Just a crack theory

[nayami.livejournal.com]

For a while, I've been kicking an idea around in my head, which is most likely wrong, but still too delicious to pass up. So, while I'm fully aware that the consensus of the Naruto fandom is that Sai is not/cannot be Sasuke, I prepared this small study on why the idea does and doesn't have merit.



*Just so it's clear, I summarize so that people can make their own conclusions. I'm not summarizing everything just the parts that I think contribute to my bizarro hypothesis*

When Sai first appears in the manga in 281, Danzou tells him his name will be Sai. Furthermore he tells Sai his age will not change drastically, as he is already stronger than everyone of the same generation in Konoha. It wouldn't be such a long-shot to assume some jutsu is at work here. We already know ninjas can alter their appearance, although the duration of such an effect has never been brought up. Another notable moment is Sai's later reply, the first of many cryptic statements about his training, which will become expected in later issues. His key focus is on the lack of emotion. Many explanations could be possible for this, including strict conditioning. Perhaps for a boy who thought he cared too much and that those concerns were weighing him down. Couldn't even off his best friend. For shame.

Sai's first encounter with Naruto in 283 is ather tumultuous for both boys, with Sai's sudden attacks and the start of a grand tradition of penis-mockery. We love the penis-mockery. We're also treated with an interesting frontal panel of the mid-drift-flaunting lad. Maybe it's my own deprived mind, but I'd say the image is a tad reminescent of another. But since I can't find my picture evidence right now, we'll dismiss it.

So Sai eventually joins the splintered Team 7, where he proceeds to remind Naruto just how much Naruto sucks. He also gets some digs in on Sakura, who isn't sure what to think. "I have a bad feeling about you," she tells him. Despite his calling her ugly, Sakura's mind lingers on the similarities between Sai and Sasuke in 285, focusing on his face and voice. Odd speculations but with certain merit, as we compare some pics later on. After a moment of poring over a drawing of a young child (hereby dubbed Nayami's outlying evidence), he's started by an intruder, launching a sequence of panels. Again, probably just my reading too far into things. Sai also has another mantra, "In roots, you have no name; you have no feelings. You have no past; you have no future. What you have is your mission." Hmmm. Sai confirms he understands, but it's unclear if there isn't something more to the look in his eyes. Thus begins the tri-panels of Sakura, Naruto and Sai, which give off a distinctly unsettling feel. Could it be Sai's fake smile or just his presence instead of the usual Sasuke?

The displacement gains new force in the issue 286's title "Naruto, Sasuke and Sai." Um, isn't Sakura supposed to be somewhere in that, especially since she's the title image? This is also when Naruto starts questioning his previous assertion that Sai and Sasuke are nothing alike, agreeing about the close appearance and voice. Sai can hardly pass up on the chance to jibe Naruto again, making Naruto's "He really ISN'T Sasuke" almost ironic. Naruto screeches that Sai really pisses him off and that he can never get along with someone like that. Famous last words, Naruto. He goes on about how Sasuke is the only true third member of Team 7 and how Sai will never cut it. Sai brushes off the insults and begins dishing out his own...geared toward Sasuke. He mocks Sasuke's weakness and choice to betray the village in favor of Orochimaru, calling both Orochimaru and Sasuke pathetic. Sakura interrupts this bashing with some feigned placation and then a little bashing of her own. Rock on, Sakura! Sai talks about the power of fake smiles and reinterates about how everything he knows comes from a book. I particularly like the lines about how a smile can be the best way to get out of a tight spot. Then onsen scene. Yeah, this screws with my theory too since I don't know how well disguise jutsu would hold up in water.

I'll pass over the SaiSaku moment in 287 since it doesn't add much to my topic, aside from the look Sakura gives Sai when he expresses his lack of emotions to her. Sai and Naruto go at it again, where Sai tells Naruto, "I really don't think anything of you." And I whine again about that dang outlier pic. Always messing up my beautiful scenarios.

In 288, Sai shows us some new jutsu once it's known him and Naruto will be partners. Mmm, snakes...Anyway, Naruto ends up pissed off at Sai again and says he's unwilling to acknowledge him as part of the team. Pouncing on his chance, Sai attacks Naruto's image of Sasuke once more, supplementing it with "He betrayed the village and injured you. Yet you still call him a friend. Why would you go so far for someone like that?" Why does it matter to him? Seriously, regardless of what's really going on with him, Sai has got serious issues with that Sasuke obsession. Almost as severe as his obsession with Naruto's penis. Later Sakura reminds Sai of his relationship with his older brother and he seems to lose his cool for just a second, before reminding her he has no emotions.

