Romance & Society in Naruto

[MangaHelpers]

This is a continuation thread, the old thread is 43767

[Fairy Vearth]

A note before you read this. I really tried to make the content understandable but I’m not good at writing long texts in English. If someone has the time, please correct this and pm me^^ or post the correction here.

Kishimoto mentioned in his Interview from Databook 2, that the actual part of “Naruto” would contain romance.

What we have seen so far were the new feelings of Sakura for Naruto and Ino’s interest in Sai.
Sakura’s feelings are not very clear, because she has pity with Naruto and probably some feelings of guilt as well. It is more like feelings of a sister than of a woman she has for Naruto, though Yamato’s unfinished sentence from Chapter 297 speaks for love.

What about Hinata? Kishimoto seems to have given her some very short minor roles. Her manner in love and feelings played a bigger role in the first part and now this all is in the background of this story. We got to see just a little part of this.

Before I begin with my speculations, I want to show you a drawing of Kishimoto, he made before the release of “Naruto”.

http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/9753/roughdraft71kf1.jpg

With a closer look at this, you will see a connection between Hinata and Naruto.

Hinata’s feelings for Naruto seem to have gotten bigger. She cannot even speak to him in the second part, which she could manage to do in the first. (Kishi thought of puberty^^)
Before I continue, let us take a look at the society of „Naruto“.
Kishimoto showed us at the beginning of this story a society, which strongly depends on money (Zabuza Arc). Discrimination is not something depending on the skin color or a language, it’s the skills someone has. Haku who was nearly killed by his father is a good example for this. Another examples are the jinjurikis.
On the Chunin exams we get to know the history of the Hyuga. The maintenance of the clan needs offerings and estates of the realm, here we have the main and the branch family.
There are more examples but this is enough to show that Kishimoto wants to present different sides of the society problems.

So if Kishimoto manages to add romance, then it will be a little complicated. (He said himself, that it would be a little difficult)

I think sooner or later Naruto will react to Hinata’s feelings but what will follow after this?
He is a Jinjuriki, a lot of people hate him and in his society he is not even categorized as a human being. He is a monster who destroyed the village.
She is a member of noble family, who will inherit the whole clan.

Now it looks like Kishimoto prepared all of this from the beginning.

The reason for putting Hinata in the background might be that Kishimoto has a bigger role for her. The relationship between the two would hit a lot of obstacles. A monster, the lowest class in the Naruto society and a Hyuga, at the current time the highest class could not possibly love each other.

This is one of the society problems we had in the past and we have at the current time.

The romance he prepared will probably be another climax of this story.



I hope this was understandable^^

so what do you think?


edit: I think this should be added here:


it isnt really supposed to be a naruhina or narusaku thread.

I was just wondering about Kishimotos statement to put more romance in the second part. And we havent seen anything serious until now. Then I thought about Hinata, she showed a lot of feelings in the first part and Naruto noticed a little part of this.(remember he said, that he likes her kind). There was a small developement but Naruto was just a kid, so Kishimoto might have prepared the rest of this developement for later, when Naruto understands the feelings. I mean puberty is something that really changes people and Naruto didnt even understand the sense of icha icha. Probably this was a sign that its too early for Naruto to love someone.

And please dont say things like "its a shonen" and dont compare this with other shonen like One Piece or DB. Puberty is something everyone has to experience and if Kishimoto puts in some romance than this would help to understand the guys(Naruto's age) and girls(Sakura's age), who have to experience this, the feelings they begin to develope.

[kkck]

As far as we know, Kakashi only had one love interest, and that was Rin.
And still as today he often thinks about her.

As he was dying he thought of Obito and her...

I'm thinking that this year (it's supposed to be Kakashi's year), we will finally learn what happened to her and if they were truly in love or not.

I seem to recall rin's feelings towards kakashi were pretty much one sided... Do we have any reason at all to believe something actually happened between them? Wasn't last year supposed to be kakashi's though lol?

[CBlitz]

I thought Obito said that Rin liked Kakashi? It was probably a one-sided affair like Sakura & Sasuke. It's always possible that they might have gotten in a relationship after Obito got flattened though but there's virtually nothing that indicates this. It could be some good flashback material and we know Rin is dead anyway. Oh god poor Kakashi :crying

by the way, every year is Kakashi's year. EVERY YEAR ALL YEAR :derp

[THM Nindo]

It was one-sided at the time, but I don't know...
I get the feeling that something did happen between the two.

Just the way that he remember her as he was dying, gave me that feeling.
I could be wrong though...

I hope we get an answer about that this year...

PS: New thread, woohoo!! :tem

[Gingitsune]

Let me catch up a bit from the old threard...


I have no idea about the other issues you mentioned but the reason Tsunade is addressed as princess is because she's the granddaughter of the Shodai Hokage, the founder of Konoha; grandniece of the Nidaime Hokage, who helped found Konoha; and possibly, being the student of the Sandaime Hokage further added to this effect. Asuma, Naruto and even Konohamaru are not addressed as such because they were not close and direct descendants of the founders of Konohagakure. Hope it helped.

That's what we would assume from reading the chapters so far, but we would assume Itachi was just a madman up to Madara's story. And we would have assume Naruto's father lastname was Uzumaki up to Jiraiya and Tsunade's talk. I meant the Tsunade-hime part leave some room for plot twist, if Kishi want to use it. Although I admit my wording didn't quite convey the "might happen" part, sorry for the confusion.


I've been thinking.... since Kishimoto has been using filler material lately (the 4 Kekkei Genkai Shinobis, Raiga's sword) maybe this pairing just might become canon.

I'd say it's more likely to be the other way around, Kishi gave the anime staff some future story elements to use for fillers. That being said, I doubt Hanare is one of them.


Anyways, who's hoping Naruto ends up with Karin? I dunno why, but after seeing Karin's personality, she'd go well with Naruto. She's like Kushina, but apparently less rash. Sasuke and Karin can't happen since he just basically chidori'd her and tried to off her, and Karin left Sasuke.

Karin's man will be Suigetsu, he'll go get her from prison and she'll fell for him, now that she lost interest for Sasuke. :tem


Chojuro is in Naruto's age group, So yeah, I do think he'll end up with one of the Konoha 11.

I was under the impression he was something like 12 or 13 while Naruto and co and between 16 and 19 (Naruto = 16, Sai = 17, Kankurou = 18, Temari = 19). Maybe he's just little. Although we never know, if he's 12, he could end up with Moegi or Hanabi. :plot


Lee and Sakura will probably never be real. It's still the Part 1 version where Lee madly loves Sakura and wants to die to protect her. And Sakura likes Lee as a friend, but clearly is not attracted to him in the slightest. I think it will be shown during the war that she cares for him, but Lee will always be third in line. So I kind of hope he moves on.

I was answering to someone else's post, Lee/Sakura was never a likely pairing to me, but sometimes other posters give compelling points about uncommun parings, if you egg them a bit. :amuse


Ino with Sasuke was never as serious as the others. In fact, it was portrayed as a character flaw for Ino by Kishimoto. Her love for Sasuke was portrayed as shallow compared to Sakura's. And Sasuke doesn't even know her. He doesn't even regard her as a friend like Naruto and Sakura do with Hinata and Lee respectively. Even if Sasuke were reformed, there is still nothing there. There never was. It's a crack pairing at this point.

Sasuke doesn't seem to be interested in Ino, but seeing she was the only one beside Sakura to cry over Sasuke's new nukenin status, I understand that she did love him and still love him as much as Sakura (or else the rivalry between them is meaningless). Also, in Shikamaru's revenge spiral, he put Sakura and Ino as likely candidates to kill some Kumonin to avenge Sasuke's theorical death (chapter 459), he should be one of the characters to know Ino best. I think Kishi is quite obvious Ino's feeling for Sasuke are as strong as Sakura's.


An objective point of view would look a bit like this:
Hinata is in love with Naruto, seen in how she confessed and was ready to sacrifice her life for him.
Naruto is in love with Sakura according to Sai.
Naruto cares for Sasuke like a brother.
Naruto used to think Hinata was weird but now knows she is a likeable person.
Sakura had a crush on Sasuke when they were kids but it is revealed that she still harbors feelings for him.
Sakura confessed her feelings for Naruto but it was dismissed as a lie. They have a fairly good relationship and she is shown to care for him a lot. It is unclear whether this is romantic love or just love for a comrade.
Karin had a crush on Sasuke but said it is gone now because of his attempt to kill her.
Sasuke has never demonstrated romantic interest for any person.
Sasuke considers/considered Naruto his closest friend.

This is the romantic world of Naruto as it really is. No assumptions, no opinions, no biases. Based on this, we cannot conclude which pairing will reign in the end because there is no pairing that exhibits mutual romantic love at all.

Exactly, that's how things are right now:

Naruto >>< Sakura
Hinata >>< Naruto
Lee >>< Sakura
Temari >< Shikamaru
Chouji >< Ino

Sasuke is a bit hard to read, but at the point of Killer Bee's failed capture it seems it was:

Sakura >>< Sasuke
Karin >>< Sasuke

There's no mutual romantic love yet, but as we saw with Tsunade and Jiraiya, in Kishi's world, a romance can move from >>< to >><<, but which one will it be?

As for KakaRin it seems it goes the same as all the other kids romance:
Rin >>< Kakashi

Then it could have gone either way, maybe Kakashi fell for her before her death and maybe Rin lost interest in him because he admit he would have let her in the ennemies' hands.


On the opposite, I think that war is the perfect time to get some romance going on.

It's the time for the boys to go all "I'll protect the girl I love", and the girl telling the boys they love them as they are almost dying!!

Lee did it already, but didn't quite a lovely answer... :oh
I hope we'll get something more juicy. :amuse


I think sooner or later Naruto will react to Hinata’s feelings but what will follow after this?
He is a Jinjuriki, a lot of people hate him and in his society he is not even categorized as a human being. He is a monster who destroyed the village.
She is a member of noble family, who will inherit the whole clan.

But Naruto as "a monster who destroyed the village" is ancien story, now Naruto is "a pet monster who saved the village". :hearts
I'm not sure if he'll ever achieve the status of human being...

[Jessie]

Sasuke doesn't seem to be interested in Ino, but seeing she was the only one beside Sakura to cry over Sasuke's new nukenin status, I understand that she did love him and still love him as much as Sakura (or else the rivalry between them is meaningless). Also, in Shikamaru's revenge spiral, he put Sakura and Ino as likely candidates to kill some Kumonin to avenge Sasuke's theorical death (chapter 459), he should be one of the characters to know Ino best. I think Kishi is quite obvious Ino's feeling for Sasuke are as strong as Sakura's.
I know a lot of Ino fans hated Kishi for that scene. Most Ino fans hate "Ino the Sasuke fangirl" and are fans of "Ino of Ino-Shika-Cho". Likely because Ino gets bashed in fandom for two things. For being weak and a Sasuke fangirl. We thought she dropped the latter long ago. In the third databook she even lost her "suki" arrow to Sasuke.

So I admit that scene was confusing. I could pass it off as an emotional moment, but like you said, Shika said she would have avenged him. A guy who acted repulsed by her! Sakura had a relationship with Sasuke. Although not the one she wanted, it was still a relationship. A bond between comrades on Team 7. Sasuke acknowledged her. I can understand her conflicted feelings for him. But Ino didn't even know Sasuke on a personal level. Even KIshi wrote her love for him was shallow. But I guess I understand it for plot reasons. It would have looked bad if Team 7 was said to be the only ones who would avenge Sasuke. We needed something to drag the others in. I still hated it for Ino's sake. Hopefully Kishi makes it up to her and she gets a guy that will like her back.


Exactly, that's how things are right now:

Naruto >>< Sakura
Hinata >>< Naruto
Lee >>< Sakura
Temari >< Shikamaru
Chouji >< Ino

Sasuke is a bit hard to read, but at the point of Killer Bee's failed capture it seems it was:

Sakura >>< Sasuke
Karin >>< Sasuke

There's no mutual romantic love yet, but as we saw with Tsunade and Jiraiya, in Kishi's world, a romance can move from >>< to >><<, but which one will it be?
I agree with these. It seems like romance in Naruto is either one sided or underdeveloped. Some couples only need just a little push.

This war could really cement some relationships if Kishi wants it.

[M3J]

I think Chouji could be the guy that likes her back, no? They've had some tender moments, and Ino has shown she cares about Chouji as well, even if she makes fun of him and looks like she's interested in Sai now.

I still want Naruto and Karin. <_<

[Newkerzy]

I know a lot of Ino fans hated Kishi for that scene. Most Ino fans hate "Ino the Sasuke fangirl" and are fans of "Ino of Ino-Shika-Cho". Likely because Ino gets bashed in fandom for two things. For being weak and a Sasuke fangirl. We thought she dropped the latter long ago. In the third databook she even lost her "suki" arrow to Sasuke.

So I admit that scene was confusing. I could pass it off as an emotional moment, but like you said, Shika said she would have avenged him. A guy who acted repulsed by her! Sakura had a relationship with Sasuke. Although not the one she wanted, it was still a relationship. A bond between comrades on Team 7. Sasuke acknowledged her. I can understand her conflicted feelings for him. But Ino didn't even know Sasuke on a personal level. Even KIshi wrote her love for him was shallow. But I guess I understand it for plot reasons. It would have looked bad if Team 7 was said to be the only ones who would avenge Sasuke. We needed something to drag the others in. I still hated it for Ino's sake. Hopefully Kishi makes it up to her and she gets a guy that will like her back.


I think it's because Sasuke was her first love and it would be hard for anyone to realize that your first love was on death row. So, it makes a bit sense to me. And besides, Kishi's major theme is "Bonds" so I can completely understand that.

And yes, I agree. Hopefully, Kishi does cement some relationships that Kishi has been hinting in the manga in this War considering it seems to be the Final arc.

[Nonlife]

I really don't care...the manga's been all about Sasuke & Naruto's bond, with subtle hints of romance thrown in to lighten the mood of the manga. (Even Kishimoto's friends said he stinks at incorporating romance in his stories.)

[White Silver King]

I seem to recall rin's feelings towards kakashi were pretty much one sided... Do we have any reason at all to believe something actually happened between them? Wasn't last year supposed to be kakashi's though lol?

I'd like to think they grew as people after they had to watch their best friend be crushed to death by a massive bolder in enemy territory during a war and her having to remove said friend's eye while he was trapped underneath the bolder and put it into her love interests' (Kakashi) face.

If that doesn't mature you I don't know what will.

[Jessie]

And yes, I agree. Hopefully, Kishi does cement some relationships that Kishi has been hinting in the manga in this War considering it seems to be the Final arc.
I don't think we will ever see anything overt in regards to romance. But I believe Kishi will do enough where we as fans can say, "Yeah I definitely now see those two(insert pairing) being a couple and marrying when they get older." I think he'll leave little doubt to who the couples will be in the future.

Unless there is an epilogue where he actually has to show us what will happen.

[Jammin]

I still think we will see something. Probably at the conclusion of this war and definitely after the conclusion of Naruto vs Sasuke.

I don't think anything is likely to happen during the war itself. The mood is wrong(zombie loved ones and all that) and more importantly character development is completely frozen for now, i've no idea why but it is what it is.

At the end of the war, if ordinary character development resumes, then i could see some romance being thrown into the mix somewhat randomly to show how the war has brought the villages together.

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The Naruto, Sakura, Hinata stuff will i think be resolved but not until after Sasuke goes down. I don't think Naruto will be able to comprehend the concept of having a love life until that is taken care of.

The way i see it going down. Either Kabuto or Tobi will be taken out during the war. Next Naruto will deal with Sasuke and then have to deal with Kabuto or Tobi in a final battle. In between his battle with Sasuke and the final battle seems like the appropriate time for his love life to bloom.

Since up that point Sasuke had been his main motivation. He's going to have to find a new one. Love seems like a good choice to me.

[Jessie]

Valentine's Day is making me think of the romance, or lack thereof, in Naruo.


I don't think anything is likely to happen during the war itself. The mood is wrong(zombie loved ones and all that) and more importantly character development is completely frozen for now, i've no idea why but it is what it is.
I would agree, but Hinata's confession occurred on the battlefield. So there is precedent for something like this happening. You never know with Kishi.

Showing relationships between different villages is something I can see. Even beyond the romantic aspect, it speaks to what Kishi has been doing. Uniting all the counties together. Outside of the obvious Shikamaru and Temari relationship, I wouldn't be shocked if Kishi had a small panel of Kiba asking Karui out for some dango after the war(just an example, insert your own characters). Just to show the growing connection between the villages.

[Jammin]

I would agree, but Hinata's confession occurred on the battlefield. So there is precedent for something like this happening. You never know with Kishi. Yeah, but nothing came of it and i suspect we would just get more of the same.

With all of the former loved ones showing up trying to kill them and the general aura of death in the air, i just can't imagine any love affairs starting up at least until the dust settles.

After the dust settles then i think there will be some opportunity for some connections to form but not during battle. At least not during this battle.

-----------------------------------

I'd like to see Naruto actually pick a freaking girlfriend before Sasuke gets dealt with(a.k.a. dies semi-heroically)

To give that person a chance to actually register with him a bit emotionally before his inevitable to duel with Sasuke. I think that would add another dimension to Naruto that he sorely needs right now.

Sasuke has his power, pride, and hate as the result of what he's devoted his life to. It would be nice to see Naruto oppose him with strength, courage, and the support of his friends and loved ones; the results of what he's devoted his life to. I think a girl who loves him would could be a great part of that equation.

Unfortunately, i think Sasuke's evil a-hole nature has become like one big emotional dam for Naruto's character. No feelings can flow past that dam until he blows it up. Then there should be a flood(figuratively).:amuse

[THM Nindo]

Yeah, but nothing came of it and i suspect we would just get more of the same.

With all of the former loved ones showing up trying to kill them and the general aura of death in the air, i just can't imagine any love affairs starting up at least until the dust settles.

After the dust settles then i think there will be some opportunity for some connections to form but not during battle. At least not during this battle.

I don't know, man...

I could totally see someone (let's say Choji), going on and saving a girl (let's say Ino! :tem) and going all about "I'm going to protect you with my life!".

And then he almost dies on the battlefield and Ino is like "... Choji... I never knew..." or something like that.

That's totally the kind of love confession that Kishi likes.
He already did it once with Hinata, so I'm expecting AT LEAST another of those things during the war!! ;)

-----------------------------------



I'd like to see Naruto actually pick a freaking girlfriend before Sasuke gets dealt with(a.k.a. dies semi-heroically)

To give that person a chance to actually register with him a bit emotionally before his inevitable to duel with Sasuke. I think that would add another dimension to Naruto that he sorely needs right now.

Sasuke has his power, pride, and hate as the result of what he's devoted his life to. It would be nice to see Naruto oppose him with strength, courage, and the support of his friends and loved ones; the results of what he's devoted his life to. I think a girl who loves him would could be a great part of that equation.

Unfortunately, i think Sasuke's evil a-hole nature has become like one big emotional dam for Naruto's character. No feelings can flow past that dam until he blows it up. Then there should be a flood(figuratively).:amuse

Yeah, Sasuke is all that Naruto is thinking about right now.
Let's face it, Naruto certainly thought about Hinata's confession, and Sakura's fake confession.

Of course he tought about it... he would be crazy not to, but I think that, like everything else, he just don't want to deal with this stuff right now.

He focus on only one thing, and once that will be over, he will get back on the romance.

[Eprst]

Well there is a romance - just look to the way how female characters dress. Sakura Ino and so on... and there is sex of course, how do you think Kurenai got pregnant?

[Misazuki]

Man Kishi was giving romance some focus at the beginning of shippuden now it is almost non existent.

[Gingitsune]

Well, Karui et Omoi were going to Konoha looking for love. Karin joined hebi/taka just for romance and had quite a few "we are alone, I have to abuse him" scene. More recently, Mizukage have a few "this guy is hot" moment. There were Hinata's confession and Sakura's fake confession. Even in the last chapters, Lee came back with his "I'll protect your back, Sakura-chan" and he cried at the far end of a pannel when his Sakura confessed her love to Naruto (although it was a fake confession).

The only one that isn't much into romance is Naruto. But with Jiraiya's death, the revelations about his parents, Sasuke going down the crasiest possible path, the lessons to tame Kyûbi at last, romance is hardly his priority.

[Nonlife]

The only true love I've seen has been between Minato/Kushina, and Asuma/Kurenai. Everything else has been signs of infatuation, so, yeah, romance will come AT THE END.

[benelori]

I always found those Nara family interactions to be fun...the way the house was mom's domain and the rest was Shikaku's and Shikamaru was just beginning to taste what meanst to be independent for real...that was fun, and similar stuff was referred to by Kushina as well, when she said that it was Minato's first win in the War of the Words:amuse...

[Jessie]

Well, Karui et Omoi were going to Konoha looking for love. Karin joined hebi/taka just for romance and had quite a few "we are alone, I have to abuse him" scene. More recently, Mizukage have a few "this guy is hot" moment. There were Hinata's confession and Sakura's fake confession. Even in the last chapters, Lee came back with his "I'll protect your back, Sakura-chan" and he cried at the far end of a pannel when his Sakura confessed her love to Naruto (although it was a fake confession)
Yeah, but all of those were false leads. We never heard anything again about Omoi and Karui's romantic pursuits. I don't even think we were to take them seriously. Karin's attempts at romance were a a disaster. And nearly cost her life. Mei Terumi is played for humor. A Christmas Cake. Hinata's confession was a huge moment. but there was no follow up.

I think fans were expecting things to be a little more fruitful by now.

So far there has been no romance in this war unless you want to stretch Lee promising to protect Sakura, and Temari starting in on Shika, as romantic moments. I am hoping Kishi will show something. But probably not until late in the war. No room for romance now.

[Newkerzy]

Yeah, but all of those were false leads. We never heard anything again about Omoi and Karui's romantic pursuits. I don't even think we were to take them seriously. Karin's attempts at romance were a a disaster. And nearly cost her life. Mei Terumi is played for humor. A Christmas Cake. Hinata's confession was a huge moment. but there was no follow up.

I think fans were expecting things to be a little more fruitful by now.

So far there has been no romance in this war unless you want to stretch Lee promising to protect Sakura, and Temari starting in on Shika, as romantic moments. I am hoping Kishi will show something. But probably not until late in the war. No room for romance now.

It looks pretty much like it. But I can't help but think about Ino remembering Asuma's last words seem to hold a significance in the future for her character development. I think she could very well remember about Asuma's saying to her to not lose to Sakura in love. And not only that, Kishi did say he had something planned for Chouji in the Jump Fiesta interview. The new chapter was titled "Chouji's determination" so there is definitely something Kishi planned for him. It's also likely to involve Ino. So yeah, there is a chance for some Chou/Ino to be developed very soon. (which is kind of a surprise for me because I thought ShikaTema would be first, out of all the pairings)

[M3J]

I seriously don't think Sakura's confession was actually fake, but it seems like that because of her intent. I think she did genuinely confess to Naruto, but Naruto suspected otherwise because of what Sakura said. It is not impossible for Sakura to love Naruto as well, especially since she's seen the kind of man he is. She realized Naruto sacrificed his happiness for her and was willing to do anything for his friends, as opposed to Sasuke. She did show she cared a lot for Naruto, at least compared to when they first met.

I still don't want her to be with Naruto. :notrust


Though reading 520 (?), Chouji and Ino might not happen. I got the feeling from Ino that she saw both of them as her brothers, especially with her flashback of Asuma's last words to her. Older sister looking out for her younger brothers/more responsible sister looking out for her irresponsible brothers?

[Jammin]

I seriously don't think Sakura's confession was actually fake, but it seems like that because of her intent. I think she did genuinely confess to Naruto, but Naruto suspected otherwise because of what Sakura said. It is not impossible for Sakura to love Naruto as well, especially since she's seen the kind of man he is. She realized Naruto sacrificed his happiness for her and was willing to do anything for his friends, as opposed to Sasuke. She did show she cared a lot for Naruto, at least compared to when they first met.

I still don't want her to be with Naruto. :notrust You know i really don't understand Sakura at all at this point. Which makes it so I just can't get excited about NarutoXSakura anymore.

Before i thought i had an understanding of her character and the potential of what she could become. Now i just don't have any idea what's going on with her or what's going to happen. She used to be full of fire, now she just kneels over the wounded looking all angsty.

I thought her attempt on Sasuke would signal her rediscovering her resolve as a shinobi but then at the end she just allowed Naruto to take up all the responsibility again. She just thoroughly confuses me.:s

I look at characters like Ino and Karin and think how much i would perfer they were in line to be Naruto's love interest. She needs to redeem herself as a shinobi, before i can get behind any pairing business involving her. She needs to show at least as much spunk as Ino. Sakura's supposed to be the heroine but right now she definitely doesn't live up to that title.

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I have to agree about Ino and Chouji too. That looked a lot like a sibling dynamic to me. Too bad. With Chouji looking unlikely and Sai being pretty much a lost cause. Ino pairings seem like desolate territory at right now.

Man, i would love it if she somehow miraculously jumped in as Naruto's squeeze. I know it's a pipe dream but all his current love interests seem so much more boring than her at the moment.

[Jessie]

It looks pretty much like it. But I can't help but think about Ino remembering Asuma's last words seem to hold a significance in the future for her character development. I think she could very well remember about Asuma's saying to her to not lose to Sakura in love. And not only that, Kishi did say he had something planned for Chouji in the Jump Fiesta interview. The new chapter was titled "Chouji's determination" so there is definitely something Kishi planned for him. It's also likely to involve Ino. So yeah, there is a chance for some Chou/Ino to be developed very soon. (which is kind of a surprise for me because I thought ShikaTema would be first, out of all the pairings)
If you notice though, Kishi cut off the part in the flashback where he told Ino not to lose in love. Kishi only focused on her bond with Shika and Choji.

I have to agree with M3J and Jammin. Shika, Ino, and Choji are coming off more as siblings. The same way Inoichi, Shikaku, and Choza act like brothers. Before Choji and Shika were just friends. Ino didn't seem as close to either of them. But now they are all but family with the strongest bonds among the teams. Romance might ruin that "sibling" dynamic. Kishi will continue to ship tease Ino with Shikamaru(notice how Shika always is the one to catch her) and Choji romantically. But I don't see him crossing that line now.

If you are right though and Ino/Cho is coming, than I would be happy. Cause that would mean ShikaTema will then happen. Shikamaru still has to lead his troops back to help Gaara against the Kages. I could totally picture Shika rescuing Temari which would harken back to the Sasuke Rescue Arc when she saved him. That seems like the perfect ending to his story. Somebody has to make the third generation of Ino-Shika-Cho.


Too bad. With Chouji looking unlikely and Sai being pretty much a lost cause. Ino pairings seem like desolate territory at right now.

Man, i would love it if she somehow miraculously jumped in as Naruto's squeeze. I know it's a pipe dream but all his current love interests seem so much more boring than her at the moment.

But look at it this way. A lot of Ino's problems as a character relate to romance. People hated her for being a shallow Sasuke fangirl. In this recent episode of the anime she was crying about Sasuke. A guy she supposedly got over years ago. Fans HATED that. That was the low point for Ino as a character.

Now look at Ino during the war. She has been totally different since she hooked back up with Shika and Choji. She is assertive, shown improvement in her skills, and being a great teammate to her "boys". Sasuke who?

Perhaps Ino is one of those characters who are better of with no love interests. Romance ruins her. Even if she married Shikamaru or Choji, the only two boys she is close to, it still feels kind of wrong now.

Look at Sakura. She was great standing with Chiyo against Sasori. But when she gets dragged into the Team 7 love nonsense, she suffers.

[Newkerzy]

Suppose you're right on all accounts, Jess. But the fact that Kishi cut off the part where Asuma told Ino not to lose to Sakura in love, I can't help but think Kishi is planning to surprise us. They do come off more as siblings, I agree very much with you, though.

Shika saving Temari would be awesome. It'd come full circle with the very moment Shika started becoming attracted with Temari. Which wouldn't surprise me since even Kakashi went full circle with Zabuza and Haku.

[Jammin]

But look at it this way. A lot of Ino's problems as a character relate to romance. People hated her for being a shallow Sasuke fangirl. In this recent episode of the anime she was crying about Sasuke. A guy she supposedly got over years ago. Fans HATED that. That was the low point for Ino as a character.

Now look at Ino during the war. She has been totally different since she hooked back up with Shika and Choji. She is assertive, shown improvement in her skills, and being a great teammate to her "boys". Sasuke who?

Perhaps Ino is one of those characters who are better of with no love interests. Romance ruins her. Even if she married Shikamaru or Choji, the only two boys she is close to, it still feels kind of wrong now.

Look at Sakura. She was great standing with Chiyo against Sasori. But when she gets dragged into the Team 7 love nonsense, she suffers.You have a point. I can't deny that it was hard to like her when she was Sasuke obsessed but i think that is more about Sasuke than it was romance in general. It's pretty hard to like anybody when they are being Sasuke obsessed....including Naruto.

Romance almost always adds emotional nuance to an established character. When i look at Sakura and Hinata, what makes them less than i would like them to be isn't anything to do with them being love interests and everything to do with them being not much else. Neither character has really shown much reason for me to be interested in them individually in a loooong time.

So i think, now that Ino has established herself, it's the perfect time for her to enter the romance game. As long as she doesn't lose the spark she has going right now.

-----------------------------

I was talking about Inuyasha recently in another thread and that reminded me of how much more satisfying the romance of that series was and pretty much all the main characters had a romance going. They always kept up their independent value as a character even after they became part of a romance subplot.

That's what sets Ino and Karin apart from Sakura and Hinata to me. Ino established her value last chapter. As a result i feel it's easy to get enthusiastic about her. Sakura and Hinata haven't done that in quite some time, so i feel less than enthusiastic about them.

Which is why i think both of them needs to step up and reestablish themselves as interesting and valuable characters, before they advance in the romance game. This war is a good opportunity for it, and it NEEDS to happen.

[THM Nindo]

You know how I could see this manga end?

A flashback 10 years in the future, and we see a young boy in the academy saying that he will become the next Hokage.
This boy is Naruto's son (we will then learn if Sakura or Hinata is the mother), and then following this boy for a chapter, we will learn of the "New world" that Naruto created and what happened to everyone.

We will most likely see Naruto as Hokage with Sakura and Shikamaru as advisor.
And we might learn from other people as well and see who is paired with who and what they have become.

And he would probably have comrade in his class who would be the children of people we know (ex: Two kids from Ino and Choji, and one of Shikamaru... the new Ino-Shika-Cho trio, etc).

That would make sense to me, and it would show that the next generation is already on the move! :tem

[Jammin]

You know how I could see this manga end?

A flashback 10 years in the future, and we see a young boy in the academy saying that he will become the next Hokage.
This boy is Naruto's son (we will then learn if Sakura or Hinata is the mother), and then following this boy for a chapter, we will learn of the "New world" that Naruto created and what happened to everyone.

We will most likely see Naruto as Hokage with Sakura and Shikamaru as advisor.
And we might learn from other people as well and see who is paired with who and what they have become.

And he would probably have comrade in his class who would be the children of people we know (ex: Two kids from Ino and Choji, and one of Shikamaru... the new Ino-Shika-Cho trio, etc).

That would make sense to me, and it would show that the next generation is already on the move! :temThat is a very real possibility but that better not be all we get.....

I mean, it's too late for romance to make a contribution to the characters and the story at that point, or even really count as romance in any real sense. The whole thing would just become a footnote. Man, if all the romantic stuff just got skipped and thrown into the epilogue like that i would be soooo pissed off.:nerve

Plus.....It would be a shameless rip off of Harry Potter

------------------------

What i would like to happen, in my own little magical dreamworld, is for Sakura or Hinata to rediscover the part of themselves that made me excited about them.

For Sakura to step up and prove herself worthy of the title of Tsunade's apprentice. The one that faced down Sasori without so much as blinking and almost broke Sai's face for being an A-hole. She was so close to being to Naruto what Tsunade was to Jiriaya.

For Hinata to become the awesome girl who charged in and took on Nagato. Without the slightest chance of victory, and best of all she didn't even blush when she openly admitted why she did it. She might never have been very good at standing up for herself but in that moment she was fantastic at standing up for Naruto.

Those are love interests i can get excited about. I want to see one of them impose herself on Nartuo, as somebody who cares about him and will not let take on his burdens alone and give him no say in the matter.

[M3J]

The main problem I see for Ino-Chou pairing is that we probably won't see the new generation of trio. There's no guarantee Ino will pop out two kids, each who have their parents' bloodline limit. So far, we dunno what may happen from mixing two bloodline limit together.

Ino has expressed interest in Sai and was even complimented, though unintentionally.

[Gingitsune]

Yeah, but all of those were false leads. We never heard anything again about Omoi and Karui's romantic pursuits. I don't even think we were to take them seriously. Karin's attempts at romance were a a disaster. And nearly cost her life. Mei Terumi is played for humor. A Christmas Cake. Hinata's confession was a huge moment. but there was no follow up.

But that's Kishi's style. :darn

The first mention of Madara is from chapter 309, the second 385.
We got Obito's name's on chapter 139, but nothing else before chapter 239.
We got Shisui's name on chapter 222, but we got his face on chapter 459.

