Blackjack612's Review of Naruto 552: To Be a Hokage..!!

[blackjack612]

Welcome all to to another Naruto review. Before we get this week's chapter, let’s go over the previous poll results. In my last individual review, I asked you who was the most impressive shinobi in Koto Amatsukami. Nagato and Shisui were tied for second place with Nagato displaying masterful use of his Sage of the Six Paths jutsu and Shisui demonstrating astonishing resolve in his dedication to the Hidden Leaf Village and his own personal nindō. However, Itachi Uchiha took first place in the poll due to his meticulous planning which allowed him to free himself from a technique no other has escaped, essentially returning from the dead. Now for the chapter review...

Naruto 552: To Be a Hokage..!!
As always, images in this review are credited to mangastream/binktopia.


Don't Tread on Me

To Be a Hokage..!! resumes directly from the previous chapter's ending with Itachi sealing Nagato with Sword of Totsuka. As our erstwhile heroes watch the tragic, second passing of Nagato, Kabuto fumes at the loss in his hideout. Kabuto analyzes his defeat and blames the loss on Nagato, whose movement wasn't good (or fast) enough to keep up with Itachi. It seems that Kabuto had Nagato summon animals to extend his own field of vision through the Rinnegans of the summons, but Itachi was still able to find a blind spot in Nagato's field of vision that he exploited to first take out the summoned animals. With those gone, Nagato's field of vision reduced to what it formerly was, allowing Itachi to ambush Nagato in the aftermath of Chibaku Tensei. This strategy once again demonstrated Itachi's knack for analyzing an opponent's weakness and planning ahead. Kabuto isn't dissuaded from moving against Madara by the recent loss. Determinedly, he decides that it's time to bring out his trump card, which means that contrary to what many believed, Kabutomaru will not be the final Big Bad in Naruto.

Well if anyone can do it...

Meanwhile, Itachi resolves to stop Edo Tensei himself, even though the intel Killer B recieved suggests that the revived ninja can only be sealed, not destroyed. Itachi insists that no technique is flawless and that he's thought up a method that might stop the technique. We and Itachi already know the revived ninja can be sealed away with the Sword of Totsuka, so Itachi's uncertainty means he has some other method in mind. Likely, he intends to force Kabuto, perhaps through genjutsu, to give up control of the revived ninja or un-summon them. Naruto's having none of that, though. He fully intends to fight a one-man war and handle everything himself, despite the fact that his recent adventures in Kyūbi-chakra mode has left him exhausted.

The Cause and The Effect

Itachi is quick to recognize a problem that Naruto's had ever sense he subjugated the Kyūbi, which is that he is unrealistically expecting that he can carry the burdens of the world alone and that he disregards help from friends and comrades. At times, it might be acceptable for him to go it alone, such as fighting Sasuke because no one else is of a caliber to stop Sasuke or fighting Pain to avenge his sensai. However, it is unreasonable for him to assume that he can fight such a large and dispersed enemy while also protecting a multitude of targets. It takes more than one man to win a war. Naruto has certainly matured from the child prankster that used to terrorize the village in hopes of recognition. He understands the nature of friendship, community, peace, war, violence, and hatred. He has mastered his emotions, but the last challenge he has left is the one born from his overwhelming success in the face of adversity: arrogance. Naruto has mastered and improved upon S-Rank ninjutsu, learned the Sage Arts, subjugated the most powerful of the bijuu, and defeated numerous of the world's most skilled shinobi.

The gains Naruto has made in his shinobi skills have likewise increased his pride to epic proportions. This is a lesson that Itachi knows well, as he once told Sasuke, "When you have power you become arrogant and isolated from the world." Even after all this time, Sasuke has yet to realize the importance of those words, but Itachi has lived them. He trusted in his village to protect its people after he left, in Shisui while he lived, in Sasuke to carry on his will, and in Hizuren to protect Sasuke. Yet, self-aware as he was, Itachi took it upon himself to deal with the Uchiha clans growing hostility, keep an watchful eye of Madara, protect Konoha from the rogue ninja of Akatsuki, and heal the legacy of the Uchiha clan through Sasuke. He was able to accomplish most of his goals, but had he trusted in other accomplished shinobi this war with Madara might have been prevented, the other jinchūriki might have been saved, and Sasuke might not have strayed towards the path of total vengeance by learning of Madara's central role in the tragedy of the Uchiha. It's not like Itachi didn't recognize that there were capable Hidden Leaf ninja who could help his cause. He respected Jiraiya's strength and recognized that Kakashi had activated the Mangekyō Sharingan within his own eye. Eventually, Itachi was able to entrust his own will to Naruto and by doing so gained the support needed to protect his village.

