Recent Naruto Manga (Chapters 400+)

[Eaglestrike]

I thought Sasori was the "leader" of Akatsuki, at least I thought I read that somewhere, but I could be wrong.

Would be interesting if the massacre was a recruiting call for Itachi, instead of him doing it alone. Though really I'm not going to bet on this being the case, even though it does lead to a longer story (and we don't know where to go once Itachi is killed atm).

[Doubleshadow]

Sai's brother wasn't a blood relative, just someone he was close to, and Sai claimed he died of illness. Also, the leader of the Akatsuki is a yet to be revelaed person.

[Eaglestrike]

Ah, then why was Deidara calling Sasori "boss" and "master"? Just because they're both "artists" and he respects him, or something? I thought that was where I got the idea.

And if Sai's brother "died of illness" I wouldn't be surprised if Orochimaru and Kabuto "saved" him in some way. As well, we don't know how honest Sai was being about him dying.

[uc pseudonym]

The Akatsuki leader is definitely the unrevealed figure with spiky hair (we saw him from behind on the two-panel shot over a city in which he announces Akatsuki intends to take over the world).

"Spiky haired chick who really likes Sasuke and can help find ppl. Did we already mention that she likes Sasuke?".

Heh. Those are very similar to my thoughts. But she hasn't had time to prove herself yet, so I can be patient.

[Mave]

Thanks! XD

I suppose there are rankings within Akatsuki and Sasori happens to be a senior? Maybe there's some mentor-student system similar to the jounin-genin in the Leaf village.

I am open to speculation that Suigetsu is Sai's "brother" in another form. It's rare for characters to look similar and not have anything to do with each other.

New chapter: Alright, I definitely missed one of Suigetsu's abilities or characteristics. Exactly what happened when Karin smacked/punched/whacked his head? For a split second, I thought Kishimoto forgot how to draw a head and made it look like a blob of matter. Hehe.

I think this chapter confirms a 3 way battle between Itachi, Sasuke and Naruto although I think most of us anticipated that loooong time ago.

[Yeito]

I assumed the leader of the akatsuki was the guy that you never really get to see.... except a strategically shadowy outline and/or randomly defined eyes. And then there was the one time with the oh so carefully placed back shot.

I remember another suggestion from that storyboard that I had actually been suspecting before I even read the story board:

[spoiler] The akatsuki leader (whom we havent really gotten to actually see a good picture of yet) is the former 4th Hokage, who somehow faked his death. He could also be and/or Naruto's father. I mean... the similarity in hairstyle isn't any kind of blatant clue or anything.
At the same time this seems to be a rather obvious twist in the story (to me anyway) so it may be that Kishimoto suspected people to think this, and therefore has something else planned. Although the way things have been moving lately I've been beginning to wonder... [/spoiler]

Anyway. That's just me. I read and write so much that I start making crazy theories about things like this. The akatsuki leader could be someone completely unrelated.

I have a stupid question... I know it went something like this>>>
3rd Hokage trained > Orochi, Tsunade, and Erosenin(cant remember his real name for some reason...)
---
4th Hokage trained > Kakashi and other two kids (whos names i cant remember)
Kakashi trained > Naruto Sasuke Sakura.

Did the 3rd Hokage also train the fourth hokage or did I make that up? I can't really remember for some reason and I don't feel like trying to look it up somewhere. =_= Can you guys help me?

*sigh* I forgot why I wanted to know too. I hate my memory....

:: EDIT ::
I didn't mean that the storyboard was real. I also doubt its accuracy and relativity myself, but at the same time it raises interesting questions and speculations.

[R. Zion]

The third actually didn't train the fourth...it was Jiraya aka Ero-Sennin.

[Eaglestrike]

The problem with that theory is that the jutsu used to seal Kyuubi takes the life of the user. So unless there was some way to get around that, someone else sealed it, or something, the 4th can't be around still.

[uc pseudonym]

New chapter: Alright, I definitely missed one of Suigetsu's abilities or characteristics. Exactly what happened when Karin smacked/punched/whacked his head? For a split second, I thought Kishimoto forgot how to draw a head and made it look like a blob of matter. Hehe.

I think this was the introduction of a new ability: some sort of defensive jutsu that transforms him into water.

The problem with that theory is that the jutsu used to seal Kyuubi takes the life of the user. So unless there was some way to get around that, someone else sealed it, or something, the 4th can't be around still.

But we only have this on the word of various people who don't actually know themselves. The only people to know the jutsu were the 3rd and 4th Hokage. Though it does seem to take the life of the user from the 3rd's usage, the 4th could have used something that look similar but isn't fatal. Or, since he invented the jutsu, he might know a way around this requirement.