It's always like that, with everything, it's Kishi annoyingly slow style. Karui et Omoi stated what they were looking for in love on chapter 450, no need to wait for a follow up before another 200 chapters. The same for Hinata or Sakura's confession.


The main problem I see for Ino-Chou pairing is that we probably won't see the new generation of trio. There's no guarantee Ino will pop out two kids, each who have their parents' bloodline limit. So far, we dunno what may happen from mixing two bloodline limit together.

Akimichi and Yamanaka's jutsu are not bloodline limits, there are just secret ninjutsu, so both kids could learn both style.

[Googlez_kun]

I'm surprised people actually took the whole Karui and Omoi romance thing seriously.For me it sounded more like kidding around.Like when someone goes to Barcelona and says:"Oh,Spain has so many goodlooking chicks,i'll probably make out with one or two...or three".
Omoi was just fooling around.

And who says Karui didn't find anyone?*cough*Naruto*cough*:hurr

[Gingitsune]

You realise that Omoi, just by kidding around about girls, have shown more interest for the oposite sex that Shikamaru, Chouji, Kiba, Shino, Neji and Kankurou all put together? I never expected him to commit double suicide with a Konoha girl for real, but at least he recognize there's some worthy things to do with girls. -_-

As for Karui and Naruto, that's my butt jokes with my NaruSaku friends, "Karui has to be in love with Naruto, look, she hits him!" and "Karui hits Naruto heavier than Sakura, her love must be deeper". Fortunately, my friends have a good sens of humor. ^_^

[Googlez_kun]

You realise that Omoi, just by kidding around about girls, have shown more interest for the oposite sex that Shikamaru, Chouji, Kiba, Shino, Neji and Kankurou all put together? I never expected him to commit double suicide with a Konoha girl for real, but at least he recognize there's some worthy things to do with girls. -_-

As for Karui and Naruto, that's my butt jokes with my NaruSaku friends, "Karui has to be in love with Naruto, look, she hits him!" and "Karui hits Naruto heavier than Sakura, her love must be deeper". Fortunately, my friends have a good sens of humor. ^_^

It's sad isn't it?I wish they would at least make some dirty jokes or something,but nada.Well,Shikamaru talks about girls quite a lot actually,he also had a discussion with Chouji about girls.But yeah,Neji for example has fabulous hair,which every girl loves.He is talented and good-looking.He could have nearly every girl,but he does not seem to do anything.
At least Jiraiya had a good time.:hurr

[Zoro #1]

The main problem I see for Ino-Chou pairing is that we probably won't see the new generation of trio. There's no guarantee Ino will pop out two kids, each who have their parents' bloodline limit. So far, we dunno what may happen from mixing two bloodline limit together.

Ino has expressed interest in Sai and was even complimented, though unintentionally.

Actually those are not bloodline limit it was explained in the earlier chapter that they are ninja tech. that are developed and kept and taught within a clan, they are secret fighting tech. like the aburame clan's bug tech. they are not bloodline limit. So Ino and cho getting together is a possibility. But i had hoped for ino and naruto, since i hate sakura and her emotional crap all the time and i'm ok with hinata, i just think she is a good match for kiba for some reason.

[M3J]

Ah, gotcha. Thanks guise.

It still sounds pretty awkward for one clan to have two family techniques, for some reason. This is the main reason I can't see them ending up together, but that's just me being all weird-minded.

Ino has liked Sasuke, and Sai does remind her of Sasuke a bit, so she may end up with him. Chouji might end up with another Akimichi though or get an even better girl because of his personality.

[Jammin]

At least Jiraiya had a good time.:hurrOh how i miss him.:crying

Tell me, do you think it's morally wrong that i find myself being sad that Jiriaya wasn't brought back as a zombie so he could oogle all the attractive female zombies and possibly start up one of the weirdest love triangles in history? With Jiraiya(deceased), Dan(deceased), and Tsunade(really old and wrinkly).:p

[Newkerzy]

Haha, now that's funny. :D But still, it would've been interesting if he was brought back. Not only it would prompt a huge reaction from Naruto, but also from Tsunade as well because Dan is also brought back. It would be interesting to see what she has to say to Dan and Jiraiya because both of them are the two people Tsunade loved the most in her lifetime.

I could see Tsunade freeing Jiraiya by confessing to him. Dan would be released just by knowing she became Hokage.

[Gingitsune]

Jiraiya will probably get back to life, Kabuto was working to get him and gave Tobi all the hints to get him. The present battle just is'nt the right time to get him back.

As for Shikamaru, he's not talking about girls, he's bitching girls. If it wasn't for Temari, he'd be the best choice for yaoi. ¬_¬

[Newkerzy]

I just wished he was brought back now to give an even harder impact on Tsunade.

[Asclepius]

As for Shikamaru, he's not talking about girls, he's bitching girls. If it wasn't for Temari, he'd be the best choice for yaoi. ¬_¬

There are some really nice yaoi fanfictions where he is paired with Neji.
^_^

But, isn't bitching about girls one of the ways boys talk about girls?
I'm not into shoujo, i only read Ouran Blah Blah Blah and there, the girl fell in love with the most annoying guy. BTW, only the anime is funny.

[huynhlan]

Man I hope kishi doesn't go with the cousin thing between hinata and neji juts to get rid of the branch and family thing, which I supect is the reason he put them together during this war,I hope hinata don't change her feeling for naruto, and that she will end up with him, otherwise I would said naruto is pretty dumb, because from sakurs' "fake" confession and her action toward sasuke afterward make it pretty clear sasuke is the love of her life, and if somehow naruto can put up with that then its' just sad.

So naruto and hinata together is my top choice if not kishi perpare to die especially if he goes with the cousin thing.

My second choice would be shika and temari.

Third tenten with lee or neji.

Fourth Sauske and sakura which I think will happen in this war, especially when sakura hear about the reason why sasuke is so evil due to konoha being behind the uchiha massacre, and she will switch side.

But no matter what I think minato and kushina is the best couple together.

[THM Nindo]

Sakura will never switch side.
And if she does, then I hope she die a slow and painful death.

I love her, and I really want her to be with Naruto, for the only good reason that she's the one he love and that the hero should get the girl he love.

Seeing Sakura still loving Sasuke even after he tried to kill her and Naruto multiple time is simply stupid.
And if she switch side, I'm going to hate her even more than I hate Sasuke right now...

[Googlez_kun]

I'm looking forward to see how the relationship between A and Tsunade developes.I mean,c'mon."You've got great shinobi there,Tsunade." or "We've both got some great soldiers,eh Tsunade?".Bullsh't,you're just trying to hit on this strong women with 106 cm,eh Raikage.:3c


Oh how i miss him.:crying

Tell me, do you think it's morally wrong that i find myself being sad that Jiriaya wasn't brought back as a zombie so he could oogle all the attractive female zombies and possibly start up one of the weirdest love triangles in history? With Jiraiya(deceased), Dan(deceased), and Tsunade(really old and wrinkly).:p

Haha,i wouldn't mind that,really.

[M3J]

I still have no idea why people keep saying Sakura's confession was fake. There have been few indications that she does care about Naruto and even has feelings for him. For all we know, she does love Naruto, but she also loves Sasuke as well. Naruto most likely misunderstood her intention as only to try and get him to stop going after Sasuke. I'm not saying her confession was real, just that there's a possibility of it, even if I lean towards it being fake.

[THM Nindo]

I still have no idea why people keep saying Sakura's confession was fake. There have been few indications that she does care about Naruto and even has feelings for him. For all we know, she does love Naruto, but she also loves Sasuke as well. Naruto most likely misunderstood her intention as only to try and get him to stop going after Sasuke. I'm not saying her confession was real, just that there's a possibility of it, even if I lean towards it being fake.

It's 100% clear that it's not entirely fake.

To me, it seems that she really does love Naruto, but she can't get rid of her feelings for Sasuke.
She knew that the "right thing" was to be with Naruto, and simply forget about Sasuke, so she tried to force it by confessing to Naruto, hoping that they both could forget about Sasuke and be happy for a change.

But, she understimated Naruto's fixation on Sasuke.
If she end up with Sasuke in the end, and that Naruto is forced to watch the girl he love being with his rival, he will only have himself to blame.

She was ready to let go Sasuke more than once already, but he was always the one saying "Don't loose hope! I'll get him back for you!" and shit like that.

Naruto is digging his own romance a grave.

[Brill]

I still have no idea why people keep saying Sakura's confession was fake. There have been few indications that she does care about Naruto and even has feelings for him. For all we know, she does love Naruto, but she also loves Sasuke as well. Naruto most likely misunderstood her intention as only to try and get him to stop going after Sasuke. I'm not saying her confession was real, just that there's a possibility of it, even if I lean towards it being fake.

Why? Because Sakura used Naruto's feelings for her to gain advantage over him, and when it doesm't work she leaves. Is that what one does to one's lover after you've confessed your soul to? Only really twisted ones-or ones who don't mean it. Her tone when addressing him was dictatorial, disingenuous, and the moment she confesses she bales 5 minutes later. Why not remain in Konoha village and tell Naruto when he returns from his journey about her new found passion for him? Because it's not real. Why does she travel to a foreign land to tell her feelings to Naruto and then just leave, not stay and develop those "alleged" feelings further. Why not just tell Naruto to forget the promise to her and leave out the confession ettirely? Because she went to the land of Iron to lock down Naruto's movements and she used his feelings for her to do it, and when it didn't work she didn't stay to develop her passion for Naruto, she went back on mission. Makes the whole event fairly shallow doesn't it?

Just because Sakura no longer treats Naruto like a pest doesn't mean she loves Naruto, and Naruto knows she doesn't love him. Sakura is a very open girl about her feelings so when the first words to Naruto are "You just sit down and listen to how I feel about you". It's like talking to a child and it's not how Sakura expresses herself. So yeah, the confession was not real and it wasn't the real Sakura either, it smells of a kunoichi tyring to lock down a target so she could kill her former love interest.

[Jammin]

Why? Because Sakura used Naruto's feelings for her to gain advantage over him, and when it doesm't work she leaves. Is that what one does to one's lover after you've confessed your soul to? Only really twisted ones-or ones who don't mean it. Her tone when addressing him was dictatorial, disingenuous, and the moment she confesses she bales 5 minutes later. Why not remain in Konoha village and tell Naruto when he returns from his journey about her new found passion for him? Because it's not real. Why does she travel to a foreign land to tell her feelings to Naruto and then just leave, not stay and develop those "alleged" feelings further. Why not just tell Naruto to forget the promise to her and leave out the confession ettirely? Because she went to the land of Iron to lock down Naruto's movements and she used his feelings for her to do it, and when it didn't work she didn't stay to develop her passion for Naruto, she went back on mission. Makes the whole event fairly shallow doesn't it?

Just because Sakura no longer treats Naruto like a pest doesn't mean she loves Naruto, and Naruto knows she doesn't love him. Sakura is a very open girl about her feelings so when the first words to Naruto are "You just sit down and listen to how I feel about you". It's like talking to a child and it's not how Sakura expresses herself. So yeah, the confession was not real and it wasn't the real Sakura either, it smells of a kunoichi tyring to lock down a target so she could kill her former love interest. Sakura wasn't just confessing to Naruto though, there was more to it. She was trying to undo some of the damage she thought she had done with regards to his attitude about Sasuke and she was trying to say goodbye.

Did she have an alterior motive in confessing to him other than expressing her love? Absolutely. But i don't think that makes what she said a lie, necessarily. It just wasn't the whole truth.

Sakura didn't have to tell Naruto she loved him to the get the message she was trying to get across. I think that was a separate message she wanted to deliver before she either got herself killed or did the one thing she thought even Naruto would never be able to forgive her for. I think, in that moment Sakura was trying to say a lot of things to Naruto that she wanted him to hear because she thought, one way or another, that would be the last friendly conversation they would ever have.

I don't think Sakura lied about loving Naruto but she did lie to him about not loving Sasuke anymore(or maybe she was lying to herself, like Naruto said she was, it's hard to tell).

-------------------------

Well that's what i think anyway, but like i said, i don't understand Sakura anymore. Maybe i never did and that whole schpeel is just a big load of hot air, you be the judge.:p

[Brill]

Sakura wasn't just confessing to Naruto though, there was more to it. She was trying to undo some of the damage she thought she had done with regards to his attitude about Sasuke and she was trying to say goodbye.

It depends on whather you beleive she was there to do two things or just one thing uisng 2 different angles.


Did she have an alterior motive in confessing to him other than expressing her love? Absolutely. But i don't think that makes what she said a lie, necessarily. It just wasn't the whole truth.

But it doesn't make it true either, especially when all events prior point to the contrary. Her "revelation" comes within the last week after learning Sasuke was a criminal. For example, when Shikamaru goes to Sakura to ask permission to eliminate Sasuke Sakura cooly tells Shikamaru that she'll tell Naruto because the idiot likes her. Now if Sakura supposedly loves Naruto is that the response she should be saying? I don't think so. When the team moves out Sakura is cold, reserved, and calculatng telling everyone not to utter a word. She's not worrying or fretting over what Naruto might say or even fear being rejected by Naruto. She's in ninja mode, not "thinking that my boyfriend might hate me if I kill his best friend" mode. If we had panels where Sakura was questioning her motives or God-forbid actially have Sakura thinking about Naruto, then that would open the door to the confession having some merit.


Sakura didn't have to tell Naruto she loved him to the get the message she was trying to get across. I think that was a separate message she wanted to deliver before she either got herself killed or did the one thing she thought even Naruto would never be able to forgive her for. I think, in that moment Sakura was trying to say a lot of things to Naruto that she wanted him to hear because she thought, one way or another, that would be the last friendly conversation they would ever have.

But the confession wasn't separate, it was tied to asking Naruto to forget about the promise he made to Sakura. It they were separate discussions instead of Sakura's little "Shock and Awe" manuver to get Naruto to give up on Sasuke that would be something to consider, but both Naruto and Kakashi don't believe it. Both Naruto and Kakashi know how SAkura shows affection to the people she loves, and Naruto is painfully aware that Sakura hasn't shown those feelings to him. This is why Narutp says Sakura is lying to herself about loving him-and she is.

[Jammin]

It depends on whather you beleive she was there to do two things or just one thing uisng 2 different angles.

But it doesn't make it true either, especially when all events prior point to the contrary. Her "revelation" comes within the last week after learning Sasuke was a criminal. For example, when Shikamaru goes to Sakura to ask permission to eliminate Sasuke Sakura cooly tells Shikamaru that she'll tell Naruto because the idiot likes her. Now if Sakura supposedly loves Naruto is that the response she should be saying? I don't think so. When the team moves out Sakura is cold, reserved, and calculatng telling everyone not to utter a word. She's not worrying or fretting over what Naruto might say or even fear being rejected by Naruto. She's in ninja mode, not "thinking that my boyfriend might hate me if I kill his best friend" mode. If we had panels where Sakura was questioning her motives or God-forbid actially have Sakura thinking about Naruto, then that would open the door to the confession having some merit.I don't dispute that my way of seeing things isn't the only way. I was giving my opinion, i don't think there is anyway to know for sure whether or not that opinion is correct at the moment.

But i think it fits better with who Sakura is and what she was trying to do, but again that is just my opinion.

What she did only seems dishonest to the point of being semi-evil if you go with the prior notion that she doesn't love Naruto. If go in with opposite prior notion then i don't think what she did really seems bad at all. I mean, at least by my reasoning, she was going to sacrifice both her loves in order keep Naruto from harm(emotionally and physically) and do the right thing by Sasuke(put him out of everyone's misery before he can get worse) and because she felt she had to make amends for allowing Naruto to place all the responsibility regarding Sasuke upon himself.


But the confession wasn't separate, it was tied to asking Naruto to forget about the promise he made to Sakura. It they were separate discussions instead of Sakura's little "Shock and Awe" manuver to get Naruto to give up on Sasuke that would be something to consider, but both Naruto and Kakashi don't believe it. Both Naruto and Kakashi know how SAkura shows affection to the people she loves, and Naruto is painfully aware that Sakura hasn't shown those feelings to him. This is why Narutp says Sakura is lying to herself about loving him-and she is.That's probably what the situation would look like if you look at it with the assumption she didn't love Naruto.

Which is all the more reason i think she does, i just don't think being evil is a part of Sakura's character. She couldn't tell Naruto the truth because she thought he couldn't take it(and judging by him fainting, she was correct). So that restricted what she could say to him.

So, at least in my view, she said her goodbyes and did her best to make what was coming less painful. It's not something i view as a negative

----------------

But again all of this is just my opinions and i have no intention of saying that i am right and all who disagree are wrong. That's just the way i see it.

[THM Nindo]

As usual, I agree with Jammin.

If you take Sakura's confession from the point of view that she actually have feelings for him, she doesn't strike you as "an evil bitch", like everyone seem to see her.

Of course, if she really have no feeling for Naruto, then it's a different story.


For example, when Shikamaru goes to Sakura to ask permission to eliminate Sasuke Sakura cooly tells Shikamaru that she'll tell Naruto because the idiot likes her.

I hate how much people are misinterpreting this...

She's not saying "Naruto is an idiot, and he loves me, so I can use him like I want"
She's says "After all I done, I don't deserve to be love, Naruto is an idiot to love me".

Basically, the one that she's bashing there is not Naruto, but herself.
She's saying that she doesn't deserve his love.

[Nonlife]

Friends of Kishimoto's have admitted romance isn't his "forte." (I think that's right.)
Plus, I don't think Sakura's a pathetic excuse for a woman; before Part II began, she had the resolve to aid Naruto the next time he went after Sasuke. Her character just got downplayed to a "damsel in distress" role.

[Asclepius]

Friends of Kishimoto's have admitted romance isn't his "forte." (I think that's right.)

He can ask some advice from his wife again. :)
MinaKushi gaiden was great with those cute little moments.
:love

[M3J]

Why? Because Sakura used Naruto's feelings for her to gain advantage over him, and when it doesm't work she leaves. Is that what one does to one's lover after you've confessed your soul to? Only really twisted ones-or ones who don't mean it. Her tone when addressing him was dictatorial, disingenuous, and the moment she confesses she bales 5 minutes later. Why not remain in Konoha village and tell Naruto when he returns from his journey about her new found passion for him? Because it's not real. Why does she travel to a foreign land to tell her feelings to Naruto and then just leave, not stay and develop those "alleged" feelings further. Why not just tell Naruto to forget the promise to her and leave out the confession ettirely? Because she went to the land of Iron to lock down Naruto's movements and she used his feelings for her to do it, and when it didn't work she didn't stay to develop her passion for Naruto, she went back on mission. Makes the whole event fairly shallow doesn't it?
One of the reasons why she confessed was because she wanted Naruto to lay off Sasuke, and she did it in the way that she thought would suit Naruto the best. She didn't tell him to stop going after Sasuke out of selfishness, but it was because she was bringing Naruto pain by having him stick to his promise that she confessed to him in hopes that he wouldn't feel burdened with having to get Sasuke back. Was it a real confession? Was it fake? I have no idea, but it shouldn't automatically be thought of as fake just because she had an agenda as well.

That was the main reason why she went to a foreign land, tells him her feelings, and leaves when it doesn't go her way - it wasn't just about having Naruto know she loved him, but it was about easing his burden and ending the promise of bringing back Sasuke. Had Sai not told Sakura this, then I highly doubt she'd have confessed to him, at least like this. Not to mention, Sasuke declared to be assassinated on sight. Sakura was thinking about Naruto, and she knew Naruto would be very burdened and upset had Sasuke been killed due to the fact that he couldn't uphold his promise to her, which she thinks was the main reason he kept pursuing Sasuke.

She thought Naruto would refuse, especially since she knew that Naruto knew Sakura loved Sasuke. Previous and this statements are speculation: Sakura wanted Naruto to stop chasing Sasuke because she didn't want to see what would happen to Naruto if he failed at saving Sasuke or bringing him back, and it was pretty dangerous for him as well since he had Akatsuki to deal with as well, so Sakura did what she thought was best, and she probably admitted her feelings for her as well since she realized what kind of a person Naruto is.

Her mission wasn't only because she loved Sasuke, but also for Naruto. She didn't want Naruto and even Kakashi to bear the burden of having to kill Sasuke, nor did she want Sasuke to live forever in the darkness.



Just because Sakura no longer treats Naruto like a pest doesn't mean she loves Naruto, and Naruto knows she doesn't love him. Sakura is a very open girl about her feelings so when the first words to Naruto are "You just sit down and listen to how I feel about you". It's like talking to a child and it's not how Sakura expresses herself. So yeah, the confession was not real and it wasn't the real Sakura either, it smells of a kunoichi tyring to lock down a target so she could kill her former love interest.

Does Naruto really know that? He didn't even know Hinata liked him or that Sakura really loved Sasuke until towards the end. Although Sakura treating Naruto better doesn't mean she loves him, it definitely means she cares for him as she did get upset many times over the fact that she was unable to help Naruto out and that Naruto's life was in great danger.

Sakura could express herself different to Naruto. She does treat Naruto as an idiot, but that's probably because of how Naruto established himself. It could have been the real Sakura for all we know.



Naruto is painfully aware that Sakura hasn't shown those feelings to him. This is why Narutp says Sakura is lying to herself about loving him-and she is.

For example, when Shikamaru goes to Sakura to ask permission to eliminate Sasuke Sakura cooly tells Shikamaru that she'll tell Naruto because the idiot likes her. Now if Sakura supposedly loves Naruto is that the response she should be saying? I don't think so. When the team moves out Sakura is cold, reserved, and calculatng telling everyone not to utter a word. She's not worrying or fretting over what Naruto might say or even fear being rejected by Naruto.
Rather, Naruto is unaware that Sakura has shown some kind of feelings towards Naruto. He was either unconscious or probably misinterpreted (when Sakura cried after learning jinchuuriki died when their bijuu were extracted). Naruto may think he's unworthy of her love or can't believe someone loves him, especially after the way Sakura's treated him in the past. We can't use Naruto's statement as a sure fact that Sakura's confession was fake.

i think she was calling Naruto an idiot for still liking/loving her, as in she wasn't worthy to receive his love.

She was planning on killing Sasuke and was planning on having Naruto give up chasing Sasuke. It'd make sense.

She was worried what Naruto would think, but she said she deserved this after what she put Naruto through. I don't 100% recall this, but she did show worry about Naruto's thoughts upon realizing what she was gonna do... I think.

[Misazuki]

BTW because I can't seem to edit my post what I meant was Sakura's confession was fake because she obviously wasn't there to be with hi but she could still love him and not realize it or acknowledge it at this point. Her confession can be argued both ways though fake or true.

[Gingitsune]

If Sakura's confession was not fake, since when did she loves Naruto and why didn't she confess before? That's the fishy part about the whole business. :neutral

As for Sakura not being aware that she loves Naruto, it sounds stretchy, she was quite aware that she loves Sasuke, how can't she recognise the same feeling? The only way around would be that she is in denial and is indeed lying to herself, but the confession would still be fake because she was unsincere if she's right against her own intents. :neutral

Although MJ3 and Jammin have compeling points, I can't shake off my original concerns.

[huynhlan]

I think sakura's confession was a fake because of the action and the timing of it, for one thing the action she take after the confession in trying to kill sasuke but couldn't show that she still love him, and to me a girl being in love with two person at the same time is impossible, yes sakura show that she care for naruto, but it doesn't mean she love him, she can think of him as a friends that all, even if like some of you guy said sakura did love naruto, it won't change the fact that she love sasuke more, therefore confession to the one you don't love the most mean that confession was fake. Secondly the timing of her confession prove it was fake, she have no reason to confess to him at that moment, she could have just told him the truth rather than something like that just to make him forget his promise to her, and then confess to him another time, but no she didn't she still talk about sasuke during that confession, how can that be call an honest confession, she was using his feeling for her in order to get him to forget about sasuke therfore that confession was fake, and don't trying saying sakura now love naruto more than sasuke for all we know that is a lie.

[Brill]

Ah so many interesting things to comment on and not enough time.


I
...What she did only seems dishonest to the point of being semi-evil if you go with the prior notion that she doesn't love Naruto. If go in with opposite prior notion then i don't think what she did really seems bad at all. I mean, at least by my reasoning, she was going to sacrifice both her loves in order keep Naruto from harm(emotionally and physically) and do the right thing by Sasuke(put him out of everyone's misery before he can get worse) and because she felt she had to make amends for allowing Naruto to place all the responsibility regarding Sasuke upon himself.

Is she sacrificing both loves? If Naruto had said yes that is the green light to eliminate Sasuke. Naruto and Sakura live happily every after and Hinata gets the shaft-or not. :p Sakura has thought through a lot of contingencies if the first round didn't work. Her "reasons" for loving him were a lie, her "revelation" as to when it happened was a lie, her body language was all off, and after she got rejected she regained her composure quickly and went back to the origninal mission-killing Sasuke. She didn't look downtrodden after getting dumped from the boy she now loves. How much lying will it take to convince you that it's a sham? Sakura is trying (poorly) to rectify the injustice that she put on Naruto by making the request to get back Sasuke 3 years ago, but she went about it wrong. She should have stopped the attack of Sasuke if Naruto did not go along with ther plan-which he ddin't. Instead she continues the assault on Sasuke. It would have been better if they had left Naruto alone and killed Sasuke directly, because if Sakura had died killing Sasuke after telling Naruto how she felt about him, it would have been more painful to Naruto than if she hadn't. Anoher example of Sakura not thinking about Naruto's feelings.


Which is all the more reason i think she does, i just don't think being evil is a part of Sakura's character. She couldn't tell Naruto the truth because she thought he couldn't take it(and judging by him fainting, she was correct). So that restricted what she could say to him.

So, at least in my view, she said her goodbyes and did her best to make what was coming less painful. It's not something i view as a negative


Sakura isn't evil per-se, she's just caught up in the "group think" of the cycle of hate. No one from Konoha wanted to kill Sasuke, they decided to do it to prevent a war from supposedly breakling out. Is that evil? It's securely in the grey column, however, she's foresaking her promise to Naruto to get Sasuke back, she lying to get Naruto to back down, and she;s lying to herself on how she feels about Sasuke and Naruto. Is that evil, maybe/maybe not, but it sure as hell isn't healthy.



hate how much people are misinterpreting this...

She's not saying "Naruto is an idiot, and he loves me, so I can use him like I want"
She's says "After all I done, I don't deserve to be love, Naruto is an idiot to love me".

Basically, the one that she's bashing there is not Naruto, but herself.
She's saying that she doesn't deserve his love.

It's a fair interpretation of the order of events. Sakura's response is her reply to Shikamaru's inquiry justifying why she should be the one to do it. Granted Sakura is having her 2nd self-loathing moment of Part II but she didn't need to say those lines to get the job, did she? Hell, Shikamaru could have done the deed, he's freinds with Naruto, but Sakura decided she would be the one to do it, and she gave the reason why she was qualified.



One of the reasons why she confessed was because she wanted Naruto to lay off Sasuke, and she did it in the way that she thought would suit Naruto the best. She didn't tell him to stop going after Sasuke out of selfishness, but it was because she was bringing Naruto pain by having him stick to his promise that she confessed to him in hopes that he wouldn't feel burdened with having to get Sasuke back. Was it a real confession? Was it fake? I have no idea, but it shouldn't automatically be thought of as fake just because she had an agenda as well.

Sakura did want to release Naruto from the burden of his promise to her but she also went to relieve herself of guilt as well-the pain she caused him for the promise and the future pain of killing Sasuke. It wasn't completely selfless. Otherwise, she could have killed Sasuke then tell Naruto how she feels and the same goals are accomplished. Love can forgive many cruel acts.


That was the main reason why she went to a foreign land, tells him her feelings, and leaves when it doesn't go her way - it wasn't just about having Naruto know she loved him, but it was about easing his burden and ending the promise of bringing back Sasuke. Had Sai not told Sakura this, then I highly doubt she'd have confessed to him, at least like this. Not to mention, Sasuke declared to be assassinated on sight. Sakura was thinking about Naruto, and she knew Naruto would be very burdened and upset had Sasuke been killed due to the fact that he couldn't uphold his promise to her, which she thinks was the main reason he kept pursuing Sasuke.

If telling Naruto was her main goal, then why did she bring along Lee and Sai along. The most she'd need to bring along is Kiba to track down Naruto. They were formed to kill Sasuke, Naruto was a stop along the way.

You're right, Captain Clueless (Sai) needed to fill in Sakura that Naruto loved her and was sufferinhg because of "something" that was promised between them, so Sakura could free Naruto from Sasuke. The problem is that Sakura doesn't know the other reason why Naruto follows Sasuke-the bond that Naruto and Sasuke share. She didn't understand it nor the reason for Naruto's refusal, that Sasuke did not return to Konoha because of Konoha's genocide of the Uchiha. It Naruto had told her the truth, Sakura probably would have gone fetal crying out the name of her "true" love. :p

[Nonlife]

You're right, Captain Clueless (Sai) needed to fill in Sakura that Naruto loved her and was sufferinhg because of "something" that was promised between them, so Sakura could free Naruto from Sasuke. The problem is that Sakura doesn't know the other reason why Naruto follows Sasuke-the bond that Naruto and Sasuke share. She didn't understand it nor the reason for Naruto's refusal, that Sasuke did not return to Konoha because of Konoha's genocide of the Uchiha. It Naruto had told her the truth, Sakura probably would have gone fetal crying out the name of her "true" love. :p

(Sai did inform her that Naruto loved her.) Nevertheless, it seems Kishimoto also forgot about the earlier chapters when it seemed evident Sakura knew about the brotherly bond between Sasuke & Naruto - in the first few chapters with Sai when he first joined Team 7.

[M3J]

If Sakura's confession was not fake, since when did she loves Naruto and why didn't she confess before? That's the fishy part about the whole business. :neutral

As for Sakura not being aware that she loves Naruto, it sounds stretchy, she was quite aware that she loves Sasuke, how can't she recognise the same feeling? The only way around would be that she is in denial and is indeed lying to herself, but the confession would still be fake because she was unsincere if she's right against her own intents. :neutral

Although MJ3 and Jammin have compeling points, I can't shake off my original concerns.
She could have either felt undeserving or didn't know how she felt about Naruto yet. Her talk with Yamato before Naruto wakes up after being healed shows that, but this could be a point of view thing, so there could be no wrong answer here.

The difference is though, Sasuke was the type of person that almost any girl fell in love with. Naruto however, was the opposite: it was so far only Hinata that was interested in him. If Naruto's image was a lot like Sasuke's when Part II started, then Sakura may have had more romantic interest in him than we've seen due to the way Naruto would remind her of, and the way Sasuke acted. I think she didn't realize she loved Naruto or liked him because he didn't act like the one that she did like/love.



Sakura did want to release Naruto from the burden of his promise to her but she also went to relieve herself of guilt as well-the pain she caused him for the promise and the future pain of killing Sasuke. It wasn't completely selfless. Otherwise, she could have killed Sasuke then tell Naruto how she feels and the same goals are accomplished. Love can forgive many cruel acts.
The problem could be though is that Naruto didn't know about her plan to kill Sasuke and probably didn't want him interfering. She wanted to make sure Naruto was out of the way before going after Sasuke, if she'd have still chosen that route had Naruto listened to her.


If telling Naruto was her main goal, then why did she bring along Lee and Sai along. The most she'd need to bring along is Kiba to track down Naruto. They were formed to kill Sasuke, Naruto was a stop along the way.

You're right, Captain Clueless (Sai) needed to fill in Sakura that Naruto loved her and was sufferinhg because of "something" that was promised between them, so Sakura could free Naruto from Sasuke. The problem is that Sakura doesn't know the other reason why Naruto follows Sasuke-the bond that Naruto and Sasuke share. She didn't understand it nor the reason for Naruto's refusal, that Sasuke did not return to Konoha because of Konoha's genocide of the Uchiha. It Naruto had told her the truth, Sakura probably would have gone fetal crying out the name of her "true" love. :p

It was her main reason as to why she wen to Land of Iron, I think. Not sure if she'd have still gone after Sasuke had she not met Naruto. Gotta remember though, going a bit far with just Kiba is dangerous due to enemies, they need at least two more people in the cell to form a basic 4-cell team. It's the basics in ninja, I think. Having Rock Lee tag along makes sense (although she should have figured telling Sai was dangerous).

she understood why Naruto went after Sasuke. She told Sai the bond between Naruto and Sasuke. She could have also thought Naruto was still either determined to bring him back for her, like avoiding killing him or going as all out.

Though, Sakura did side with Naruto and yell at Sasuke when they reunited. Told Sasuke how Naruto kept defending him and etc when Sasuke went wacko.

[sho87]

Meh, I don't see how Sakura would possibly be a good match for Naruto. She's bland, deceitful, weak willed and always confrontational at the wrong times. She's everything that I would never fall in love in a women if I were Naruto and there are better girls out there than her, preferably Hinata.

But she is the main love interest, so I can't argue that. Kishi surely knows that just because she's the main heroine she doesn't have to end up with the main character due to status quo cliches, not only that they are the two most poorly developed dynamics with little emotional investment compared to the Naruto/Sasuke bond the overall plot and story.

