(no subject)

[splintered-soul.livejournal.com]

Cut for spoilers? Not really but better safe than sorry.

Topic= The return of Sasuke



It's been about a year since Sasuke left, maybe more. Maybe less. And now I think we all have seen the symptoms of Sasuke withdrawal from a few of our friends.

So, what do you think about the inevitable return of Uchiha Sasuke and the completion of Team 7? I've heard a lot of people say good riddance, but even more who really want him back.

Personally, I think it's a good move to have him absent for the many months we didn't see him. It makes it feel like he really left rather than just a few chapters. If Kishimoto wants to I'll be perfectly fine if he doesn't show up for another month or two two spread tension. However, I am hoping for the reuniting of Sasuke, team 7 doesn't feel right without him.

Of course, his presence stirs four things.

1. Will he come back? Sasuke is seeking power and he has been with a notorious brainwasher for two and a half years, what makes everyone think that he will return. Even if he is dragged back, what would make him want to stay there? Will they have to force him? Or will Sasuke stay a missing nin?

2. How will Konoha react? I mean, who wants a traitor who was the right hand man of a guy who almost destroyed their village? How will they treat the once loved Sasuke when he returns?

3. What will happen to Sai? Ok, I never thought Sasuke was like Sai in anyway, well...they had similarities but so did a lot of characters. However Kishimoto put so much into the Sai-Sasuke parallel that it makes me wonder if those two can even coexist in the manga. If Sasuke does come back then Sai has got to go.

4. The development of romance. Kishimoto states that he wanted romance but couldn't write it in part I, and kind of hints it in part II. As soon as Sasuke comes back, the potential love interests between Team 7 sky rocket. Some people believe that Sakura will fall in love with Sasuke again, some believe that Naruto and Sasuke will develop a romantic relationship, and some believe that Sakura doesn't love Sasuke that way anymore and will fall for Naruto. Either way it's going to be developed.



Kishimot: I want to continue “people accepting other people,” theme. I also want to put in ‘romance’ that I wasn’t able to in part one (laughs). It seems difficult though.(laughs). Anyway, I won’t give up and my goal is to give it all so please keep cheering for Naruto.


Source: http://forums.narutofan.com/showthread.php?t=71870 <-- translations from the Databook that go from Sakura, Ino, White Fang, Kakashi, Sasuke, and even jutsus.

So, who's up for Sasuke coming back? Or the better question is, is his character worth more as a teammate or as a missing nin?

Comments

[teh-goat-girl.livejournal.com]

In all truth, I just want Sasuke to come back and rip Sai a new one. Whether he's good or evil.. :D

[seki-yumizu.livejournal.com]

There's one thing I'm particularly amazed at.
I think Tsunade didn't put Sasuke under the list of missing nin?
And Sakura and Naruto's mission is to get him back.
Usually missing nin are dealt with by the Anbu and instantly killed and their bodies destroyed no? It seems like Konoha/Tsunade are all too willing to give him a second chance.

[swallowedhalo.livejournal.com]

I personally hate the Sakura-Sasuke relationship. It's not JUST because I like yaoi, it's also because of how weak Sakura was in the previous chapters and how Sasuke never really viewed Sakura as much more than a hinderance. Even with Naruto, Sasuke found that something could be gained by interacting with him. It seems that Sasuke just values Sakura too little for there to be a substantial relationship.

I do not, in any way, feel that a Sasuke-Naruto romance is possible in the actual manga. I like the pairing, yes, but I just find it...impossible. After all, how many shounen jump series have had boy on boy pairings? While I do see how it could work, I don't feel that it would be in Kishimoto's best interest to whip out some rough ninja mansex for the throngs of Japanese boys reading his series.

I definitely do not see Naruto-Sakura. Given how they're interacting now, it seems like they are rather brother-sister now instead of lovers. Plus, has Naruto even asked Sakura out once after he's gotten back? I don't recall him doing so...