Now it's time for Naruto to learn this lesson as well. If he trusts only in his own strength, he will one day become a lost soul like Madara. Madara believed only in his own strength which cost him the title of Hokage, infamy, and ultimately corrupted his soul. Naruto dreams of becoming Hokage and of being acknowledged by the villagers who once shunned him as a walking natural disaster, but he always had his priorities mixed up. It's not the title that brings about the acknowledgment, it's the acknowledgment and support of the village that leads to becoming Hokage. Naruto couldn't have come this far without the many friends and comrades he made, and when he becomes Hokage, he shouldn't suddenly stop relying on those who helped him get there. He needs to place faith in his friends.

Shadow Hokage

Naruto realizes the mistake he's made and understands that he doesn't have to go it alone. He has a wealth of comrades ready and willing to help him however he needs, whether that's Itachi, Iruka, or Killer B. As their conversation ends, Itachi destroys Shisui's eye with Amaterasu so that it can't be stolen and misused. As it is now, the eye would need another decade to reactivate, so it's useless to Naruto. Because Naruto shares Shisui's nindō, Itachi decides to leave Sasuke's salvation to Naruto. After all, Itachi's own efforts have failed in that regards. Perhaps Naruto can reinforce whatever wisdom Itachi left Sasuke. As the gang split up to handle their respective tasks, Killer B recognizes that Itachi was more than just a high-caliber shinobi. Besides skill, he has a deep understanding of what's required of both a true shinobi and a capable leader. Had the truth about the Uchiha clans intentions not been hidden, I have no doubt that Itachi would have made an excellent Godaime Hokage.

I'm Not There

Elsewhere on the battlefield, Gaara's forces are having trouble pinning down the Second Mizukage who is seemingly impervious to physical attacks. However, he's not using a space-time ninjutsu akin to Madara's. What the ninja are seeing is an illusion generated by the Mizukage's summoned clam, so he's been avoiding the attacks all together. The ninja have trouble stopping the technique though, even with the Mizukage giving them advice, because they can't comprehend the nature of his illusion. Both the clam and the Mizukage that the ninja can see with their eyes are fake, so whenever the ninja attack the illusions, new mirages of the two appear elsewhere. While they're wasting their attacks, the real clam is standing behind the real Mizukage, who can't be seen, for protection. It's a very interesting ability and seems like the type of technique one would use to counter an invisible man, possibly explaining how the Mizukage was able to keep up with the Second Tsuchikage so that the two slew each other. An effective strategy to stop the technique would be to bombard the entire landscape with a massive attack (excepting the location where the mirage clam and Mizukage are shown) in an attempt to take out the clam and in the illusion. The hiccup here is that the Mizukage is guarding the clam, so he can probably (unwillingly) counter any attacks that threaten his summoned animal. This is a fight that's going to require the help of a high-caliber shinobi. The Mizukage is playing defensively for now, so Naruto's sensing abilities might not pick up any sinister intent, but Killer B might be able to counter the genjutsu with the Eight-Tails.

Back Breaking Labor

The rest of Gaara's forces, led by Temari, are fighting the Third Raikage and Temari has him seemingly pinned for sealing with her Wind Element Net-Cast technique. However, I don't think the Raikage's down for the count yet. He might be able to counter the technique before he's sealed, and we've yet to see the Raikage's own Black Lightening techniques. While the grunts handle the Raikage and Mizukage, Gaara is providing backup for the Third Tsuchikage against the Second Tsuchikage. When Gaara's sand reveals the Second's location behind the Third, the Third's back inconveniently gives out which leaves the Third vulnerable. Although Gaara quickly steps in to shield the Third, it's questionable whether his sand can block the Second's Dust Element techniques that are capable of destroying mountains and punching craters in the earth. Just as things are looking bleak, help appears in what looks like Naruto lunging with a Rasengan in hand towards the unaware Second Tsuchikage, and thus the chapter ends.