NaruSaku just seems like the easy way out, like how all shounen romances are even though the story emphasizes on the other major parts and themes like fights and nakama more than love(love is a strong and powerful emotional and theme), Kishimoto wouldn't write the couple believable enough for me to be convinced that their so called relationship has a equal intensity as Naruto/Sasuke or the Will of Fire/Chain of Fire plot. It'll just be so shallow and insignificant.

That is why I hope no pairings happen but if one should happen it be with the Hyuuga girl and the main character. It doesn't effect the plot, but it doesn't have any setbacks or flaws to it to ruin or narrate how akward and confusing it is. It's pure if not deep based on how the two share a same ethical perspective on hardwork and never giving up. And Naruto never ignores her or bashes her skull in for being shy, he just is clueless and naive and wants her to be with him as friend. Love should be a happy emotion in shounen, not a dark and flawed one. It could be like the Ippo x kumi relationship from Hajime no Ippo.

Naruto and Sakura to me are just friendly best buddies with a mutal respect in each other, but they have little common ground in both integerity and inner strength which Naruto hates in people.

[pimp naruto kun]

^ I can understand what you are saying about the pairing but I think the problem os saying that is, In Kishi's current situation almost any pairing option could be easy to do.If kishi wanted to he could pair naruto with some random girl he meets and put very little developement into it or gove up and not make any visible pairings. I think any one of the already established pairings could be regarded as easy or difficult to happen I mean you could easily say narusaku is simply main hero main heroine pairing but then it becomes difficult when sakura still may have feelings for sasuke and stuff like that. The same could be said for naruto and Hinata, main hero with shy girl. also she already confessed her love to him all he has to do is say yes and pairing complete with litlle development. I mean it seems like the idea of the easy way out is you not liking the couple imo I mean mean if you really look at it any of the big three would be hard to do so that they had enough developement and didn't feel forced or anything so for me personally the only easy way out would be pariring naruto with anyone without any explanation. Almost everypairing including nh and ns has opstacles so maybe it just me but it seems like you just don't like ns so ir is automatically the easy way out

[ashher]

Chouji x ino...its this close to becoming canon!!!

[AaEd SaSuke]

actually what i thin is after Naruto convince Sasuke to get back and after they get back Somehow this is what will happen

Sasuke and Sakura
Naruto and Hinata
Shikamaru and Ino
and ..... :) thats what i say :)

[Jessie]

Chouji x ino...its this close to becoming canon!!!
Give me an Ino x Choji and Shikamaru x Temari double date after the war Kishimoto and I will forever love you. Well, there was no InoCHo in this chapter, but I do think we will see Ino, Shika, and Choji getting love interests to eventually start that next Ino-Shika-Cho generation. Continuing their clans is a big deal to Kishi.

I still doubt Ino is the girl for Choji though. I believe all three see each other as siblings. Like blood brothers. So introducing romance into this might mess it up. Kishi might have someone else in mind for Choji.

I always wondered what the Naruto and Sakura relationship might have been like if Naruto saw her more as a sister type?

[M3J]

I think it'd be as we saw it in Part II before the whole Pain arc. Sakura headstrong and not afraid to whack Naruto and more comfortable around him, Naruto the same, but more bruised since he wouldn't care as much what he'd say to someone he considered his sister. It'd be funnier, I think. Their interactions used to be good until Sakura confessed to Naruto.

<_<

[huynhlan]

If in the end naruto really does end up with sakura, than I for one will feel really bad for him, because sakura doesn't love him the most she love sasuke more, and even after that faked confession naruto still can't get over sakura then too bad, he reach a new level of stupidness in my book, and please don't any one argue that sakura confession was real, kishi himself said it was fake, but anyway seeing ino and chouji in the recent chapter make me think they might end up together, but then again, if they did, then the ino-chou-ka combo will be gone, I don't want that to happen at all.

[Sumoka Kimono]

Me like Naruto and Hinata! Hinata good woman, she shy and helpful like real woman! Sakura no woman, she go whackwhack on Naruto and yell! Woman need shy and helpful, no violence. Sakura go die, let Hinata dating Naruto.

Yet, me like Sasuke and Naruto much. Yaoi so awesome! :droll

[lawlett-kun]

Ehm yeah sakura no good.DO you even find her cute at all? Like she is so very so so meh... Imo Hinata much better, she got teh *breasts* cough cough. Well anyway

1) Naruto x Hinata
2)Ino x Shika
3) Lee x Tenten
4) Neji x ?
5) Kakashi vs SHizune (maybeh)
6) Sakura =4ever alone

[Jammin]

I've never thought Sakura was very attractive, at least by manga standards. It was said, in one of the interviews, that Kishimoto went out of his way to try and make Sakura "not cute" and i think he pretty much succeeded. She's not ugly but she has a cuteness factor of 0%. In my opinion Hinata is better looking and that Ino is WAY better looking(by a lot).

But that's always endeared the Naruto character to me somewhat. Sakura isn't the coolest or most beautiful. Yet throughout the whole series she's only girl i can recall him having the hots for. That makes him seem less shallow than a character that just goes for the prettiest face.

That does raise a question though...why does Naruto like her so much?:blink

As much as i loath the overuse of flashbacks, i'd really like one to explain that. What exactly did she do that originally caught his attention? Seems like he has been carrying a torch for her since the second chapter of the series and we still don't really know why.

--------------------

As for this supposedly romantic stuff between Chouji and Ino, i just don't see it that way.

I'm not against the idea of them getting together but everything i've seen seems like it's much more about Shikamaru, Chouji and, Ino as a team. As opposed to Chouji and Ino as some sort of couple. It doesn't seem to me like it's building up to that either, at least not in any way i found noticeable.:oh

[Jessie]

But that's always endeared the Naruto character to me somewhat. Sakura isn't the coolest or most beautiful. Yet throughout the whole series she's only girl i can recall him having the hots for. That makes him seem less shallow than a character that just goes for the prettiest face.

That does raise a question though...why does Naruto like her so much?:blink

As much as i loath the overuse of flashbacks, i'd really like one to explain that. What exactly did she do that originally caught his attention? Seems like he has been carrying a torch for her since the second chapter of the series and we still don't really know why.

Not only Naruto, but Rock Lee still drools over her. Maybe it's the girl next door thing? Sakura has those qualities. Not one guy has noticed Ino, Hinata, Tenten, Karin, Karui, Temari, or Samui, but Sakura has two guys after her. Like Olive Oil. :p. Inari did though say Sakura was very pretty when he saw her again after the Pain Arc. So in canon she is thought of as attractive now.


As for this supposedly romantic stuff between Chouji and Ino, i just don't see it that way.

I'm not against the idea of them getting together but everything i've seen seems like it's much more about Shikamaru, Chouji and, Ino as a team. As opposed to Chouji and Ino as some sort of couple. It doesn't seem to me like it's building up to that either, at least not in any way i found noticeable.:oh
I don't get it either. There was no romance in this chapter. Nothing. Choji wants to get married. Well so does Shikamaru, Naruto and probably every other guy. This was about the team. Romance ruins teams.

I think a lot of fans believe it will end up Shika x Temari and Ino x Choji. A perfect foursome. So anything they see furthering that they jump on. It's similar with Naruto x Hinata and Sasuke x Sakura. What's funny is that Ino x Choji is NOT a popular pairing. There is very little fanart or fanfics that feature it in a fandom where every pairing has lots of material. Likely cause Choji is not a hottie and is rather unpopular. Shikamaru x Ino is way more popular. So is Sai x Ino and even Sasuke x Ino(yuck). I can even find more stuff with Ino with weird people like Neji, Gaara, Deidara, Itachi, and Kiba than with Choji. Go figure.

[M3J]

I see Ino with Sai rather than Ino with either Shikamaru or Chouji. Ino looks more like she considers them both as her younger brothers and she the mature one who pushes them to do something.

Gimme Shikamaru x Temari please. The others I don't care, though seeing Ino a lot would be good. :hurr

[Delbi]

If Kushina's wish means anything then Sakura and Naruto will end up together. And quite frankly I fail to see how anyone is going to end up with Sasuke lol. He tried to kill Sakura, so I doubt she's going to fall for him again.

As for why Naruto like Sakura so much, it's due to his attraction to her and also possibly because she liked Sasuke his rival. Whatever "love" he may have for her would roll back to the fact he was attracted to her as a child and became closer to her as teammates.

[dragoon3646]

quite frankly I fail to see how anyone is going to end up with Sasuke lol. He tried to kill Sakura, so I doubt she's going to fall for him again.

I don't understand why people still hope for Sasuke X Sakura

http://www.mangareader.net/93-47297-8/naruto/chapter-483.html

http://www.mangareader.net/93-47597-15/naruto/chapter-484.html

the look on Sasuke's face he didn't hesitate to try to end her twice!

http://www.mangareader.net/93-47597-14/naruto/chapter-484.html

Sakura on the other hand hesitated the relationship is so one sided, and i think it will always will be.

the only person Sasuke seems to hesitate with was naruto

http://www.mangareader.net/93-48084-9/naruto/chapter-486.html

As Sasuke is so ready to kill Sakura not once but twice. showing no feeling what so ever, his friendship with naruto means more to him. I'm not saying sasuke is gay but he has no interest in Sakura at all what so ever.
I think every other pairing has a chance but if this pairing happen I don't know what Kishimoto is smoking then! Like how would that date go? "um....yea I'm sorry I tired to kill you a few times, and I may try it one more time but I will always love you babe!"

[Smokes]

I've never thought Sakura was very attractive, at least by manga standards. It was said, in one of the interviews, that Kishimoto went out of his way to try and make Sakura "not cute" and i think he pretty much succeeded. She's not ugly but she has a cuteness factor of 0%. In my opinion Hinata is better looking and that Ino is WAY better looking(by a lot).

But that's always endeared the Naruto character to me somewhat. Sakura isn't the coolest or most beautiful. Yet throughout the whole series she's only girl i can recall him having the hots for. That makes him seem less shallow than a character that just goes for the prettiest face.

That does raise a question though...why does Naruto like her so much?:blink

As much as i loath the overuse of flashbacks, i'd really like one to explain that. What exactly did she do that originally caught his attention? Seems like he has been carrying a torch for her since the second chapter of the series and we still don't really know why.

I've had this question too.

I'm thinking that he may have fallen for her back in the day when she was the odd woman out because of her forehead....You know, back before Ino taught her to be confident in herself and she got teased all the time. Being excluded would make her like Naruto, and he's got a thing for people who were cast aside like he was...... That's all I can come up with.

From that flashback it also looked like all the boys in Konoha just assumed that all the girls would just be chasing after Sasuke. So they just gave up on chasing anybody. Lee and Naruto, I think, are the only exceptions. But why Lee also picked Sakura with the likes of Ino traipsing around, I don't get that at all. LOL....maybe it's like he sees her as the weakest antelope in the herd, beauty wise, and she's the only one he feels he stands a chance with.

I don't think Kishi is gonna explain any of it though.

[Rikudou Sennin]

Maybe, no joke here, that Naruto is the mum-type person.

It sounds weird but many men end up with girls resembling their mothers in some way. Even though Naruto didnt know his mum then, it might happen somewhere in the brain.

The other ideas a great as well.

I wouldnt mind Ino and Naruto , even though there is no idication to that.

[Brill]

Meh, I don't see how Sakura would possibly be a good match for Naruto. She's bland, deceitful, weak willed and always confrontational at the wrong times. She's everything that I would never fall in love in a women if I were Naruto and there are better girls out there than her, preferably Hinata.

But she is the main love interest, so I can't argue that. Kishi surely knows that just because she's the main heroine she doesn't have to end up with the main character due to status quo cliches, not only that they are the two most poorly developed dynamics with little emotional investment compared to the Naruto/Sasuke bond the overall plot and story.

NaruSaku just seems like the easy way out, like how all shounen romances are even though the story emphasizes on the other major parts and themes like fights and nakama more than love(love is a strong and powerful emotional and theme), Kishimoto wouldn't write the couple believable enough for me to be convinced that their so called relationship has a equal intensity as Naruto/Sasuke or the Will of Fire/Chain of Fire plot. It'll just be so shallow and insignificant.

That is why I hope no pairings happen but if one should happen it be with the Hyuuga girl and the main character. It doesn't effect the plot, but it doesn't have any setbacks or flaws to it to ruin or narrate how akward and confusing it is. It's pure if not deep based on how the two share a same ethical perspective on hardwork and never giving up. And Naruto never ignores her or bashes her skull in for being shy, he just is clueless and naive and wants her to be with him as friend. Love should be a happy emotion in shounen, not a dark and flawed one. It could be like the Ippo x kumi relationship from Hajime no Ippo.

Naruto and Sakura to me are just friendly best buddies with a mutal respect in each other, but they have little common ground in both integerity and inner strength which Naruto hates in people.

Regardless if Kishi drew Sakura to be "non-cute" the problem is that very few care for her personality. People like tsunderes even with a little bit of emo, but not emos who are wannabe tsunderes-and that is what Sakura is. If Sakura were tsundere this wouldn't be a contest-hell, even I would cheer her on. However, people would rather cheer for the bashful Hinata over the emo Sakura, and it seems the main reason people are still with Sakura is that she is still apparently Naruto's only love interest. As Jammin said we have no idea why Naruto likes Sakura, he juist does, but nothing has developed to make it endearing-and there are enough people dissatisfied with HInata that they will pull candidates out of left field like Karin to envision a relationship that could possibly develop since there is so much baggage with Sakura.

[M3J]

Hey, I support Naruto x Karin because of their personalities. Karin is feisty like Naruto, she'd be a humorous pair with him. Other than the calm, collected thing most of the time in the heat, she's a lot like Kushina.

[Newkerzy]

If you think about it, that could also be proof that she's an Uzumaki.

My thoughts on the possible ChouIno pairing: I kinda hope Ino will say something like, "your "big" side is definitely something I don't like very much, but the cool, confident side of you.... is something I like" It makes sense with Asuma talking about Chouji's confidence in this chapter.

[Jessie]

I wonder if Karin is still in Konoha? I don't think she is an Uzumaki. But she is like Kushina both in personality and looks. And Naruto did find his mom to be a babe. :oh

Did anyone think the Sakura confession was handled better in the anime? I had a different feeling about it watching the anime.


If you think about it, that could also be proof that she's an Uzumaki.

My thoughts on the possible ChouIno pairing: I kinda hope Ino will say something like, "your "big" side is definitely something I don't like very much, but the cool, confident side of you.... is something I like" It makes sense with Asuma talking about Chouji's confidence in this chapter.
Based on this chapter I don't think Kishi is going to do any InoCho. It looks like he will keep Team 10 as friends/sibling-like which to me is the correct decision. Ino didn't really react to Choji and spent most of her time with Shikamaru. Romance between the three would ruin what they have. Kishi can do Shikamaru x Temari because it doesn't interfere with any team dynamic.

Choji will get married, but it can be to anyone. Maybe even a new character. Or perhaps even Shiho if Shikamaru lets her down gently.

I do have total confidence that we will see Kishi showing Ino-Shika-Chou working on a 17th generation given how important he showed their clan bonds.

[pimp naruto kun]

Idk why but i remember a post I made a while ago back and i was always curious what people think and if this will ever be brought up again or remain a mistery.

So one thing that has kind of interested me from the beginning is the scene were Naruto transforms into Sasuke:

http://manga.animea.net/naruto-chapter-3-page-16.html

Sakura doesn't know that its Naruto and not Sasuke who compliments here and talks about her forehead. I always wondered if it was possible that in some way this action influenced how she felt about Sasuke. It is obvious that she liked Sasuke before this point but I just always wondered if it made her think Sasuke was interested in her. I mean its pretty apparent she would still have liked him regardless of if this happened but I always wonder if this would ever come up again in her relation to her possible feelings for naruto.

I dont think it will cause Kishi has probably forgot about this but I always wondered what would happen if she found out it was naruto who said that to her.

[Jessie]

Idk why but i remember a post I made a while ago back and i was always curious what people think and if this will ever be brought up again or remain a mistery.

So one thing that has kind of interested me from the beginning is the scene were Naruto transforms into Sasuke:

http://manga.animea.net/naruto-chapter-3-page-16.html

Sakura doesn't know that its Naruto and not Sasuke who compliments here and talks about her forehead. I always wondered if it was possible that in some way this action influenced how she felt about Sasuke. It is obvious that she liked Sasuke before this point but I just always wondered if it made her think Sasuke was interested in her. I mean its pretty apparent she would still have liked him regardless of if this happened but I always wonder if this would ever come up again in her relation to her possible feelings for naruto.
I believe Sakura later figured out that was Naruto. She is a smart girl and even said at the time that Sasuke was not acting like himself. She probably put two and two together given Sasuke's later stoic behavior and Naruto's fondness for tricking people. Of course we don't know that. I am only assuming that she figured this out in-universe.

I don't think that scene had any influence on the relationships since it was intended as comedy.


I dont think it will cause Kishi has probably forgot about this but I always wondered what would happen if she found out it was naruto who said that to her.
Nothing. She already knows Naruto loves her. So it wouldn't change a thing.

To me, the most damning thing about Naruto x Sakura is that Sakura knows how Naruto feels about her, but doesn't want to change their relationship.

It's the same situation with Naruto and Hinata, The most damning thing about about Naruto x Hinata is that Naruto knows how Hinata feels about him, but hasn't done anything about it. We might give Naruto a pass here since he had bigger things on his mind since the Pain fight.

But still, one sided relationships don't a have a good track record in this manga.

Sakura loves Sasuke. Sasuke never returns her affections.
Ino liked Sasuke. Sasuke barely knew she existed.
Karin loved Sasuke. Sasuke tried to kill her.
Rock Lee loves Sakura. Sakura does not love Rock Lee.
Shiho likes Shikamaru. He is not interested in her.
Jiraiya loved Tsunade. Tsunade loved Dan and never could admit loving Jiraiya until it was too late.

Romance in Naruto, like everywhere else, needs the two parties to be mutually interested. You are better off with two people who sort of like each other and just need a push than with a one-sided love. Think Minato x Kushina or Asuma x Kurenai. Shikamaru x Temari is like this if Kishi ever bothers to move on it.

I guess a Naruto x Hinata fan could argue that once Naruto is finished with saving the world, he'll tell us his feelings about what Hinata said. Then it could happen. But until someone makes a move, everything will continue to be in limbo.

[Muka]

weak willed

I really don't agree with that. She's not. Sakura is really strong willed and stubborn, just like Naruto.


If in the end naruto really does end up with sakura, than I for one will feel really bad for him, because sakura doesn't love him the most she love sasuke more, and even after that faked confession naruto still can't get over sakura then too bad, he reach a new level of stupidness in my book, and please don't any one argue that sakura confession was real, kishi himself said it was fake, but anyway seeing ino and chouji in the recent chapter make me think they might end up together, but then again, if they did, then the ino-chou-ka combo will be gone, I don't want that to happen at all.

Who knows ?
At 13 you're don't really sure about who you love, and about what love is.
She thought Sasuke was the one, but maybe she was wrong.
Very soon in the manga, she does blush for Naruto.
And Naruto happened to be exactly what she wanted many times.
I don't get it : where do you saw Kishi told it was fake ? On the contrary, i saw an interview were he told she was honest and determined.
Naruto still entertain a bond for Sasuke too, and he's gone pretty far.
Sakura haven't done nothing wrong consciously to Naruto, and i think she already bash herself very much for all that.


I believe Sakura later figured out that was Naruto. She is a smart girl and even said at the time that Sasuke was not acting like himself. She probably put two and two together given Sasuke's later stoic behavior and Naruto's fondness for tricking people. Of course we don't know that. I am only assuming that she figured this out in-universe.

I don't think that scene had any influence on the relationships since it was intended as comedy.

I would not be so sure about that.
When Sai told her that Naruto loves her sincerely, she was shocked.
She has never realised how much Naruto loved her.
I think she never realised that was Naruto back then, on the bench.
And I think if she knew it, that could change some things.
She's clever, but when it comes to feelings, she's dense. Just like Naruto.

[Newkerzy]

I believe Sakura later figured out that was Naruto. She is a smart girl and even said at the time that Sasuke was not acting like himself. She probably put two and two together given Sasuke's later stoic behavior and Naruto's fondness for tricking people. Of course we don't know that. I am only assuming that she figured this out in-universe.

I don't think that scene had any influence on the relationships since it was intended as comedy.


Nothing. She already knows Naruto loves her. So it wouldn't change a thing.

To me, the most damning thing about Naruto x Sakura is that Sakura knows how Naruto feels about her, but doesn't want to change their relationship.

It's the same situation with Naruto and Hinata, The most damning thing about about Naruto x Hinata is that Naruto knows how Hinata feels about him, but hasn't done anything about it. We might give Naruto a pass here since he had bigger things on his mind since the Pain fight.

But still, one sided relationships don't a have a good track record in this manga.

Sakura loves Sasuke. Sasuke never returns her affections.
Ino liked Sasuke. Sasuke barely knew she existed.
Karin loved Sasuke. Sasuke tried to kill her.
Rock Lee loves Sakura. Sakura does not love Rock Lee.
Shiho likes Shikamaru. He is not interested in her.
Jiraiya loved Tsunade. Tsunade loved Dan and never could admit loving Jiraiya until it was too late.

Romance in Naruto, like everywhere else, needs the two parties to be mutually interested. You are better off with two people who sort of like each other and just need a push than with a one-sided love. Think Minato x Kushina or Asuma x Kurenai. Shikamaru x Temari is like this if Kishi ever bothers to move on it.

I guess a Naruto x Hinata fan could argue that once Naruto is finished with saving the world, he'll tell us his feelings about what Hinata said. Then it could happen. But until someone makes a move, everything will continue to be in limbo.

About the bench scene, judging by the whole "Red Thread of Fate" chapter, I think Kishi will go back on it. Perhaps saying the exact same thing as that day before Naruto goes on to the final battle.

About your frustrations on NxS, are you sure you didn't mean Naruto? it was Naruto who pretty much wants to keep the status quo between them. But after the Team 7 reunion, it seems to me that he may be a bit more active in pursuing Sakura as we can see by Kakashi saying how it seems a lot of burden has been lifted off of him. If anything, his active pursuing might be slightly subtle but it's still there.

[Jessie]

About your frustrations on NxS, are you sure you didn't mean Naruto? it was Naruto who pretty much wants to keep the status quo between them. But after the Team 7 reunion, it seems to me that he may be a bit more active in pursuing Sakura as we can see by Kakashi saying how it seems a lot of burden has been lifted off of him. If anything, his active pursuing might be slightly subtle but it's still there.
Naruto has asked Sakura on a date many times. So he clearly wants a different relationship. Admittedly, he does it humorously to take the sting out of the rejection, but he does want Sakura to accept and be his girlfriend. Even if he doesn't really know what that entails. :amuse

It's Sakura and her feelings for Sasuke that is preventing any potential relationship with Naruto. And Naruto has accepted this.



I would not be so sure about that.
When Sai told her that Naruto loves her sincerely, she was shocked.
She has never realised how much Naruto loved her.
I think she never realised that was Naruto back then, on the bench.
And I think if she knew it, that could change some things.
She's clever, but when it comes to feelings, she's dense. Just like Naruto.
You're probably right. It's hard to imagine that Sakura didn't know about Naruto's feelings. It was more likely she only knew Naruto had a crush on her. But she didn't know how much he really loved her.

[Muka]

I think she never took his feelings for her seriously.
That's why.
Naruto was playing the fool, he never talked to her seriously about it.
When Sasuke himself told her seriously that Naruto risked his life to save her, she blushed hard and had a fond smile at Naruto.
If Naruto would have told her that, there is no way he would have talked to her with serious like Sasuke did, and she would surely didn't believed the event. Even when Sasuke told her what happened, it was hard for her to believe it, actually. Because Naruto for her is only a fool.
She never saw him seriously (i mean "manly"), so i think that's why she never realised that he could be her soulmate.

[Newkerzy]

Naruto has asked Sakura on a date many times. So he clearly wants a different relationship. Admittedly, he does it humorously to take the sting out of the rejection, but he does want Sakura to accept and be his girlfriend. Even if he doesn't really know what that entails. :amuse

It's Sakura and her feelings for Sasuke that is preventing any potential relationship with Naruto. And Naruto has accepted this.


You're probably right. It's hard to imagine that Sakura didn't know about Naruto's feelings. It was more likely she only knew Naruto had a crush on her. But she didn't know how much he really loved her.

Actually, no. Sakura has completely let go of Sasuke. The problem is the bench scene. It's the main reason why she couldn't bring herself to kill him. So, yup it's Naruto who screwed up their relationship from the beginning. And Sakura is to blame as well for her 12 year old self.

On your second paragraph, yup that's about it.

[Muka]

I think it's about what she felt for him that she couldn't kill him.
It's not about only the bench scene.
It's about someone she loved, it's hard to kill in those conditions

[Gats]

I really don't agree with that. She's not. Sakura is really strong willed and stubborn, just like Naruto.



Who knows ?
At 13 you're don't really sure about who you love, and about what love is.
She thought Sasuke was the one, but maybe she was wrong.
Very soon in the manga, she does blush for Naruto.
And Naruto happened to be exactly what she wanted many times.
I don't get it : where do you saw Kishi told it was fake ? On the contrary, i saw an interview were he told she was honest and determined.
Naruto still entertain a bond for Sasuke too, and he's gone pretty far.
Sakura haven't done nothing wrong consciously to Naruto, and i think she already bash herself very much for all that.


I would not be so sure about that.
When Sai told her that Naruto loves her sincerely, she was shocked.
She has never realised how much Naruto loved her.
I think she never realised that was Naruto back then, on the bench.
And I think if she knew it, that could change some things.
She's clever, but when it comes to feelings, she's dense. Just like Naruto.

I've never read something like this from Kishi about Sakura's confession. Do you have any link about it please ? That would be interesting.

[Brill]

About your frustrations on NxS, are you sure you didn't mean Naruto? it was Naruto who pretty much wants to keep the status quo between them. But after the Team 7 reunion, it seems to me that he may be a bit more active in pursuing Sakura as we can see by Kakashi saying how it seems a lot of burden has been lifted off of him. If anything, his active pursuing might be slightly subtle but it's still there.

Naruto hasn't kept it "status quo" he just "knows" that Sakura doesn't like him that way, regardless of what he does. Hell, even in Part 1 when Naruto brought back Tsunade to heal Sasuke and Sakura was all over Sasuke Naruto knew where things stood. Even after Sakura's "confession" he knew things hadn't changed and Sakura only had eyes for Sasuke...and he was right. I doubt Naruto will resolve anything with Sakura even if they meet on the battlefield in the next upcoming chapters.

[Muka]

Yes sure.
It's right here on MangaHelpers :

http://mangahelpers.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1746060

A question about Sakura
"Sakura had always been worried about Naruto, but her actions towards Naruto seem to have a different feel from before, she seems very anxious about Naruto...
How does she feel about Sasuke-kun?"

Kishimoto-sensei:
"As for Sakura... Sasuke... what about Sasuke? Naruto is close and she worries about Naruto as well, but as expected, she [loves] Sasuke.
Because of this, she acted quite haughty towards that guy.
She used Naruto's love for her and told him she loved him.
On the contrary.... I felt like depicting an honest girl, with a surprisingly stubborn impression.
So... she became such a character, but... well... from here on, maybe I should draw her showing a bit more spirit.
I figured I had placed her in a heroin-like situation
But from the readers I was told harshly that she wasn't heroin-ish at all
Perhaps I should show depict her a bit more like a heroin
Because you say 'Hinata Hinata,' I say 'She's not Hinata' "


Thought it's mixed with comments of seiyuus, i think Junko said that :
Because of this, she acted quite haughty towards that guy.
She used Naruto's love for her and told him she loved him.
And then, Kishimoto responds.

[Gats]

Yes sure.
It's right here on MangaHelpers :

http://mangahelpers.com/forum/showthread.php?p=1746060

A question about Sakura
"Sakura had always been worried about Naruto, but her actions towards Naruto seem to have a different feel from before, she seems very anxious about Naruto...
How does she feel about Sasuke-kun?"

Kishimoto-sensei:
"As for Sakura... Sasuke... what about Sasuke? Naruto is close and she worries about Naruto as well, but as expected, she [loves] Sasuke.
Because of this, she acted quite haughty towards that guy.
She used Naruto's love for her and told him she loved him.
On the contrary.... I felt like depicting an honest girl, with a surprisingly stubborn impression.
So... she became such a character, but... well... from here on, maybe I should draw her showing a bit more spirit.
I figured I had placed her in a heroin-like situation
But from the readers I was told harshly that she wasn't heroin-ish at all
Perhaps I should show depict her a bit more like a heroin
Because you say 'Hinata Hinata,' I say 'She's not Hinata' "


Thought it's mixed with comments of seiyuus, i think Junko said that :
Because of this, she acted quite haughty towards that guy.
She used Naruto's love for her and told him she loved him.
And then, Kishimoto responds.

Ok this is the interview I've already read, so that's only assumption from you. No offense, I think it's Kishi's words, somewhat I hope I'm wrong but I don't think so...If only we can see the raw scan... :(

[Muka]

Those two lines just don't go with the rest Kishi said.
It's impossible he said this, because just after he said the contrary.
Kishi seams upset about how some fans are seeing Sakura because it's not how he wanted them to see her. It's just evidence from this interview.
And yes, i would like too to find the raw scan, but i think it doesn't exist, because it wasn't written in any magazine. What i've heard about this interview, it's that it was only "oral", and someone who heard it reported it.

[Rosebunse]

I don't think Sakura was exactly acting "weak". Sasuke's her first choice, the one she's in love with. Face it people, sometimes, you can't just force yourself into love. Sakura wanted to protect Naruto from Sasuke, as well as Sasuke from everyone else. In the end, she was willing to give up her life for Sasuke. Let's face it, Sakura going for Naruto at this point would just seem wrong. So very wrong. Does Sasuke have to love her? Does he? Probably not, but that's not what's important. As stupid as it sounds, Sakura loves Sasuke. Even Naruto knows that. Everyone who's ever been in love will know that.

On another note, can I say that that was one of my favorite parts of the manga? Say what you will, but it made me cry to think that Naruto knew that he wasn't the favorite. I've been there so many, many times myself...

[pimp naruto kun]

I don't think Sakura was exactly acting "weak". Sasuke's her first choice, the one she's in love with. Face it people, sometimes, you can't just force yourself into love. Sakura wanted to protect Naruto from Sasuke, as well as Sasuke from everyone else. In the end, she was willing to give up her life for Sasuke. Let's face it, Sakura going for Naruto at this point would just seem wrong. So very wrong. Does Sasuke have to love her? Does he? Probably not, but that's not what's important. As stupid as it sounds, Sakura loves Sasuke. Even Naruto knows that. Everyone who's ever been in love will know that.

On another note, can I say that that was one of my favorite parts of the manga? Say what you will, but it made me cry to think that Naruto knew that he wasn't the favorite. I've been there so many, many times myself...

I completely understand what you mean but at the same times, peoples wants and pairing preferences won't change cause if people did change them based on pure logic alone, at this point there would be no pairings because all of them have some slight inprobability.

The problem for me is that sakura's love for sasuke began as basically a shallow crush and then later developed to love idk for me although sasuke is her first love and the one she loves it just seems like its no more childish then it was before and selfish. All the stuff she made naruto go through in part 1 just makes her character seem like a bitch in some ways who was willing to allow one of her friends to give up everything to get her crush back. Even in part II when she seemed to want Sasuke back as a team mate and began to develop some sort of feelings with Naruto (i'm not going to specify for want of people not to troll and say there are no developments or feelings) she manages to return to be the love stricken Sasuke-idiot following the Kage summit and reverting back to part 1 by once again sitting in the background and wait for Naruto to fix it. Every time Sasuke gets reinvolved in Sakura's life it seems like her developement suffers and reverts back to "thank you naruto for giving me hope again, i'll trust in you".

I just feel like at this point if there end up being any pairings in the end some sort of bitter taste left with the readers i mean for me at least in my opinion

SasuSaku- it would be such a random event at this point sasuke never really showed feelings for her on a romantic level and attempted to kill her. It would kind of stomp on everything naruto had to go through and kind of question, How would they even end up together at this point? Sasuke after 3 years isnt probably going to start loving her.

NaruHina- I don't dislike this pairing anymore but It would be the same problem as SasuSaku, confession leads to random love. I think this pairing could be ok if done properly but if done improperly would feel like naruto couldn't get sakura so he settles for Hinata

NaruSaku- Even though currently this is my pairing choice unless it was done properly it would feel like and asspull for Sakura to randomly switch over naruto. I think since kishi f'ed up the confession so much it will take a lot of convincing for us to ever believe her feelings were genuine and not some bs to try and make naruto feel better. Then there also comes the problem that it shares with NaruHina if naruto ends up with sakura kishi would really need to make it seem that her feelings are genuine and not that she chose naruto as 2nd place to Sasuke.