I do see Sai-Sakura...I don't know why, though. It's not because I hate Sakura (even though I do) and want to get her out of the way, but, I think that Sakura has more to give to Sai, especially in terms of emotion. I suppose you could say that Sakura is the most emotionally open character in the entire series. She's the 'pure and innocent and optimistic' girl of the story. While that works with Sasuke's dark and brooding, it doesn't so much work that she has been chasing him for all this time, being constantly below him in power. Sai, on the other hand, gets shown first hand Sakura's power, and, seems to respect her to some extent. She's not so far below Sai that it appears that she is 'chasing.'

I think that Sasuke will come back, though, with Itachi at large, I'm not sure if he will be willingly going back to Konoha. He will be reappearing SOON in the manga, I hope. But I still feel the rift between him and Team 7 is too wide to just have tea and biscuits and make up for.

[kunoichi-jaden.livejournal.com]

1. Will he come back? Sasuke is seeking power and he has been with a notorious brainwasher for two and a half years, what makes everyone think that he will return. Even if he is dragged back, what would make him want to stay there? Will they have to force him? Or will Sasuke stay a missing nin?

Well, Sasuke has a strong will when it comes to his individuality. Unlike the other Soundnin, Sasuke isn't out to live for Orochimaru's ideals, he has his own agenda. I don't know if he'll want to stay in Konoha, but doesn't he want "restart" his clan (coughhe'sgayanywaycough) so he might want to come back for that.

2. How will Konoha react? I mean, who wants a traitor who was the right hand man of a guy who almost destroyed their village? How will they treat the once loved Sasuke when he returns?

Ohhhh yeah, Konoha probably hates him. Tsunade doesn't, however, which explains why they haven't sent hunter-nin after him to kill him. Finding Sasuke is currently listed as a "rescue mission" isn't it? I think that's what Yamato said before they left...

4. The development of romance. Kishimoto states that he wanted romance but couldn't write it in part I, and kind of hints it in part II. As soon as Sasuke comes back, the potential love interests between Team 7 sky rocket. Some people believe that Sakura will fall in love with Sasuke again, some believe that Naruto and Sasuke will develop a romantic relationship, and some believe that Sakura doesn't love Sasuke that way anymore and will fall for Naruto. Either way it's going to be developed.

Perrrrsonallly..... I think that the Team 7 pairings are gonna end up neutral. How do we know that the romance is necessarily going to be within the team? I'd love me some NaruSasu (not gonna happen -.-';) but I think Team 7 is gonna have the "we're just good friends, three great ninjas, better than the sannin cause we're back together" ending. Who's to say the part 2 romance won't be.... ShikaTema? XP And if there is any romance involving a Team 7 member, it'll probably be Naruto-involved.

[kunoichi-jaden.livejournal.com]

Plus, has Naruto even asked Sakura out once after he's gotten back? I don't recall him doing so...

Actually, he did, lol. And Sakura accepted in a rather... erm, harsh way. It was hilarious. If I remember what chapter, I'll come back here and tell you XP

[sevetenks.livejournal.com]

Romance-wise, how it will turn out.
(Team7+Sasuke-Kakashi sits around a table)
Naruto: So Sakura-chan! It's time! We're all here! Who. Do. You. Love?
Sakura: ... Oh, I knew I forgot to tell you something! Lee-kun is my boyfriend.
Naruto: EEEEEEEEH!?
Sasuke: (shrug)
Sai: ^_^
Sakura: (walks off)
Naruto: (ANGST)
Sasuke: (shrug)
Sai: ^_^

Seriously though... I dunno. I'm more concerned about how he'll get Ino with Naruto. ... >.>

[swallowedhalo.livejournal.com]

I love your Sai face.

[ate-nika.livejournal.com]

hmm. all i know is, i want sasuke back. xD i'm having too much sasuke withdrawals that i'm tempted to buy a pair of Sasuke boxers (http://www.hottopic.com/store/product.asp?LS=0&ITEM=232264) for christmas. heehee.

okay. yep, sasuke's gonna come back, or i'm drawing myself a sasuke in the mangas [that would be a horrible one, too] xD the whole "we're-your-family-so-let's-be-sappy" thing is gonna happen most likely xD

konoha will accept him because naruto's gonna make them accept him. he's all like, "you better accept my uber sexay partner Sasuke or i'll bust my kyuubi/sexy no jutsu ugly style up your... behinds!

sai will be... sai. he's just gonna be there, pondering the meaning of life, smiling. ^_^

romance... i'm guessing it will be naruto x hinata. i'm hoping it will be naruto x hinata. then sai x sakura [crack pairing!!!... me thinks] then sasuke... can go by himself. and have fangirls around him. and stuff.

