Naruto 455

Serenphoria Says:

I'm unable to comment due to lack of internet access (see post 452) but please feel free to discuss.

If (Suigetsu meets Sai)
Then (Chapter == epic)

//outdated programming knowledge fail.

Naruto Chapter 454

Serenphoria Says:

I'm away from internet access for a while (see chapter 452 post), but feel free to comment without me. Sasuke may or may not have shown up, so the chapter may or may not have been awesome depending on secondary character participation.

Discuss.

Naruto Chapter 453

Serenphoria Says:

I'm away (see chapter 452 post), but that doesn't mean you can't comment! Please do so here.

Naruto Chapter 452: Closing in on Danzou

Summary: Naruto and Sakura want to confront Danzou about his decision to allow Sasuke's death even though Sasuke is a missing-nin. Sai is ordered to watch Naruto because Danzou wants to keep Naruto in the village. Team 7 meet the Rai-nin, who tells them that Sasuke has joined the Akatsuki.

Serenphoria Says:

Ah, Kakashi, voice of reason. I'm glad it's finally been acknowledged that Sasuke's getting special treatment.

And Sai's back! Why does he make me giddy? Probably the same reason Spock does - self-proclaimed emotionally unavailable/incapable book-smart character that teases us with glimers of their struggling and growing humanity. Look at him questioning his orders! Teehee.

On a side note, I'll be away for the next three weeks and sadly missing out on chapters until I return from traveling. I'll create place-holder posts so you all can discuss in my absence. Cheers!

Naruto Chapter 451: Dealing with Sasuke

Summary: The villagers start rebuilding Konoha. Danzou classifies Sasuke as a missing-nin. Naruto thinks he finally understands him.

Serenphoria says:

Overall a chapter with lots to enjoy (I love transitions!). My reading went something like this:

- Sasuke? The title already annoys me. Sad...I remember a time when Sasuke was so cool.

- Oh Yamato, you show off :)

- Inari!

- Aw, look at our little Naruto maturing before our eyes. *beams*

- "If anyone rejects my way of life, I'll kill everyone they love." Aw, Sasuke, you haven't matured at all. I know he's suppose to be an angsty, mellow-dramatic 15-year-old, but he can actually make good on his death threats. Scary. And he looks totally stupid next to our growing Naruto. Stop making excuses for him Naru!

- My new favorite line: No good news ever comes from a scroll.

- I'd hate to say this, but I totally agree with Danzou's first decree as Hokage. It's about time!

Naruto Chapter 450: The Joyful Village

Summary: Konoha celebrates Naruto's return. The wind nin head to Konoha. A new Hokage is decided while Tsunade is in a coma. (Read 450 here)

Serenphoria Says:

Lot's of stuff to love (I tend to like transition chapters) and some things ridiculously ridiculous.

- Kakashi: No better person to meet Naruto after his lonely trial. I'm glad they had an alone moment together before...
- Gaara-style reception: deserved but unoriginal.
- Sakura's reaction: Yes.
- Wind Nin: LOVE!
- Tsunade's coma: So people not good enough to not be dead get to come back in perfect health but survivors just stay hurt? That sucks.
- Konoha's political system: dumb.

Who is that long-hair, ambiguously-gendered leader who get to say who's Hokage? S/he is very impressionable. Do none of the other leaders have an opinion? How are they leaders? No offence to anyone in the profession, but it's like the higher education system where all the clueless but tenured people make the calls.

Leaders: We need a leader!
Awesome Papa!Nara: I nominate Kakashi
Leaders: Good idea, good idea!
Obviously Up-to-no-good Danzou: I nominate meeeeee!
Leaders: Good idea, good idea!
Me: *facepalms*

Maybe the He-She is no one. Maybe the next chapter will start with the elders mowing him over for being dumb. Doubtful though since we need a new Big Bad. We can't have Naruto confront Sasuke so soon after his test-run with Nagato, can we?