Idk i try to remain positive but Kishi has screwed himself at least in the big three pairings to a point where he is stuck and any option he choses would need major developement and not just some epilogue showing random pairings. At this point it might be better to have Naruto end up with someone else entirely( except Karin she will probably end up being an uzumaki and also is flat chested and has bite marks all over her and is kind of a creepy stalker, sorry karin fans :D) and Sasuke at this points only love is hate so idk who he could even end up with.

sorry for the long post.

[THM Nindo]

I completely understand what you mean but at the same times, peoples wants and pairing preferences won't change cause if people did change them based on pure logic alone, at this point there would be no pairings because all of them have some slight inprobability.

True.
Logically, Hinata's love for Naruto still make sense.
Even if he never returned her feelings, she could still love him.

Same for Naruto. Even if Sakura looks like she's still in love with Sasuke, Naruto still loving Sakura is logical. Especially that there are becoming more and more close to each other.

The only one that doesn't make sense to me is Sakura's.
I just don't understand the logic behind it.
Sasuke tried to kill her thrice already, and he tried to kill Naruto even more.
There's really no way that a "normal" girl would still be in love with him.



The problem for me is that sakura's love for sasuke began as basically a shallow crush and then later developed to love idk for me although sasuke is her first love and the one she loves it just seems like its no more childish then it was before and selfish. All the stuff she made naruto go through in part 1 just makes her character seem like a bitch in some ways who was willing to allow one of her friends to give up everything to get her crush back. Even in part II when she seemed to want Sasuke back as a team mate and began to develop some sort of feelings with Naruto (i'm not going to specify for want of people not to troll and say there are no developments or feelings) she manages to return to be the love stricken Sasuke-idiot following the Kage summit and reverting back to part 1 by once again sitting in the background and wait for Naruto to fix it. Every time Sasuke gets reinvolved in Sakura's life it seems like her developement suffers and reverts back to "thank you naruto for giving me hope again, i'll trust in you".


I agree.
Kishi screwed up.

He admitted it himself in the interview.
He said that he wanted Sakura to look heroic, but really she didn't at all.
She looked like she finally had some resolve and went to kill Sasuke.

But then, all her character development was ruined when she couldn't kill him (and cried again), and it all went back to how she was with her thinking "I'll let Naruto deal with it" bullshit.



I just feel like at this point if there end up being any pairings in the end some sort of bitter taste left with the readers i mean for me at least in my opinion

SasuSaku- it would be such a random event at this point sasuke never really showed feelings for her on a romantic level and attempted to kill her. It would kind of stomp on everything naruto had to go through and kind of question, How would they even end up together at this point? Sasuke after 3 years isnt probably going to start loving her.

NaruHina- I don't dislike this pairing anymore but It would be the same problem as SasuSaku, confession leads to random love. I think this pairing could be ok if done properly but if done improperly would feel like naruto couldn't get sakura so he settles for Hinata

NaruSaku- Even though currently this is my pairing choice unless it was done properly it would feel like and asspull for Sakura to randomly switch over naruto. I think since kishi f'ed up the confession so much it will take a lot of convincing for us to ever believe her feelings were genuine and not some bs to try and make naruto feel better. Then there also comes the problem that it shares with NaruHina if naruto ends up with sakura kishi would really need to make it seem that her feelings are genuine and not that she chose naruto as 2nd place to Sasuke.


My opinion:

SasuSaku:
Like I said earlier, it doesn't make sense. Sakura shouldn't be in love with Sasuke anymore.
And I think that she's still "hoping" for Sasuke to come back as he was, and that it's greatly because of Naruto.
(Basically, Naruto is keeping Sakura's love for Sasuke alive... :facepalm)

In any case, if it ends up like that, I'll be really upset.
Sure, Sasuke will probably be convinced by Naruto in the end, but if he does come back, his forgiven and ends up with the girl that Naruto loves... what kind of message is that?

Sasuke can be a jerk, betray his country, try killing his friends... and in the end, he would still "steal" Naruto's girl?
This is just unacceptable for me.

NaruHina
Honestly, I didn't like that pairing in the beginning because it contradicted NaruSaku, but I have really no problem with it.
Hinata is a great girl, and if Naruto start loving her, then I'm fine with it.

The only thing I have against that pairing is that it opens the possibility of a SasuSaku pairing as well, which like I said is just unnacceptable for me.

NaruSaku
That's the main one.

Even though my love for Sakura has been going down and down everytime Kishi makes her do something stupid, I still need to be behind that pairing for this only obvious reason : "The hero should get the girl he love".

If he loves Sakura, then Naruto should end up with her. That's all there is to it, IMO.
Now, if he start showing interest in Hinata some day, I'll be the first one to switch to NaruHina.

But, as far as we know, right now, Naruto still love Sakura, and I'm going to stay behind that pairing as long this doesn't change.



Idk i try to remain positive but Kishi has screwed himself at least in the big three pairings to a point where he is stuck and any option he choses would need major developement and not just some epilogue showing random pairings. At this point it might be better to have Naruto end up with someone else entirely( except Karin she will probably end up being an uzumaki and also is flat chested and has bite marks all over her and is kind of a creepy stalker, sorry karin fans :D) and Sasuke at this points only love is hate so idk who he could even end up with.

Simply put, Kishi is not good with romance.
There are 3 romance involved in the plot, and, like you said, he managed to screw them all up.

But, let's not lose hope.
We might still have a pleasant surprise.

Even if it's only in the epilogue, I'm sure the question regarding Naruto's love will be answered.

In the end, as long as Naruto is happy at the end, I really don't mind with whom he ends up.

[Jessie]

To try and steer this back to overall romance rather than who Naruto ends up with - does anyone think Kishimoto did a good job with any romance(I use that word loosely) in this manga? At this point is any couple believable?

I think tying up romance in an epilogue only works if the couples were already established. Then you can just tie a knot to them. We knew what the couples in Harry Potter were going to be since they were already developed. But in Naruto that is not the case. So an epilogue will only confuse more people. At first we might be like, oh how cute, Kiba and Hinata got together. Then we would be like, now how did that happen? To me, that would be like the last manga chapter where it felt like 50% of it was missing.

Even though he screwed up so many pairings, I still think he needs to show them actually occur in the manga. If he could do it with Kushina and Minato in a flashback, then there is no reason he couldn't do it with the kids. A great theme of the manga is the next generation. Sasuke wants to restart the Uchiha. Ino-Shika-Cho need a 17th generation, etc. Even if he stinks at romance, he can at least show them laying the groundwork for their own families.

[pimp naruto kun]

Sorry if my last post was more naruto oriented haha but that's where kishi is struggling most.

I think and this is just my opinion that there are barely any couples that could be believable and not seem contrived as this point. I think the reason that it was so easy for him to make couples like Minato and Kushina seem probable and developed, is exactly what you mentioned its because they are in the past and was shown to have little to no conflict due to it already being resolved.

For this current generation of the Konoha 11(or 12 whichever you call it) Kishi has made the mistake of making so many conflicts that stand in the way of fully establishing at least any of the big 3 that whatever we are left with someone will feel dissapointed. I think in the beginning of part II Kishi had a phase were he seemed to be starting to comtemplate romance and but then quickly stopped focusing on it then bringing it back up again near the pain fight and the kage summit. The way it is brought in and out from the story kind of makes it seem irrelevant.Don't get me wrong the reason i read the manga is for the story characters and battles but I think there needs to be more developement on character interraction even if its not romance because at this point so many of the other rookies seem unimportant because the focus being put on naruto and sasuke's "relationship". I think for the other rookies, who haven't been messed with as much as the big three, their relationships still have a chance of happening but the problem is so many of them are barely focused on so its hard to even give them romantic subplots.

I don't want to complain but i wish the current was more like the chunin exams and the rescue sasuke arcs, where almost all the rookies got some background, fights and development, cause some of the rookies barely see panel time anymore.

I do agree with you i do think the pairings should be developed in the manga, as i would not feel satisfied to see some random epilogue but the way things are going idk if we will see that.

about the next generation stuff idk about sasuke unless he gets redeemed i dont think he will be able to revive the uchiha. I think he meant restore their image by killing everyone in Konoha like he said to Kakashi cause he has shown no romantic inclination to any other person.

The only pairing that kishi keeps teasing us with that has to happen but that keeps getting scrapped and then brought back is Shikamaru and Temari (I got reminded by your sig). he has teased too much with this. i think thats one of the problems he will tease a pairing and then do something to mess it up (this hasnt happened to ShikaTema but Kishi did say in an interview there may be no romance for shika)

For me not all the rookies have to marry each other but as long as it seems in some way planned and not pushed in some epilogue.

[Gingitsune]

Sure, Sasuke will probably be convinced by Naruto in the end, but if he does come back, his forgiven and ends up with the girl that Naruto loves... what kind of message is that?

Sasuke can be a jerk, betray his country, try killing his friends... and in the end, he would still "steal" Naruto's girl?
This is just unacceptable for me.

You are too "guys centric", if Sakura ends with Sasuke, it means she worked hard, with her friends to achieve victory and gain Sasuke's love. The essence of the Shounen Jump, but used for romance.

What were the three team 7 characters goal as stated on chapter 4?
Naruto = to become Hokage
Sasuke = to kill his brother and revive his clan
Sakura = to get Sasuke

How comes the girl is the only one that can't acheive her goal? Her goal is Sasuke. Her rivalty is about getting Sasuke. There's even a consolation prize for Ino when she won't get Sasuke, namely Sai.

Lee wanted to show you can be a great ninja without using ninjutsu. He can have it but Sakura can't get Sasuke?

Minato wanted to "become a great Hokage which everyone acknowledge". He can have it but Sakura can't get Sasuke?

All these goals are the very definition of the characters, why rip Sakura of her victory and make her to only one who couldn't look her younger self in the eyes?

At least, that's the kind of "positive" message there could be behind SasuSaku, which Kishi may chose in the end, but it will be just as screw up as the romance themselves. ¬_¬

As for Naruto not getting Sakura, he always miss on the first try, the second girl he'll fall in love with will be the right one. As long as he's Hokage and happy, it's doesn't matter if he get Sakura or any other girl.

Back on the characters' goal, Kushina is tricky, because she didn't achieve hers, but as she said herself it was to impress her new fellow academy students. Her real goal must have been closer to "I want happiness inspite of being a jinchuuriki, I want a normal live" which of course she couldn't say aloud.

[pimp naruto kun]

You are too "guys centric", if Sakura ends with Sasuke, it means she worked hard, with her friends to achieve victory and gain Sasuke's love. The essence of the Shounen Jump, but used for romance.

What were the three team 7 characters goal as stated on chapter 4?
Naruto = to become Hokage
Sasuke = to kill his brother and revive his clan
Sakura = to get Sasuke

How comes the girl is the only one that can't acheive her goal? Her goal is Sasuke. Her rivalty is about getting Sasuke. There's even a consolation prize for Ino when she won't get Sasuke, namely Sai.

Lee wanted to show you can be a great ninja without using ninjutsu. He can have it but Sakura can't get Sasuke?

Minato wanted to "become a great Hokage which everyone acknowledge". He can have it but Sakura can't get Sasuke?

All these goals are the very definition of the characters, why rip Sakura of her victory and make her to only one who couldn't look her younger self in the eyes?

At least, that's the kind of "positive" message there could be behind SasuSaku, which Kishi may chose in the end, but it will be just as screw up as the romance themselves. ¬_¬

As for Naruto not getting Sakura, he always miss on the first try, the second girl he'll fall in love with will be the right one. As long as he's Hokage and happy, it's doesn't matter if he get Sakura or any other girl.

Back on the characters' goal, Kushina is tricky, because she didn't achieve hers, but as she said herself it was to impress her new fellow academy students. Her real goal must have been closer to "I want happiness inspite of being a jinchuuriki, I want a normal live" which of course she couldn't say aloud.

In my opinion at least people are more willing to care about the main character's (naruto) wants and not Sakura's however you raise a somewhat valid point.

I just think that you can't say its unfair for Sakura to not get Sasuke but you say its fine for Naruto to fail. In either situation as of now both would have to get second choice (naruto failing and not getting with Sakura, or Sakura with naruto). Your kind of having a double standard when you say its ok for naruto to fail but for Sakura it robs her of character.

I agree that her initial goal was to simply get with Sasuke but since part II it has become a little less shallow than that. She began to become stronger training with Tsunade because she wanted to protect her friends and be able to help Naruto to get her team mate back. The problem by you saying why can't sakura etc.... is that you are defining her whole character by one person Sasuke. This is kind of bad for Sakura as a character because she is essentially reduced to pairing fodder.

SasuSaku has no real positive imho unless Sakura is truly happy but it will seemed like an asspull for Sasuke to suddenly have feelings for her just like some people will say it would be an asspull for her to start having feelings for naruto. I agree with Tmh its basically saying, "Try hard to get the girl you like risking your life, risking your own happiness only to fail and have your formerly maniac best friend get with her'. I think the reason i sympathize with naruto more is that getting with Sakura isnt his life goal he feels like more of a person cause he has multiple goals. While if you look at Sakura from the standpoint that her whole goal is Sasuke she seems less like a respectable character and more like a love struck girl using one of her best friends feelings for her as a way to get back her boyfriend.If she wants to still be with him after all this crap thats kishi's choice but it will make her seem less like the "normal girl" he's trying to go for and more like a girl who can't get over a teammate she barely talked to and hasn't seen barely at all in 3 years.

I do agree that its unfair to brush of Sakura's goal but if you look at it from another way your trampling on someone else's wants, Sasuke doesn't want to be with her yet you force him to be with her so she can achieve her childish crush.

Imho Sasuke is both the reason Sakura gets developed but also fails to grow. At first him and naruto were the motivation that made her train and get stronger. But he also held her back during the rescue arc in part I she placed all her burdens on Naruto and said what i said before "thank you naruto you restored my hope" then in part II again she seems to be getting stronger to protect her friends and rescue naruto, but once again she reduces to part I Sakura and after the fight says the same stuff as last time and allows herself to sit back and wait for Naruto to do everything for her even though she vowed to relieve him of his burden.

idk i know im not really answering your post I just think at this point her goal won't happen cause i mean in my opinion Sasuke will not suddenly realize he has loved her and was clouded by hate or something. Idk for me it seems when female characters stray away from love then they become stronger i mean look at ino who's goal isn't simply "get Sasuke" anymore, she now actually has development and cares about protecting choji and shikamaru instead of focusing on a guy who left years ago.

[Gingitsune]

THM Nindo asked for a "positive" way to see a SasuSaku paring and that's what I tried to provide. It was the way I saw the romance parts, the Jump formula applied for girls' stuff (for both Sakura and Hinata as I saw it), but that was back at the end of the Sannin arc. Now I'm not sure weither Kishi indeed intended to make the girls work hard, with their friends, to get their ideal boy, but messed the whole thing with beginner mistakes, or if he never entended it that way and will just have the main boy get the main girl. Anyway, I'll defend my old theory for now, for the sake of the debate.


I just think that you can't say its unfair for Sakura to not get Sasuke but you say its fine for Naruto to fail. In either situation as of now both would have to get second choice (naruto failing and not getting with Sakura, or Sakura with naruto). Your kind of having a double standard when you say its ok for naruto to fail but for Sakura it robs her of character.

Naruto's goal is to become Hokage, Sakura's goal is to get Sasuke. If Naruto doesn't get the girl he wanted back in the Academy, and get an even better fit for himself, who cares. Nartuto (the character) isn't mainly about romance, he's about saving the world first. Sakura on the other hand was presented to be interested mostly about romance, not to give her wanted romance seems like betraying her character.


The problem by you saying why can't sakura etc.... is that you are defining her whole character by one person Sasuke.

No, I'm defining her character by one single goal, the one she clamed on her introduction scene, the same I did with the guys (Naruto, Sasuke, Lee and Minato). Of course, I'm talking here about story construction and plot fondation, not about character developpement or plot evolution. When he introduced team 7, Kishi stated Naruto wanted to become Hokage, Sakura wanted Sasuke and Sasuke wanted to kill a certain man and to revive his clan. Naruto still want to become Hokage, he told her mom so. Sasuke acheived to kill his brother and his trying to kill who made him do what he did (which is the extension of what his former goal), the revive the clan part is on hold until those who killed them in the first place are disposed of. As for Sakura, it seems she still love Sasuke (or at least Naruto and Sai believe she still do). So these three shinobi goals remind valide.


I do agree that its unfair to brush of Sakura's goal but if you look at it from another way your trampling on someone else's wants, Sasuke doesn't want to be with her yet you force him to be with her so she can achieve her childish crush.

Who ever said the Uchiha was looking for true love? Certainly not Sasuke. For the moment, he is set on revenge, so he doesn't want any other bonds than those who link him to the ones he want to kill. But when Naruto wil have beaten some sense into him, he'll be looking for a decent girl to marry (which doesn't have to be right away) and that's it. Shikamaru's girl goal is to get an average wife, Chouji seems to be ready to settle for any girl who'd say yes, not everyone wants to get the Romeo and Juliet degree of love. Sasuke's goal to revive his family is certainly a higher than getting true love. As long as Sakura is high level shinobi, I don't think he'll mind much. Arranged marriage are still quite common in Japan, and I think Sasuke was raised in a family that would encourage it (hey! that get us back to the real purpose of this thread! Not an every post occurance ^^).


i mean look at ino who's goal isn't simply "get Sasuke" anymore, she now actually has development and cares about protecting choji and shikamaru instead of focusing on a guy who left years ago.

My, how Ino act right now is how we all have hoped she'd act throught the whole story, these romance are seriously killing the girl characters. -_-

[lawlett-kun]

I am not a great fan of NaruSaku i am more into NaruHina.However being realistic here I really dont think NaruHina is gonna happen. Remember Kushina said that Naruto should pick a wife that will be similiar to her.Even though it was said in a joking way, I suppose Naruto will choose a girl that will be more like Kushina, which Sakura is very similiar and Hnata is very not similiar. But then again I hope it will be NaruHina at the end.Cuz it pains when I think that Hinata almost died for naught during Pein arc

[Rikudou Sennin]

If Sakura ends up with Sasuke, the limit of stupidity would rocket to no end.

[lawlett-kun]

If Sakura ends up with Sasuke, the limit of stupidity would rocket to no end.

why is that? I have like no problem with them ending together, i mean that is if sasuke doesnt die during war and if he turns back to good guys side.Sakura is not very bright, she might just end up with him

[THM Nindo]

Gingitsune reasoning is good.
Although, I'm still not agreeing with SasuSaku, at least she managed to find the only "good reason" behind that pairing still existing.

Thanks to her, now if it really happen, I'll be a little bit less upset! :tem

[Gingitsune]

Objectively, Ino is just as close a fit to Kushina, Karui and Karin could even be better (we don't know their stats yet).

Kushina:
comes from a old ninja family
Has a firey character
has long hair
has red hair
is bad with ninjutsu
is strong with fuuinjutsu

Sakura (3½):
no
yes
no
yes
average
yes

Hinata (3):
yes
no
yes
no
average
average

Ino (3½):
yes
yes
yes
no
no
average

Tenten (2½-3½):
?
yes
yes
no
average
no

Temari (2½):
yes
yes
no
no
no
average

Karin (3-6):
?
yes
yes
yes
?
?

Karui (2-5):
?
yes
no
yes
?
?

Kurotsuchi (2-3):
yes
yes
no
no
no
?

[Brill]

Well the Saku/Sasu relationship has always been 1/2 necessary plot device 1/2 actual infatuation and dreadfully one-sided. Sakura needs to love Sasuke to give her a reason for being there and a reason to chase after him, otherwise she'd be reassigned to another team to utilize her medical skills. The second reason is that she really likes/loves Sasuke from the very beginning and for whatever reason that devotion hasn't been diverted even by all the actions of Naruto.

Will Sakura be rewarded and achieve her goal by the end? Partially. I think Sakura and Sasuke will be reunited, but I think both will come to understand the disillusions they both have been suffering from. Sasuke will realize the needs to make bonds with others and Sakura after she learns the truth behind the Uchiha massacre may fainlly be able to see Sasuke for what he truly is, something which was not what she's been chasing after. The problem lies with shounen romantic endings where the couple is lovey dovey in some manner. There is no way to pull that off with Saku/Sasu because they haven't had any opportunities to develop any bonds at all. This is partially due to their physical separation and partially cause Kishi sucks at romance. The best you could hope for is a new "beginning" in their relationship-starting with a clean slate. It won't be what people are rooting for but it's the most sensible outcome from where things stands right now.

[pimp naruto kun]

Idk sorry to be so negative at sasusaku, @gingitsune I do see how this pairing could be a nice way for sakura to achieve her goals and be happy however if you incorporate sasuke for me imo it just goes bad it seems hard to see their relationship as being positive especially after sasukes actions at this point it feels more one sided than anything I just can't see sasuke as ever being in a relationship that has substance with sakura. @ brill I agree with what you are saying and think this is the only way the can be together however for me its hard for them to have a new beginning as so much of her feelings are grounded in the past at this point we only know she loved 12 year old sasuke and her residual feelings are a result of that. naruto and sakura can't accept this new sasuke and want for him to go back to the way he was and how things were before. I think right now it rests on sasuke because even if he converts it doesn't mean his feelings will suddenly blossom for her. Sorry it still seems negative its just sasusaku is my least favorite pairing and I still won't be able to see if it really benefits sakura(not saying she has to be with naruto she can be with someone else)

[Rikudou Sennin]

The only left argument is Sakuras dream goal is Sasuke.

But Sasukes goal was also Itachi, and it changed after his death. I see no reason why sakura shouldnt.

To be quiet honest, it would be stupid, Sasuke tried to kill her twice.

Naaa...but its a manga, you'll never know...

[Rosebunse]

I don't think Kishi sucks at romance. I think he's just showing a slightly more realistic take on it than what we are used to seeing. I mean, Sakura acts likes lots of 16 year old girls, and lots of love is unrequites, as in the case of Jiriya and Tsunade. I like that Kishi hasn't fed so much into the typical shoenen romaance.
[hr]
Oh, and Shikamarua ending up with Temari would sooooo work, as would Hinata ending up with Kiba...Yeah, Kishi isn't the worst at romance. Think Marvel's Quesada and you'll know what I mean. OMD sucked, and is a good example of what can happen when you let a fanboy write romance. Then again, we did get some great story lines with it, so it's kinda double edged sword.

[THM Nindo]

I think that when a story is tell properly, the people grow and change.
A story where the character stay exactly the same from the beginning to the end, is usually not a really good story (think Dragon Ball).
(The action could be good, the art could be good, but story-wise, the character development falls flat)

Now, some could argue that Naruto didn't evolve from the beginning of the manga, that he's still kinda stupid and knucklehead, but I disagree.

Naruto did evolve, and he finally started to understand what is war, and what it is to be a shinobi in that "ninja world".
His goal has change too.

At first, he wanted to be Hokage only to show people that he was great and that they were wrong to ignore him.
Now, he wants to be Hokage so that he can change the world, and create a better place by modifying the ninja code.
And even then, his main goal has change, since he said himself that he could never be Hokage as long as he didn't save his friend.

Sakura is in the same boat.
We had a glimpse of a good character when she decided to do "what needed to be done" and go herself to kill Sasuke.
That was character development!!

But, then, she simply reverted to her old self and she lost all the hype that she had "kinda" win in the few chapters before (I say kinda because people actually hated her for that confession).

I understand that she should have what she wanted too.
But, if Kishi was a good writer (especially a good romance writer), he wouldn't have stopped her development like he did.

To me, for Sakura to be a interesting character, she need to realize that her love for Sasuke was shallow, and that he really didn't deserve it.
And that Naruto is the one that deserve her love.

And I think she know that already (that fake confession was only partly fake IMO. She knows that she "should" love Naruto, but her hearts is still torn between the two).

So, it's up to Kishi to decide if he wants Sakura to grow, or if he wants her to remain the same as she was when she was introduced in this manga... just one of many Sasuke fangirls...

[Brill]

I don't think Kishi sucks at romance. I think he's just showing a slightly more realistic take on it than what we are used to seeing. I mean, Sakura acts likes lots of 16 year old girls, and lots of love is unrequites, as in the case of Jiriya and Tsunade. I like that Kishi hasn't fed so much into the typical shoenen romaance.
<hr noshade size="1">

His relationships are "real" but he fails to develop thiem. Seriously, if Sasuke had a thing for Hinata it would be the ideal "love square" for this series. The only couples that have two-way relationships-are the dead ones. That's pretty sad. If you're going to insert romantic elements into a series but fail to develop them over 10 years, it would have been better to have not placed them there in the first place.



I think that when a story is tell properly, the people grow and change...
Sakura is in the same boat.
We had a glimpse of a good character when she decided to do "what needed to be done" and go herself to kill Sasuke.That was character development!!

But, then, she simply reverted to her old self and she lost all the hype that she had "kinda" win in the few chapters before (I say kinda because people actually hated her for that confession).

I understand that she should have what she wanted too.
But, if Kishi was a good writer (especially a good romance writer), he wouldn't have stopped her development like he did.

Was it character development? Sakura abandons her goals and join the ranks of the war mongers and their group-think. It was a simple decision and if it is development it's not very positive.



To me, for Sakura to be a interesting character, she need to realize that her love for Sasuke was shallow, and that he really didn't deserve it.
And that Naruto is the one that deserve her love.

And I think she know that already (that fake confession was only partly fake IMO. She knows that she "should" love Naruto, but her hearts is still torn between the two).

So, it's up to Kishi to decide if he wants Sakura to grow, or if he wants her to remain the same as she was when she was introduced in this manga... just one of many Sasuke fangirls...

You can make the exact same argument for Naruto. His love for Sakura was just as vain and shallow and she really doesn't deserve it, since she only has eyes for Sasuke. Sakura doesn't deserve his love, but Hinata might. That would be the "smart" move, someone who actually cares for him. Yet when Sakura continues after Sasuke people complain that she's blind and stupid. It's a wonderful double standard. Why? Because readers want the hero to get what he wants, regardless if it's actually there or not. Even if Naruto or Hinata are the "smart" move people often love for irrational reasons instead of legitimate "sound" ones, and such is the case of Naruto and Sakura. However, Naruto is clueless so you can excuse his behavior, yet Sakura on the other hand should have realized things a long time ago, and since Sakura only found out recently demonstrates that Kishi had abandoned her character a long time ago.

[THM Nindo]

Was it character development? Sakura abandons her goals and join the ranks of the war mongers and their group-think. It was a simple decision and if it is development it's not very positive.

Yes, that was character development.
Kishi is not really good at it, that's why most of the characters are exactly the same as they were when they were introduced.

But, some of them have evolved.
Look at Choji, it took time, but he finally become a great shinobi.
As soon as Ino stopped being a Sasuke fangirl, she became interesting.

It was the same for Sakura.
As soon as she stopped crying all the time and being useless, she became interesting, but then Kishi simply forfeit all of this development and had her revert back to her old-self...



You can make the exact same argument for Naruto. His love for Sakura was just as vain and shallow and she really doesn't deserve it, since she only has eyes for Sasuke. Sakura doesn't deserve his love, but Hinata might. That would be the "smart" move, someone who actually cares for him. Yet when Sakura continues after Sasuke people complain that she's blind and stupid. It's a wonderful double standard. Why? Because readers want the hero to get what he wants, regardless if it's actually there or not. Even if Naruto or Hinata are the "smart" move people often love for irrational reasons instead of legitimate "sound" ones, and such is the case of Naruto and Sakura. However, Naruto is clueless so you can excuse his behavior, yet Sakura on the other hand should have realized things a long time ago, and since Sakura only found out recently demonstrates that Kishi had abandoned her character a long time ago.

I'm not denying that.
It's exactly the same thing, and that's why I'll be very sad for Hinata if it ends up being NaruSaku, but that's how Kishi did it...

No matter how it ends up (NaruSaku or NaruHina), there's someone that's going to be the "Second choice".

Like I said earlier, all I want is Naruto to be happy.
Would he be happier if he was with Hinata, the girl that loved him from the start? Maybe.
But, as of now, he shown no interest towards her at all.

As soon as we see even a hint that he might be interested in her (other than just caring for her like a friend would do), I'll be the first to jump in the NaruHina pairing.

[Rosebunse]

I don't think we should count Kishi down just because he doesn't develop his romances...I mean, I know lots of people who do love each other, but then don't get married or don't become a couple. And I know they would be PERFECT for each other, but they never make anything out of it, they go on to other people and sometimes that relationship works out just fine, and sometimes they keep looking for years and years...

So, yeah, there are some flaws, but I think Kishi is showing way more realism in the realm of relationships than alot of manga writers. If you guys want good romance, then maybe you should just go to a different manga. Or fanfiction! Fanfiction is a great-makes me want to hurl!-place for good, old fashion romance. Don't hate Kishi just because the man is taking his time in this.

[huynhlan]

Actually kishi is not all that bad with romance especially the minato and kushina's one, I think he ask his wife for help on that one which he can do for the relationship around the character at the end, but I will said this I reall believe that when sakura find out about the uchiha's massacre her love for sasuke will grow even bigger than ever, and I also believe that hinata is the best for naruto, she has the best quality out of all the girl he can possibly end up with which are:
1.) big boob, will bigger than sakura, and pretty much all the other girl I think.
2.)she only love naruto.
3.)she know about his good quality.
4.)she is willing to die for him.
5.)she is cute.
6.)she will never betray him.

while for girl like sakura, she has to many negative like:
1.)as long as sasuke is alive and ask, she would gladly open her leg to him even if she marry naruto.
2.)boob to small.
3.)too dumb.
4.)easy to betray other for her selfish thinking.
5.)think she is all that.
6.)lie to people.

as for karin:
1.) bite mark all over her body.
2.)same with sakura number 1.
3.)bitchy.
4.)freaky.

as for karui:
1.)flat chest.
2.)arrogant like kiba.
3.)seem to like puching people.
4.)not really cute.

[Rosebunse]

Actually kishi is not all that bad with romance especially the minato and kushina's one, I think he ask his wife for help on that one which he can do for the relationship around the character at the end, but I will said this I reall believe that when sakura find out about the uchiha's massacre her love for sasuke will grow even bigger than ever, and I also believe that hinata is the best for naruto, she has the best quality out of all the girl he can possibly end up with which are:
1.) big boob, will bigger than sakura, and pretty much all the other girl I think.
2.)she only love naruto.
3.)she know about his good quality.
4.)she is willing to die for him.
5.)she is cute.
6.)she will never betray him.

while for girl like sakura, she has to many negative like:
1.)as long as sasuke is alive and ask, she would gladly open her leg to him even if she marry naruto.
2.)boob to small.
3.)too dumb.
4.)easy to betray other for her selfish thinking.
5.)think she is all that.
6.)lie to people.

as for karin:
1.) bite mark all over her body.
2.)same with sakura number 1.
3.)bitchy.
4.)freaky.

as for karui:
1.)flat chest.
2.)arrogant like kiba.
3.)seem to like puching people.
4.)not really cute.

...:-_-, I really love your reasoning here. See, maybe this is where anime went wrong in the raising of children today...:guns:lovebunny...you see what your sexiest comment made me do?!

But no, really, all good, anime-logic points.

[Jessie]

as for karui:
4.)not really cute.
She looks cute to me.
http://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c275/omegavegeta2000/Karui137247.jpg
I don't know why anyone would think she isn't pretty. But different strokes for different folks.


Don't hate Kishi just because the man is taking his time in this.
It's not that he is taking his time. It's shonen, so romance will always be a minor thing. It's more that some fans feel he messed up many of the potential romantic relationships to the point where he would have to spend some time developing any romance in a believable way. And with Kishimoto, that isn't going to happen because again, romance is such a low priority.

So the fear is he might wrap everything up in a few chapters or even go to an epilogue.

Sort of OT: While looking for Karui pics, I was shocked by how much Kiba x Karui fanart there is. Crack pairings are fads and usually run their course. But Kiba with Karui seems to have clicked likely due to neither having a canon love interest. It's funny to see it listed by many fans along with Naruto x Hinata or Sakura, Sasuke x Sakura, Shikamaru x Temari or Ino, Suigestu x Karin, and Neji x Tenten in the Naruto core het pairing pantheon. Even though they are very similar, they have never spoken to each other

[Muka]

Objectively, Ino is just as close a fit to Kushina, Karui and Karin could even be better (we don't know their stats yet).

Kushina:
comes from a old ninja family
Has a firey character
has long hair
has red hair
is bad with ninjutsu
is strong with fuuinjutsu

Sakura (3½):
no
yes
no
yes
average
yes

Hinata (3):
yes
no
yes
no
average
average

Ino (3½):
yes
yes
yes
no
no
average

Tenten (2½-3½):
?
yes
yes
no
average
no

Temari (2½):
yes
yes
no
no
no
average

Karin (3-6):
?
yes
yes
yes
?
?

Karui (2-5):
?
yes
no
yes
?
?

Kurotsuchi (2-3):
yes
yes
no
no
no
?

lol we all know, because it's obvious, that Kushina was thinking in terms of personality when she said that.
So arguments like "comes from a old ninja family;has long hair;has red hair;is bad with ninjutsu;is strong with fuuinjutsu" are quite ridiculous, don't you think ? no offense ! :eyeroll
I like your reasoning a lot in general, but here, i think you just don't get it.
Kushina, by saying this to Naruto, wanted him to be with a strong and determined girl, someone passionate, someone he can have faith in. It's very large, and Sakura and Hinata could fit both.
:tem

[THM Nindo]

I think that we might end up surprised with the ending pairings.
I'm not talking about the main ones, but regarding the other characters.