*is shot and stabbed a million times*

[ate-nika.livejournal.com]

ah, i forgot the answer to the real question thingy: i'm up for sasuke to come back [chyeah.] and he's better off being a team member like the old days. sure he kinda betrayed and shtuff, but he needed to go to where he think is right in order to learn a lesson. he was just confused at that moment too because he can't seem to beat itachi and stuff. and besides, missing nin and sasuke doesn't really go together, me thinks.

[fork-my-eye.livejournal.com]

I think Sakura's going to kill Sasuke. honestly. that's what i think.

[rejectedstalker.livejournal.com]

Personally, I don't think this is the time. His return would distract from Yamato and Sai's development, and would seem to kill the whole point of them searching for the Hidden Sound village through Sasori's lead in the first place.

Him being Sasori's spy would be stupid unless Sasori was planning on betraying Itachi and Akatsuki, which would only be interesting if Sasori was still alive.

Also, Sasori said his spy helped Orochimaru kill Gaara's dad/Yondaime Kazekage before the Chuunin exams. Sasuke couldn't have done that.

And something about Sasuke meeting Team 7 without Kakashi there doesn't sit right with me. I'm not a big Kakashi fan at all, or a big Sasuke fan, but they haven't seen each other since that talk on the tree, and if he's going to meet Naruto and Sakura again, Kakashi should be there too.

So, let them keep searching for Orochimaru, and when Kishimoto's ready to reintroduce the man himself, then Sasuke should come back. That's the withdrawal I'm suffering from, baby. >_>;

Killing Sai to make room for Sasuke would be stupid. He's an ANBU soldier who's not even using his real name. He doesn't have to stay in Team 7 to be involved in the plot. He's more compelling than Sasuke ever was anyways.

And I really hope Sai's brother isn't Itachi. That'd be so lame.

Oh, and Sasuke should be killed from a logical political standpoint, btw. He's a soldier who left his country to serve the guy who assassinated its leader and murdered its civilians.

I don't buy the "he just walked away, he's not a bad guy" argument...it's not the same as what Itachi or Kabuto did when they left, but it's still treason. He'll be welcomed back with open arms because he's popular, though.

[lunaneko.livejournal.com]

*seconds*

[rinnychan.livejournal.com]

.........

k whut? :O

[treat.livejournal.com]

Lawlz. Sasuke is gonna come back, so I'm not opposed to what the manga-ka wants/will do.

1. Sasuke's not staying, definitely. The town doesn't want him, and he doesn't want to stay either.

2. I think Sasuke will only meet up with Team 7....people would react very cautiously to Sasuke, otherwise.

3. If Sasuke's arrival makes Sai leave, I will be the single most depressed individual in the Naruto fandom and consider not reading anymore. /exaggeration

4. I resent this because romance in shonen manga only means one thing, and it means pairings I don't think will work out that happen anyway. Besides, romance might take away from the series. A lot of people turned to Naruto because it had no stupid sappy romance. Tt.TT

[fan-geek.livejournal.com]

Oh, and Sasuke should be killed from a logical political standpoint, btw. He's a soldier who left his country to serve the guy who assassinated its leader and murdered its civilians.


Exactly. No one seems to understand that... TT;

[thomasvye.livejournal.com]

I think if Sasuke was going to come back soon, the final issue(s) of 2005 would be a nice time to do it. ;)

But I don't want him back in Team 7; I don't think he can go back, and (taking into consideration there have been three years in which his mind might have gone in many directions) I don't think he wants to.

[thomasvye.livejournal.com]

I do! ^^ Orochi doesn't want to go back to Konoha and neither does Sasuke. And let's face it, why would you. It is a silly place. ;P (Monty Python joke...)

And that's why Sai and Danzou don't like either of them! XD You can disagree with their vision of how Konoha should be run, but you can't dispute the dedication to the place.

[thomasvye.livejournal.com]

Your Sai face is so true. But imagine if Gin and Sai met...

