Recent Naruto Manga (Chapters 400+)

[Doubleshadow]

Hmm. I can see convincing arguments going both ways about whether or not Itachi diedin that chapter. On the one hand, a fight of this important should cover numerous chapters whether or not it results in Itachi's death (although having Sasuke die somehow would be so very unexpectedly cool). It would be annoying to have the two constantly "meet" only for it to be revealed it's an illusion every time, so hopefully this encounter will not be a delay tactic.

On the other hand, utterly anti-climatic and underwhelming ends for major villains have occurred before.

[LadyRushia]

I know, right?

Sasuke: So, I finally killed Orochimaru.
Kabuto: lol, no. I secretly sucked him up into my body.

I have a feeling that the next chapter will have some flashbacks, though I'm surprised that this one didn't have any at all.

[Mave]

So I take that Uchiha Madara is the ultimate villain of Naruto?

Those two knuckleheads are still genjutsuing each other hehehe...

[MasterDias]

So I take that Uchiha Madara is the ultimate villain of Naruto?

I was wondering this myself.

[uc pseudonym]

Madara being at fault here is probably one of the most called "twists" of all time. However, I did like the idea that instead of fighting against each other's genjutsu the two of them actually haven't moved at all.

So I take that Uchiha Madara is the ultimate villain of Naruto?

He and Pain seem equally hyped to me. There's always the possibility that Madara will be Sasuke's final enemy at the same time that Naruto defeats Madara (after they return to the same side, of course). Dual antagonists aren't that common in shonen, but we'll see.

[Doubleshadow]

I am pleasantly surprised by how this fight is being handled. I also like the idea that they are not moving, battling with genjutsu only, and being observed. Too often, fights seem to occur in isolation with the universe.
It's nice to see some of the long circulating rumors confirmed or debunked, in this case confirmed. It feels like the story's moving along, especially since Itachi and Sasuke are discussing Madara while Naruto and company face-off against Madara. I forsee an upcoming juxtaposition of significant moments.
Think Madara still looks the same under that mask?

[Doubleshadow]

Note the differences in date! This is not, technically, a double post, yes?

Wow, just in case we needed any confirmation Itachi is completely unhinged, we are presented with a total spaz attack. Nice. I forsee many an Itachi fangirl erasing that scene from her mind.

The background provided in this scene was really good as well. That was a plot twist I didn't see coming. I wonder if his assessment of Madara's abilities is accurate, or if he's bluffing, or possibly babbling on in a psychotic state.

[uc pseudonym]

This did feel like Itachi's real motivation as opposed to a trick. It was mildly surprising to see him take the total wacko path, but this does explain why he was leaving Sasuke alive. It also increases the probability that Itachi could win and go on to face Madara. Furthermore, what are the chances that Sasuke would take Itachi's eyes? That may be a bit too much for a main character in a shonen series, but we'll see.

Double posting in event of chapter updates is generally acceptable, by the way.

[LadyRushia]

Itachi's spaz made laugh a little. Poor Sasuke; first Orochimaru wanted his body and now Itachi wants his eyes.

I still feel like Sasuke has a chance of winning because he's more of a main character than Itachi. Plus, I'd like to see what he does after he takes revenge.

And in honor of my 300th post, everyone gets happycakes~! [^_^}o

[Mave]

I still feel like Sasuke has a chance of winning because he's more of a main character than Itachi. Plus, I'd like to see what he does after he takes revenge.

I want Sasuke to win too. Itachi's a little too twarped and beyond saving. XDDDD

[LadyRushia]

So. . .maybe Sasuke lost an eye? o.o

I found Sasuke's variety of attacks interesting. I think he's one of the few main characters who skillfully incorporates weapons into his strategy. Also, those seals on his hands seem like they can do a lot and he can apparently turn his curse seal into a snake.

[Mave]

I suppose Sasuke can live without one eye (if he's smart enough, you would think that he has realized by now that he can't rely on his eyes alone). But anything can happen now since we're supposed to expect Sasuke to pull off many new moves and surprise Itachi. If he doesn't in the next few chapters, I'll be very disappointed since this is THE battle.

Oh yeah, I just think it'll be funny if Sasuke ends up looking like another anime Roy Mustang. Teehee...

[uc pseudonym]

I'm not sure if I believe Sasuke lost an eye. On one hand, he's a main character as well as a popular bishounen, so that puts him in a class that generally doesn't get disfigured. But on the other, this is potentially one of the climax points of the series. Sasuke could lose an eye and then take one of Itachi's to replace it, for example.

[LadyRushia]

Haha, if Sasuke loses an eye, he'll have to become some sort of ninja-pirate mutant or something.

Yeah, the fact that Sasuke is popular AND pretty makes me wonder if that was really him screaming at the end of the chapter.

[Doubleshadow]

Haha, if Sasuke loses an eye, he'll have to become some sort of ninja-pirate mutant or something.

HA! That's a good one.

What if it was Itachi screaming because he had another spaz attack? Or because Sasuke stepped on his cute little Akatsuki pedicure?