I think that, one thing that this alliance will bring is romance between different countries.
We already had the first romance between Temari and Shikamaru, but I think we'll see more.

Jessie brought up the Karui-Kiba pairing, and even though there's nothing suggesting that pairing, it would be interesting to have some pairings like that.

We already know that both Karui and Omoi were kinda looking for lovers when they first came to Konoha, so it's possible that it would end up like that.

There's also other girls from the Mist and the Rock that could be lovers with some Konoha guys (Mizukage, Kurotsuchi, etc).

This would be nice as it would solidify even more the alliance and it would also create super awesome ninjas in the next generation! :tem

[sho87]

I think that when a story is tell properly, the people grow and change.
A story where the character stay exactly the same from the beginning to the end, is usually not a really good story (think Dragon Ball).
(The action could be good, the art could be good, but story-wise, the character development falls flat)

Now, some could argue that Naruto didn't evolve from the beginning of the manga, that he's still kinda stupid and knucklehead, but I disagree.

Naruto did evolve, and he finally started to understand what is war, and what it is to be a shinobi in that "ninja world".
His goal has change too.

At first, he wanted to be Hokage only to show people that he was great and that they were wrong to ignore him.
Now, he wants to be Hokage so that he can change the world, and create a better place by modifying the ninja code.
And even then, his main goal has change, since he said himself that he could never be Hokage as long as he didn't save his friend.

Sakura is in the same boat.
We had a glimpse of a good character when she decided to do "what needed to be done" and go herself to kill Sasuke.
That was character development!!

But, then, she simply reverted to her old self and she lost all the hype that she had "kinda" win in the few chapters before (I say kinda because people actually hated her for that confession).

I understand that she should have what she wanted too.
But, if Kishi was a good writer (especially a good romance writer), he wouldn't have stopped her development like he did.

To me, for Sakura to be a interesting character, she need to realize that her love for Sasuke was shallow, and that he really didn't deserve it.
And that Naruto is the one that deserve her love.

And I think she know that already (that fake confession was only partly fake IMO. She knows that she "should" love Naruto, but her hearts is still torn between the two).

So, it's up to Kishi to decide if he wants Sakura to grow, or if he wants her to remain the same as she was when she was introduced in this manga... just one of many Sasuke fangirls...Sakura's love for Sasuke is not shallow. That is one of things Kishimoto has beaten us over the head with, because Sasuke is srs bns. Any feelings for Sasuke is supposed to be serious, wheter it be rival or lover. Karin also had real loving feelings for Sasuke, despite his dark and anti social character.

[M3J]

I am not a great fan of NaruSaku i am more into NaruHina.However being realistic here I really dont think NaruHina is gonna happen. Remember Kushina said that Naruto should pick a wife that will be similiar to her.Even though it was said in a joking way, I suppose Naruto will choose a girl that will be more like Kushina, which Sakura is very similiar and Hnata is very not similiar. But then again I hope it will be NaruHina at the end.Cuz it pains when I think that Hinata almost died for naught during Pein arc
Karin is more like Kushina: red hair, firey temper, quick to punch or kick, and is pretty useful (seals vs. healing, detecting, and etc). Plus, Karin was saved in a similar fashion as Kushina was, though Sasuke was the one to save her. <_< Sakura and Kushina are similar, but so is Karin, adn she has the hair to boot.


Objectively, Ino is just as close a fit to Kushina, Karui and Karin could even be better (we don't know their stats yet).

Kushina:
comes from a old ninja family
Has a firey character
has long hair
has red hair
is bad with ninjutsu
is strong with fuuinjutsu

Sakura (3½):
no
yes
no
yes
average
yes

Hinata (3):
yes
no
yes
no
average
average

Ino (3½):
yes
yes
yes
no
no
average

Tenten (2½-3½):
?
yes
yes
no
average
no

Temari (2½):
yes
yes
no
no
no
average

Karin (3-6):
?
yes
yes
yes
?
?

Karui (2-5):
?
yes
no
yes
?
?

Kurotsuchi (2-3):
yes
yes
no
no
no
?
Don't make me chomp you for hinting at anything but Shikamaru x Temari! :yelling Those two go together pretty well, though Naruto and Sakura have more chemistry with each other than Sasuke and Sakura do. :\


Actually kishi is not all that bad with romance especially the minato and kushina's one, I think he ask his wife for help on that one which he can do for the relationship around the character at the end, but I will said this I reall believe that when sakura find out about the uchiha's massacre her love for sasuke will grow even bigger than ever, and I also believe that hinata is the best for naruto, she has the best quality out of all the girl he can possibly end up with which are:
1.) big boob, will bigger than sakura, and pretty much all the other girl I think.
2.)she only love naruto.
3.)she know about his good quality.
4.)she is willing to die for him.
5.)she is cute.
6.)she will never betray him.

while for girl like sakura, she has to many negative like:
1.)as long as sasuke is alive and ask, she would gladly open her leg to him even if she marry naruto.
2.)boob to small.
3.)too dumb.
4.)easy to betray other for her selfish thinking.
5.)think she is all that.
6.)lie to people.

as for karin:
1.) bite mark all over her body.
2.)same with sakura number 1.
3.)bitchy.
4.)freaky.

as for karui:
1.)flat chest.
2.)arrogant like kiba.
3.)seem to like puching people.
4.)not really cute.

Karui is cute IMO. :\

I really don't think Karin and Sakura will side with Sasuke anymore. Karin did hint that she gave up on Sasuke adn left him, and Sakura was more worried about Naruto than Sasuke (I think) at their last meeting.

Sakura's not dumb either... she was the only one on the team and possibly in her village to really answer the written exam during the chuunin without cheating.

If it weren't for Sakura and Naruto's good chemistry and interactions with each other, I'd have 50% gone for Hinata and 50% for Karin (based on Karin's personality and her comment on Naruto being a bright source thingie).

It'd be funny to see Naruto confess though. I so wanna see that! :XD Hopefully it's funny anyway. <_< otherwise, actual romance doesn't have to happen, you just know the characters belong together, like Hawkeye and Mustang from FMA and in my opinion, Nami x Luffy.

[THM Nindo]

Sakura's love for Sasuke is not shallow. That is one of things Kishimoto has beaten us over the head with, because Sasuke is srs bns. Any feelings for Sasuke is supposed to be serious, wheter it be rival or lover. Karin also had real loving feelings for Sasuke, despite his dark and anti social character.

Lol, it was shallow.
When you love someone that you never even talked with, it's not real love.

You can call it a crush, if you want, but nothing more.

[Jammin]

I wonder why it is that as i read these posts i start feeling strongly about NarutoXSakura again? Weird.:p

I'll freely admit Sakura has not been at her best since the pain invasion(with the exception of the short period where she ran off to snuff Sasuke), but the more i think about it the more i realize that, to me at least, she and Naruto just fit in a way that all these other characters just don't.


Ino
Is wonderful but not really close to Naruto at all, emotionally speaking.
Karin
Is also great but even further from Naruto.
Hinata
Sure SHE loves him but Naruto hasn't really gone out of his way to reciprocate that. Then there is the question of what the couple's dynamic would be like if they actually got together. To me watching Naruto and a subdued girlfriend would be boring beyond words; she needs to come out of the shell more often before i can root for her. The "Moe" factor just doesn't do it for me.
Karui
In her short time in the spotlight she came across to me as a bit of a jerk, not to mention her meeting with Naruto could hardly be called lovey dovey.


At the end of the day Sakura and Naruto are the one potential couple i understand the best. They have quite the history(he's been loving her long term and her feelings for him are at the very least mixed) and we are already very familiar with what their dynamic would be like; and i like that dynamic. It worked for Jiriaya and Tsunade, and i think it would work for them too.:amuse

[sho87]

Lol, it was shallow.
When you love someone that you never even talked with, it's not real love.

You can call it a crush, if you want, but nothing more.Sasuke is a difficult person to feel for in general. But Sakura deeply loves him for that reason. If it were a crush, she'd be more casual about but everytime Sasuke does something more dark, it just draws her more to him.

Sasuke is a character thats meant to be misunderstood, not cruel. Sakura's dymamic with him is based on the little instances that show his human side.

Just because he doesn't talk to her(he barely talks to anyone) doesn't meant he can't fall in love with her because he's a social retard.
[hr]

I wonder why it is that as i read these posts i start feeling strongly about NarutoXSakura again? Weird.:p

I'll freely admit Sakura has not been at her best since the pain invasion(with the exception of the short period where she ran off to snuff Sasuke), but the more i think about it the more i realize that, to me at least, she and Naruto just fit in a way that all these other characters just don't.


Ino
Is wonderful but not really close to Naruto at all, emotionally speaking.
Karin
Is also great but even further from Naruto.
Hinata
Sure SHE loves him but Naruto hasn't really gone out of his way to reciprocate that. Then there is the question of what the couple's dynamic would be like if they actually got together. To me watching Naruto and a subdued girlfriend would be boring beyond words; she needs to come out of the shell more often before i can root for her. The "Moe" factor just doesn't do it for me.
Karui
In her short time in the spotlight she came across to me as a bit of a jerk, not to mention her meeting with Naruto could hardly be called lovey dovey.


At the end of the day Sakura and Naruto are the one potential couple i understand the best. They have quite the history(he's been loving her long term and her feelings for him are at the very least mixed) and we are already very familiar with what their dynamic would be like; and i like that dynamic. It worked for Jiriaya and Tsunade, and i think it would work for them too.:amuseThere teammates with a common goal. Thats all there is to it.

[Brill]

They fit? Maybe like an old, nagging couple because that is all I really see from Sakura and Naruto. Granted that has softened somewhat in the recent chapters but that is still the main dynamic between Sakura and Naruto-not what many would call endearing. I think we've seen Sakura and Naruto the most but I haven't seen any real deveopment there. They're always together but they haven't had one serious heart-to-heart conversation about anything. Just because thost two are constantly together with a one-sided infatuation present doesn't alone establish the romantic pairing, especially when there is a love triangle in play. There has to be something more than them just being together. As of yet I don't think it's been put into play.

And if it is the destined pairing, why does Kishi continue to throw Hinata into the mix? Although brief when compared to Sakura and Naruto's time together, Naruto and Hinata's fleeting interactions are more emotionally charged (and dare I say, impactful) than the 500 Chapters of Sakura and Naruto being together. I mean why is the outside girl getting all the juicy stuff...unless, she's not the outside girl. ;) Granted part of the reason is to develop Naruto through interactions with others, but there has to be another reason to keep bringing in the third wheel over-and-over again. Hinata may be bashful, but she is slowly asserting herself and changing whom she is. She complements Naruto very well. Yeah, Hinata is a little moe' but Naruto is her protecetor after all so it kind of fits together. I'm sure many would take boisterous and quiet over smart and stupid any day of the week. Besides, you don't go 6-tails over nothing. Kishi is trying to establish a relationship but using a short-cut approach. The short approach may not be satisfying for those who want to see romantic develpoment, but Kishi obviously doesn't want to waste chapters on Naruto going on bona-fide dates.

[Jammin]

Sasuke is a difficult person to feel for in general. But Sakura deeply loves him for that reason. If it were a crush, she'd be more casual about but everytime Sasuke does something more dark, it just draws her more to him.

Sasuke is a character thats meant to be misunderstood, not cruel. Sakura's dymamic with him is based on the little instances that show his human side.

Just because he doesn't talk to her(he barely talks to anyone) doesn't meant he can't fall in love with her because he's a social retard.The fact that Sasuke doesn't talk to Sakura makes it so he really doesn't know her. Not at a personal level anyway. You can fall in love with someones appearance from afar, but you can't really fall in love with them until you actually know them; which you cannot do without actually communicating with them. And the only one Sasuke has ever really done any communication with is Naruto.

And even besides that, the fact that he has straight up tried to murder her on at least 2 occasions without so much batting a eyelash seems like a fairly good indicator on his deep down emotions regarding her. Or at least that's the way it seems to me.:oh


There teammates with a common goal. Thats all there is to it. So you say. Forgive me if i happen to disagree.:amuse

We are talking about the emotional nuances of fictional characters here there is no certainty but in my view they are far more than teammates with a common goal. I think of Sakura as being, Sasuke aside, probably the single closest person to Naruto among his peers.

[huynhlan]

For some of you who are supporter of narutox saukra, I want to ask you guy a question. Do you guy honest think that when sakura find out about the reason why sasuke is so evil right now(the uchiha massacre) she will still somehow can forget sasuke and end up with naruto? I for once don't think so, for one think if she know the reason behind his action being in trying to avenge his clan for the unjust that happen to them, and the fact that her family is also a reason for that to happen, she will not only love sasuke more, I bet she would be willingly to let sasuke kill her for revenge in hope of him returning to the old him in a sec without much thought. That's my opinion of what's going to happen to sakura once she know the truth.

[THM Nindo]

For some of you who are supporter of narutox saukra, I want to ask you guy a question. Do you guy honest think that when sakura find out about the reason why sasuke is so evil right now(the uchiha massacre) she will still somehow can forget sasuke and end up with naruto? I for once don't think so, for one think if she know the reason behind his action being in trying to avenge his clan for the unjust that happen to them, and the fact that her family is also a reason for that to happen, she will not only love sasuke more, I bet she would be willingly to let sasuke kill her for revenge in hope of him returning to the old him in a sec without much thought. That's my opinion of what's going to happen to sakura once she know the truth.

I'm actually afraid that it will go like you said.
When she'll hear the truth she will start crying and will be like "Ohh... poor Sasuke...", completely forgetting that he's an asshole.

It's not like he's the only one that got his entire clan annihilated... and they didn't all became evil bastard, even his brother who actually killed his clan didn't turn evil...

And there are other examples... like Kushina.

[huynhlan]

I'm actually afraid that it will go like you said.
When she'll hear the truth she will start crying and will be like "Ohh... poor Sasuke...", completely forgetting that he's an asshole.

It's not like he's the only one that got his entire clan annihilated... and they didn't all became evil bastard.

Look at Kushina for example...

Your example fits perfectly into how I see sakura reacting.

[sho87]

The fact that Sasuke doesn't talk to Sakura makes it so he really doesn't know her.So what? Sasuke doesn't talk to Naruto that much either, but they still understand each other. And your underestimating Sasuke's perception of Sakura, he understands her enough to know that she is struggling to be someone strong like Naruto and saw her for what she truly was when standing up to the people who made fun of her at the chunnin entrance.
Not at a personal level anyway.Elaborate please.
You can fall in love with someones appearance from afar, but you can't really fall in love with them until you actually know them; which you cannot do without actually communicating with them.Sakura understands plenty about Sasuke, same with Sasuke. it's just not as significant as with Naruto they both are connected to.
And the only one Sasuke has ever really done any communication with is Naruto.And thats because they're rivals, not best friends. They fight each other to understand each other. Other than that, the only one Sasuke communited to on a personal level was Madara and Itachi, his own clan and blood releatives.

And even besides that, the fact that he has straight up tried to murder her on at least 2 occasions without so much batting a eyelash seems like a fairly good indicator on his deep down emotions regarding her. Or at least that's the way it seems to me.:ohYour forgetting Sakura was the one who started that, she was there to kill him. And Sasuke simply reacted by surival instinct. But besides the point, Sakura is still in love with him despite those instances, look at how many times Sasuke has tried to kill Naruto and Naruto still sees him as his most important bond.
So you say. Forgive me if i happen to disagree.:amuse


We are talking about the emotional nuances of fictional characters here there is no certainty but in my view they are far more than teammates with a common goal. I think of Sakura as being, Sasuke aside, probably the single closest person to Naruto among his peers.Naruto is one of Sakura's cloest bonds, but he's not the bond that defines her, it's Ino. And Sasuke is the bond that she strives for the most in terms of romantic love. Naruto is close to Sakura is because they share the interest in saving a person who means more to them than their own happiness. Also their team mates connected to that bond.

[Muka]

For some of you who are supporter of narutox saukra, I want to ask you guy a question. Do you guy honest think that when sakura find out about the reason why sasuke is so evil right now(the uchiha massacre) she will still somehow can forget sasuke and end up with naruto? I for once don't think so, for one think if she know the reason behind his action being in trying to avenge his clan for the unjust that happen to them, and the fact that her family is also a reason for that to happen, she will not only love sasuke more, I bet she would be willingly to let sasuke kill her for revenge in hope of him returning to the old him in a sec without much thought. That's my opinion of what's going to happen to sakura once she know the truth.

Honestly, i don't know how it will turn, but it's canon that Sasuke will return some day.
And Sakura will obviously learn why he did what he did.
But still, i think she changed a lot.
So we'll see.
I actually think she cares more for Naruto now.
I think her feelings for Sasuke have evolved.

[sho87]

Honestly, i don't know how it will turn, but it's canon that Sasuke will return some day.
And Sakura will obviously learn why he did what he did.
But still, i think she changed a lot.
So we'll see.
I actually think she cares more for Naruto now.
I think her feelings for Sasuke have evolved.She cares for the both of them equally. But she can only be in love with one. Sasuke is her choice.

[THM Nindo]

She cares for the both of them equally. But she can only be in love with one. Sasuke is her choice.

Lol, she totally could be in love with both.
It's pretty obvious that her feelings are mixed and that she's confused, IMO.

She's still love Sasuke (the old Sasuke, not the new asshole), and developped feeling for Naruto at the same time.

During her "character development" a few chapters ago, she kinda realized that the old Sasuke was not coming back, and that Sasuke had become an asshole, and she decided that she had to kill him (good decision).
At the same time, she knew that Naruto was the right man for her, and she wanted to let him know that.

But, Naruto being Naruto, he convinced her once again that the new Sasuke (evil bastard) could come back to Konoha and turn back to his old self (emo-guy).

To me, Naruto seems like the biggest SasuSaku shippers in this manga...
He's digging his own grave by convincing Sakura that Sasuke will come back...

If it wasn't for him, Sakura would have abandon the idea of Sasuke (kinda like Karin did when she realized he was an evil bastard) and would probably already have fallen in love with him...

[Muka]

I agree with you THM nindo.
But we shouldn't underestimate Sakura ^^
She's really very clever, and i don't think Sasuke is her choice anymore.
Naruto has done so much for her, it's obvious she's really moved by that.
I actually think she has reminiscent feelings for Sasuke, the old Sasuke, but it's canon that she's furious with the actual Sasuke and his behaviour. She yield at him last time.
I think she strongly (just like Naruto) would like to believe that he can still come back like he once was, but she's angry because Sasuke has been childish. Yes he suffered a lot, but he's not the only one that suffers, and he reacts too darkly. Naruto would never have turned like that...
Sakura is very like Naruto, she always had the ability to find hope were there is no more.
I've always think those two get along so well...
To me, Sasuke would even give them his blessing ^^ according to his behaviour in part one (for example, when he honestly told Sakura it was Naruto who saved her, by risking his life).
After all this years, Naruto still love her so much. It's pure devotion.
It would be really weird, even more from someone like Naruto ("i'll never give up" blabla) to give up on Sakura...
but we'll see ^^ it's just my opinion ^^

[Jessie]

To me, Naruto seems like the biggest SasuSaku shippers in this manga...
He's digging his own grave by convincing Sakura that Sasuke will come back...

If it wasn't for him, Sakura would have abandon the idea of Sasuke (kinda like Karin did when she realized he was an evil bastard) and would probably already have fallen in love with him...
He doesn't want her to abandon the idea of Sasuke, because he can't abandon the idea of Sasuke himself. He wants him back. Naruto is the eternal optimist and I believe his conversation with Itachi about saving Sasuke more than his feelings that he and Sasuke have to die fighting each other.

As long as Sasuke is out there, Sakura will never be able to completely fall in love with Naruto. There is nothing Naruto can do about this. It's just something that needs a resolution. She is not going to move on like Karin because that is not her character's fate.

Once the Sasuke situation is resolved, then Sakura can finally deal with her true feelings. Sure, Kishi can then go with Sakura having a happy ending with the man of her dreams. She does love him and Naruto will perhaps encourage it. But maybe then is when she realizes that she always loved someone else. It's a cliche that has been used numerous times in Hollywood romances. The girl or guy finally gets what they want, but then decide what they always had was better.

Meanwhile poor Hinata will be there waiting...

It reminds me of the book/movie Gone with the Wind. Scarlett O'Hara was in love with Ashley Wilkes, but he had no interest in her. Rhett Butler was the best guy for her, but she still loved Ashely. No matter what Rhett did, he couldn't get Ashley out of her mind. Rhett and Scarlett, who were perfect together, had a rocky relationship because of this. Finally Ashley's wife died and he was free. But just then Scarlett realized than she never really loved Ashley, but Rhett.

[Sharikaaria]

It's important to keep in mind that they're all what - 15 or 16 years old by now? That's pretty young. If Sakura's having trouble dealing with becoming stronger, her lingering feelings for Sasuke, and her developing feelings for Naruto all at the same time, then it's perfectly natural. None of them have fully grown up yet. When Sakura does, I think she'll easily be able to pick Naruto over Sasuke.

[Jessie]

It's important to keep in mind that they're all what - 15 or 16 years old by now? That's pretty young. If Sakura's having trouble dealing with becoming stronger, her lingering feelings for Sasuke, and her developing feelings for Naruto all at the same time, then it's perfectly natural. None of them have fully grown up yet. When Sakura does, I think she'll easily be able to pick Naruto over Sasuke.
Yeah, but it is a 30 something year old guy writing for these characters. I don't expect them to act like normal teenagers. Plus these are kids that have been trained to kill since an early age. Any moment they can lose their lives. In that situation I'd probably mature a little faster. So again, I don't expect them to be like normal kids.

Speaking of which, I wonder if there are ninja psychiatrists? A lot of the characters could have used one.

[sho87]

I don't believe there is any reason to fall out of love with Sasuke, Sasuke is just to pure and worth longing for due to him always never looking outside his revenge, Sakura has pretty cemented her deep concerns with Sasuke due to this, Sasuke has never registered her feelings for her because he's never registered anything as a emotion other than hatred and revenge.

Falling in love with Naruto would be very shallow at this point, Naruto being a big hero and a very super pacisfist loses it's appeal after a certain amount of time especially when you are one of the ones who sees it coming. Naruto has proven himself as the better person compared to Sasuke, but Sakura would see it coming and would admit that falling in love with someone like that would be easier, but I'm not sure thats what Kishi wants Sakura to do.

Naruto would be to easy to end up with, Sasuke is different and much more challenging and I believe Sakura should stick to the hard road to achieve a sense of accomplishment if she wins Sasuke.
[hr]

Lol, she totally could be in love with both.
It's pretty obvious that her feelings are mixed and that she's confused, IMO.She's not confused, she knows exactly how she feels for both boys. Sasuke to her has always been her biggest driving point as a romantic interest, she knows Naruto is always therefore her. Nothing says she is neutral about the situation.


She's still love Sasuke (the old Sasuke, not the new asshole), and developped feeling for Naruto at the same time.She still loves Sasuke the same, and wants to help him, but he closes her off because he's always in the dark and Sakura can't understand that so she has Naruto and Kakashi give her hints on how deep Sasuke's pain really is.


During her "character development" a few chapters ago, she kinda realized that the old Sasuke was not coming back, and that Sasuke had become an asshole, and she decided that she had to kill him (good decision).
At the same time, she knew that Naruto was the right man for her, and she wanted to let him know that.It was all a lie, she lied to Naruto because she wanted to shoulder Naruto's burdern about the guilt confession in part 1, Naruto said she was being full of it and was acting out of character. .


But, Naruto being Naruto, he convinced her once again that the new Sasuke (evil bastard) could come back to Konoha and turn back to his old self (emo-guy).He didn't convince anyone, she was stern about killing Sasuke like the rest of the village was, he's the one who thinks he can be saved without dying.


To me, Naruto seems like the biggest SasuSaku shippers in this manga...
He's digging his own grave by convincing Sakura that Sasuke will come back...Well this is a shounen.


If it wasn't for him, Sakura would have abandon the idea of Sasuke (kinda like Karin did when she realized he was an evil bastard) and would probably already have fallen in love with him...I don't think so, Sakura still wants to help Sasuke, she just doesn't know how because no one will tell her anything.

[Thabor]

We are talking about the emotional nuances of fictional characters here there is no certainty but in my view they are far more than teammates with a common goal. I think of Sakura as being, Sasuke aside, probably the single closest person to Naruto among his peers.

They've only really had one significant interaction that didn't center entirely around Sasuke.. I would regard Shikamaru as much closer to Naruto than Sakura.

[sho87]

Naruto is determined to still let Sasuke acknowledge him. Same with Sakura. They both seem to want acknowledgement from this guy despite what he's done to him.

Which brings up my point of Sakura actually giving Sasuke another alternative to feeling positive emotions. Her love will help Sasuke find a part of him that isn't based on his clan or revenge, but rather protection and trust. Maybe eventually love.

[Jammin]

They've only really had one significant interaction that didn't center entirely around Sasuke.. I would regard Shikamaru as much closer to Naruto than Sakura.Come on now, you can't really believe that can you?:blink

I mean, they had more than one significant interaction not about Sasuke on the journey to save Garra alone and then there is the whole tender moment while he was training FRS . And there are plenty of others but i don't feel like typeing up a NaruSaku manafesto.....it's been done before.:p

Though i guess how many "significant interactions they've had" does depend on how you define "significant". Regardless though, i think she's had more with him than anybody else has. Shikamaru is probably tied with Sai for second place but i think it's a pretty distant second, at least among his peers


Naruto is determined to still let Sasuke acknowledge him. Same with Sakura. They both seem to want acknowledgement from this guy despite what he's done to him.

Which brings up my point of Sakura actually giving Sasuke another alternative to feeling positive emotions. Her love will help Sasuke find a part of him that isn't based on his clan or revenge, but rather protection and trust. Maybe eventually love.I don't think that's true at all.

Neither Sakura nor Naruto is interested in "acknowledgement" from him anymore. That ship has sailed. He's no longer really a figure whom they respect. They both care about him deeply and what concerns them isn't nearly so much about what he thinks about them, as it is what he runs around doing.

What they want is to prevent Sasuke from continuing to bring disaster to himself and to others.:oh

[Rosebunse]

Naruto is determined to still let Sasuke acknowledge him. Same with Sakura. They both seem to want acknowledgement from this guy despite what he's done to him.

Which brings up my point of Sakura actually giving Sasuke another alternative to feeling positive emotions. Her love will help Sasuke find a part of him that isn't based on his clan or revenge, but rather protection and trust. Maybe eventually love.

No, I'm with Jammin. They both think he's crazy and just want to help him keep from killing himself. Being someone's friend doesn't always mean you respect them as a person. Sometimes you have to treat them like a child and do what you can to protect them from themselves. Sure, maybe Sakura can and does love him in a romantic sense, but Sasuke's in no position to return that love. Before anything romantic can happen, he needs help and I think that's what Sakura has kinda figured out.

[sho87]

Come on now, you can't really believe that can you?:blink

I mean, they had more than one significant interaction not about Sasuke on the journey to save Garra alone and then there is the whole tender moment while he was training FRS .That was anime only. Also even if some of those things happen, they weren't romantic context. Also I don't believe they've ever had a conversation where Sasuke wasn't the main topic or a motivation on doing something together.
And there are plenty of others but i don't feel like typeing up a NaruSaku manafesto.....it's been done before.:pI don't think a wall of text would change the facts about their dynamic together. Sakura hardly registers on Naruto's importance scale as a main development crutch. Shikmaru and Killer Bee have developed Naruto personally more than Sakuta has.


Though i guess how many "significant interactions they've had" does depend on how you define "significant". Regardless though, i think she's had more with him than anybody else has.Reguardless of screen time with Naruto, she is still irrelevant when it comes to developing Naruto's character into a process of being a better ninja.
Shikamaru is probably tied with Sai for second place but i think it's a pretty distant second, at least among his peersIt's more like Sasuke is first, then Jiraya, then Kakashi + Shikamaru, and then Sakura since she's always going to be his best supporter of saving Sasuke.


I don't think that true at all.

Neither Sakura nor Naruto is interested in "acknowledgement" from him anymore. That ship has sailed. He's no longer really a figure whom they respect. They both care about him deeply and what concerns them isn't nearly so much about what he thinks about them, as it is what he runs around doing.They respect him plenty. He's part the reason why they are the people they are today and then some.


What they want is to prevent Sasuke from continuing to bring disaster to himself and to others.:ohAnd Acknowledge them as a friend or lover.

[Rosebunse]

That was anime only. Also even if some of those things happen, they weren't romantic context. Also I don't believe they've ever had a conversation where Sasuke wasn't the main topic or a motivation on doing something together. I don't think a wall of text would change the facts about their dynamic together. Sakura hardly registers on Naruto's importance scale as a main development crutch. Shikmaru and Killer Bee have developed Naruto personally more than Sakuta has.

Reguardless of screen time with Naruto, she is still irrelevant when it comes to developing Naruto's character into a process of being a better ninja. It's more like Sasuke is first, then Jiraya, then Kakashi + Shikamaru, and then Sakura since she's always going to be his best supporter of saving Sasuke.

They respect him plenty. He's part the reason why they are the people they are today and then some.

And Acknowledge them as a friend or lover.

Naw, naw...My one friend has problems, serious problems. And when they start to get bad, I don't treat them as one would a friend. I take some of their control away from them because I know that they are a danger to themselves and others. When they get back to normal and are in a sound mind, they usually thank me for this because it lets them focus on themsleves.

[Brill]

Yeah, but it is a 30 something year old guy writing for these characters. I don't expect them to act like normal teenagers. Plus these are kids that have been trained to kill since an early age. Any moment they can lose their lives. In that situation I'd probably mature a little faster. So again, I don't expect them to be like normal kids.

Speaking of which, I wonder if there are ninja psychiatrists? A lot of the characters could have used one.

Just remember it's a 30-year old Japanese male. It's a common ideology for Japanese girls to wait for their men. So while "American" Sakura may love them and leave them, "Japanese" Sakura may behave somewhat differenty.

[Muka]

Naruto is the eternal optimist and I believe his conversation with Itachi about saving Sasuke more than his feelings that he and Sasuke have to die fighting each other.

It's not a feeling he has. It's a warning he made to Sasuke. It's obvious he doesn't want to die, and he doesn't want Sasuke to die either.


As long as Sasuke is out there, Sakura will never be able to completely fall in love with Naruto. There is nothing Naruto can do about this. It's just something that needs a resolution. She is not going to move on like Karin because that is not her character's fate.

To me it's not about fate. It's about the fact that Sakura is just like Naruto, and that's she's not able to abandon a friend.


Once the Sasuke situation is resolved, then Sakura can finally deal with her true feelings. Sure, Kishi can then go with Sakura having a happy ending with the man of her dreams. She does love him and Naruto will perhaps encourage it. But maybe then is when she realizes that she always loved someone else. It's a cliche that has been used numerous times in Hollywood romances. The girl or guy finally gets what they want, but then decide what they always had was better.

I soooo agree with that.
Sakura is already on the verge of realising that.


Meanwhile poor Hinata will be there waiting...

I really don't think Hinata is waiting for anything.
She smiled at Sakura embracing Naruto back then.
I think Hinata's development may be over now.
We'll see, but for what we saw until now, she doesn't seem unhappy at all, or waiting for something.


It reminds me of the book/movie Gone with the Wind. Scarlett O'Hara was in love with Ashley Wilkes, but he had no interest in her. Rhett Butler was the best guy for her, but she still loved Ashely. No matter what Rhett did, he couldn't get Ashley out of her mind. Rhett and Scarlett, who were perfect together, had a rocky relationship because of this. Finally Ashley's wife died and he was free. But just then Scarlett realized than she never really loved Ashley, but Rhett.

It's true.

[Rosebunse]

Just remember it's a 30-year old Japanese male. It's a common ideology for Japanese girls to wait for their men. So while "American" Sakura may love them and leave them, "Japanese" Sakura may behave somewhat differenty.

True, but I think it's, ultimately, kinda the same for both cultures. And Sakura isn't really anyone's girl. But I have to wonder, would even a Japanese guy think it good for a girl to wait for a guy who, she isn't betrothed to or anything, is kinda crazy and doesn't have much of a future in front of him at the current time? C'mon, we girls think about these things. And since Sakura wasn't running after him, I think Kishi knows she's thinking about this too.

[huynhlan]

True, but I think it's, ultimately, kinda the same for both cultures. And Sakura isn't really anyone's girl. But I have to wonder, would even a Japanese guy think it good for a girl to wait for a guy who, she isn't betrothed to or anything, is kinda crazy and doesn't have much of a future in front of him at the current time? C'mon, we girls think about these things. And since Sakura wasn't running after him, I think Kishi knows she's thinking about this too.