Sai; ^_^
Gin; ^_^
Sai; ^v^
Gin; ^v^

The smiling could go on for hours and neither of them means it! lol!

[shinjirou.livejournal.com]

I have a feeling that Sasuke will be instrumental in the downfall of Orochimaru, which would, for one, more or less repay his debt to Konoha. Aside from that, we still see even now that Godaime-sama is still into getting Sasuke back as a Konoha comrade who will not be given up. I think also that if he were to come back, due to what happened with Orochimaru for Tsu and Jiraiya, that they would welcome him back in the way they would have wished for Orochimaru to have come back.

Yet personally...I think Orochimaru will be overturned by Sasuke and/or Akatsuki...but then a new evil overpower needs to sortof arise, unless the series would then be steering more toward Naruto becoming Hokage at that point. What if Sasuke became lost in his search for power and became the new Arch Nemesis, especially if he manages to avenge his clan?

I miss Sasuke a lot and liked him as a part of the Team 7 dynamic, but his departure was key to Naruto and definitely Sakura's development, along with the space opened to flesh out the rest of the characters. I agree with you on the actual physical time gap that we've gone without him. It makes it feel real.

I can't wait to see what Kishimoto does with this.

[thomasvye.livejournal.com]

Why would Sasuke do that? ^^ Sai has a good reason to attack Sasuke, but Sasuke has no reason to give a damn about Sai either way. Not that they wouldn't necessarily fight...

[thomasvye.livejournal.com]

The whole Sasuke and Sakura thing is infuriating; he doesn't like her quite clearly and it's nothing to do with yaoi fangrlism; both her and Ino (and most every other girl in Konoha) and their clingy crushing were obviously annoying to him. Sasuke probably liked Hinata best because she didn't talk to him or follow him around drooling and giggling.

[shinjirou.livejournal.com]

Sakura was weak in the very beginning like most of the Konoha girls, who were still being taught useless things like floral arrangement as part of kunoichi training. TenTen, a year above our three cell girls, became a weapons master under the rigorous training of Gai, Ino became stronger mentally and emotionally after both stepping in for Sakura against the Sound-Nin and battling Sakura one-on-one--then went on to train harder over the time gap. Hinata looked up to Naruto and became stronger against and then with her family. Sakura then became stronger under the guidance of Tsunade, through her own desire to not be a burden to Team 7 and personal desire to protect both Naruto and Sasuke, which I find to be a strong, admirable reason.

Sasuke on multiple occasions shows his actual deeper feelings for both Naruto and Sakura, Team 7 in general, going after Gaara and being beside himself that he couldn't protect Sakura and thus handing it over to Naruto and working like a real team. When Sasuke makes to actually leave Konoha, he calls Sakura annoying with a smile on his face and then thanks her for everything. I think that more than shows that he actually doesn't think her as simply annoying, and he doesn't bring her along despite her offer but I doubt he'd bring Naruto along either, for he's isolated himself in his vengeance.

The Sai x Sakura thing--yes, I do think she has the ability to draw Sai out of his shell, but only in the way that Naruto does for so many others. The idea of a girl sacrificing herself to a boy's betterment annoys me, the way that so many weak girls leave themselves in abusive relationships believing that they will help their partners. Sakura's gotten stronger than that. That seems to be the ideal behind Hinata x Gaara, as well. It doesn't fly with me. :/

I didn't read the manga yet, though in the anime for Fruits Basket the love triangle remains a sort of happy trio at the end with no boy chosen one over the other...it's quite simular to the Team 7 dynamic, too. I wonder if one will really be in fact chosen for Sakura, or if Naruto x Sakura will end up like Jiraiya x Tsunade, unresolved. There's a lot of loose ends.

Kishimoto seems rather alternative-lifestyle friendly, and I cite Zabuza x Haku for that, although I'm not too sure about him stretching that all the way to the main characters. Who knows, only time will tell. Sasuke and Naruto can have one another so long as Kakashi gets Sakura, I say. XD

The thing I love about this series is that it's so open to crack pairings and fanship. Whatever blows your skirt up.