The art this week was superbly done. There was a lot to love about this chapter. For starters, Kishimoto made effective use of a montage of Naruto's allies during Itachi's lecture to Naruto on valuing his allies. First, Naruto's expression in the above image is just right, portraying his sudden moment of realization. Secondly, Kishimoto cleanly fits in the Rookie 11, Tsunade, Shizune, Iruka and some villagers without the panel looking overcrowded. It was also interesting to see Sai included, as he's sometimes forgotten, in place of Sasuke.

As usual, the landscapes and backgrounds were lavishly drawn and expertly detailed. The multiple fights required multiple locations which added a diversity to the chapter. The Tsuchikages and Kazekage fought in the sky amongst clouds and floating sand, Naruto and company were located in heavily forested mountains, and the Mizukage fought in a sea of sand with plateaus of rock jutting out from it. I particularly liked the last location because of the contrast of the sand, which consisted of less lines and had a sharper texture, and the more detailed and sharp texture of the plateaus. There were also massive explosions giving scale to the landscapes and characters and fluid trails of smoky aftermath.

As far as the action went, all the shots were well composed and the jutsu on display stylishly drawn. Wind Element is the most uncommon element used by characters in Naruto, making the new jutsu Temari used a welcome addition to the chapter. Kishimoto's cinematic panelling remains characteristically strong. There were no truly unusual shots, but there was the usual variety of long, mid, and short distance shots, eagle eye views, super low angles, super high angles, and iconic looking lineups.

The above two images are a tie for my favorite panel of the chapter. The above was a standout because of the composition of the image. The juxtaposition of the sand and the rock textures and also the rock texture and the Mizukage's stripped garb is pleasing to the eye. On top of that, there's the litter of pitch black kunai contrasting with the light textures of the environment and Mizukage. All of this combines with the Mizukage's pose of (seemingly) resigned defeat and the unnecessary number of weapons used to pin him down to make one of the most stylish to come from Naruto. In fact, the entire three page scene with the Mizukage was excellent, from him casually disregarding the oncoming attacks to the backgrounds and explosions and debris to the overreactions from both parties to the int resting choice of the clam as the Mizukage's summoned animal. As for the bottom image, I just love the way it's drawn. I like how Nagato's decay under Edo Tensei is absorbed into the texture of the sword and how both the color and texture gradient fade from crumbling skin to the original sword texture. The choice of side-shot was also the most appropriate for conveying that effect and I like how close-up angle juxtaposes the scale of the sword with the scale of Nagato's upper body.

Overall, this was an excellent chapter that was lacking in no department. It was surprising, in that I didn't expect us to return to the revived Kages so soon. Nor did I expect us to hear serious talk of Naruto becoming Hokage yet. Although, it makes sense in hindsight. When collected in tankōban form, the volume will resolve around the revived Kage with a brief aside to see Kage-level fighters in Itachi and Pain and have Naruto contemplate what that title means. There was situational humor from both the Mizukage and physical humor from Third Tsuchikage.We got action, great dialogue, some lite philosophy, plot development, and character development. The Tsuchikage really does have health issues that impact his performance, Naruto grew up a little, and Itachi revealed even further depths of wisdom.

And we got thematic development galore. This chapter hammered home the theme of pride, which has been handled before in the manga, but not as directly. We continued to explore the nature of leadership and being a Hokage as well as added a new spin on the theme of acknowledgement. This chapter also revealed how significant it was that Naruto won over Itachi. Before, Itachi had been a loner in exile, shouldering the burden of his clan and the world's dangerous rogues on his back, until Naruto reminded him of what he once new on the nature of pride and ability.

