can be privy to only after the Uchiha showdown.

I wonder what Itachi was feeling when Naruto said he's a better brother than Itachi ever was. Irony? A knife in the heart? Relief? Maybe little of everything.

Itachi's questions felt very much like a test to see if Naruto was the right person to pass the torch to, to be not just the one to protect Sasuke (possibly from himself) but to do what he couldn't do. While he chided Naruto about being naive (well deserved), I think he was also banking on Naruto's ability to find a way to break the mold.

Itachi's world-view was shaped by boundaries. Even though he was able to see beyond the clan and his upbringing, it wasn't enough for him to actually escape the bonds of his heritage and ninja-dom. Naruto, on the other hand, reminds me of Vash the Stampede - he wants to save the spider and the butterfly - and he didn't grow up with anyone telling him that was impossible. Naruto has proven time and again that he can find a way to be to defy expectation and to redefine the Truths of his world.

I am glad that Itachi called Naruto out on his naïveté though. That boy needs to hear it again. He may be lovable because of his stubborn hold of his ideals, but he's also living in a dream world and needs to grow up. The solution is not beat Sasuke into submission if he doesn't want to come quietly. When it comes to Sasuke (well, a lot of things really), Naruto is stuck in a toddler's solipsic mental state - he needs to get out of himself and recognize other people have their own point of view and not his. I mean, how many times do people have to tell him that Sasuke doesn't want to come back? He always has this confused look, like he can not fathom how a person not want what he wants and not value what he values and copes by ignoring it. I don't doubt Naruto can save both the spider and the butterfly, but he's got a ways to go before he gets there.

On a lighter note, did anyone else joygasm when Itachi bequeathed some of his power to Naruto. Itachi is part of Naruto. I don't know how much more you can solidfy his role as Sasuke's brother. And since Sasuke still has brother issues, it'll get interesting.

[Sasu and the Uchiha]

Speaking of which, Sasuke's psychosis regarding his brother is worse than I thought. He refused to follow his brother's plan when he loathed him at the Valley of the End. Now he refuses to follow his brother's plan when he doesn't loathe him. I won't go so far to say that Sasuke is now rediscovering his love for Itachi, but seriously, what does he want? What is he trying to prove? To whom? I'm going to revive the Uchiha my own way. As opposed to who's way? I don't think Itachi (or Madara) had (has) any intention of reviving the Uchiha; quite the contrary.

So there's noise in the fandom that says the convenient resurfaced memory is a plot-device by Kishi, or evidence that Madara is manipulating his memories. While I do think that Madara is being manipulative, I think it's through language (a la Wormtongue) and Sasuke's memory recovery is natural. When something we observe (tears) does not fit into existing mental schema (evil, emotionally detached brother), we tend to ignore it or interpret it in such a way that it does. Check out these two memories: Sasuke remembered his brother at that moment as dark and menacing when he's working with the brother-is-evil schema and remembered the same moment more accurately now that he has a brother-is-loving schema to bucket that memory into.

He refused to take Itachi's eyes. I hope no one else does either. (OMG, Naruto should take them - j/k j/k!)

Naruto Chapter 402: Last Words

Summary: Sasuke reflects on the past and remembers Itachi's habit of showing affection by tapping Sasuke's forehead and saying 'Sorry, next time.' He also recalls that Itachi's last words were 'Sorry, this is the last time.' Mourning for his bother, Sasuke renames Team Snake to Team Eagle, with their new objective being the destruction of Konoha. (read 402 here)

Serenphoria Says:

Lovely lovely lovely moments of nostalgia; Itachi's actions now have a new feeling of gentleness and sincerity. How could our heartstrings not be pulled by the revelation of Itachi's last words and the affection in his smile.

And then Sasuke goes and gets it all wrong.

Wrong wrong wrong.

So assuming the flashback was Sasuke's (whether real or not) it seems like he's accepted his brother as worthy of mourning. And also, apparently, revenge. He's really a one-trick pony, isn't he? I'm not even going to excuse him for being a maladjusted teenage boy. You do NOT honor your brother by destroying what he sacrificed everything for to protect.

Those new eyes had better be him under hypnosis.

Stupid Sasuke ruining a perfectly lovely chapter. Bah.

(And what happened to Kisame?)

P.S. If Madara could get Sasuke a new shirt, could he not have provided new pants too? Ones that fit and does not require a rope to hold up? Is that too much to ask? =(