[shinjirou.livejournal.com]

Like most other boys in the series at the very beginning, Sasuke just plain wasn't interested in girls, period. You have to remember that he was twelve and is now encroaching upon fifteen.

Sasuke as his own case is/was also uninterested in romance for he's too caught up with his vendetta against his brother. He probably won't be able to rest and learn to love until that's laid to rest.

[splintered-soul.livejournal.com]

Not that I'm saying that a Sasuke-Sakura romance is possible or impossible, but I don't agree with the idea that the Sasuke-Sakura is as flat as you intereprted.

Sasuk's bio in the databook:

Separation
Towards darkness… The one to appear before him is Sakura. She confesses to him as he tries to leave without looking behind him. She confesses with a blindingly uncompromising mind that does not want to lose him. The one that filled his lonely existence was Sakura. But he cannot let her in. He leaves with just one word of thanks.

Sakura who needed him to the very last. His words were real.
“Thank you…”


It may not be romantic but it's definitly platonic. He views her as a friend and comrade.

http://groups.msn.com/NarutoMangaReturns/chapter247better.msnw?action=ShowPhoto&PhotoID=10150

Naruto: HE RAN AWAY
Sakura: Saying something like that... Hes just going to continue reading that book probably
Naruto: Hehe, the two of us are on own now, so then it's a da-
Sakura: Fine but it's your treat.

But that was all comedy. Defintly not romantic.

But the point is that it is possible any which way. The manga is very open as of now.

[shinjirou.livejournal.com]

Mmm, ShikaTema. ♥

[splintered-soul.livejournal.com]

The pairings in the end can romain nuetral but I think that Kishimoto already has written some romance in part I that I'm not sure that he would just leave it as is.

[shinjirou.livejournal.com]

-laughs- Okay, that would so be the best. Go underdogs! SPRINGTIME OF YOUTH!

[shinjirou.livejournal.com]

Imagine throwing in Anthy [Shoujo Kakumei Utena] with her fake smile?! It would be neverending.

[shinjirou.livejournal.com]

I just have to say that your icon owns EVERYONE's pants here, whether they know/like it or not. Akio's the man.

[splintered-soul.livejournal.com]

That's true. Once Sasuke returns the focus is shifted to him and it would be hard for at least Sai's development. I'm not sure how long they are going to delve into Yamato (though there is the mystery of his jutsu). Him being the spy I never understood, but if I'm not sure how the manga can handle another new character.

But Kishimoto linked Sai to much into Sasuke for them to be around. Even if his character would be shoved in the shadows it would be akward because there has been too much Naruto-Sai interaction to ignore.

Sai being a Uchiha is lame. Anyone else being a Uchiha is lame to me.

I always wondered why Tsunade didn't declare him a missing nin. There was the suggestion that maybe they do want to keep the last of the sharingans as a powerful weapon, which makes sense to a point. But the sharingan in the hands of the enemy weighs more than the sharingan in their own hands

The only reason why I see Tsunade letting Sasuke back is because Naruto. If it were me, I would have taken care of the sharingan user so that it couldn't be used against me.

[splintered-soul.livejournal.com]

Woah, you share my view of Danzou! :D. I don't think Danzou is evil at all, just thinks differently. I mean, he ran for Hokage, runs a force meant to serve Konoha, and quite obviously lost sight in one eye and doesn't have an arm. That has to account for SOMETHING.

I have a theory that Sai's mission is actually to eliminate Sasuke to prevent the sharingan to be used against Konoha. Which would mean an interesting confontation of the two.

[sevetenks.livejournal.com]

That's so true... XD

[nekovixen.livejournal.com]

Romance would certainly be an added plus to the series. Though, not to dissappoint the yaoi fangirls, but I don't believe Kishimoto is going to go for NaruSasu. Manly because he's a strait male writing a shonen series. Shonen-Ai is usually written by females.

I would prefer that SasuSaku DID NOT happen. Children from those two would be a huge no no. Think about it, insanity runs in the the Uchiha line. Mix that insanity with Sakura's split personality. . . no.

NaruSaku ....is <3.