Speaking of Itachi, I posed this week's poll question because of the lecture he gave Naruto. Could Itachi be considered Konoha's Shadow Hokage? After Minato died, Hiruzen resumed his tenure as Hokage and elected to delay choosing a successor. But during that second phase of his tenure, Itachi was skilled enough to be trusted with preventing civil war in the Hidden Leaf. Though he committed an atrocity, he saved the lives of hundreds of thousands (how large is Konoha?) and preserved the peace from the shadows so that other villages couldn't take advantage of the Hidden Leaf in those turbulent times. He was deeply committed to his duty and village and sacrificed almost his entire life for its sake. He had the backing of the village elders and Danzo, who himself helped secure the leaf from the shadows. Then, as a supposed outlaw, he kept Madara in check during his life, eliminated the threat Orochimaru posed, and kept a watchful eye on the Akatsuki. When he could afford to, he even made sure minimal harm was done to his former comrades though they would hunt him with the intention to kill him. It's arguable that Itachi was the only reason Madara delayed his plans so long, the Kyūbi remained safe for most of its existence, and none of the other Akatsuki made a major move on Hidden Leaf itself. I'm interested in what others think, so let me know in the comments.

In my eyes, this chapter was lacking in nothing. It was a sterling example of what the best Naruto chapters should aspire to be, which is something with a decent taste of everything, even if the chapter isn't completely self-contained. Thus, I'm giving Naruto 552 To Be a Hokage.!! a...

5 out of 5.

Predictions

My predictions last week, in the joint review of Naruto 551 were incorrect. I thought that Naruto and Itachi would stick together and throw their combined power at Madara to ensure their victory. That would be the safer route to take if they didn't have other enemies to deal with. As it stands, Kabuto has plans at his own and his recent upset has angered him into bringing out his trump card. Whatever was enough to worry Madara should be enough to worry our heroes, although they don't know what's about to come. And of course, there are still the Edo Tensei summons to deal with. There are still three revived Kage, a few revived Swordsmen of the Hidden Mist, and other notable ninja like Dan and Kakuzu . However, they've resolved to split up and handle separate threats, with the spectre of Madara looming far off into the future.

Next week, I think Naruto will help Gaara's division fight the Kage. I don't think that he'll take them all out on their own. But I wouldn't be surprised if at least one of the Kage fell next chapter. I also imagine that the reunion between the Raikage and B will lead to another flashback. I don't think we'll see Itachi for another month yet. It'll take time for him to find Kabuto, which is where I think he's headed.

My long term predictions for where Naruto is headed can be found in a previous review here.That’s all for this week and thanks for sticking around. See you next week space cowboy...

Stray Observations

• "Seeya." I think Nagato could have chosen better last words.
• "He's just too damn good.."
• "The village didn't acknowledge him because he became the Hokage. He became the Hokage because the village acknowledged him." Although all of Itachi's monologue was epic.
• "You're more than just another strong shinobi, aren't you..."
• "Oh, come on! I've told you! I've told you already!"
• The Third Tsuchikage on his inconvenient back troubles. "Not now."
• It was a good week for all the big 3. One Piece continues to impress and Bleach has finally gotten around to throwing some motivation and explanation behind its craziness. But mostly, I'm just glad to see the Gotei 13 again, who all have updated character designs due to the time skip.

[Knatz]

Great review
I rate this chapter 5/5
wasn't the wind net jutsu a collabarative jutsu?

[blackjack612]

Great review
I rate this chapter 5/5
wasn't the wind net jutsu a collabarative jutsu?

Thank you, and perhaps. It wasn't really clear. Temari obviously had a hand in the attack because she is swinging that fan of hers, but the movement of her support ninja isn't clear. Some look stationary like they're waiting to move in and seal the Raikage while others show more movement, but they could just as well be waiting to seal as adding wind nature chakra to a collaborative attack. Those who look like they could have helped make the jutsu have their hands that are in motion off screen so we can't see if they also had fans/weapons are wore making hand seals or creating wind from the motion of their hand.

[mattiaildivino]

Black!thank you for the review,I agree:this chapter is a 5 out of 5,and I'm sure itachi would have been a worthy hokage,even though he wouldn't have accepted it,because he is wrapped in the shadow,as shisui taught him.

[Newkerzy]

About your notion of Itachi being worthy to become Hokage, I think that maybe, just maybe Minato was the first one who saw Itachi's potential. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if Minato had already listed him as one of the potential Hokage candidates in the future in his mind.

