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If there’s one thing I love about Kishimoto Masashi, it’s that he sure knows how to really use his 15 or so pages/chapter quite well sometimes. Really, it’s astounding how much he can put in one chapter from time to time, especially when you compare it to certain manga that barely show anything even with more pages. I won’t go into specifics as to which I’m referring to though, XD. In any case, as you can probably tell, a lot sure happens this chapter.
For one, the flashbacks come to a halt and we’re thrust back into the fight between Kabuto and the two Uchihas. It’s been quite a while since the fight first started at this point, so this was one of the more welcome recent developments. However, there was something about this fight that felt a bit off. I don’t know if it’s because the techniques weren’t translated in my copy and I wasn’t sure what Kabuto’s sage techniques did or were meant to do or how they worked, but this fight felt a bit confusing at times. In addition, if my memory serves me correctly, Itachi was caught in Kabuto’s technique prior to the beginning of the flashbacks…
Regardless though, from what I did manage to get from this chapter, I loved the Uchihas’ usage of their sharingans on each other in order to break free of Kabuto’s genjitsu technique. Just one of those moments where it makes you go, “Oh man, I should’ve expected that!,” as well as a good demonstration of both Itachi’s ability to create tactics in the heat of the battle. Combine this with memorable quotes like Itachi’s “You have already failed!”, and well, it balances out any of the prior negatives I listed above.
Notably, the chapter itself ends on a bit off a cliffhanger, with Itachi getting torn in half by Kabuto, but I can’t say I’m convinced Itachi’s done for. Considering he’s an Edo Tensei still and the fact that he was so confident before with his quote, I won’t be surprised if Itachi’s Izanami technique was already activated once he got Sasuke to look into his eyes. Either way, things are looking up from here from a plot movement standpoint, and it seems like the fight’ll be coming to an end soon, regardless of what the ultimate conclusion will be. I’ll probably be staking the victory for the Uchihas’ side… but it looks like Itachi’s probably not going to make it out either…
Sasuke’s need of an explanation from Itachi is again DENIED.
Its OK Zephyr, we all know Bleach is slow as dirt and drags out infinitely, lol.
Let’s drag it even more so it will take 10 seconds to say its name, Bleeeeeeeeeeeeaaaaachhhhhhhhhhhhhhh~.
I said nothing!
Funny how so many of us know you were talking about Bleach. Hmm… maybe that isn’t so funny. Damn Kubo!!!
Bleach suffers from the same disease as the original Dragonball Z, scientifically named fillerius-unnecessaricus.
The series affected by this disease tend to have several defining symptoms. One, they will tend to drag out scenes that should only take a couple chapters. Two, excessive amounts of dialogue will be devoted to exposition on power levels and abilities. Three, the main character will hog all of the spotlight, pushing all other characters to the sideline.
Itachi “I-have-at-least-50-IQ-points-more-than-you” strikes again.
finally some ass kicking! Kabuto surprised me at the end of the chapter, good job!
So the “ultimate defense” of Susanoo is really full of holes.
Thus far, we have seen poison mist, genjutsu, sound, and a handful of powerful techniques get through it. Not to mention plain brute force, such as from the freaking “I have no need for doors” Raikage.
Hold on, Itachi’s susanoo was special. He had the totsuka blade and the yata mirror shield. With his yata mirror, he can deflect anything, and with his totsuka blade, he can seal anyone with it. No one else can use those abilities when using susanoo.
“Really, it’s astounding how much he can put in one chapter from time to time, especially when you compare it to certain manga that barely show anything even with more pages. I won’t go into specifics as to which I’m referring to though, XD” I believe he is referring to Bleach (sigh)
Thanks Captain Obvious.
next chapter..
Kabuto brags and rejoice for he regain his control over itachi
*background turns black
*poof itachi appears with his crows
Itachi: “you are already in izanami, you have already failed”
Kabuto cries.
Sasuke blushes.
Hmm, I dunno if Kishi will pull the ‘it was all a Itachi illusion…He already did that in this battle, and he doesn’t use the same tricks twice very often.
I found this past couple of chapters unnecessary long, unless Kabuto lives through this. Hopefully we’ll get to the good stuff now…
I predict two ways this fights me develop now:
-Kabuto gains control of Itachi. Sasuke has to kill him with his hands and it’s another trauma. Maybe he’ll unlock Izanami too.
-Kabuto doesn’t gain control of Itachi, and he uses the Izanami to end this (don’t see this one happening, though…)
‘it was all a Itachi illusion’*
I predict two ways this fight will develop:*
*prays for a future Edit button coming soon*
itachi is kishimoto’s version of aizen. 😀
Hopefully Sasuke doesn’t snap again. Something’s telling me that Itachi is gonna be alright.
Edo tensei should piece Itachi’s body back again. Hopefully Sasuke will get to talk with his bro after all this.
Death flags, death flags everywhere.
That said, I actually enjoyed this chapter more than I thought. Mostly because it didn’t go for the sympathy route for Kabuto despite already seeing his backstory (until it actually does).
“If there’s one thing I love about Kishimoto Masashi, it’s that he sure knows how to really use his 15 or so pages/chapter quite well sometimes. Really, it’s astounding how much he can put in one chapter from time to time, especially when you compare it to certain manga that barely show anything even with more pages.”
And then we have One Piece that usually has 10 times more content than Naruto itself 🙂
I’m calling that after the fight Itachi actually tells Sasuke to go fight Naruto, and then Sasuke’ll probably be like “no, when have i ever done what you’ve told me to do?” and then he’ll fight against ‘Tobi’ or whoever he really is…
Bleach has just as many pages as Naruto does now tho
not that it helps its pacing, but still..
No armor or defense in the world is perfect, tt can be bypass, Susanoo just exemplify the fact.
I guess it would be pretty cool if Izanami turns out to to be a ‘you are already dead’ effect as per HnK. 😀
Mannn, i wonder what’s going on with the war now.
cool trick with entering each other’s illusion to break free from it.
hmmm. I wonder if it’s just me but something didn’t feel right about this fight. Kabuto was just jutsu spamming like a 12 year old, no real tactics. Not something you would expect from an experienced spy. What ever happened to that Kunai with the tag he had in his hand, it resembles the kunai used to take total control of Edo Tensei victims. Hmm possible control of Itachi? or Itachi pulls another Aizen “This was all according to plan.”
Are you saying you think Itachi used Izunami on Sasuke instead of Kabuto?
That’s interesting… I don’t know if that what you meant, but I like that idea.
I don’t know about the rest, but this scene reminded me of star wars.
Luke: “I don’t believe it”
Yoda: “That is why you fail.”
If I word it differently..
Kabuto: “I don’t believe what you are saying.”
Itachi: “That is why you fail.”
Go Jedi Master Itachi.
I did not want to see the Orochimaru snake again. Kabuto should know that Orochimaru couldn’t beat Itachi, so what makes Kabuto believe a counterfeit like him could.
Just like Kabuto to pull a sneaky move like that.
I think Itachi will be alright too. Izanami better be epic for the wait to be this long.