3D Reviews: Naruto Chapter 534

DaDarkDude · Apr 7, 2011

Chapter 534: Farewell, Ino-Shika-Chou!

Hello again guys. Welcome to 3D Review's Second review on mangahelpers. I've noted all the criticism I got in the last review, and have made changes accordingly. I hope you guys enjoy this enhanced version, and as always if you feel there's something I'm missing, just point it out and I'll see what I can do about it!

Now for the fun part. We've just seen Choji finally shed away his emotions and embrace determination to take out his revived Sensei, Asuma. Without the use of pills, he's managed to grow the wings, and it's pretty obvious he'll be exponentially stronger. But just how strong will he be compared to Asuma? Time to find out!

Detailed Plot Summary
In the midst of the raging battlefield, Choji has suddenly sprouted two giant chakra wings. His teammates and father note them with shock, and they begin to notice the rapid changes occurring within Choji, alongside his external differences. Ino and Shikamaru note how quickly he's loosing weight, and Shikamaru questions Chozou if Choji will be alright. Chozou calmly responds that there's nothing to worry about, the technique Choji is using is a secret calorie-control technique of the Akimichi clan, and that the pills they use just make the technique easier. In this case, however, Choji has sprouted the wings without the pills.
Asuma watches happily, wondering just how much stronger Choji will be in this form, and he begins to compare Choji to a newly metamorphosed butterfly, and asks whether he will be able to take flight. Fully determined, Choji responds that he will definitely be able to, and focuses all the chakra, including the chakra that created the wings, into his right fist, making it an incredibly deadly weapon. Chozou notes Choji's determination and decides that they no longer have anything to worry about, and that he will return back to his fight. Before leaving, he apologizes for Choji's previous annoying behavior, but explains to them that that side of Choji is gone, and that he is now worthy to be the 16th head of the Akimichi family, then he takes off.
And thus, the second part of the battle begins. Ino and Shikamaru return to Choji's side and prepare to fight with renewed strength. Two Sand village shinobi watch from the top of a cliff and yell to the three to weaken Asuma, then lead him to the corner where they'll seal him off. Ino replies that weakening Asuma is easier said than done, then notes two Zetsus preparing to attack Shikamaru from behind. She warns her friend then jumps to his back, mind body switching (somehow) into both Zetsus. In control of both Zetsus, Ino launches forward and begins to fight Asuma while Shikamaru provides her powerful backup with the Shadow Sewing Technique. Jumping out of the way, Asuma notes Choji closing in on him, and that he will be unable to dodge. With a smile, Asuma notes this and prepares to be struck by an enlarged Choji (at this point, Choji has turned into a giant using the Akimichi technique). Choji punches Asuma and sends him flying back, and as Asuma is ripped into shreds, he begins to compliment Choji, thinking that all Choji ever needed to be stronger than anyone, was the confidence in himself and his abilities.
Asuma crashes onto the cliff the two Sand Shinobi were standing on and turns it into fragments of rubble. To limit Asuma's movements, Shikamaru quickly picks up Asuma's old weapon given to him, embeds it with his chakra, and throws it at Asuma's shadow, effectively freezing him in place. Asuma notices this and puns about how moved and unmoved he is. The two Sand Shinobi then take the opportunity to quickly seal off Asuma, but Asuma implores them to wait for a second. Shikamaru explains to Asuma that they've already heard his last words, and to say them again would weaken the impact it had on them. In retaliation, Asuma explains that he'd like to add on those words, and the three watch in a mixture of emotions as he explains he has nothing more to say to them, and that their combination was perfect. The Sand Shinobi then take the opportunity to seal him away, and the three watch him and thank him.
To finish off, everyone on the battlefield pauses and stares at the sky in shock. Kakuzu, Darui, Dan, Chozou, and even the Zetsus alongside the rest of the army watch in captivation as Choji flies high above them with his two chakra wings. He then tells Shikamaru and Ino that he intends to end the battle 'now' and that he'll need their help. The two watch impressed and happy at Choji's sudden change in disposition, and follow him.