In general, the only possibly fatal flaw with the theory of Sasuke/Sai is the portrait with some link to Sai's older brother. I guess you could toss in the Naruto-penis-obsession too because that's just whack.

As for the identity of the spy, I have problems believing it's Sasuke because of the association with Akatsuki. If Sasuke got within 50 feet of the Akatsuki, it would be WAR. Just that eeny weeny tiff between him and Itachi. Nothing much to worry about really.

Please feel free to slice, dice and make julian fries out of my crack ideas. I just adore Sai, regardless of what truth has yet to be revealed on him.


x-posted to debattebayo

Comments

[meriness.livejournal.com]

Yosh! You make me believe in Sai. If Sai somehow does turn out to be Sasuke...which is...anything but doubtful, cos Kishimoto likes screwing us around, I'd be mucho pleased. Not only will Sasuke have been around all this time, he'll have been doing purely ninjutsu-necessary belly-baring! Whee. He so does like to have belly-shots. Anyway, you explanation was cool. It summed things up in a way the manga doesn't because every 7 days I get a reminder and for the following 6, I forget what it was.

[thomasvye.livejournal.com]

Sai probably is fishing for reactions, maybe to understand better for himself, maybe to store up things to use (like good fake smiling), maybe out of pure curiosity. ^^

[nayami.livejournal.com]

Your response reminds me of another crack theory I once told a friend about Itachi and Sasuke's relationship when they were younger. About Itachi being confused by Sasuke's inferiority and having almost no reaction to him until Sasuke's endless fascination with him caused him to start spending more time around Sasuke just to figure out what was up with that fascination.

[thomasvye.livejournal.com]

All I'd say is that an emphasis on lack of emotion and the intense focus on the mission above everything else is not just something associated with Root, or with Sai, or specifically with Konoha but with ninja in general. Zabuza claimed to have no feelings - he was also lying - and Temari mentions emotional training, so that's Sand and Mist as examples immediately off the top of my head. The philosophy was effectively responsible for the death of Kakashi's Father, I believe.

[nayami.livejournal.com]

That is true. But I also think that the other ninjas don't so often recite it. Coming from Sai, it sounds more like something he's read. Almost rehearsed.

[thomasvye.livejournal.com]

He has rehersed it I think; he seems quite pleased with it. ^^

Re: Good topic.

[nayami.livejournal.com]

You bring up a good point about Sasuke and his dependence on his hatred. I forgot to include that in my analysis. Sasuke did state that he would find power his own way. Itachi's constant saying to Sasuke was that his hatred was not yet strong enough to kill Itachi. Maybe Sasuke seeks to find a way where even hatred will not trip him up. If it were the case, you can bet it would never last.

I did not mean to imply that the relationship between Naruto and Sai was on the same level as Naruto and Sasuke, more that Naruto's insistence that Sai could never be like Sasuke seems odd coming right after Sai taunts him, as Sasuke used to always do. The famous "Are you hurt, scaredy-cat?" So for Naruto to say that he could never get along with someone who pisses him off so much does have a touch of irony in it. My comment was more of poking fun at Naruto. I would also like to add that if, in my warped mind world, Sasuke actually was Sai, he would hardly want to make the same mistake in forming kinship.

The Sakura thing was Team 7 love, nothing more. I like it when they defend each other. Their concern/love for each other is sweet. I don't doubt Sakura wouldn't find much love for Sasuke in the rest of the village. I also doubt she would be as physical with someone who lacks the "hit me" attitude Sai presents. She has some restraint.

Re: Good topic.

[thomasvye.livejournal.com]

Pfft. Sai told the truth and Sakura didn't like it. Perhaps he should have known that they'd be a bit sensitive and checked himself, but Sakura better get used to that sentiment because I imagine that a lot of folks in the village feel that way. What's she going to do? Knock out the rest of Konoha?

:D So true.

[distainful-baka.livejournal.com]

Hmmm, now I don't know what to think.

I would also like to hope that Sai is Sasuke, mainly for the bellyshots. -Pervert- Though I doubt Sasuke would be that.. er, flamboyant.

Then again, who the hell knows. :3

I heart Kishimoto. He makes slash fans happy. =D

[fork-my-eye.livejournal.com]

Even after all of those good points, I just find it hard to believe that Sasuke would be Sai. When sasuke left... he became a demon, and Orochi's biotch. there's almost no way that Sai could just randomly be Sasuke. I mean... his personality, to me, is so different from Sasuke's. Sai also has that wierd drawing talent, where his drawings like... come alive.