I think sakura is not running after sasuke right now is because
1.) she didn't know the reason for why he is doing right now.
2.)she is waiting for naruto yet agian to fix every thing just look at this page
http://www.mangareader.net/93-48483-9/naruto/chapter-487.html

[Brill]

True, but I think it's, ultimately, kinda the same for both cultures. And Sakura isn't really anyone's girl. But I have to wonder, would even a Japanese guy think it good for a girl to wait for a guy who, she isn't betrothed to or anything, is kinda crazy and doesn't have much of a future in front of him at the current time? C'mon, we girls think about these things. And since Sakura wasn't running after him, I think Kishi knows she's thinking about this too.

Girls and guys wait to be noticed by the ones they want in both cultures. Hell, every 5th love song to dedicated to this phenomena and Kishi has had Sakura straight as an arrow in lieu of everything that has happened. She's not a love'm then leave'm girl.

[Jessie]

^ But you get over it. She didn't even get to the love'm part with Sasuke.

Because the focus of the manga isn't on romance, the characters don't go through any natural crush phases. Love is about failure more than success. Sakura did not have a romantic relationship with Sasuke. They didn't have some great love affair. They weren't a couple. He was her crush. So it would be natural for Sakura, as a teenage girl, to move her crush to someone else. Like say Kiba just to pull a name at random. It could be anyone. This is natural and part of growing up. That doesn't mean Sakura still can't be concerned for Sasske as a friend and want him back. That's a whole other matter.

How many times do you find your true love at 12 years old? You're going to go through a number of guys to weed out the Sasukes. :p

[sho87]

Sakura's character seems to be based on romance.

And this is Sasuke were talking about, if Sakura won't love him. No girl will because Sasuke is the only boy who's personality and actions still mean something to Sakura as a person while everyone else gives up on him.

This applies to Naruto as well, but as a brother.

[THM Nindo]

She definitely not see him as a brother.

What kind of sister would offer herself to his brother like she did to Naruto?
No, I think that she have strong feelings (not brother/sister) feelings for Naruto that aren't identified yet (even for her).

And like someone said before, until her feelings for Sasuke are resolved, she won't be able to face her feelings for Naruto.

[Brill]

^ But you get over it. She didn't even get to the love'm part with Sasuke.

Well for 3 years Sakura hasn't gotten over him. And her last thoughts on the matter still thnks things can be salvaged. She could change her mind yet but she hasn't veered off-course, there is nothing to suggest that she won't continue with her adoration with Sasuke.


Because the focus of the manga isn't on romance, the characters don't go through any natural crush phases. Love is about failure more than success. Sakura did not have a romantic relationship with Sasuke. They didn't have some great love affair. They weren't a couple. He was her crush. So it would be natural for Sakura, as a teenage girl, to move her crush to someone else. Like say Kiba just to pull a name at random. It could be anyone. This is natural and part of growing up. That doesn't mean Sakura still can't be concerned for Sasske as a friend and want him back. That's a whole other matter.

The focus isn't romance but it is the justification for people being there. Sakura, Hinata and arguably Ino's reason for being written in the script is for romance. Sakura isn't doing this for Naruto's bond with Sasuke she's doing it for her own one-sided bond with Sasuke. Just because it lacks reciprocation doesn't invalidate it as romance.


How many times do you find your true love at 12 years old? You're going to go through a number of guys to weed out the Sasukes.

Girls don't find religion until 30 when they start dating nice guys for a change. So Sakura has another 14 years of this to go. :p


She definitely not see him as a brother.

What kind of sister would offer herself to his brother like she did to Naruto?
No, I think that she have strong feelings (not brother/sister) feelings for Naruto that aren't identified yet (even for her).

And like someone said before, until her feelings for Sasuke are resolved, she won't be able to face her feelings for Naruto.

What sister would lie to her brother to relieve him of a burdan that she was partially responsible for? More than you might care to think.

[M3J]

She definitely not see him as a brother.

What kind of sister would offer herself to his brother like she did to Naruto?
No, I think that she have strong feelings (not brother/sister) feelings for Naruto that aren't identified yet (even for her).

And like someone said before, until her feelings for Sasuke are resolved, she won't be able to face her feelings for Naruto.
I think her feelings for Naruto are identified, but she doesn't think she deserves Naruto after all the crap she's put him through and the way she's treated him. She blames herself for Naruto going to great lengths to rescue Sasuke and remembers how badly she used to treat him back in Part I whereas Sasuke and even Hinata acknowledged Naruto (to some extent for the former anyway). Not to mention, learning what HInata did for Naruto must make her feel bad since she's felt useless, as she confided to Yamato when she was healing him.

I think she did mean what she said, but the problem was that she had a motive behind it, to get Naruto to stop going after Sasuke, hence why Naruto thinks it may not be heartfelt. Plus, Sakura's probably trying to avoid losing Naruto too since she lost Sasuke and thinks he can't be saved since she really does care for Naruto. She cried in fear for Sasuke's life (I think during the exam when he got bit by the Cursed Seal) and she cried for Naruto when she learned if the bijuu gets extracted, the jinchuuriki die. All that's left is to see her reaction if Naruto "died" like Sasuke did in Zabuza arc, though I'm sure Sakura would cry too.

However, she probably does and will love Sasuke the most, but she has feelings for Naruto too.


^ But you get over it. She didn't even get to the love'm part with Sasuke.


How dare you forget about Sasuke's lovetap to her before he left Konoha! :yelling With Sasuke, that's as close to love'm as you can get, especially since he thanked Sakura! :yelling

[sho87]

She definitely not see him as a brother.

What kind of sister would offer herself to his brother like she did to Naruto?
No, I think that she have strong feelings (not brother/sister) feelings for Naruto that aren't identified yet (even for her).

And like someone said before, until her feelings for Sasuke are resolved, she won't be able to face her feelings for Naruto.Shonen jump bonds are usually exxagerrated more than real life bonds(Nakama stuff). Naruto is very close to her, but it's more on the lines of a family type not a romantic type. She knows her feelings, and Naruto knows them as well. She is in love with Sasuke while Naruto is her greatest friend and teammate and brother.

Hinata faced her feelings towards Naruto directly and honestly. That is why she has a better face value of harboring passionate feelings for Naruto.

Sakura lied to him about a thing that she really never felt about him.
[hr]
Plus doesn't Sakura know Hinata has deep feelings for Naruto? She said so herself while healing Hinata.

[Sharikaaria]

Eh, NarutoxHinata would be a match boring beyond reason. Hinata's a good shinobi and has great determination, but her personality is quiet and subdued. The dynamics would be awful between them. Naruto needs someone who's confident enough to smack him when he's being an idiot. And that's precisely what Sakura does.


Sakura's character seems to be based on romance.

And this is Sasuke were talking about, if Sakura won't love him. No girl will because Sasuke is the only boy who's personality and actions still mean something to Sakura as a person while everyone else gives up on him.

This applies to Naruto as well, but as a brother.

Since when did someone absolutely have to love Sasuke? It's no problem if he ends up alone. He's pushed everyone away and doesn't deserve Naruto or Sakura's respect. Actually, I think Kishi will have failed on character development if he keeps Sakura in love with him. Realistically, would any girl stick around a guy who tried to stab a chidori in the back of her head? Especially if the they never had a romantic relationship to begin with? Hellz no.

Oh, and during Naruto and Sasuke's last meeting, who was Sakura more concerned about? She was looking almost exclusively at Naruto. In fact, her entire initiative to kill Sasuke stemmed from not wanting to cause Naruto any more pain. She's definitely still confused, but it's pretty obvious that her feelings are taking a different trend.

[huynhlan]

Eh, NarutoxHinata would be a match boring beyond reason. Hinata's a good shinobi and has great determination, but her personality is quiet and subdued. The dynamics would be awful between them. Naruto needs someone who's confident enough to smack him when he's being an idiot. And that's precisely what Sakura does.



Since when did someone absolutely have to love Sasuke? It's no problem if he ends up alone. He's pushed everyone away and doesn't deserve Naruto or Sakura's respect. Actually, I think Kishi will have failed on character development if he keeps Sakura in love with him. Realistically, would any girl stick around a guy who tried to stab a chidori in the back of her head? Especially if the they never had a romantic relationship to begin with? Hellz no.

Oh, and during Naruto and Sasuke's last meeting, who was Sakura more concerned about? She was looking almost exclusively at Naruto. In fact, her entire initiative to kill Sasuke stemmed from not wanting to cause Naruto any more pain. She's definitely still confused, but it's pretty obvious that her feelings are taking a different trend.

Not quite naruxhina mirror his dad and mom's relationship and we all saw that it can work, minato was more the quiet type, while kushina was the more loud type yet it work out fine.

And another thing even though sasuke try to stab her in the head, she still cry over him, she still hesitant to kill him, her feeling for him are still there, and she still belive that naruto will be able to bring sasuke and this show her feeling for him, imagine how she would react if she know the reason for his action. She would love him even more, but it could be true she have some feeling for naruto, but it doesn't matter cause it's impossible for a girl to love two guy at the same time, sure they said they do, but they will alway love one guy more than the other, and I don't think it's fair for naruto to be with a girl like that.

[Sharikaaria]

Not quite naruxhina mirror his dad and mom's relationship and we all saw that it can work, minato was more the quiet type, while kushina was the more loud type yet it work out fine.

And another thing even though sasuke try to stab her in the head, she still cry over him, she still hesitant to kill him, her feeling for him are still there, and she still belive that naruto will be able to bring sasuke and this show her feeling for him, imagine how she would react if she know the reason for his action. She would love him even more, but it could be true she have some feeling for naruto, but it doesn't matter cause it's impossible for a girl to love two guy at the same time, sure they said they do, but they will alway love one guy more than the other, and I don't think it's fair for naruto to be with a girl like that.

Minato was softspoken, but he didn't go into fainting fits every time he saw Kushina. There's a big difference between their relationship and NaruHina. While they balanced one another out, I could only see Hinata worshipping Naruto and letting him get his way with everything. She can only tell him, "Naruto, you're an awesome person." But she'll have trouble telling him when he's being stupid. That's not a healthy relationship. He needs someone who will keep him in check.

I don't really think Naruto deserves a girl who has split feelings either. She'll have to figure them out before anything happens. While I am a NaruSaku fan, I could easily imagine it not happening as well. I'm just saying NaruHina wouldn't work either.

[huynhlan]

it's true hinata would often faint when she see naruto in part 1 but her growth has come to a point were she can confess her feeling to him without fainting, while sakura and her feeling are still the same as it were before, with a little improvement with naruto. And another thing so you think in a relationship were the girl boss the guy around is a healthy relationship, like for instead yell at him or hitting him. One thing that I hate about sakura is her attitude she blame naruto for stuff that are her fault like when naruto wanted to go to sleep due to the posion, she got mad at him and call him lazy, even though it was her fault. If naruto were in a relationship with her, then I believe it will be more unhealthy for him then with hinata. And another thing, I believe that her feeling for sasuke won't go away that easily especially when she know the truth about why he is being so evil, and unless it's show that she indeed have gotten over sasuke, then her ending up with naruto can only be view as, her not being able to end up with her greatest love so she settle for her second choice.

[Brill]

Minato was softspoken, but he didn't go into fainting fits every time he saw Kushina. There's a big difference between their relationship and NaruHina. While they balanced one another out, I could only see Hinata worshipping Naruto and letting him get his way with everything. She can only tell him, "Naruto, you're an awesome person." But she'll have trouble telling him when he's being stupid. That's not a healthy relationship. He needs someone who will keep him in check.

I don't really think Naruto deserves a girl who has split feelings either. She'll have to figure them out before anything happens. While I am a NaruSaku fan, I could easily imagine it not happening as well. I'm just saying NaruHina wouldn't work either.

I dunno, it seems kind of self-serving to claim that Sakura is capable of changing by dropping her love for Sasuke. In fact, Sakura must be capable of changing for SakuNaru to work, but then claim that Naruto and Hinata are uncapable of changing-regardless of how their characters have evolved.

Obviosuly Kushina mellowed as she got older so she could live with Minato. Why isn't Naruto capable of that to spend it with Hinata?

[Sharikaaria]

I dunno, it seems kind of self-serving to claim that Sakura is capable of changing by dropping her love for Sasuke. In fact, Sakura must be capable of changing for SakuNaru to work, but then claim that Naruto and Hinata are uncapable of changing-regardless of how their characters have evolved.

Obviosuly Kushina mellowed as she got older so she could live with Minato. Why isn't Naruto capable of that to spend it with Hinata?

I don't think Minato's personality is the same as Hinata's. She's not as natural with people, much more introverted. But seeing as we haven't seen much of either of them, there's no way to accurately compare them. Still, if NaruHina happened.. man, how much do you think he'd have to mellow out??

Actually, if you read my post fully, I said that it's likely that NaruSaku won't work. If Kishi will keep her on her one-sided, blind obsession with Sasuke, then it won't happen. I also wrote that she doesn't deserve Naruto if she's really that stupid. I don't see how that's self-serving.

[Jammin]

I dunno, it seems kind of self-serving to claim that Sakura is capable of changing by dropping her love for Sasuke. In fact, Sakura must be capable of changing for SakuNaru to work, but then claim that Naruto and Hinata are uncapable of changing-regardless of how their characters have evolved.

Obviosuly Kushina mellowed as she got older so she could live with Minato. Why isn't Naruto capable of that to spend it with Hinata?I don't think that's really what Sharikaaria was saying.

She was just pointing out that the parallel between Minato and Hinata doesn't really jive. So NarutoXHinata probably aren't going to be functioning the same way they did. Hinata just doesn't fit that mold very well.

-----------------

As for Naruto and Sakura requiring some development(IE Sakura getting past her Sasuke hangup). I think that's true but it's also true, that for Naruto and Hinata, Naruto is going to have to get past his Sakura hang-up. So those two arguments seem to offset IMO.

[Brill]

I don't think Minato's personality is the same as Hinata's. She's not as natural with people, much more introverted. But seeing as we haven't seen much of either of them, there's no way to accurately compare them. Still, if NaruHina happened.. man, how much do you think he'd have to mellow out??

Actually, if you read my post fully, I said that it's likely that NaruSaku won't work. If Kishi will keep her on her one-sided, blind obsession with Sasuke, then it won't happen. I also wrote that she doesn't deserve Naruto if she's really that stupid. I don't see how that's self-serving.

Hasn't he mellowed out already? He still has his spaz moments but Naruto has mellowed/matured since his days in Part 1. There isn't a reaason to think that it won't continue, unless you believe he is uncapable of maturing further. But if he is like Kushina then he definitely will. The same is true for Hinata. Yeah she had her fainting spell in the beginning of Part 2, but she didn't when she was on the mission to find Sasuke-in fact she initiated conversation with Naruto, and she clearly wasn't undecisive/reserved when she confronted Pain. I don't see her getting flustered around Naruto anymore. That was her character development, IMO. Of course, Kishi could always regress her back to her former self but that would be a waste. Hinata has changed as well so maybe she could confront Naruto when he's an idiot. It won't be like Sakura who punches Naruto-that would be too great a character shift. However, it's the quiet ones who are the scary ones when it comes to punishment. :p

It's self-serving to say Sakura can change-in fact must change for Naruto and Sakura to be a couple-while not acknowledging the changes in Naruto or Hinata. Naruto isn't the same hot-headed kid anymore. Sure he has his moments but he's more temperate these days. Hinata is gretting more self-confident. She is able to interact with others including Naruto. You can put a quiet person and a loud person together and make it work. It did for Kushina and Minato, there is no reason to think it couldn't for Hinata and Naruto. They are becomnig more compatible for each other it just lacks development.

[Rosebunse]

I don't know. Naruto has matured. He's alot more appealing than he was as a kid. And this new chapter-539-has me confused on who Sakura loves. And while I like HinaNaru, they just aren't together enough. However, I like SasuSaku more than NaruSaku, if only because...well, in the end, I love SasuNaru. Yes, it won't be canon, but I'm on a Beyblade binge and for those who know what the old episodes of Beyblade are like, then you can understand how I got this bad. KaiXTaka forever!

[Brill]

Well the latest chapter puts a hole in the theory that Sakura loves both guys. It's gonna be one or the other.

[THM Nindo]

Well the latest chapter puts a hole in the theory that Sakura loves both guys. It's gonna be one or the other.

And, honestly, can you really see Sakura say something like that with almost a smile in her face while thinking of Sasuke?

No, I think she's thinking of... Naruto!! :tem

[Jessie]

I figured Kishi's little love letter would stir the NaruHinaSasuSaku pot. :amuse I just read a long thread on another forum on it. Most of it was shippers fighting, but there was one point that did make sense. Kishi tends to play things very coy when addressing Sakura's feelings for Naruto. It is much less obvious than her love for Sasuke.

So I think it was Naruto she was talking about and not Sasuke. It would just be too obvious if it were Sasuke. There would be no reason for Kishi to add this scene if she were just confirming her love for Sasuke. He could of used another way to have a red herring this chapter than a guy in love with Sakura.

It reminded me of when Yamato was about to tell her she loved Naruto but was cut off.

Well we are seeing some romance in this war thanks to this ninja. Just not the romances we care about yet. So maybe it is a sign Kishi will finally move.

[Brill]

It's not an issue of Kishi being obvious, it's always been an issue of Kishi being ambiguous when it comes to Sakura and to Naruto as well. Sakura is obvious for her feelings of Sasuke, she has been ambiguous about her feelings of Naruto. Naruto was obvious about his feelings for Sakura but now they've grown more ambiguous as are his feelings to Hinata.

Sakura has been a straight arrow for Sasuke for 3 years now and we haven't seen one lick of her since Sasuke and Naruto's agreement to duel each other. We don't know what she's feeling and that remark could easily be one of embarassment in order to get rid of creepy ninja guy, as much as another confession of love for Sasuke or more remotely, Naruto.

[honoric]

After the false confession and how she react toward Sasuke, its a fact that the one sakura love is sasuke
So in the last chapter the one she talking about IS SASUKE not naruto....

her feeling for naruto ARE NOT ROMENTICAL

[Jammin]

Hahaha:rofl

He did it again. I find it so funny how often Kishi does his signature "Rorschach Romance". And every-time people take the bait; hook, line, and sinker(myself included).

That scene is what you want it to be. As a Naruto/Sakura fan to me it's obvious that Sakura was talking about Naruto. To Sasuke/Sakura fans and Naruto/Hinata fans i'm sure it's just as obvious that she was talking about Sasuke. Absolutely hilarious.:grin2

[3c]

There's not much to get from it really. Like Brill said it can easily be a statement to get the stalker away. I would honestly find it a little weird if she suddenly loves Naruto, unless the confession wasn't entirely false after all but that's useless to think about.

If she's being honest then it could be either of them. It could be Naruto because she's a little shy about it and it's plainly put not very normal to just blurp out "I'm in love with X you see" to someone that doesn't even know the guy, although the shinobi has possibly heard of Naruto's name since they're fighting to keep him and Bee safe. On the other hand she could have hid the name because saying she's in love with Sasuke, a wanted criminal is not very clever now is it? At any rate it's just another useless tease by Kishi.

[Asclepius]

Oh, shut up everyone!
She's in love with Neji after touching his muscular bare chest in the tent.
:luv




:lmao Ican't believe i wrote that, i better check if fever is back.

[Jessie]

Hahaha:rofl

He did it again. I find it so funny how often Kishi does his signature "Rorschach Romance". And every-time people take the bait; hook, line, and sinker(myself included).

That scene is what you want it to be. As a Naruto/Sakura fan to me it's obvious that Sakura was talking about Naruto. To Sasuke/Sakura fans and Naruto/Hinata fans i'm sure it's just as obvious that she was talking about Sasuke. Absolutely hilarious.:grin2
And to the one Shino/Sakura fan, she was talking about him. :p We are pigeons and Kishi is throwing us some crumbs. Such is romance in Naruto. Nothing is ever clear and everything is open to interpretation.


Oh, shut up everyone!
She's in love with Neji after touching his muscular bare chest in the tent.
:luv




:lmao Ican't believe i wrote that, i better check if fever is back.
Neji is too hot for her. :amuse

[jdw]

I am not sure if she was trolling the guy to get rid of him, or if she meant Naruto or Sasuke, but even if she meant Naruto, she still deserves to die for the previous confession.


http://oi51.tinypic.com/wkrdl3.jpg

[THM Nindo]

After the false confession and how she react toward Sasuke, its a fact that the one sakura love is sasuke
So in the last chapter the one she talking about IS SASUKE not naruto....

her feeling for naruto ARE NOT ROMENTICAL

DId you think that you're argument would be better because you bolded the words and put them in capitals?

SAKURA LOVES NARUTO

Did that convince you?

Really, if you want to discuss this romance, at least try to put some argument behind your thoughts.

And, stating opinion as if they were "facts", like you did, is really not regarded well in a forum.
[hr]

Hahaha:rofl

He did it again. I find it so funny how often Kishi does his signature "Rorschach Romance". And every-time people take the bait; hook, line, and sinker(myself included).

That scene is what you want it to be. As a Naruto/Sakura fan to me it's obvious that Sakura was talking about Naruto. To Sasuke/Sakura fans and Naruto/Hinata fans i'm sure it's just as obvious that she was talking about Sasuke. Absolutely hilarious.:grin2

Yes, you're absolutely right.
This scene add nothing on neither side. There's no way to know who's she's talking about.

But, at least, it stand to show that Kishi didn't forget about romance.
Maybe he's planning on putting some war romance in the next chapters, that would be nice.

[M3J]

There's not much to get from it really. Like Brill said it can easily be a statement to get the stalker away. I would honestly find it a little weird if she suddenly loves Naruto, unless the confession wasn't entirely false after all but that's useless to think about.

If she's being honest then it could be either of them. It could be Naruto because she's a little shy about it and it's plainly put not very normal to just blurp out "I'm in love with X you see" to someone that doesn't even know the guy, although the shinobi has possibly heard of Naruto's name since they're fighting to keep him and Bee safe. On the other hand she could have hid the name because saying she's in love with Sasuke, a wanted criminal is not very clever now is it? At any rate it's just another useless tease by Kishi.

If it was Naruto, Sakura wouldn't really be that quick to declare it. I mean, she does feel guilty and horrible for what she put Naruto through, burdening him with the pain of bringing back Sasuke and etc and on top of that, giving him a "fake" confession. while she may love Sasuke, I think she's given up on him... probably. Possibly not cuz of her thinking happy ending was possible.....................

She loves Naruto (too?) but can't say it because she thinks she doesn't deserve his love... yet anyway.

<_<

NaruHina ftw.

[Rosebunse]

Damn Kishi. It could be either one. Sure, Kishi likes to downplay any "love" Sakura has for Naruto, but too, there are a few very good reasons for her not to bring Sasuke up.

But I think it would be interesting to see if she were kidnapped. And raped. But Kishi wouldn't put the rape part in there because, this is shoenen and not fanfiction.

Let's remember to keep our fanfiction/drugs separate from the actual manga no matter how bored we are.

[sho87]

I'm pretty sure in an interview, Kishimoto supported NaruHina. So Sakura must be talking about Sasuke.
[hr]

And, honestly, can you really see Sakura say something like that with almost a smile in her face while thinking of Sasuke?

No, I think she's thinking of... Naruto!! :temOf course, like Naruto, she's always optimistic about her goals. She's basically a Fem Naruto. Thats why she's the main heroine. If Naruto feels that he can be saved, so can she.

[Sharikaaria]

I am not sure if she was trolling the guy to get rid of him, or if she meant Naruto or Sasuke, but even if she meant Naruto, she still deserves to die for the previous confession.


Yeah, that was pretty awful/embarrassing. And somehow everyone just let it slide and never mentioned anything about it again. Typical of Kishi. He never showed Naruto giving a thought to Hinata's actually real confession either, so maybe there just isn't any hope for the romance in this manga.

[MysticAzure]

I'm not quite understanding why that means Sakura's talking about Naruto. I don't think she was hiding anything. I wouldn't be like, "Sorry, I'm in love with John Smith." Why would you be specific with a random person? It's been shoved in our faces that she loves Sasuke. Karin also said so and I'm assuming she knew this on a chakra based level. As well as Kishimoto's own confirmation of this. As Sai said, she's committed to her love for Sasuke.

I don't see why everyone thinks shes hiding something. It was an awkward moment and "I like someone else" was all that needed to be said, really. She didn't have to give the guy specifics.

[Muka]

I'm pretty sure in an interview, Kishimoto supported NaruHina. So Sakura must be talking about Sasuke.
<hr noshade size="1">
Of course, like Naruto, she's always optimistic about her goals. She's basically a Fem Naruto. Thats why she's the main heroine. If Naruto feels that he can be saved, so can she.


Which interview please ?

Because i'm pretty sure Kishimoto is supporting NaruSaku.
Oh well... no argument at all. Sorry :-_-

[THM Nindo]

Which interview please ?

Because i'm pretty sure Kishimoto is supporting NaruSaku.
Oh well... no argument at all. Sorry :-_-

I think this is the interview he's talking about:



Interviewer
"Sakura had always been worried about Naruto, but her actions towards Naruto seem to have a different feel from before, she seems very anxious about Naruto...
How does she feel about Sasuke-kun?"

Kishimoto
"As for Sakura... Sasuke... what about Sasuke? Naruto is close and she worries about Naruto as well, but as expected, she [loves] Sasuke.

Interviewer
Because of this, she acted quite haughty towards that guy.
She used Naruto's love for her and told him she loved him.

Kishimoto
On the contrary.... I felt like depicting an honest girl, with a surprisingly stubborn impression.
So... she became such a character, but... well... from here on, maybe I should draw her showing a bit more spirit.
I figured I had placed her in a heroin-like situation
But from the readers I was told harshly that she wasn't heroin-ish at all
Perhaps I should show depict her a bit more like a heroin
Because you say 'Hinata Hinata,' I say 'She's not Hinata' "

Interviewer
"When I first saw her hugging Naruto, my heart beat throbbed a bit."

Kishimoto
"Well, an unpleasant person is an unpleasant person, but the feeling I was trying to depict is that you could say "after this, [my opinion of her] has gone up a bit... yeah"


----------------

So, what I get from that is that Kishimoto doesn't really like Sakura as a character and describe her as an "unpleasant" person.

But, he also say that people are always talking about Hinata and comparing them, and he reply simply by saying: "She's not Hinata".

I think that basically mean "Stop talking about Hinata, she's never going to be an important character in this manga."
But that might just be how I see it... :tem

[Sharikaaria]

I think this is the interview he's talking about:



----------------

So, what I get from that is that Kishimoto doesn't really like Sakura as a character and describe her as an "unpleasant" person.

But, he also say that people are always talking about Hinata and comparing them, and he reply simply by saying: "She's not Hinata".

I think that basically mean "Stop talking about Hinata, she's never going to be an important character in this manga."
But that might just be how I see it... :tem

Yeah, it sounded as if he finds Hinata irrelevant.

Whatever he's trying to make Sakura out to be is not showing up for the readers, I think. She was not much like a heroine when she lied to Naruto about her feelings, although he intended for her to be one. Now he's calling her unpleasant. And yes - she's definitely had her unpleasant moments, but I wouldn't use that word to define her entire character.

At the end, he did say she's improving in that respect, so at least we can hope for something better from Sakura. Thank goodness..

[lordHokage]

So, what I get from that is that Kishimoto doesn't really like Sakura as a character and describe her as an "unpleasant" person.

But, he also say that people are always talking about Hinata and comparing them, and he reply simply by saying: "She's not Hinata".

I think that basically mean "Stop talking about Hinata, she's never going to be an important character in this manga."
But that might just be how I see it... :tem

To be fair, Sakura is not an important character in this manga either. To this day, we know nothing about Sakura's clan, her parents or family members. Hinata may not be one of the leading characters in this manga but we know alot more about Hinata than Sakura and why is that? If Sakaru's so-called love confession was sincere, Naruto would have never told her that he hate people who lie to themselves. Even though Sakura is still in love with Sasuke, I honestly don't think that Sakura knows the difference between love and being in love. Sakura is infatuation with the thought of being in love with Sasuke while Hinata's loves for Naruto come natural. :(

[sho87]

I think this is the interview he's talking about:



----------------

So, what I get from that is that Kishimoto doesn't really like Sakura as a character and describe her as an "unpleasant" person.

But, he also say that people are always talking about Hinata and comparing them, and he reply simply by saying: "She's not Hinata".

I think that basically mean "Stop talking about Hinata, she's never going to be an important character in this manga."
But that might just be how I see it... :temNope, Kishi in an inteview stated that one dynamic will happen in the end romantic wise, and he banks for Hinata to get her chance with Naruto.
[hr]
You know, I always wondered something. How come Sasuke can have such a positive effect on Naruto and not a positive effect on Sakura when it comes down to bonds or love.

For Naruto, Naruto grows and develops better and stronger for his motivation for Sasuke and is drive to save him is apperant with his active interest with the guy.

While with Sasuke, Sakura is always sad or distant when being with him. And for the record has always cried or broke down when Sasuke was getting hurt or Sakura was getting hurt by him.


While Sasuke and Sakura have positive relationships with Naruto respectively and close bonds. Sasuke has both a neutral yet one sided relationship with one of his team mates yet this so called strong and passonate rivalry with Naruto. Why does Sasuke have to have a positive and a negative impact on both characters(or specifically Sakura).

Especially romantic wise, whats going on through Kishi's head when he writes Sasuke with anyone not Naruto or Itachi.

[THM Nindo]

Nope, Kishi in an inteview stated that one dynamic will happen in the end romantic wise, and he banks for Hinata to get her chance with Naruto.

I remember the interview you're talking about.
IIRC, this was written before she confessed to Naruto.

So basically, he was talking about the confession, saying that Hinata would finally give it a shot.
And we saw the result! :tem

In any case, I don't know exactly what Kishi is planning for both Sakura and Hinata, but it's safe to say that the romance in this manga is at a stalemate.

In over 10 years of writing, the romance didn't move much.

[sho87]

Kishimoto stated that he hopes Hinata has more progress with Naruto in that line.

[Jammin]

Honestly, why does anybody still pay attention to his interviews at all?:s

He's never going to give away anything, he's a writer. Delivering vague indecipherable answers is practically a law for them. No writer worth their salt is ever going to give away any major part of their own story, ever.

Writer interviews are all more or less the same, lots of perspective on things that have already occurred and when somebody asked a question relating to the future they are greeted with phrases like "I wonder if.....", "It would be interesting if...", and "I'd like to see...". And all manner of other sentences which end in question marks.

And occasionally outright lies. Like "This will be the year of Sakura and Kakashi.":eyeroll

[Jessie]

To be fair, Sakura is not an important character in this manga either. To this day, we know nothing about Sakura's clan, her parents or family members. Hinata may not be one of the leading characters in this manga but we know alot more about Hinata than Sakura and why is that? If Sakaru's so-called love confession was sincere, Naruto would have never told her that he hate people who lie to themselves. Even though Sakura is still in love with Sasuke, I honestly don't think that Sakura knows the difference between love and being in love. Sakura is infatuation with the thought of being in love with Sasuke while Hinata's loves for Naruto come natural. :(Sakura is still very important even if we don't learn about her family. She is one of the main characters in the manga and probably third most important after Sasuke and Naruto. Her lack of a background likely has more to do with how Kishi perceives Sakura as a character.

Kishimoto said Sakura and Rock Lee symbolize human weakness(in the beginning). Neither character has a clan or have we seen their family. They are flawed and have to make up ground on the others to be great ninja. Unlike with Sasuke and Naruto, Sakura likely comes from humble origins. She lacks their genes and lineage. Her family was not Uchiha, Hokages, or even apparently ninja. I think Kishi likes that Sakura is an outsider in a sense and an underdog. Of course we can find out Sakura is a long lost Uzumaki and everything goes out the window, but this is how I see Sakura.

I never get the feeling Kishi really likes Sakura. He still sees her as very flawed and lacking maturity. It's easy to see the characters he really likes. Sasuke, Naruto, Shikamaru, Minato, Killer Bee, Gaara. But I do feel he wants to do right by Sakura and make her a great shonen heroine. In that case, the next few chapters will be interesting.


Nope, Kishi in an inteview stated that one dynamic will happen in the end romantic wise, and he banks for Hinata to get her chance with Naruto.
Then this was the interview you are talking about.
http://img259.imageshack.us/img259/9468/50720885hl7.jpg

It was done in U.S. Shonen Jump about 6 years ago. Given how much Kishi changes his mind and all the things that have happened since then, it's irrelevant to anything currently happening.

[lordHokage]

Sakura is still very important even if we don't learn about her family. She is one of the main characters in the manga and probably third most important after Sasuke and Naruto. Her lack of a background likely has more to do with how Kishi perceives Sakura as a character.

Kishimoto said Sakura and Rock Lee symbolize human weakness(in the beginning). Neither character has a clan or have we seen their family. They are flawed and have to make up ground on the others to be great ninja. Unlike with Sasuke and Naruto, Sakura likely comes from humble origins. She lacks their genes and lineage. Her family was not Uchiha, Hokages, or even apparently ninja. I think Kishi likes that Sakura is an outsider in a sense and an underdog. Of course we can find out Sakura is a long lost Uzumaki and everything goes out the window, but this is how I see Sakura.

I never get the feeling Kishi really likes Sakura. He still sees her as very flawed and lacking maturity. It's easy to see the characters he really likes. Sasuke, Naruto, Shikamaru, Minato, Killer Bee, Gaara. But I do feel he wants to do right by Sakura and make her a great shonen heroine. In that case, the next few chapters will be interesting.