Elsewhere, Naruto tiredly lays on the ground and Bee watches him, saying that he has to work harder and that he's becoming lazy. Naruto then gets up and explains that he's actually not working harder because something has been on his mind. Bee asks him in his own way what the problem is, and Naruto responds by saying that he earlier felt the Nine-Tails' Chakra, but that he found it odd because he's the only person with the Nine Tails' Chakra. Bee explains that he's the only person with the Nine-tails' chakra, and that they're in a chakra isolation chamber, so there's no way he could sense anything anyways.
Inside Bee, however, a different conversation is taking place. The Hachibi explains to Bee that Naruto is beginning to sense what is going on, and that he most likely sensed the Silver and Gold Brothers (Kinkaku and Ginkaku) that may have been revived using 'Orochimaru's technique'. The Hachibi then explains that Naruto can't be lied to any longer, seeing as how already seeds of curiosity are beginning to sprout. He asks what Bee's plan is, and Bee wonders what kind of plan he could have. The Hachibi reminds Bee that he can't let Naruto out of the room, and Bee responds by saying he's counting on the Hachibi for help.
Naruto then asks to head for the bathroom, and Bee tells him it's out the door and on the first left. The Hachibi angrily screams at Bee, telling him that he already said Bee couldn't let him out of the chamber, and to follow him. But before Bee has the chance to reclaim Naruto, Naruto is already out of the room. As Naruto quickly tries to leave the area, two Shinobi contact HQ and Tsunada and A listen in shock. A then responds by questioning what Bee's doing, and A's assistant replies saying Bee wasn't paying attention, then asks Tsunade to give the order, and Tsunade agrees.
Naruto continues to leave the vicinity and is stopped by over seven shinobi of the alliance. He watches them cautiously and questions why there would be so many guards if something wasn't going on. Shino's father than asks Naruto to return to his training room, and that he wont be allowed to pass. Naruto asks why all of them are guarding him, and Shino's dad calmly responds by telling Naruto that once they're back inside, he'll explain everything. Naruto asks why they can't just talk outside, and then someone from among the crowd of guards speaks out, saying he'll talk to Naruto. Naruto watches in shock and confusion as Iruka steps out.

Analysis
Pretty calm chapter, though you can feel the attempted hype over Choji. I'll admit it worked a little, seeing everyone on the battlefield regard him in fear, but anyone else could easily see it as bombastic, I just tend to see the lighter side of things. I'm happy Naruto finally realized something is going on. It took him way too long, he actually went through checking if giant animals were male or female, then finally reaches this point. I'm kind of curious to Bee's true intentions though. Surely he isn't stupid enough to not have seen Naruto's attempted escape in the signature 'Where's the bathroom' line? Then again, it is Bee...
Another thing I found interesting in this chapter is the Hachibi. It's been confirmed that Edo Tensei was created by Tobirama, or at least that Tobirama used it. Since the Hachibi is as old as the Kyuubi and he's been around a fairly long time, why does he see Edo Tensei as 'Orochimaru's technique'? Perhaps the Hachibi doesn't know, but surely he's been around long enough to know that Tobirama used to use it. There is also the chance that he only said that so Bee could make the connection to Edo Tensei. I'm pretty sure Bee wouldn't know that Tobirama could use that jutsu, so if he used Orochimaru, Bee would understand.
It was interesting to see Shino's dad in on something. The Abarame clan isn't really given much hype, or any hype, actually... so seeing Shino's dad acting in one of the most important positions is a but relaxing. It's kind of odd to see Iruka there. He obviously wasn't intended to be part of the guards, but he was probably placed there in case Naruto attempts to escape, after all- there's no way Iruka could fight off anything big Madara would send in.
Two Sand Shinobi were shown in this chapter, which is pretty interesting since when looking from an overall perspective, the Sand Village doesn't have many noticeable abilities, but from what I've seen, they do have a pretty interesting ability to seal things away. Zabuza, Haku, and now Asuma, they have demonstrated a proficiency to sealing the edo tensei bodies away. I'm looking forward to seeing if more Sand Shinobi will be the sealers for future enemies, or if this just happened because the Sand tend to go unnoticed.

Final Comments
I'd say the highlights were Choji's punch, and Naruto's escape. Other than that, there wasn't really much that happened in this chapter. Choji seems to have some sort of plan to stop the war, then again he could just mean going around and owning enemies just like the Ino-Shika-Cho formation trolled Kinkaku and Asuma. It was a pretty decent chapter, one that I actually enjoyed reading, and I'm looking forward to seeing how Naruto will take the news that there's a World War going on behind his back, and he's being locked up because he's the reason for the war alongside Bee.

That concludes my second review. I've taken mattiaildivino's advice and added a poll. I've decided to remove the rating because I feel it takes away from the chapter. There has to be awesome chapters, and normal chapters. To add a rating sort of belittles that cycle. We can't always have hyperness, and we can't always have calm moments. So that's why I didn't append a rating like in my first review... besides I tend to be too kind and give extra points anyways.
Thanks for taking the time to read this. I added more analysis, and left the plot details the same. Please tell me if I should add/remove anything. Cheers :tem