Naruto 404
Huh! So Tobi's true identity clearly was not common knowledge - I expected that much. But him being "Mizukage"... that I did not expect. Of course, it does make a certain amount of sense.
One completely random thing, though... why is Kishimoto playing Madara's appearance so close to the chest? Obviously Madara won't look like his old self, or we'd probably have seen him by now. The gut reaction in this case is to guess that Madara will end up having a familiar face, in some way, shape or form. There's no reason to be so obviously evasive for a face that wouldn't mean anything to the readers.
But on the other hand, I would have thought the same about Pain.
And now I'm thoroughly confused about who is in charge of what... and for that matter, how many members of Akatsuki are left? *headcount* Konan, Pain, Kisame, Zetsu, Madara... well, I guess that all adds up.
And Taka working with Akatsuki... seems odd, and yet not. Sasuke certainly knew that Madara was a member. (He would have recognized Tobi.) As things stand now, alliegances are all over the map.
But personally, I have the feeling that Sasuke isn't quite as 'tame' as he's appearing. He seems willing to work with Akatsuki if necessary (and, as we predicted, Amarisee, his primary target is just the leaders - the ones responsible for the whole Uchiha mess). And yet... I get the impression that he's gathering information on Akatsuki for his own ends at the moment. There's an interesting expression on his face as Suigetsu attacks Kisame... as though he was expecting that, and was using it to observe Madara's abilities. (He was certainly watching with interest.) Or perhaps I'm just swimming with the crocodiles again.
Oh, but the whole, "Go ahead, Suigetsu. It's not like you can beat him yet." That was pure Sasuke. ^_^ And I think it was also a bit of a dig or warning at Kisame - yet.
...I love seeing the members of Taka bouncing off each other. Juugo is so very perfect as a loyal follower (well, when he's not psychopathic). Karin... meh. She's kinda amusing, but of all of them, I think I like her the least. She doesn't have the charm of Suigetsu or Juugo. And Suigetsu...!
I don't think Madara has missed that potential, either. Somehow I doubt that it's a coincidence that Madara tells Sasuke to handle the other bijuu and leave Kyuubi - and thus Naruto - to Akatsuki. (Given that I still like playing with the idea of Sasuke addressing Kyuubi directly to find out the truth of the attack, that does make me a little suspicious. Not, granted, that it would really change what happened to the Uchiha.)
At least we're finally dealing with the unfinished business of Jiraiya's death! Whatever one's annoyance with that arc may have been, killing Jiraiya and then going charging off on another arc for chapters and chapters just... doesn't feel right. That issue needs to get dealt with... and besides. Much as I like Sasuke, it's the bond between him and Naruto that I consider important. Naruto has been rather gypped for screen time and, more than that, adventure time lately. Back to the eponymous character time!
Although, as one last note, I do wonder why "taming" Sasuke was apparently so important. I don't mind the implications of "speshulness," as I've heard some people complaining; the parity between Sasuke and Naruto is an important aspect of the series. With Naruto being the *da-dum!* Chosen One Of Prophecy... well, there needs to be a balance for that somehow.
One completely random thing, though... why is Kishimoto playing Madara's appearance so close to the chest? Obviously Madara won't look like his old self, or we'd probably have seen him by now. The gut reaction in this case is to guess that Madara will end up having a familiar face, in some way, shape or form. There's no reason to be so obviously evasive for a face that wouldn't mean anything to the readers.
But on the other hand, I would have thought the same about Pain.
And now I'm thoroughly confused about who is in charge of what... and for that matter, how many members of Akatsuki are left? *headcount* Konan, Pain, Kisame, Zetsu, Madara... well, I guess that all adds up.
And Taka working with Akatsuki... seems odd, and yet not. Sasuke certainly knew that Madara was a member. (He would have recognized Tobi.) As things stand now, alliegances are all over the map.
But personally, I have the feeling that Sasuke isn't quite as 'tame' as he's appearing. He seems willing to work with Akatsuki if necessary (and, as we predicted, Amarisee, his primary target is just the leaders - the ones responsible for the whole Uchiha mess). And yet... I get the impression that he's gathering information on Akatsuki for his own ends at the moment. There's an interesting expression on his face as Suigetsu attacks Kisame... as though he was expecting that, and was using it to observe Madara's abilities. (He was certainly watching with interest.) Or perhaps I'm just swimming with the crocodiles again.
Oh, but the whole, "Go ahead, Suigetsu. It's not like you can beat him yet." That was pure Sasuke. ^_^ And I think it was also a bit of a dig or warning at Kisame - yet.
...I love seeing the members of Taka bouncing off each other. Juugo is so very perfect as a loyal follower (well, when he's not psychopathic). Karin... meh. She's kinda amusing, but of all of them, I think I like her the least. She doesn't have the charm of Suigetsu or Juugo. And Suigetsu...!
I don't think Madara has missed that potential, either. Somehow I doubt that it's a coincidence that Madara tells Sasuke to handle the other bijuu and leave Kyuubi - and thus Naruto - to Akatsuki. (Given that I still like playing with the idea of Sasuke addressing Kyuubi directly to find out the truth of the attack, that does make me a little suspicious. Not, granted, that it would really change what happened to the Uchiha.)
At least we're finally dealing with the unfinished business of Jiraiya's death! Whatever one's annoyance with that arc may have been, killing Jiraiya and then going charging off on another arc for chapters and chapters just... doesn't feel right. That issue needs to get dealt with... and besides. Much as I like Sasuke, it's the bond between him and Naruto that I consider important. Naruto has been rather gypped for screen time and, more than that, adventure time lately. Back to the eponymous character time!
Although, as one last note, I do wonder why "taming" Sasuke was apparently so important. I don't mind the implications of "speshulness," as I've heard some people complaining; the parity between Sasuke and Naruto is an important aspect of the series. With Naruto being the *da-dum!* Chosen One Of Prophecy... well, there needs to be a balance for that somehow.