What kind of relationship did the Haruno clan had with three of most powerful clans - the Senjus, the Uzumakis and the Uchihas in Naruto's Universe? If Sakura's mom or dad was either Kushina or Minato's teammate, then we know why.

I get the feeling that Kishimoto-sama could care less about Sakura's hidden potential. Why didn't he put a Genjutsu user type on Kurenai's team? As for being flawed, lacking maturity and have to make up grounds, which genius character is not? To say that Sakura likely comes from humble origins, you may be right but I would say that Sakura comes from a wanna to be noble clan, which may explain her haughtiness attitude towards Naruto and Sasuke can do no wrong to Sakura. If Sakura receive heroine status during and after this Fourth Great Shinobi World War, it will be in the area of medical treatment. :D

[Delbi]

To be fair, Sakura is not an important character in this manga either. To this day, we know nothing about Sakura's clan, her parents or family members. Hinata may not be one of the leading characters in this manga but we know alot more about Hinata than Sakura and why is that? If Sakaru's so-called love confession was sincere, Naruto would have never told her that he hate people who lie to themselves. Even though Sakura is still in love with Sasuke, I honestly don't think that Sakura knows the difference between love and being in love. Sakura is infatuation with the thought of being in love with Sasuke while Hinata's loves for Naruto come natural. :(

I don't see how Sakura's love for Sasuke and Hinata's love for Naruto are really any different. Both started as pre-teen and childhood crushes, and both love men they hardly know at all. They admire them for their admirable traits yet don't seem to care at all about their bad traits.

Fact of the matter remains that these are teenagers we are talking about, they wear their emotions on their sleeves and don't know how to properly express them as shown by Sakura.

As for Sakura not being important, she damn well is. Not knowing about her past doesn't mean anything because her past before Team 7 doesn't affect the plot unlike Naruto and Sasuke's.

Sakura is essentially the most important person to Naruto. He's risked life and limb for her, and vowed to bring Sasuke back for her.

As much as Naruto loves Sasuke like a brother, his love for Sakura is deeper than that for just a sister. He is attracted to her, and isn't willing to sacrafice her like he is ready to do with Sasuke when he told them they may both die if they fight.

On the flipside, Sakura is only one of three people Sasuke has shown he has feelings for along with Naruto and Kakashi. Everyone else he loved is long dead, and Hawk doesn't count for anything seeing as he tired to kill one of them and left the other two for dead.

Now, her importance in terms of fighting and the outcome of the war isn't important, but she is more important to the two main characters than any other living character.

Just think for a second, if Naruto would to be set off at this point by the death of anyone, who would it be? It would be Sakura, his teammate, the girl who takes care of him, the girl who does love him in some aspect.

When Hinata "died" Naruto went ape-shit in large part to the Kyuubi's influence. If that happened to Sakura now, Naruto would go ape-shit all on his own, mark my words. Just look at how pissed he was when Sasuke tried and failed to kill her. If he had succeeded he would have let loose ever ounce of power in him to destroy Sasuke.

[Thabor]

I'm pretty sure in an interview, Kishimoto supported NaruHina. So Sakura must be talking about Sasuke.
<hr noshade size="1">
Of course, like Naruto, she's always optimistic about her goals. She's basically a Fem Naruto. Thats why she's the main heroine. If Naruto feels that he can be saved, so can she.

Going off of supposed interviews is always iffy.. There is a ton of bogus information out there.. About the most positive thing I can remember reading said that Kishi hoped Hinata got her chance, and that was prior to the Pein fight.

I think the last thing I would ever compare Sakura to is Naruto.. She keeps giving up. She doesn't understand others feelings, and tends to be very selfish.

I think she was either just giving the guy the brush off, or she was talking about Inari ;).. He has a similar personality to Naruto, but knows how to compliment a woman.. And he doesn't have all the ninja baggage.

[Brill]

Honestly, why does anybody still pay attention to his interviews at all?:s

He's never going to give away anything, he's a writer. Delivering vague indecipherable answers is practically a law for them. No writer worth their salt is ever going to give away any major part of their own story, ever.

Writer interviews are all more or less the same, lots of perspective on things that have already occurred and when somebody asked a question relating to the future they are greeted with phrases like "I wonder if.....", "It would be interesting if...", and "I'd like to see...". And all manner of other sentences which end in question marks.

And occasionally outright lies. Like "This will be the year of Sakura and Kakashi.":eyeroll

Because people are desperately looking for ammo for their couples' justificaiton and the manga isn't providing any. Sadly, after 11+ years we still have the same 3 one-sided relationships with no significant shift in any of them. The Moon's Eye arc will be starting shortly and then it's over. People are scrambling through old interviews and old databooks trying to find something tangible because we're at the end of the rope. We may get 1-2 fleeting romantic panels in the final arc and then the series will concluide. That's all we're gonna get. However, I don't think many people will be satisfied with the outcome no matter which pairing survives in the end, especially if you're looking for a substantial romantic outcome. Too much of the story has elasped for there to be a fulfilling relationship by the end. Sure, people will be happy that their couple won out over the other one, however, it's going to lack the development for it to be rewarding. Some may not care but for those of us who were expecting some romantic discourse throughout this seires (since Kishi does play the romance angle) are going to be left holding the bag wondering where things went wrong.

[Rosebunse]

I think this is the interview he's talking about:



----------------

So, what I get from that is that Kishimoto doesn't really like Sakura as a character and describe her as an "unpleasant" person.

But, he also say that people are always talking about Hinata and comparing them, and he reply simply by saying: "She's not Hinata".

I think that basically mean "Stop talking about Hinata, she's never going to be an important character in this manga."
But that might just be how I see it... :tem

I think he was more saying that Sakura and Hinata are not the same character, and that it's kinda naive for people to expect them to act the same when they are not the same...So pretty much, he's tired of people telling him how to do his job.
[hr]

Honestly, why does anybody still pay attention to his interviews at all?:s

He's never going to give away anything, he's a writer. Delivering vague indecipherable answers is practically a law for them. No writer worth their salt is ever going to give away any major part of their own story, ever.

Writer interviews are all more or less the same, lots of perspective on things that have already occurred and when somebody asked a question relating to the future they are greeted with phrases like "I wonder if.....", "It would be interesting if...", and "I'd like to see...". And all manner of other sentences which end in question marks.

And occasionally outright lies. Like "This will be the year of Sakura and Kakashi.":eyeroll

And again, a great, thoughtful quote by Jammin. But then again, isn't sifting through the facts and lies of his interview kinda fun?

[lordHokage]

I don't see how Sakura's love for Sasuke and Hinata's love for Naruto are really any different. Both started as pre-teen and childhood crushes, and both love men they hardly know at all. They admire them for their admirable traits yet don't seem to care at all about their bad traits.

Fact of the matter remains that these are teenagers we are talking about, they wear their emotions on their sleeves and don't know how to properly express them as shown by Sakura.

As for Sakura not being important, she damn well is. Not knowing about her past doesn't mean anything because her past before Team 7 doesn't affect the plot unlike Naruto and Sasuke's.

Sakura is essentially the most important person to Naruto. He's risked life and limb for her, and vowed to bring Sasuke back for her.

As much as Naruto loves Sasuke like a brother, his love for Sakura is deeper than that for just a sister. He is attracted to her, and isn't willing to sacrafice her like he is ready to do with Sasuke when he told them they may both die if they fight.

On the flipside, Sakura is only one of three people Sasuke has shown he has feelings for along with Naruto and Kakashi. Everyone else he loved is long dead, and Hawk doesn't count for anything seeing as he tired to kill one of them and left the other two for dead.

Now, her importance in terms of fighting and the outcome of the war isn't important, but she is more important to the two main characters than any other living character.

Just think for a second, if Naruto would to be set off at this point by the death of anyone, who would it be? It would be Sakura, his teammate, the girl who takes care of him, the girl who does love him in some aspect.

When Hinata "died" Naruto went ape-shit in large part to the Kyuubi's influence. If that happened to Sakura now, Naruto would go ape-shit all on his own, mark my words. Just look at how pissed he was when Sasuke tried and failed to kill her. If he had succeeded he would have let loose ever ounce of power in him to destroy Sasuke.


You guys can spin this so-called Naruto Sakura true love affair all you want. The fact of the matter is that Sakura sudden interest in Sasuke's love was prompted purely by Ino's crush. Hinata was the only girl at the Ninja Academy that had feeling for Naruto but all the other girls had feelings for handsome Sasuke. Naruto's first impression of Hinata was no different than his mother's first impression of Minato. Naruto thought Hinata was weird and Kushina thought Minato looked flaky and even girly. If Kushina had told her son that when she saw Minato for the very first time at the Ninja Academy that he was the most handsome boy in the village that would have set the wheels in motion for Naruto and Sakura living happily ever after since Naruto's had a crush on Sakura. :p

As for going ape-shit that depends on Naruto's true feelings. If Sakura's love confession was sincere, enraged Naruto would have exploded into nine-tailed form after seeing Sasuke trying to kill Sakura from behind. When Hinata "died" Naruto exploded into six-tailed form all on his own without Kyuubi's influences because I believe that Naruto in Sage Mode knew that Hinata's feelings was sincere. When Naruto wasn't sure whether he could defeat Neji and began to doubt himself, it was Hinata not Sakura who told him to never give up, she believes in him and kick Neji's behind. I cannot see Sakura saying those encouraging words to Naruto or sacrificing her so-called love for him. When Naruto was treated as an outcast, Hinata was always there for him and her feelings were always genuine and she really does care for Naruto despite what people said about him. She was the only one that cheered him on at the Ninja Academy matchup against Sasuke and so-called love confessing Sakura never even bother to do so. I am quite sure that Hinata would have cheer Naruto on when he fought Gaara, Kakuzu, Nagato, Kakuzu, Diedara, Zabuza, Haku and Sasuke and also supported his effort in avenging Pervy Sage's death. :p

[Delbi]

You guys can spin this so-called Naruto Sakura true love affair all you want. The fact of the matter is that Sakura sudden interest in Sasuke's love was prompted purely by Ino's crush. Hinata was the only girl at the Ninja Academy that had feeling for Naruto but all the other girls had feelings for handsome Sasuke. Naruto's first impression of Hinata was no different than his mother's first impression of Minato. Naruto thought Hinata was weird and Kushina thought Minato looked flaky and even girly. If Kushina had told her son that when she saw Minato for the very first time at the Ninja Academy that he was the most handsome boy in the village that would have set the wheels in motion for Naruto and Sakura living happily ever after since Naruto's had a crush on Sakura. :p

Ok, I need to say something because people really need to understand something about relationships in this manga, and perhaps just in general.

Firstly, the concept of "love" is not something a 16 year old children can grasp. I don't care how "mature" they are because they are ninja, none of them are experienced in the ways of love, not to mention they are a bunch of hormonal teenagers. Not saying I have all the answer for love at my old age of 22, but to say these characters know what the hell love is is absurd.

Examples. 1) Sakura's obsession with Sasuke. Like all young girls, Sakura "loved" Sasuke because he was handsome and intelligent. O, great reasons to "love" someone :notrust Her reasons to keep "loving" him can be chaulked up to the trauma of him leaving so early when she thought she loved him. Fact of the matter is Sakura doesn't love Sasuke because she has no reason to, her obsession with him at the moment is connected to the trauma she suffered, and like all teenagers she has no control over her emotions.

2) Hinata's obsession with Naruto. Are you kidding? How many conversations had they had before they spoke? She admired him because he was brave and handsome. Ok....She first admired him because of what reasons again? What was there to admire about a cowardly, stupid, and rude young boy? Or did she like him because he was just different and awkward like she was? How can you tell someone you love them without ever having a meaninful conversation with them? People love to say Hinata's "love" for Naruto is so sincere...blah, blah, blah. The truth is, her "love" for Naruto is no different than Sakura's love for Sasuke or Naruto, she simply presented it much better than Sakura ever did.



As for going ape-shit that depends on Naruto's true feelings. If Sakura's love confession was sincere, enraged Naruto would have exploded into nine-tailed form after seeing Sasuke trying to kill Sakura from behind. When Hinata "died" Naruto exploded into six-tailed form all on his own without Kyuubi's influences because I believe that Naruto in Sage Mode knew that Hinata's feelings was sincere. When Naruto wasn't sure whether he could defeat Neji and began to doubt himself, it was Hinata not Sakura who told him to never give up, she believes in him and kick Neji's behind. I cannot see Sakura saying those encouraging words to Naruto or sacrificing her so-called love for him. When Naruto was treated as an outcast, Hinata was always there for him and her feelings were always genuine and she really does care for Naruto despite what people said about him. She was the only one that cheered him on at the Ninja Academy matchup against Sasuke and so-called love confessing Sakura never even bother to do so. I am quite sure that Hinata would have cheer Naruto on when he fought Gaara, Kakuzu, Nagato, Kakuzu, Diedara, Zabuza, Haku and Sasuke and also supported his effort in avenging Pervy Sage's death. :p

Hinata was there for Naruto? O really? Please show me when. If my memory serves me correctly, Hinata hid in the fucking corner mumbling and shitting herself. Never ONCE was she there for Naruto.

Naruto was treated as an "outcast" when his friends didn't know any better when they were all 12 and 13. He didn't help matters by acting like a child and being a complete and utter moron either.

As for Naruto exploded when Pain "killed" Hinata, he did so when his seal was at its weakest. If any of his friends had been killed in front of him he would have acted the same exact way. He did not do that of his own free will, whenever his emotions got out of wack, the Kyuubi influenced him into using his power, he nearly removed the seal under the Kyuubi's influence if not for Minato, so please don't make things up.

As for why he didn't explode when he rescued Sakura, well shit idk, maybe he didn't want to kill her while she was in his arms, and he no longer needed the Kyuubi as a crutch to fight his battles. He had better control over his emotions, and if he did go ape-shit at this point he wouldn't need the Kyuubi to do so.

Even if Sakura's feelings for Naruto are fake, its at least understandable why they could be real. No one knows Naruto like Sakura, no ones spent as much time with him outside of Jiraiya. Whos name was Sakura screaming for during the Pain invasion? Naruto's. And who ran to Naruto first when he came back? Sakura.

And wow, Hinata would have cheered on Naruto while he fought people....woo she should win a medal for that. Should be give her a sign and pom poms too?

[lordHokage]

Delbi, but no matter how much you want to spin the Naruto Sakura's love, there is not one evidence in the black and white pages of Naruto's manga to support your facts. As for the age factor, you cannot have your cake and eat it too. :p

[KSWriter]

Ok, I need to say something because people really need to understand something about relationships in this manga, and perhaps just in general.

Firstly, the concept of "love" is not something a 16 year old children can grasp. I don't care how "mature" they are because they are ninja, none of them are experienced in the ways of love, not to mention they are a bunch of hormonal teenagers. Not saying I have all the answer for love at my old age of 22, but to say these characters know what the hell love is is absurd.

Examples. 1) Sakura's obsession with Sasuke. Like all young girls, Sakura "loved" Sasuke because he was handsome and intelligent. O, great reasons to "love" someone :notrust Her reasons to keep "loving" him can be chaulked up to the trauma of him leaving so early when she thought she loved him. Fact of the matter is Sakura doesn't love Sasuke because she has no reason to, her obsession with him at the moment is connected to the trauma she suffered, and like all teenagers she has no control over her emotions.

2) Hinata's obsession with Naruto. Are you kidding? How many conversations had they had before they spoke? She admired him because he was brave and handsome. Ok....She first admired him because of what reasons again? What was there to admire about a cowardly, stupid, and rude young boy? Or did she like him because he was just different and awkward like she was? How can you tell someone you love them without ever having a meaninful conversation with them? People love to say Hinata's "love" for Naruto is so sincere...blah, blah, blah. The truth is, her "love" for Naruto is no different than Sakura's love for Sasuke or Naruto, she simply presented it much better than Sakura ever did.



Hinata was there for Naruto? O really? Please show me when. If my memory serves me correctly, Hinata hid in the fucking corner mumbling and shitting herself. Never ONCE was she there for Naruto.

Naruto was treated as an "outcast" when his friends didn't know any better when they were all 12 and 13. He didn't help matters by acting like a child and being a complete and utter moron either.

As for Naruto exploded when Pain "killed" Hinata, he did so when his seal was at its weakest. If any of his friends had been killed in front of him he would have acted the same exact way. He did not do that of his own free will, whenever his emotions got out of wack, the Kyuubi influenced him into using his power, he nearly removed the seal under the Kyuubi's influence if not for Minato, so please don't make things up.

As for why he didn't explode when he rescued Sakura, well shit idk, maybe he didn't want to kill her while she was in his arms, and he no longer needed the Kyuubi as a crutch to fight his battles. He had better control over his emotions, and if he did go ape-shit at this point he wouldn't need the Kyuubi to do so.

Even if Sakura's feelings for Naruto are fake, its at least understandable why they could be real. No one knows Naruto like Sakura, no ones spent as much time with him outside of Jiraiya. Whos name was Sakura screaming for during the Pain invasion? Naruto's. And who ran to Naruto first when he came back? Sakura.

And wow, Hinata would have cheered on Naruto while he fought people....woo she should win a medal for that. Should be give her a sign and pom poms too?

Hinata admired Naruto because he never gave up despite constant failures, and she wanted to emulate that. Looks had nothing to do with it. To be honest, I don't understand why people accuse Hinata of worshipping Naruto. During her pre-Neji fight pep talk with Naruto, she flat out said she didn't think he was perfect. Also, we have not Hinata The Character confronted with his more negative traits because Hinata The Character Device is meant to show Naruto's positive effect on people.
As for the Sakura-Hinata comparison, they both want acknowledgment from their interest. I'd argue that Hinata understands Naruto more than Sakura does Sasuke, but that would continue the Sasusaku-Narusaku-Naruhina debate, which no one wants.

[Delbi]

Delbi, but no matter how much you want to spin the Naruto Sakura's love, there is not one evidence in the black and white pages of Naruto's manga to support your facts. As for the age factor, you cannot have your cake and eat it too. :p

Please re-read what I wrote and explain to me where I am supporting them because I'm not supporting their love, far from it.

My point is, people seem to think Hinata's love for Naruto is sooo much better than Sakura's love for Naruto or Sasuke when in fact it isn't.

And for what it's worth, Naruto has never once expressed any feelings for Hinata while he has repeatedly done so for Sakura.

[Sharikaaria]

@Delbi - I think most of your points are reasonable except for the part about Hinata never being there for Naruto. I think throwing herself in Pain's way at his defense counts for something. But yes, it is just admiration on her part that she's misunderstood as love for now, just the way Sakura has misunderstood her own feelings for Sasuke.

[lordHokage]

Even though Sakura confess her love to Naruto, she knew that she was lying to him when she said that she don't care about Sasuke at all anymore now that he's a criminal because when she confronted that criminal, she told him that she regretted not going with him and was willing to betray the leaf for him. I only wish that Kakashi-sensei could have heard what Sakura told Sasuke. Sakura loves Sasuke so much that she was willing to kill Karin to prove her loyalty. :(

[Rosebunse]

I think by this point, we are all going around in circles and making the SAME points over and over again. Is there anything new? I need something new! So, here's to something different:

Would Tsunade and Jiraiya have worked in the long term, or was it doom to end badly? Now, I think the killing point in their relationship was Orochimaru/the kyubi. Now, first off, I think sooner or later, Tsunade would've came back sooner or later, probably because of debt, and probably would've wanted to settle down, to probably help with the debt. However, the kyubi attack, which happened before Orochimaru's defection, probably is what made Jiraiya over the edge to begin with. He looses his favorite student, who was like a son to him, then he looses his best friend. If it wasn't for that, maybe he would've stayed...

I really needed a new topic.

[Sharikaaria]

Even though Sakura confess her love to Naruto, she knew that she was lying to him when she said that she don't care about Sasuke at all anymore now that he's a criminal because when she confronted that criminal, she told him that she regretted not going with him and was willing to betray the leaf for him. I only wish that Kakashi-sensei could have heard what Sakura told Sasuke. Sakura loves Sasuke so much that she was willing to kill Karin to prove her loyalty. :(

Are you serious? Sakura was lying! Even as she said all those things, she realized Sasuke had changed for the worse. She thought his proposal to kill Karin was cold and inhumane. When she walked forward to do it, she was steeling herself to attack Sasuke, not Karin. She just didn't have the resolve to do it, giving Sasuke the opportunity to slide behind her and attack.

[lordHokage]

Would Tsunade and Jiraiya have worked in the long term, or was it doom to end badly? Now, I think the killing point in their relationship was Orochimaru/the kyubi. Now, first off, I think sooner or later, Tsunade would've came back sooner or later, probably because of debt, and probably would've wanted to settle down, to probably help with the debt. However, the kyubi attack, which happened before Orochimaru's defection, probably is what made Jiraiya over the edge to begin with. He looses his favorite student, who was like a son to him, then he looses his best friend. If it wasn't for that, maybe he would've stayed...

I really needed a new topic.

I don't think that Tsunade and Jiraiya would have had a love relationship because Tsunade was still in love with Dan and Jiraiya loves the ladies. But it would have been nice if they did for Naruto sake. As for a new topic, there is not a lot of love interest in Naruto Universe. :D

[M3J]

I don't think that Tsunade and Jiraiya would have had a love relationship because Tsunade was still in love with Dan and Jiraiya loves the ladies. But it would have been nice if they did for Naruto sake. As for a new topic, there is not a lot of love interest in Naruto Universe. :D

Tsunade did show to have feelings for Jiraiya, especially when she said Jiraiya didn't have to pretend in front of her anymore around when Jiraiya left to spy on Amegakure and Pain.

Hinata actually loved Naruto for who he was, different reason from Sakura loving Sasuke. Naruto was a failure, no one special, but what Hinata loved about Naruto was his will and dedication, how he never gave up no matter what. Sakura "loved" Sasuke because he was mysterious, good-looking, and talented. Hell, if it weren't for Sasuke, then Sakura may not have tried to treat Naruto better, though she started to gain respect for him after seeing what he could do.

[Delbi]

Even though Sakura confess her love to Naruto, she knew that she was lying to him when she said that she don't care about Sasuke at all anymore now that he's a criminal because when she confronted that criminal, she told him that she regretted not going with him and was willing to betray the leaf for him. I only wish that Kakashi-sensei could have heard what Sakura told Sasuke. Sakura loves Sasuke so much that she was willing to kill Karin to prove her loyalty. :(

...Naruto said Sakura's feelings for him was a lie. He has no right to tell anyone what their feelings are or what opinions they should have since he is the most opinionated character in the entire manga.

As for Sakura saying all that to Sasuke, she said it so he'd trust her so she could kill him. She simply didn't have the balls to do so.

[lordHokage]

Are you serious? Sakura was lying! Even as she said all those things, she realized Sasuke had changed for the worse. She thought his proposal to kill Karin was cold and inhumane. When she walked forward to do it, she was steeling herself to attack Sasuke, not Karin. She just didn't have the resolve to do it, giving Sasuke the opportunity to slide behind her and attack.

Yes I am. Sakura was lying to herself big time. Sakura wanted to kill Sasuke so bad but couldn't because she loves him despite his criminal status. How could you compare Sakura's infatuation to Hinata's love? :p

[Rosebunse]

I don't think that Tsunade and Jiraiya would have had a love relationship because Tsunade was still in love with Dan and Jiraiya loves the ladies. But it would have been nice if they did for Naruto sake. As for a new topic, there is not a lot of love interest in Naruto Universe. :D

I know, but I really, really needed something different. It feels like we complain about the same thing all the time. But I think Tsunade would have probably moved on sooner or later. I mean, it was difficult for her, but she did eventually. Or, you could argue that the whole thing, with the Kyubi and Orochimaru, may have been the best thing for her. At least that gave her a reason to move on. Funny to think about these things.

[THM Nindo]

Even though Sakura confess her love to Naruto, she knew that she was lying to him when she said that she don't care about Sasuke at all anymore now that he's a criminal because when she confronted that criminal, she told him that she regretted not going with him and was willing to betray the leaf for him. I only wish that Kakashi-sensei could have heard what Sakura told Sasuke. Sakura loves Sasuke so much that she was willing to kill Karin to prove her loyalty. :(

Have we read the same manga?!
This was all a plan so that she could kill Sasuke...

Everything she said to him was a lie.
She wanted to join him so that she could backstab him.

[Delbi]

@Delbi - I think most of your points are reasonable except for the part about Hinata never being there for Naruto. I think throwing herself in Pain's way at his defense counts for something. But yes, it is just admiration on her part that she's misunderstood as love for now, just the way Sakura has misunderstood her own feelings for Sasuke.

She was never there, she was a coward up until she stepped in front of Pain. She knew he was alone, yet never did anything about it, plain and simple. Her cheering him on and giving him ointment in the Chunnin are the only two examples of her doing ANYTHING for him the entire time they knew one another until she stupidly jumped in front of Pain to protect him.

And getting to that, that was one of the most stupid and selfish acts any character in the manga has ever done. Telling him she loved him counted for something, not stupidly throwing her life away to do so. She stood no chance, not even Gai, the most able ninja in the village at the time went to help Naruto because he was ordered not to. Her doing that is simply a sign of immaturity and stupidity, as there was no need for her to be put in harms way, she even acknowledges this later in front of Sakura.

So yes, the confession she made counts for something I guess, but the way she did it, and her timing was awful, much like Sakura's confession to Naruto.

[jdw]

Hinata: "Naruto, sorry I picked a bad time to try to save your life, I should have waited until you were dead" :hinata1

[M3J]

Have we read the same manga?!
This was all a plan so that she could kill Sasuke...

Everything she said to him was a lie.
She wanted to join him so that she could backstab him.

I don't think she was lying. Like possibly with Naruto, she was using her true and genuine feelings to accomplish her missions. She knows that Sasuke knew of her infatuation with her and was trying to play on that.

Also, if Sakura was lying, then she would have been able to kill Sasuke instead of break down and refuse because of her love for him.

So basically, Sakura's not above playing with feelings and using the truth to get what she needs. Dangerous. X_x

[jdw]

She was never there, she was a coward up until she stepped in front of Pain. She knew he was alone, yet never did anything about it, plain and simple. Her cheering him on and giving him ointment in the Chunnin are the only two examples of her doing ANYTHING for him the entire time they knew one another until she stupidly jumped in front of Pain to protect him.

And getting to that, that was one of the most stupid and selfish acts any character in the manga has ever done. Telling him she loved him counted for something, not stupidly throwing her life away to do so. She stood no chance, not even Gai, the most able ninja in the village at the time went to help Naruto because he was ordered not to. Her doing that is simply a sign of immaturity and stupidity, as there was no need for her to be put in harms way, she even acknowledges this later in front of Sakura.

So yes, the confession she made counts for something I guess, but the way she did it, and her timing was awful, much like Sakura's confession to Naruto.

BTW, Hinata was going to help Naruto well before she actually did, but she stopped when she was told she would get in the way (just like everyone else stopped). However, when she saw that Naruto was in a hopeless spot, she at least tried. Even if she knew she would fail, trying makes things happen. Watching him get killed just guarantees he will die, trying might give a small chance of saving him, or buying time for someone else to save him, or get lucky, etc.


http://oi56.tinypic.com/2wc4s9c.jpg

[huynhlan]

reading some of you guy's post about hinata's confession reminded me of something. Didn't sakura did the same thing when gaara was about to kill sasuke. She probably knew that she didn't stand a chance and that she could have die, yet she jump right in front to protect sasuke without hesitation, and this scence make me wonder if she really love naruto shouldn't she have done the same thing that hinata did, the exact thing that she did for sasuke before. It make me wonder what was on her mind when she heard nauto get pin down.

[M3J]

Hinata was able to see what was going on and was closer to the scene than Sakura, who could barely see what happened. Plus, wasn't she with someone else trying to heal one of the Konoha 10?

She did try to save Naruto when he was in his Kyuubi mode at the bridge and got hurt for it. In Part II, she's definitely shown more care towards Naruto than before.

[huynhlan]

Hinata was able to see what was going on and was closer to the scene than Sakura, who could barely see what happened. Plus, wasn't she with someone else trying to heal one of the Konoha 10?

She did try to save Naruto when he was in his Kyuubi mode at the bridge and got hurt for it. In Part II, she's definitely shown more care towards Naruto than before.

That why I said when she heard naruto get pin down, there was an byakugan guy right next to her. I don't remeber her healing anyone , maybe I was wrong. Also how did you know hinata was closer.

Also you said she try save naruto when he was kuybi mode at the bridge, what was she saving him from exactly. She was just probably worring about him, but still Idon't think she would have jump in front of naruto and defend him like she did sasuke, maybe she will but not with out hesitation like she did for sasuke.

[Rosebunse]

I really tried to stay get another topic. I did. I don't understand the fixation on who's going to end up with who. I love and appreciate the romance of Naruto, but the way many people act towards it is a bit much. Kishi has so far has made it a vocal point as many writers do. There is not an established main couple. Though I find the whole mess fairly, and strangely, realistic, there are many who complain. Is it that people aren't used to this kind of love story in a shoenen manga, or is it something else?

[Nieuwsgierig]

She stood no chance, not even Gai, the most able ninja in the village at the time went to help Naruto because he was ordered not to..

It helped that he wasn't in Konoha... Hinata jumping in was immature, but she was also the only sane one in the bunch. The key to the Pain invasion for Konoha was making sure Naruto wasn't captured. The moment he was captured, only Hinata had the guts to actually step up. Let's imagine Bee and Naruto getting defeated in the current war. What would be the smart thing for any Ninja? Sacrifice his life in the hopes of freeing them; or not doing anything and hoping it isn't that bad to let the bad guy win? Hinata was all that stood between Madara and the fullfilment of his plan at that moment. So immature maybe, irresponsible no.

[Brill]

...Firstly, the concept of "love" is not something a 16 year old children can grasp. I don't care how "mature" they are because they are ninja, none of them are experienced in the ways of love, not to mention they are a bunch of hormonal teenagers. Not saying I have all the answer for love at my old age of 22, but to say these characters know what the hell love is is absurd.

Sure these kids are immature and normal teenagers/young adults change their tastes in dates every 2 years. However, this is manga where a person is either insanely loyal to one person, "discovers" a new love interest if they have none, or switches to the other girl. That's it not much felxibillity.


2) Hinata's obsession with Naruto. Are you kidding? How many conversations had they had before they spoke? She admired him because he was brave and handsome. Ok....She first admired him because of what reasons again? What was there to admire about a cowardly, stupid, and rude young boy? Or did she like him because he was just different and awkward like she was? How can you tell someone you love them without ever having a meaninful conversation with them? People love to say Hinata's "love" for Naruto is so sincere...blah, blah, blah. The truth is, her "love" for Naruto is no different than Sakura's love for Sasuke or Naruto, she simply presented it much better than Sakura ever did.

Did you miss the conversation between Hinata and Naruto about the chunnin finals where they talk about Naruto's chances on winning? It's the only heart-to-heart conversation Naruto has had with wny girls. Hinata's feeelings of admiration for Naruto grew into feelings of love. Her admiration caused changes in herself, helping her become a better person. She saw Naruto differenrlty than others and knew his true worth before others did, That's not the groupie worship that Sakura had for Sasuke. They are different. Personal growth and accomplsihment that don't invole pumnmeling an opponent get crapped on by members on this forum, but that doesn't mean they are insignificant.


Hinata was there for Naruto? O really? Please show me when. If my memory serves me correctly, Hinata hid in the fucking corner mumbling and shitting herself. Never ONCE was she there for Naruto.

Ever watch the Pain/Naruto fight? Who came to Naruto's rescue?


As for Naruto exploded when Pain "killed" Hinata, he did so when his seal was at its weakest. If any of his friends had been killed in front of him he would have acted the same exact way. He did not do that of his own free will, whenever his emotions got out of wack, the Kyuubi influenced him into using his power, he nearly removed the seal under the Kyuubi's influence if not for Minato, so please don't make things up.

Completely wrong. Naruto was not evoking the Kyuubi's cloak while staked to the gorund by Pain. That is what happens when Naruto's seal weakens via exhaustion. That didn't happen here. When Naruto expereinces great negative emotions like hate, pain, or sadness that is when he goes straight to beast forms like when with Orochimaru and Pain.

If Naruto would do this for anybody then why didn't he do it for Pa Frog. He was skewered right in front of him. According to your belief that would have triggered the event since it was Naruto's 3rd master to be killed by Pain, but it didn't. So whether you want to admit it Hinata means something to Naruto, what that is hasn'tt been revealed to us yet.


As for why he didn't explode when he rescued Sakura, well shit idk, maybe he didn't want to kill her while she was in his arms, and he no longer needed the Kyuubi as a crutch to fight his battles. He had better control over his emotions, and if he did go ape-shit at this point he wouldn't need the Kyuubi to do so.

Because Naruto saves people all the time it would be silly if he went Kyuubi every time he saved Sakura. Watching helplessly while someone you care about gets killed in front of you, that is way more traumatic-worthy of going 6-tails and beyond.