[Doubleshadow]

Here's a new thought I just had. So far, Team 7, Team 10, and Team Guy have all had screen time. That means Team 8, is due for a significant role. Anyone else think that manga won't end until they play a part in one of the arcs?

[Eaglestrike]

I certainly hope so, gogo Hinata!

[uc pseudonym]

Anyone else think that manga won't end until they play a part in one of the arcs?

I very much agree. In the first half (presuming the time skip is half-way) most of the secondary characters got one or two significant fights. I expect each to get at least one more in this part as well, which means certain characters are overdue for a decent role in one of the upcoming arcs. I'm hoping for Shino (his fight record is two wins out of two significant fights, which is surprised for such a minor role).

And yes, Hinata needs to do something. So far her accomplishments consist of pining after Naruto and getting beaten around by Neji.

[Eaglestrike]

Hinata kicked some butt in the fillers, she actually got new jutsu in them, lol.

[R. Zion]

Wow, praise for something from the fillers. Now THERE's something you don't see every day.

[uc pseudonym]

When I read this weeks chapter, this thread was one of the first things to come to mind. This will hopefully be a good decision, though the ratio of characters is 8:4:2, which means that some people probably won't get fights. Presuming that some people may not have as quick a source, I'll spoilerize the following...

[spoiler]Hinata and Shino. Huzzah. Hopefully both of them will get fights. Kiba obviously will, but I'm fairly ambivalent about him. Also, I have to note that Sai doesn't really fit, because he barely knows the group compared to the others (Yamato is arguably much the same).

Seeing these characters ressurrects the slightest bit of hope in my mind for Naruto. The upcoming chapters could be enjoyable.[/spoiler]

[Eaglestrike]

So...what's your source for those of us with slow sources? =(

Edit: Read it. Awesome. These next fights have promise. I just want more of her

[Mave]

This will hopefully be a good decision, though the ratio of characters is 8:4:2, which means that some people probably won't get fights.

[spoiler]Hinata and Shino. Huzzah. Hopefully both of them will get fights. Kiba obviously will, but I'm fairly ambivalent about him. Also, I have to note that Sai doesn't really fit, because he barely knows the group compared to the others (Yamato is arguably much the same).
[/spoiler]

I second the huzzah. I was surprised at how big the Leaf team was but then again, it's not unusual to have unbalanced fights in Naruto. Technically, you really have 2 teams from Leaf. I was half expecting Jiraiya to be in the team but I'm glad he isn't.

All the sudden, the fashion trend has moved towards long slim cut cloaks since all teams are sporting them. LOL I did wonder how long Juugo would wander around on bare feet. I wonder no more.

I don't understand something......if Tobi annoys the heck out of Deidara, why did he voluntarily drag Tobi along with him this time?

[MasterDias]

When I read this weeks chapter, this thread was one of the first things to come to mind. This will hopefully be a good decision, though the ratio of characters is 8:4:2, which means that some people probably won't get fights. Presuming that some people may not have as quick a source, I'll spoilerize the following...

Well, assuming this arc involves both the Deidara/Tobi team and the Itachi/Kisame team, I think there is a good chance that many of the characters will get screentime, including hopefully our underused secondary characters. As long as they don't just stand there like Ino-Cho basically did last arc...

I don't understand something......if Tobi annoys the heck out of Deidara, why did he voluntarily drag Tobi along with him this time?

Well, they are partners after all. I've gotton the impression that assigned partners go everywhere together. But, then again, Zetsu has always appeared by himself...

Meanwhile, I sort of found the ninja cats amusing.

[uc pseudonym]

Personally, I have never really understood why Naruto has ninja animals. It seems an odd detail in the world overall, and you'd think they'd play a larger role. So I'm pretty apathetic about them.

Well, assuming this arc involves both the Deidara/Tobi team and the Itachi/Kisame team, I think there is a good chance that many of the characters will get screentime, including hopefully our underused secondary characters. As long as they don't just stand there like Ino-Cho basically did last arc...

For some reason, I didn't apply this knowledge. If they're involved as well, that means we could well have eight individual fights, which would indicate everyone would do something significant. I doubt that will happen, but the numbers do indicate we might have a shot at seeing more secondary characters fight.

[Kawaiikneko]

I personally thought the shinobi cats felt way out of place... Don't know why I got that impression. I never thought the frogs or dogs were out of place. Maybe their appearance was just too sudden.

So does there seem to be an end to Naruto in sight, or is it going to be one of those drag-on-till-there's-no-more-fanbase mangas?

[MasterDias]

It's true that the animals are used so infrequently that their appearance can come off as weird. Although, I've always sort of wanted a "Naruto/Sakura vs. Sasuke aboard summon animals battle" that parallels the sannin battle from earlier in the manga.

So does there seem to be an end to Naruto in sight, or is it going to be one of those drag-on-till-there's-no-more-fanbase mangas?