There is no way that after all that build up that is all there is to that fight. I wonder about the eye, but I also can't see a bishie getting disfigured. Perhaps Sasuke or even Zetsu injured Itachi?

[LadyRushia]

Or because Sasuke stepped on his cute little Akatsuki pedicure?

"My name is Uchiha Itachi. You ruined my pedicure. Prepare to die! B["

[Mave]

Bishies are allowed to be disfigured only if it makes him more appealing and cool. Think of Kenshin and his scar. Some fans thought an eyepatch on Roy was cool (I didn't think so and prefer manga Roy but meh).

I guess Sasuke could lose his eye and obtains a cooler one. If Sasuke absorbs Itachi's power (ala Orochimaru's fate), I would be very impressed.

Still, my main concern is that Sasuke doesn't become twarped like his brother if he succeeds in killing Itachi. Maybe this is where Naruto comes in to beat sense into Sasuke. "You beat your brother, only to replace him, you baka emoboy!"

The nice thing about this fight is we don't really know what could happen.

[Mave]

Sorry for the double post but it looks like Sasuke still has both eyes intact and successfully held back Itachi's Tsukiyoma (Yay!). But, Itachi nows prepares to pull out some trump card called...Akumatsu or something.

That about summarizes the whole chapter. XD

[R. Zion]

Sorry for the double post but it looks like Sasuke still has both eyes intact and successfully held back Itachi's Tsukiyoma (Yay!). But, Itachi nows prepares to pull out some trump card called...Akumatsu or something.

That about summarizes the whole chapter. XD

Amaterasu ;-)

If you remember back to when Itachi and Kisame tried to capture Naruto and Jiraiya used the Toad Mouth trap to try to capture them, Amaterasu is the technique Itachi used to escape that left the black fire burning around the opening.

It'll be interesting to finally see it first hand, but hopefully it's not just a Fire attack turned black.

[uc pseudonym]

If you remember back to when Itachi and Kisame tried to capture Naruto and Jiraiya used the Toad Mouth trap to try to capture them, Amaterasu is the technique Itachi used to escape that left the black fire burning around the opening.

Right. This is one of the longest hanging McGuffins in Naruto, so I'm curious to see how it will be resolved. Though since Tsukiyoma is somewhat of an ultimate genjutsu, I wouldn't be surprised to find this a massive ninjutsu.

[LadyRushia]

You know, I think at times that Kishimoto just invents new concepts/people on the spot, but it's interesting to see how he ties everything together. I'm just speaking in general.

More and more, I'm starting to feel that Sasuke and Itachi are evenly matched. The next chapter might change things around, though, especially since Amaterasu seems to be some very ulitimate-super-special-awesome technique.

[uc pseudonym]

As I bring this thread back, it strikes me just how much time a fight takes. Anyway, I presume some people will have some comments about the Uchiha fight?

Myself, I don't care. Chapter 394. Shino. Yes.

[LadyRushia]

Yeah really. It's about time a seriously minor character gets to do something awesome.

Now I'm interested in seeing what Sasuke does next. He's probably not dead, seeing as how he's a main character.

[Doubleshadow]

So, after all that, they ended the fight by mutually passing out. Right.

Meanwhile, back where the character the manga is supposed to be about is...

Shino's on deck! Wo-hoo! I am a happy fan girl. Also, Hinata actually had some dialogue and contributed to the general knowledge base. Good.

[LadyRushia]

Maybe Kishimoto has finally realized that he needs to not ignore his old characters, XD.

Seeing Shino fight will be interesting because we only saw him fight ONCE and that was waaaaaay back in the Chuunin Exams, so yeah. While I wish it were Sakura or Hinata who gets to be awesome, I'm happy that we're not going to be focusing on the main characters for yet another fight. Hooray for variety~!

[Doubleshadow]

Here's a thought: Anyone think Sasuke will snatch Itachi's eyes? Maybe just maim him but leave him alive? Due to the nature of the series, if Sasuke actually kills Itachi, he'll hit a special level of irredeemable evil as a character.

[LadyRushia]

Ehh, I don't think so. For some, he hit that level when he betrayed Konoha. Since Itachi's an evil character, technically it would be okay if he dies.

[Doubleshadow]

Ehh, I don't think so. For some, he hit that level when he betrayed Konoha. Since Itachi's an evil character, technically it would be okay if he dies.

Seems you called it, for now at least.

That's all the more time Shino gets? After all this time? What a bummer. Also, I wonder if Kiba and Shino's exchange indicates Kishimoto received a lot of irate fan mail?

[LadyRushia]

I found that this chapter was more fast-paced than the previous ones. Maybe Kishimoto is finally getting the hint that he shouldn't let things drag.

Or maybe it's just the awesomeness of seeing a minor character get the spotlight.

[Gritz]

I liked this chapter. Shino got some action, and Kiba and Naruto's antics in this chapter were funny.

Personally, I liked the previous fight. People always say that he lets things drag on. They say that about any fight that is not two chapters long. I say, "have some dang patience".

Can't wait for the next installment.