[thomasvye.livejournal.com]

Absolutely, Danzou hasn't been shown to be 'evil' so far at all. He is just being perceived as a 'villain' because he is philosophically in opposition to Tsunade and by extension Naruto. They want the same thing, they just have different ideas about how best to acheiev the aim. Clearly he's very dedicated to Konoha indeed as are the members of Root.

I have a theory that Sai's mission is actually to eliminate Sasuke to prevent the sharingan to be used against Konoha. Which would mean an interesting confontation of the two.

Initially, I thought that Sai's mission had to be to do with the kyuubi, as something that the council (and Danzou by implication) seemed to be having a problem with was the kyuubi situation. But it might well be that they have turned their attention to the problem that is Orochi. ^^

However, I am not that sure how interested Orochi is in Konoha anymore, now Sandaime is dead. He might be their most well celebrated (and smextastic, if if may say) traitor, but he's not necessarily about to imminently attack anymore. If they're worried about the sharingan being turned against Konoha, and the kyuubi is within their walls, I'd say that the younger Uchiha brother and his lovely current host are not Konoha's first problem - Akatsuki are.

[thomasvye.livejournal.com]

The only reason why I see Tsunade letting Sasuke back is because Naruto.

And can you imagine how the council would like that? Oh yes, this one's a traitor, but he's a mate of the kyuubi jinchuuriki, so we're taking him back without any action against him...

Tsunade, I am beginning to think, is a bit too...naive? for power politics.

[fork-my-eye.livejournal.com]

lmao

[rinnychan.livejournal.com]

no seriously explain yourself XDDDD

[kunoichi-jaden.livejournal.com]

Well... you know. No matter what pairings happen... they're just 15/16 years old, and well... what teenagers really stay together forever like that?

I have my preferences in fandom (waves N/S flag), but really... I hope there are no Team 7 pairings in the end. I think a romantic relationship between any of those three will overshadow the friendship they should have in the end. That's why I don't see NaruSasu happening (not because Kishi is straight or whatever [btw, do we really know that? Is he married?]) and the same for NaruSaku and SasuSaku.

[fork-my-eye.livejournal.com]

oh. lol. sorry about that. i'm serious though. i think sakura's grown up alot. first of all, we don't see an inner sakura anymore, which signifies that she's more liberal and from what we saw... with her training with tsunade she's becoming incredibly strong physically and mentally. after two and a half years or whatever... i think sakura might actually come to her senses when she sees sasuke. after figuring out that he can't really come back (if he cant... which i don't think he can...) i think she'll realize that if she doesn't kill him... he'll kill her and everyone else.

something along those lines. but that's probably just another one of my cracktastic theories.

[fork-my-eye.livejournal.com]

there's NO way that sasuke could ever go back to konoha. ever. some people think that he;ll magically poof back and we'll have a complete team 7 again. it just can't happen. even kishimoto wouldn't be able to come up with something that would make sasuke a good guy again. it would be lame if that happened.

[kitsukikun.livejournal.com]

Nope, he's not coming back. Never. The manga will end without us ever seeing him again...

OK, so that was a tad sarchastic.
Well here goes:
As much as I would love a SasuNaru ending, I don't think that it's quite plausable. Naruto is a little too Shounen for that (though evangelion is shouneney and it had some boy love thrown in... and girl love if you count those few seconds in the movie...) But it's almost canon.
Otherwise I guess I'd like to see NaruHina. Hinata is just so adorable, and she deserves the love of the object of her affection.
Sakura Sakura Sakura... Though she and Sasuke could make little Sharingan weilding babies, I think she'd more likely end up with Sai if anyone. I just get this ominous feeling that our little Sasu-chan isn't going to make it out of the series alive. Perhaps part of the reason Kishimoto-san introduced Sai was a way to give Sakura a happy ending, or perhaps the later potential for that kind of happy ending. I'd say she should end up with Lee (see Hinata's reason for ending up with Naruto) but I see more of a Tenten Lee thingy going on. She does sigh at him afterall. =)

However, most of the older generation of ninjas remains unattached, so I see no reason for Kishimoto-san to pair up all of this generation right away, but it would be nice if he'd foreshadow a bit... just for fun. =) Kinda like the ShikaTema thing. They're only 16 afterall, I don't even want to think about who I was dating when I was 16... ugh. =)