Oh, I don't know. If the Itachi thing is finished within this next arc, that's one of the manga's major subplots completed...and there are two more (including the leader) Akatsuki members who need to be revealed.

[Eaglestrike]

I was actually viewing old manga (I picked up the manga during the timeskip delay in the anime) and on like the 3rd or 4th chapter the cover has a picture of Naruto, Sakura and Sasuke each on their animals. It's the only time I've seen Sakura on the Queen slug (or using any at all) and it was funny to see.

I think the ninja animals sort of help out with the Kyuubi and such theories. If there are huge monster animals, why can there not be other animals capable of utilizing chakra and such?

As for an end, I'm not so sure. Naruto still has a lot more room for growth, although he's better. His training technique is pretty insane though so he can train to a point of taking just about anyone if he has some time off, but he doesn't atm, lol.

[Mave]

I personally thought the shinobi cats felt way out of place... Don't know why I got that impression. I never thought the frogs or dogs were out of place. Maybe their appearance was just too sudden.

Yeah I know what you mean. I had one of those awkward "HUH?!" moments when the cats first appeared. Everything felt so serious and suddenly, you have these seemingly care-free and friendly smiling cats in the next panel. Sasuke might as well have purred, rolled over and played with the cats to extend the awkward feeling. XD

[uc pseudonym]

I personally thought the shinobi cats felt way out of place... Don't know why I got that impression. I never thought the frogs or dogs were out of place. Maybe their appearance was just too sudden.

Interesting. I feel pretty much the same about all the animals, though these broke the flow a bit more than some in the past.

Oh, I don't know. If the Itachi thing is finished within this next arc, that's one of the manga's major subplots completed...and there are two more (including the leader) Akatsuki members who need to be revealed.

That's my thought. Akatsuki appears to be the final opponent in the series, so once they are defeated it will hopefully end. That could take multiple arcs, however. If Akatsuki is defeated and the manga continues I will be very upset.

I think the ninja animals sort of help out with the Kyuubi and such theories. If there are huge monster animals, why can there not be other animals capable of utilizing chakra and such?

But the Kyuubi is part of a set of nine. They're somewhat built into the mythology of the world and clearly aren't like normal beings. I actually think things would be more cohesive if there were no other giant creatures. Or, since there are animal ninja, they should play a bigger (any) role.

[Eaglestrike]

Are you asking for Gamabunta Gaiden?

[uc pseudonym]

No, just more integration of animal shinobi in the plot. Do they have villages? If some of them are immensely strong, why don't they play a larger role in politics overall? Can any of them summon humans for backup?

355: Well, speak of the devil, er, plot element. I hope they play at least some role, instead of simply tagging along. Personally, I'm disappointed by how this is starting. I don't need to see any more Sasuke or Naruto fights. But the plot is definitely set up for a lot of individual battles, which has promise.

[MasterDias]

Is this going to be one of those "lets split up and fight (mostly) 1vs1 battles" arcs?
I'm not quite sure how this is going to play out.

So, individually, we have:

Uchiha Sasuke
Suigetsu
Juugo
Karin
Uzumaki Naruto, Hyuga Hinata, Yamato, + 1 dog
Hatake Kakashi + Pakkun
Haruno Sakura + 2 dogs
Sai + 2 dogs
Aburame Shino + 2 dogs
Inuzuka Kiba + Akamaru
Deidara, Tobi, + 2 clay bird things

[lordoftempest]

Oh god, Naruto. How can you guys still stand reading that after the fillers, general lack of direction in the plot, and cliches? And don't even get me started on emo kid Sasuke. Kishimoto ran out of ideas a long time ago.

Its horrible, some of the worst shounen I've ever read, even worse than Bleach.

[Eaglestrike]

Cause I'm waiting for a Naruto-Hinata kid that inherits the Kyuubi, Naruto's determination, the Hyuuga fighting style and Byakugan.

[MasterDias]

Oh god, Naruto. How can you guys still stand reading that after the fillers, general lack of direction in the plot, and cliches? And don't even get me started on emo kid Sasuke. Kishimoto ran out of ideas a long time ago.

Its horrible, some of the worst shounen I've ever read, even worse than Bleach.

And the point of this is...?
It's certainly fine to dislike something, but it's unnecessary (and generally rather rude) to post bashing comments like this if everyone else was having a civil conversation. And I don't know what the fillers have to do with the manga.

But if you really want a reply: I have been disappointed with certain aspects of post-time skip Naruto(in particular, the awkward planning/pacing and stalling, and not enough screentime for the secondary characters compared to Part 1) but I've never thought it was bad enough to stop reading. I still find it entertaining. And if you look around, I guarantee that you are going to find far, far worse series.

At any rate, I agree with UC in that this new arc holds promise...