[Quantized]

About your notion of Itachi being worthy to become Hokage, I think that maybe, just maybe Minato was the first one who saw Itachi's potential. In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if Minato had already listed him as one of the potential Hokage candidates in the future in his mind.

Think Itachi was one of the underground Ninjas of Danzou, he was the one giving Itachi the mission to destroy his own clan afterall.

As far as I can tell, there are two groups of Anbu in Konoha, one underground, and one official. The official reports to the Hokage, the underground reports to Danzou or whoever is in charge of the underworld that Danzou apparently created. If he did not, I'd really like to know who did eventually.

Not sure if Minato noticed Itachi's potential and true self, but I agree it'd be cool if he did though

[Newkerzy]

I think it's highly possible. Judging by the way Itachi spoke about Minato, It seems that Itachi actually knew Minato very well and was quite close to him. Remember that scene with Mikoto and Kushina?? I think it pretty much cements the fact how close Itachi's family was to Minato.

[blackjack612]

I think it's highly possible. Judging by the way Itachi spoke about Minato, It seems that Itachi actually knew Minato very well and was quite close to him. Remember that scene with Mikoto and Kushina?? I think it pretty much cements the fact how close Itachi's family was to Minato.

While I think it would be cool for Minato to have recognized Itachi's potential, but I'm don't think the timeline supports that. In Part I, Naruto was 12-13 which i'm going to round to 12 and Itachi was 17 - 18 which I'm going to round to 17. That would have made Itachi 5 yrs old when Minato died (which would be the time of Naruto's birth). And since Itachi didn't graduate academy until 7, become chunin til 10, and join ANBU until he was 13, it seems unlikely that Minato would have paid much attention to a young kid who wasn't even academy age yet. But Itachi's age places him firmly in the generation that succeeded Minato's and his renown and fame (before his infamy) could have shortlisted him as a Hokage candidate since Hizuren seemed to be waiting for worthy successors. However, for various reasons, the truth behind the Uchiha massacre was kept secret and so that couldn't be. I think one choice reason was Itachi's desire to protect the Uchiha legacy and redeem the clan's value through Sasuke, so he essentially took the infamy on himself that would prevent him from becoming Hokage. Had instead he been known as the man who prevented civil war in the Hidden Leaf, he might have had a few supporters among the villagers.

[mattiaildivino]

itachi led an ambu team when he was 14,then he left the leaf when he was at least 14,sasuke was 7 because he stated it himself. then minato died when itachi had just finished or was about to finish the academy. I'm sure he was already in the academy,in fact it seems he knew a bit of minato when he was still alive,then he must have learnt something in the academy. itachi might have compared himself with minato,but he has chosen to be a ninja that protects the peace within his shadow.

[Newkerzy]

While I think it would be cool for Minato to have recognized Itachi's potential, but I'm don't think the timeline supports that. In Part I, Naruto was 12-13 which i'm going to round to 12 and Itachi was 17 - 18 which I'm going to round to 17. That would have made Itachi 5 yrs old when Minato died (which would be the time of Naruto's birth). And since Itachi didn't graduate academy until 7, become chunin til 10, and join ANBU until he was 13, it seems unlikely that Minato would have paid much attention to a young kid who wasn't even academy age yet. But Itachi's age places him firmly in the generation that succeeded Minato's and his renown and fame (before his infamy) could have shortlisted him as a Hokage candidate since Hizuren seemed to be waiting for worthy successors. However, for various reasons, the truth behind the Uchiha massacre was kept secret and so that couldn't be. I think one choice reason was Itachi's desire to protect the Uchiha legacy and redeem the clan's value through Sasuke, so he essentially took the infamy on himself that would prevent him from becoming Hokage. Had instead he been known as the man who prevented civil war in the Hidden Leaf, he might have had a few supporters among the villagers.

But like you said, Itachi graduated at the age of 7. He entered the academy at 6 and graduated in less than a year. I'd say that at the age of 5-6 he would've remembered Minato very well and know what kind of man he is. To be honest, I think there might've been one instance where Minato saw what Itachi could do and believed him to be the potential next Hokage from that moment on. Kind of like how Bee had the double lariat test with Ei. From that point on, the 3rd Raikage and Ei knew he had incredible talent.