Even if Sakura's feelings for Naruto are fake, its at least understandable why they could be real. No one knows Naruto like Sakura, no ones spent as much time with him outside of Jiraiya. Whos name was Sakura screaming for during the Pain invasion? Naruto's. And who ran to Naruto first when he came back? Sakura.

So evey girl who hugged Naruto and every guy who slapped him on the ass in thanks must be romantically in love with Naruto? Bzzt.


And wow, Hinata would have cheered on Naruto while he fought people....woo she should win a medal for that. Should be give her a sign and pom poms too?

You can say that for most girls in shonen series. All they are capable of doing is screaminjg the protagonists name. Sakura does it, Hinata does it...now everyone is doing it. :p


I really tried to stay get another topic. I did. I don't understand the fixation on who's going to end up with who. I love and appreciate the romance of Naruto, but the way many people act towards it is a bit much. Kishi has so far has made it a vocal point as many writers do. There is not an established main couple. Though I find the whole mess fairly, and strangely, realistic, there are many who complain. Is it that people aren't used to this kind of love story in a shoenen manga, or is it something else?

You did try, but the reality is that Tsunade and Jiraiya was never gonna happen. Tsunade was broken after the deahs of her brother and Dan, she has never been in the right mindset for a relationship so it was never going to happen.

[lordHokage]

Have we read the same manga?!
This was all a plan so that she could kill Sasuke...

Everything she said to him was a lie.
She wanted to join him so that she could backstab him.

The plan was to kill Sasuke but why did Sakura volunteered to do such a thing when she's still in love with him. So Sakura wasn't lying to Naruto but she was lying to Sasuke. If you guys and gals truly believe that load of crap, then I have nothing more to say. :p

[Brill]

The plan was to kill Sasuke but why did Sakura volunteered to do such a thing when she's still in love with him. So Sakura wasn't lying to Naruto but she was lying to Sasuke. If you guys and gals truly believe that load of crap, then I have nothing more to say. :p

Why? Sai tells us why, because Sakura loves Sasuke and doesn't want Sasuke's evil to progress further. It's a very simple plot device that we see all the time in manga and anime. How many times have we seen guys who go off to meet and kill their friend who went "evil". Most of these protagonists still love their friend even through they've become evil, very few protagonists hate their fallen friend unless they've comiited some "unforgivable sin". Yet people can't believe Sakura is capable of dong thiat. It's a wonderful double standard that the audience has. Guys do it all the time, but girls--nah.

[Delbi]

Hinata: "Naruto, sorry I picked a bad time to try to save your life, I should have waited until you were dead" :hinata1

When ordered to stand down, and against a far superior opponent all she was doing was throwing her life away to confess her love. I see no reason why she had to do that then, is all I'm saying. Chalk it up to Kishi being dramatic, but I think a confession prior to the whole invasion of Konoha, perhaps before Naruto left for training would have been better. Instead, she unintentionally unleashed Naruto's rage, and thus the Kyuubi, which could have ended horribly if not for Minato's genius thinking 16 years prior.

[Rosebunse]

Sure these kids are immature and normal teenagers/young adults change their tastes in dates every 2 years. However, this is manga where a person is either insanely loyal to one person, "discovers" a new love interest if they have none, or switches to the other girl. That's it not much felxibillity.



Did you miss the conversation between Hinata and Naruto about the chunnin finals where they talk about Naruto's chances on winning? It's the only heart-to-heart conversation Naruto has had with wny girls. Hinata's feeelings of admiration for Naruto grew into feelings of love. Her admiration caused changes in herself, helping her become a better person. She saw Naruto differenrlty than others and knew his true worth before others did, That's not the groupie worship that Sakura had for Sasuke. They are different. Personal growth and accomplsihment that don't invole pumnmeling an opponent get crapped on by members on this forum, but that doesn't mean they are insignificant.



Ever watch the Pain/Naruto fight? Who came to Naruto's rescue?



Completely wrong. Naruto was not evoking the Kyuubi's cloak while staked to the gorund by Pain. That is what happens when Naruto's seal weakens via exhaustion. That didn't happen here. When Naruto expereinces great negative emotions like hate, pain, or sadness that is when he goes straight to beast forms like when with Orochimaru and Pain.

If Naruto would do this for anybody then why didn't he do it for Pa Frog. He was skewered right in front of him. According to your belief that would have triggered the event since it was Naruto's 3rd master to be killed by Pain, but it didn't. So whether you want to admit it Hinata means something to Naruto, what that is hasn'tt been revealed to us yet.



Because Naruto saves people all the time it would be silly if he went Kyuubi every time he saved Sakura. Watching helplessly while someone you care about gets killed in front of you, that is way more traumatic-worthy of going 6-tails and beyond.



So evey girl who hugged Naruto and every guy who slapped him on the ass in thanks must be romantically in love with Naruto? Bzzt.



You can say that for most girls in shonen series. All they are capable of doing is screaminjg the protagonists name. Sakura does it, Hinata does it...now everyone is doing it. :p



You did try, but the reality is that Tsunade and Jiraiya was never gonna happen. Tsunade was broken after the deahs of her brother and Dan, she has never been in the right mindset for a relationship so it was never going to happen.

It was more than that. When are people going to realize that we are not going to know who's with who until probably the very end.

[lordHokage]

Why? Sai tells us why, because Sakura loves Sasuke and doesn't want Sasuke's evil to progress further. It's a very simple plot device that we see all the time in manga and anime. How many times have we seen guys who go off to meet and kill their friend who went "evil". Most of these protagonists still love their friend even through they've become evil, very few protagonists hate their fallen friend unless they've comiited some "unforgivable sin". Yet people can't believe Sakura is capable of dong thiat. It's a wonderful double standard that the audience has. Guys do it all the time, but girls--nah.

Well said. Double standard heck yeah, because sweet little innocent girls do it all the time. Kishimoto is slowly revealing Sakura's true character but unfortunately her die hard fans don't like what they are seeing. :(

[FBF]

Yes, Hinata confessed and all, but he still seems to be hung up on Sakura......like Sakura is with Sasuke.

Just read last arc where Sai confirmed that Naruto loves Sakura and Sakura loves Sasuke. And even if you do not believe what he says: it is obvious based on how Naruto reacts when Sakura is sad and how Sakura reacts when something bad happens to Sasuke (they were apparent even after the Pein arc). Even after Sakura did her stupid stunt, when Sai revealed what would happen to Sasuke to Naruto after Sakura left: Naruto's first thought was on how Sakura would feel about this (he cares very deeply of her well being).


I doubt they will change anytime soon, especially Naruto. He knew Sakura loved Sasuke since part I and that did not stop him from loving her and asking her out on dates and spend time with her. And he is the guy who does not let go of his feelings for certain people easily (like Sasuke, despite him being batshit crazy).....so I doubt Naruto is just going to "settle" with Hinata merely because she confessed....because that would suck for Hinata.



And please do not say that Hinata was always there for him: because she was not!

In part I, she gave the cream, talk during the Chuunin Exams (which Naruto has never thought of again), and offer to let him cheat off on the test for him....but other than that: she never directly helped him in his struggling in the Academy Days and is not one of people who saved him from loneliness in Naruto's view point (Team 7) that Naruto admitted during his Gaara fight.



In part II, she tried to save him from Pein but judging on how Naruto acted afterward (not going to Hinata nor thinking about it and confirmed to still love Sakura) it does not look like it changed much nor is Hinata taking it hard......



In short: it is still Hinata-->Naruto-->Sakura-->Sasuke-->No one.

[Delbi]

I am ok with what she did. When she was told to stand down, she did just that, but when the situation looked it's bleakest, she decided to act. Even if she knew she would lose/die, Naruto was important enough to her for her to at least try to change his fate, which seemed certain at the time. Also, the situation with kyuubi is what it is. People cannot always just sit around frozen by fear of unknowns, or people would never do anything.

But she was essentially throwing her life away for nothing. The smarter thing to do would have been to people like Team 10 to enter the fray. (Sidenote: Kishi really fucked up having Gai present and not letting him help Naruto, seeing as how he would have been near perfect to knock the hell out of Deva).

You could say, well there wasn't any time, but all she did was allow herself to get nearly killed, and if it wasn't thanks to the Kyuubi, the situation would have stayed the exact same.

In this situation there were no unknowns. She knew she was no match for Pain, and essentially also knew she had no shot at freeing Naruto. Her comrade told her she'd just get in the way, and that's more or less what she did.

Secondly, it's a known fact to the Konoha shinobi that Naruto is a threat when the Kyuubi is unleashed, something Hinata didn't seem to factor into her rushing in and possibly pissing Naruto off so the Kyuubi could unleash his fury on whatever was left of Konoha.

And yes, desperate times call for desperate measures, but to me Hinata (Kishi) just did this to throw in her confession and used it as a plot device for Naruto to go ape. I would have much rather Naruto just unleashed the Kyuubi of his own free will as an act of desperation than have it triggered by a out of no where confession and fake death of a character who has no relevancy outside of her misguided love for Naruto.

Finally to just make a point, I don't think Naruto and Hinata is better than Naruto and Sakura or vice versa. As FBF pointed out, there is no mutual love between any of the 4 (Naruto, Sakura, Hinata, and Sasuke). The closest to mutual love there is NaruSaku, but that also has the biggest roadblock in the form of Sasuke.

IMO, if Naruto ends up with anyone it will be Sakura, because it is the girl HE loves. It doesn't matter who loves him if he doesn't love them. And Sakura is very much like Naruto's mother, and Mom said find a girl like herself. Then there is the whole failed Tsuande Jiraiya relationship, and I think it's fairly obvious Naruto will end up with Sakura one way or another, it simply makes the most sense. Kishi hasn't really done anything out of the ordinary with any aspect of this manga, so I don't expect him to break the cycle that he himself put into place.

[jalix]

When ordered to stand down, and against a far superior opponent all she was doing was throwing her life away to confess her love. I see no reason why she had to do that then, is all I'm saying. Chalk it up to Kishi being dramatic, but I think a confession prior to the whole invasion of Konoha, perhaps before Naruto left for training would have been better. Instead, she unintentionally unleashed Naruto's rage, and thus the Kyuubi, which could have ended horribly if not for Minato's genius thinking 16 years prior.

I think it was a little more than that TBH. She did what she did because of her love of Naruto and all that he represented. Not to be preachy or sappy... but IMO it was the pain that Hinata felt for someone she loved so deeply that made her do what she did - to the extent that didn't care about what happened as long as she could help him or support him in any possible way. Think about it - if you really love someone, like say your kid, you'd do anything to protect them if it even gives them a shred of a chance. It is almost instinctive. My kid falls off a swing or something, I don't look around for everyone, I run directly to him.

To me it wasn't so much Hinata that unleashed the rage as much as the coldness of Pain, who was intentionally trying to teach Naruto "pain" itself along with hatred. Pain had said before, "I live in an infinite universe of Pain" to Jiraiya, and he would say after Naruto's transformation: "Do you hate me? My pain is still greater than yours." It taught him immediately about the chain of hatred.

You're right though - a part of it was Kishimoto being dramatic and giving the story a slight push in the direction he wanted it to go. Ergo - the confirmation for Naruto, and the child of destiny. So yeah, a good thing Minato was there to patch em' up. :)


In short: it is still Hinata-->Naruto-->Sakura-->Sasuke-->No one.

For some reason, this quote made me wonder... could a MS user cast a genjutsu on himself by staring at himself in the mirror... ;) :D

[M3J]

What Hinata did wasn't useless or really got in the way. Naruto was pinned down, there was no way he could have gotten out without Kyuubi's help, which Hinata helped bring out. Sage Mode was useless because Pain's chakra was flowing in Naruto's and disrupting his chakra flow, and Naruto was immobilized. One way or the other, he needed Kyuubi's help and Hinata's sacrifice was the perfect trigger.

I'm not sure whether Hinata was really closer or not, to be honest, but it looked like it. Same with whether Sakura was with Team Asuma since she was at some point.

[Delbi]

I think it was a little more than that TBH. She did what she did because of her love of Naruto and all that he represented. Not to be preachy or sappy... but IMO it was the pain that Hinata felt for someone she loved so deeply that made her do what she did - to the extent that didn't care about what happened as long as she could help him or support him in any possible way. Think about it - if you really love someone, like say your kid, you'd do anything to protect them if it even gives them a shred of a chance. It is almost instinctive. My kid falls off a swing or something, I don't look around for everyone, I run directly to him.

A valid point, but the problem I have with this is, and this goes back to Hinata and all of these characters being teenagers is, they don't truly understand the concept of love, at least not to be in love with another person.

Hinata's love for Naruto can never, and most likely never will be comparable to the love a parent has for a child. So for her to do that, to me, even in the name of "love" was stupid. Because the fact is, there was nothing she could do in that situation. The thing she could have done, as I said, was inform a stronger shinobi so they could help, or at least get some sort of back up instead of charging in alone and making the situation worse. You have to know when you are out of your league, and Hinata didn't realize that and it nearly cost her, and everyone else around her their lives.




To me it wasn't so much Hinata that unleashed the rage as much as the coldness of Pain, who was intentionally trying to teach Naruto "pain" itself along with hatred. Pain had said before, "I live in an infinite universe of Pain" to Jiraiya, and he would say after Naruto's transformation: "Do you hate me? My pain is still greater than yours." It taught him immediately about the chain of hatred.

You're right though - a part of it was Kishimoto being dramatic and giving the story a slight push in the direction he wanted it to go. Ergo - the confirmation for Naruto, and the child of destiny. So yeah, a good thing Minato was there to patch em' up. :)


Well that's true, but again, that wouldn't have happened if she didn't jump in.

Personally, I think it was a horrible time for Kishi to allow her to confess her love for him. Pain using her to trigger Naruto's hatred was stupid IMO, because she never truly met much to Naruto. Yes they were friends, but he never cared for her like he did Sasuke, Sakura, Kakashi, Jiraiya, or even Gaara. It just seemed forced.

And to top it all off, that confession was the last time we saw Naruto and Hinata together. So to me, it was pointless and unless Kishi wishes to buck the trend and let Naruto get with Hinata.
[hr]

What Hinata did wasn't useless or really got in the way. Naruto was pinned down, there was no way he could have gotten out without Kyuubi's help, which Hinata helped bring out. Sage Mode was useless because Pain's chakra was flowing in Naruto's and disrupting his chakra flow, and Naruto was immobilized. One way or the other, he needed Kyuubi's help and Hinata's sacrifice was the perfect trigger.


Hinata didn't charge in their to help Naruto unleash the Kyuubi, she ran in their blind in an attempt to "save" him despite the fact she knew she truly didn't stand a chance.

This is was irks me about the whole thing, she ran in there to prove to Naruto she loved him. O great, you show him you love him, yet you die and get nothing accomplished and just make the situation worse, that makes no sense.

It would have been different if Hinata intentionally sacraficed herself to get Naruto pissed to unleash the Kyuubi. If she would have done that she would have easily flew up my list of favorite characters into my top 5. Instead, she got her ass handed to her and FINALLY, when all hope was lost, told Naruto she loved him. WOULD IT HAVE KILLED HER TO DONE IT A WEEK EARLIER!

[Brill]

But she was essentially throwing her life away for nothing. The smarter thing to do would have been to people like Team 10 to enter the fray. (Sidenote: Kishi really fucked up having Gai present and not letting him help Naruto, seeing as how he would have been near perfect to knock the hell out of Deva).

You could say, well there wasn't any time, but all she did was allow herself to get nearly killed, and if it wasn't thanks to the Kyuubi, the situation would have stayed the exact same.

In this situation there were no unknowns. She knew she was no match for Pain, and essentially also knew she had no shot at freeing Naruto. Her comrade told her she'd just get in the way, and that's more or less what she did.

Secondly, it's a known fact to the Konoha shinobi that Naruto is a threat when the Kyuubi is unleashed, something Hinata didn't seem to factor into her rushing in and possibly pissing Naruto off so the Kyuubi could unleash his fury on whatever was left of Konoha.

And yes, desperate times call for desperate measures, but to me Hinata (Kishi) just did this to throw in her confession and used it as a plot device for Naruto to go ape. I would have much rather Naruto just unleashed the Kyuubi of his own free will as an act of desperation than have it triggered by a out of no where confession and fake death of a character who has no relevancy outside of her misguided love for Naruto.

Finally to just make a point, I don't think Naruto and Hinata is better than Naruto and Sakura or vice versa. As FBF pointed out, there is no mutual love between any of the 4 (Naruto, Sakura, Hinata, and Sasuke). The closest to mutual love there is NaruSaku, but that also has the biggest roadblock in the form of Sasuke.

IMO, if Naruto ends up with anyone it will be Sakura, because it is the girl HE loves. It doesn't matter who loves him if he doesn't love them. And Sakura is very much like Naruto's mother, and Mom said find a girl like herself. Then there is the whole failed Tsuande Jiraiya relationship, and I think it's fairly obvious Naruto will end up with Sakura one way or another, it simply makes the most sense. Kishi hasn't really done anything out of the ordinary with any aspect of this manga, so I don't expect him to break the cycle that he himself put into place.

Well you can take the role of the cynic and say it was for nothing or take the role of the romantic and say it was for love. The choice is yours.

Was the event staged? You bet your ass it was. You think Neji would have stayed still as he saw Hinata get killed? That's why Gai and his team were out on mission. Would Team 10 or 9 sit by and watch? No, that's why they were all split up and burdened with other things to distract them. Tsunade was tied down healing everyone. The only unknown was Sakura. She had access to a Hyuuga and could see what was transpiring yet she remained where she was. Only Hinata took action when no one else would.

But this often happens to someone in love. They put the priorites and needs of their loved one over their own. Their loved-ones' survival is more important than their own survival, and definitely more important than the orders of their superiors. You watch enough anime and you see this common plot device. Whetther they run into a burning building, or dive into raging, ice-cold waters, or stand in front of a bullet/sword, or challenge an opponent they have no chance in hell of winning-it's textbook lover self-sacrifice.

Kishi needed someone precious to Naruto to fall and enable through their sacrifice for Naruto to transcend and break free of his bonds. Jiraiya's. Kakashi's. Pa Frog's or the Konoha villagers' deaths were not sufficient to generate the 6-tails and break Naruto out of his predicament. So it had to be either Sakura or Hinata. Kishi went with Hinata. You may feel Hinata is not worhty of Naruto's affections, but she got the nod.

[Googlez_kun]

Hinata didn't charge in their to help Naruto unleash the Kyuubi, she ran in their blind in an attempt to "save" him despite the fact she knew she truly didn't stand a chance.

This is was irks me about the whole thing, she ran in there to prove to Naruto she loved him. O great, you show him you love him, yet you die and get nothing accomplished and just make the situation worse, that makes no sense.

It would have been different if Hinata intentionally sacraficed herself to get Naruto pissed to unleash the Kyuubi. If she would have done that she would have easily flew up my list of favorite characters into my top 5. Instead, she got her ass handed to her and FINALLY, when all hope was lost, told Naruto she loved him. WOULD IT HAVE KILLED HER TO DONE IT A WEEK EARLIER!
She said it herself.She was simply being selfish,as she did not make the situtation any better.But she did it because of her love and affection for Naruto.It was impossible for her to not do anything.

Furthermore,Hinata sacrifizing herself so that Naruto could unleash the Kyuubi would be rather weird.It's as if she said"Oh,i love Naruto and despite the fact that i had barely any contact with him,he would overflow with hatred towards my murderer and try to take revenge,because i'm so important to him!" Hinata's not like that.Or more like,she has no reason to believe that,especially because of her low self-esteem.

[Delbi]

Kishi needed someone precious to Naruto to fall and enable through their sacrifice for Naruto to transcend and break free of his bonds. Jiraiya's. Kakashi's. Pa Frog's or the Konoha villagers' deaths were not sufficient to generate the 6-tails and break Naruto out of his predicament. So it had to be either Sakura or Hinata. Kishi went with Hinata. You may feel Hinata is not worhty of Naruto's affections, but she got the nod.

This is what perhaps pisses me off more than anything. Hinata doesn't mean squat to Naruto in comparison to all the other people you mentioned. It was a cop out to let her die in front of him. In this situation the best person would have been Kakashi, but Kishi decided to kill him so a fat kid could survive.

I just feel that the whole situation was poorly handled, as was the entire Pain invasion, but whatever, it's "shounen" so I really should lower my expectations.

[huynhlan]

@m3j
No dude I think hinata and sakura were at about the same distance away from the fight, the fight take place at the creater of that ST, both of them were on the part when the ST didn't hit, and after I reread the chapter sakura wasn't healing anyone.

[M3J]

What Hinata did is something Naruto would do. Naruto would know he has no chance, but it wouldn't make him stop trying, like he did against Neji and Gaara. Having have admired Naruto and desiring to be like him, Hinata jumped in, knowing she had no chance, but she at least tried. She basically did what Naruto did when Haku trapped Sasuke in his Ice Mirrors, but without "killing" the person she was trying to save part.

Hinata adopted some of Naruto's traits, like fighting even when they knew they had no chance but unlike Naruto, Hinata wasn't as protected by plot and had to be taken down for plot reasons.

[Rikudou King]

This is what perhaps pisses me off more than anything. Hinata doesn't mean squat to Naruto in comparison to all the other people you mentioned. It was a cop out to let her die in front of him. In this situation the best person would have been Kakashi, but Kishi decided to kill him so a fat kid could survive.

I just feel that the whole situation was poorly handled, as was the entire Pain invasion, but whatever, it's "shounen" so I really should lower my expectations. Actually I think the best person would have been Iruka, someone we have actually seen Naruto willing to put his life on the line to protect as oppose to the mostly unknown Hinata.

[Muka]

@m3j
No dude I think hinata and sakura were at about the same distance away from the fight, the fight take place at the creater of that ST, both of them were on the part when the ST didn't hit, and after I reread the chapter sakura wasn't healing anyone.

Hinata could see what was happening with her byakugan.
Sakura had to ask at some Hyuuga man next to her.
Even if the distance were the same, Sakura obviously didn't saw everything.

On top of that, Sakura is different of Hinata. She strongly believes in Naruto. Hinata isn't so confident in him.

It seems to me that Sakura was occupied with Tsunade.
Hinata was doin' nothing instead of watching Naruto.

[huynhlan]

Hinata could see what was happening with her byakugan.
Sakura had to ask at some Hyuuga man next to her.
Even if the distance were the same, Sakura obviously didn't saw everything.

On top of that, Sakura is different of Hinata. She strongly believes in Naruto. Hinata isn't so confident in him.

It seems to me that Sakura was occupied with Tsunade.
Hinata was doin' nothing instead of watching Naruto.

Ah so you believe that when sakura heard the naruto got pin down by pain, she still believe that he will be fine and that he can handle himself so she don't have to do anything right?
And tsunade was sleeping due to being tire, I don't think sakura think she was injure, and was trying to heal her or something, and I doubt she is more worry over the fact that tsunade sleeping than naruto fighting for his life,so I don't think she would focus all her attention on a sleeping tsunade than the fight. tsunade was basically sleeping so what was she occupied with watch over her as she sleep?

[KnuckleheadedNinja]

It has been like more than a year since i commented on this stuff...and it amusing to see that in that year or so Kishi has yet to make an inch of progress regarding the romances in the manga...lol


Ah so you believe that when sakura heard the naruto got pin down by pain, she still believe that he will be fine and that he can handle himself so she don't have to do anything right?

That is like the third time you going to state that. So, can you point out where in the manga it was shown that Sakura heard that Naruto got pin down by pain? I'm 99.999% sure that you wouldn't find a page in the manga where that happened.


http://read.mangashare.com/Naruto/chapter-430/page017.html
As Sakura herself point out she can't see a damn thing going on with Naruto.

And the Hyuuga wasn't given Sakura a play-by-play commentation on the fight like a WWE commentator or something.

http://read.mangashare.com/Naruto/chapter-438/page001.html
http://read.mangashare.com/Naruto/chapter-438/page009.html
As shown there, Sakura doesn't find out what is going on in the fight until she ask the human binocular what is going on. She doesn't find out that Hinata had ran out to help Naruto until the whole sequence occur and Naruto went berserk. Sakura had no idea what was going on with Naruto. A little unbiased reading of the manga would show you that much.

[jalix]

A valid point, but the problem I have with this is, and this goes back to Hinata and all of these characters being teenagers is, they don't truly understand the concept of love, at least not to be in love with another person.

Hinata's love for Naruto can never, and most likely never will be comparable to the love a parent has for a child. So for her to do that, to me, even in the name of "love" was stupid. Because the fact is, there was nothing she could do in that situation. The thing she could have done, as I said, was inform a stronger shinobi so they could help, or at least get some sort of back up instead of charging in alone and making the situation worse. You have to know when you are out of your league, and Hinata didn't realize that and it nearly cost her, and everyone else around her their lives.

I guess it's just a difference in opinion then. lol It wasn't about her knowing she was out of her league - because she did know she was out of her league. It was because of her love of Naruto, that it didn't matter. She just couldn't stand by and not act, or not try to do something. That's how it was selfish. :) I can't really comment on 17 year olds or teenagers and love - that really is opinion and speaks to maturity in the real world. Within the realm of this fiction however, it is as we agreed, probably done more for the sake of drama. We know little about Hinata - but the only thing that the author's been extremely consistent about, is her admiration and love of Naruto. But... there is a downfall to this...

Either way, she DID do something. I agree that it was a device to get the story going, but it was something.



Well that's true, but again, that wouldn't have happened if she didn't jump in.

Personally, I think it was a horrible time for Kishi to allow her to confess her love for him. Pain using her to trigger Naruto's hatred was stupid IMO, because she never truly met much to Naruto. Yes they were friends, but he never cared for her like he did Sasuke, Sakura, Kakashi, Jiraiya, or even Gaara. It just seemed forced.

And to top it all off, that confession was the last time we saw Naruto and Hinata together. So to me, it was pointless and unless Kishi wishes to buck the trend and let Naruto get with Hinata.


You're really mroe frustrated at Kishimoto for the way he did it. That isn't an attack - I'm exactly the same as you. lol It was a cop-out. It really was. Neji was away on Guy's team. Otherwise, he would've probably jumped in too - Kishimoto confirmed as much when he blatantly refused to not interfere when later on, Naruto went after Nagato alone. Kakashi was no longer living. Yamato was far away. Tsunade was knocked out and Shikamaru was immobilized. Everyone that we would know who really cared about Naruto higher than most was accounted for. except Hinata.

The BIGGER thing IMO is what was said by Sakura... who didn't act. Maybe though she cared about Naruto, she didn't love him the way Hinata did? Because she wasn't blinded by the anger of what Pain was doing to him to the extent she just had to abandon her sense of self to jump in? Maybe fear? Maybe she was just too busy doing other things? Seeing Naruto first hand was different too than having what happened be relayed to her by others... but still. Not slamming Sakura at all, but it's been confirmed so much that she loves Sasuke and at that time, we know it to be true that she loved Sasuke. Her comment whne Hinata did it was that... "Hinata loves Naruto..." it was an important moment for Sakura... which partly led to her confrontation with Sasuke later on.

So yeah I agree. It was a blatant device. And it's even more frustrating that Kishimoto NEVER so much as made an attempt to elaborate. He never even had Naruto talk to Hinata. I mean, some important things have been happening of course but to the readers, it was a pretty $hitty. The lasting thought I have of Naruto and Hinata, is her crush on him, and him saying "You're weird!" Then he goes kyuubi after Pain blows her into the air and stabs her. All for the sake of giving him the cliff-notes to what Pain is... Never even revisited it. Pretty frustrating.

[Brill]

This is what perhaps pisses me off more than anything. Hinata doesn't mean squat to Naruto in comparison to all the other people you mentioned. It was a cop out to let her die in front of him. In this situation the best person would have been Kakashi, but Kishi decided to kill him so a fat kid could survive.

Hinata probably means more to Naruto than Pa Frog but not the other two. However, it doesn't matter that she's not. Shounen heroes typically don't berserk over adults teachers (unless it's a samurai show), they do for love interests and close friends. Is it cliche? Absolutely. Yet, Naruto is Hinata's self-appointed protector and he kind of likes her personality. Just because he hasn't had a moonlight boatride alone with Hinata to confess his feelings doesn't invalidate her meaning something to him. It's not like Kishi was using Ten-Ten or Ino, there your argument is justified.


I just feel that the whole situation was poorly handled, as was the entire Pain invasion, but whatever, it's "shounen" so I really should lower my expectations.

Then you need to stop playing arm-chair manga writer. You need to read the story instead of dictating its course via your own personal fan fiction. You're only setting yourself up for disappointment otherwise.

[Rosebunse]

I think chapter 540 showed us who's still in love with who. Sakura immediately thought of Sasuke, and Hinata was thinking of Naruto. I think that's all the confirmation I need for the time being. It's pretty significant that Kishi would show that in the same chapter. No matter how forced it may seem, Sakura is holding out for Sasuke, while Hinata is still saying she loves Naruto...how will the NaruSaku fans react? This seems like a pretty big missile to that ship. You can see all the little fans frantically clinging to whatever they can save.

[huynhlan]

Well, today's chapter it clear about one thing, and that's sakura is a lying bitch who fake her confession in order to manipulate naruto so she deserve a painful death at and maybe she has a kid with sasuke but he die, so she spend the rest of her life raising it and never get to love again, here to hoping.

[Rosebunse]

Well, today's chapter it clear about one thing, and that's sakura is a lying bitch who fake her confession in order to manipulate naruto so she deserve a painful death at and maybe she has a kid with sasuke but he die, so she spend the rest of her life raising it and never to love agian, here to hoping.

...it really took you this long to figure out that that confession was fake? It's been about a year, and it took you that long? Really? And I think you are being kinda harsh. She really thought Naruto would believe her, or that she could kill Sasuke, in either case her problem would have been solved. C'mon, give the girl a break. She knows that the guy she was waiting for for years isn't coming back to her and that she can't make herself love Naruto that way. Yeah, she can marry him, have kids and all that good stuff, but she knows that in the end of the day, she loves Sasuke more. It's pretty tragic when you think about it.

[jalix]

THM Nindo i think it was, mentioned it in the chapter thread. But it did get me thinking... "Sakura, Domestic Abuse Victim."...

She still loves this guy.

1: He called her annoying and degraded her. "I still love him."
2: He chopped her in the back of the head to knock her out so he could leave the village despite her confession to him. "I still love him. He protected me in the Chuunin exam."
3: He intended to plow a lightening charged katana through her like a hot knife through butter. "That's ok. I still love him."
4: He tells Sakura to kill a woman who gave her chakra to save his life at least two times. "That's ok, because he just might love me!"
5: With her back turned, he fires up a chidori and plans on stabbing her with it. "That's ok. I still love him."

I joked before but really... there is absolutely nothing healthy about her love for that scumbag. lol Total 'bad-boy' complex.

Sasuke: "Hey Sakura, I mind-freaked Ino while you were away on a mission."
Sakura: "That's ok, Sasuke. As long as you didn't actually do anything. Love you!"

[huynhlan]

...it really took you this long to figure out that that confession was fake? It's been about a year, and it took you that long? Really? And I think you are being kinda harsh. She really thought Naruto would believe her, or that she could kill Sasuke, in either case her problem would have been solved. C'mon, give the girl a break. She knows that the guy she was waiting for for years isn't coming back to her and that she can't make herself love Naruto that way. Yeah, she can marry him, have kids and all that good stuff, but she knows that in the end of the day, she loves Sasuke more. It's pretty tragic when you think about it.

No I figure it out from the begining, but some other member said that some part of it could have been truth like the part when sakura said she love naruto, so I was just pointing out how wrong they were that all. I know it's tragic for her, but that didn't mean she isn't a manipulative women who take a advantage of other's feeling for her own selfish reason.

[shouryuujo]

sakura is hopeless but so is naruto in a non-romantic way. Naruto got beat, degraded and had all those things sasuke did to sakura and then some yet he still haven't given up. You can call his and sakura's devotion idiotic, insane or whatever but it just shows how devoted one person can be to another regardless of evidence stacking against it. And this blind devotion is what will ultimately change sasuke in the end whether we like it or not.

I am still hoping Naruto go back to snow country and marry Yuki :p

[Rosebunse]

No I figure it out from the begining, but some other member said that some part of it could have been truth like the part when sakura said she love naruto, so I was just pointing out how wrong they were that all. I know it's tragic for her, but that didn't mean she isn't a manipulative women who take a advantage of other's feeling for her own selfish reason.

It can be unhealthy and tragic. If Macbeth had been in his right mind, he wouldn't have thought killing his king was a good idea. But it's even sadder when you realize that she could do so much better. Naruto, Lee, the random guy...And she goes with Sasuke.

And I feel some pent up anger in your post. Have you had such an experience with w girl who went with a jerk instead of you?

[huynhlan]

It can be unhealthy and tragic. If Macbeth had been in his right mind, he wouldn't have thought killing his king was a good idea. But it's even sadder when you realize that she could do so much better. Naruto, Lee, the random guy...And she goes with Sasuke.

And I feel some pent up anger in your post. Have you had such an experience with w girl who went with a jerk instead of you?

No, it's just that when I think naruto fall in love with a girl like that it just piss me off.

[3c]

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