Naruto Chapter 448/449: Memento/The Flower of Hope

Summary: Naruto spares Nagato's life to carry on Jiraiya's dream. Nagato places his hope for peace in Naruto, and brings everyone he killed in Konoha back to life.

Serenphoria says:

Mmmm...Not as happy as I'd thought I'd be seeing Kakashi alive for several reasons:

1) He didn't want it

Well, more like he didn't not want to be dead. He was at peace and he even had that taken away from him. Poor Kakashi.

2) Playing God is cheating

Chiyo's life-for-a-life was touching. Un-doing a war? Not so cool. What is Nagato teaching Naruto? That if you make the right choices, everything will be right with the world. That all he needs is knows what pain is, but not actually have to live with it? No no no. And bringing back everyone dilutes the value of any one single person coming back. Arg!

3) Sasuke shows up.

I found ending with him irksome. So Naruto learns a lesson and Kishi is all like: that was practice! Now go apply what you learned with someone else that wants to destroy Konoha! Kishi, I want new plot please.

-sigh-

At least Suigetsu is back. Maybe he'll eat Sasuke before they get to the Leaf.

Chapters 446/447: I just wanted to protect them/Believe

Summary: Nagato becomes Pain after Yahiko's death. After Nagato's tale, Naruto decides not to kill him. (read here)

Serenphoria Says:

You go Naruto!

It was predictable that Naruto wasn't going to kill Pain, but satisfying to hear him reach that conclusion nevertheless. He's no Sasuke - when he refuses company it's not because he wants sweet revenge all to himself. And says he wants to just talk, he means it. I think he already made the decision not to kill going in, even if he didn't know it.

Was it just me, or did the way Nagato became Pain make no sense? It looked like his eyes made a big wooden puppet that latched onto his body involuntarily. Then in the next instance it was mostly destroyed, but he was still Pain? The last few chapters were just a little hard to believe. Yahiko running into a kunai, for one. I'm disappointed that he went that way...they seemed clever enough to find a way to rescue the girl.

Ah well.

Now, how will Pain/Nagato react to Naruto's decision (probably be confused and not kill Naruto in turn). How will the Fire ninja react (ah, Naruto will probably have to protect Pain now).

*Note from serenphoria: Dear readers of this blog, I realize I haven't been consistant with posting. Real life (and this is a reason, not an excuse) is taking a toll on my ability to keep up on a regular basis. For the forseeable future, I'll likely post no more than twice a month - if I can do more, then bonus! Thanks for understanding.