I don't know. I'm probably wrong. A lot could have happened to Sasuke in three years, and we still don't know anything about him. It would be crazy if that theory was confirmed though. I think my brain would explode in confusion.

[nayami.livejournal.com]

The drawing jutsu should probably be added to the flaws-in-theory category. Thanks.

Don't think Sai is a demon though, just blessed with evil powers. About the personality thing, there's always acting. XD

I'm still waiting for Kishimoto to introduce Sai's backstory and completely derail my musings. I know he'll do it too. That man lives to spite his fans sometimes.

[fork-my-eye.livejournal.com]

lmao kishimoto, you sly fox, you. derailing your fans' musings since the beginning of naruto. but we love him anyway, right?

[shuqra.livejournal.com]

I think, if Danzou uses brainwashing techniques like I think he does, then it's a definite possibility. He could have implanted false memories and new techniques into Sasuke/Sai. I guess the question becomes- does Sai have the curse seal? I don't think Danzou would be able to get rid of that.

[andrew-jp.livejournal.com]

He mocks Sasuke's weakness and choice to betray the village in favor of Orochimaru, calling both Orochimaru and Sasuke pathetic.

If Sai had said that to Orochimaru's face he would have had that punk-ass bitch's guts for garters before he could blink. :p

Sai is just pushing everyone's buttons because he's an asshole, and Sasuke is a sore point. Maybe he even envies Sasuke a bit, which is understandable. I mean, Sai gave up everything to serve the Leaf and no one cares about him, while Sasuke turned traitor but still gets so much devotion from his team.

Fangirls love trying to make new characters into favored old characters that haven't showed up in a while. It's even worse in the Bleach fandom than it is here. "Hirako is Gin!" "Dee Roy is Gin!" "Grimmjowis Gin!" Seriously, WTF.

[nayami.livejournal.com]

I would love to see Sai try that in front of Orochimaru because as much as I adore him, that boy has a mouth on him and needs a good ass-kicking once in a while.

Your take on Sai envying Sasuke is a good one, and so true. Although only true within Team 7 since everyone outside the group probably wants to knock Sasuke's head off.

Ehem, I resent the cynicism of that last statement. This is the first character I've ever tried to prove was another and only because the stuff he says is just so damn weird sometimes. Even Naruto and Sakura acknowledge some similarities. I also remember stating several times that I fully acknowledge my own delusions. Besides, I think Sai is the coolest thing to hit Naruto since the time jump and will continue to enjoy his character no matter what.

[treat.livejournal.com]

My theory is that Sai is Sasuke's penis personified. It makes complete sense: Sai has no emotions and is obsessed with Naruto's penis. XD~

[nayami.livejournal.com]

Best response evar!

[kyoukosama.livejournal.com]

...That was the best reply ever.

>_> I think I love you. X3

[treat.livejournal.com]

I love you too! X333

[kyoukosama.livejournal.com]

:3

;___;

*gives you cookies*

Can I add you? ;_;

[treat.livejournal.com]

FOR THE COOKIES I'LL DO IT XDDD~

jk~ sure!

[kyoukosama.livejournal.com]

awesome!! <3333333

and trust me, who wouldn't do something for a cookie?!

I know I love cookies. oh god,,,!! cookies... *o*

>_>;;

[fork-my-eye.livejournal.com]

LMFAO. *glomps* (you, not sasuke's penis Sai)

I think it's just another case of parallels

[gsyh.livejournal.com]

Kishimoto seem to have a love of that, almost everyone has a parallel with almost everyone.

Mostly, it's confirmation for me that Sai is not Sasuke when the tigers are brought out, then later when Sakura found him drawing, because Sasuke is not an artistic soul. Itachi, being a genjutsu type, have some sense of art in him, like the crows and the beginnings of the genjutsu he caught Naruto in. Sasuke, he's a soldier and an avenger.

Crosspost request:

[gsyh.livejournal.com]

chinpo_daily is a Sai community and this post would be very welcome there.

[blakrose-eris.livejournal.com]

In the original post, "It wouldn't be such a long-shot to assume some jutsu is at work here. We already know ninjas can alter their appearance, although the duration of such an effect has never been brought up."

Well, we know the Hokage alters her appears day in and day out, 24/7, so we know altering your appears long terms is possible.

PErsonally, I don't think Sasuke is Sai. It just doesn't feel right. BUt I know Sai would be Gaara's bitch. Boy, that would be pretty to watch.