#and sasuke will be here next chapter | Explore Tumblr posts and blogs

strawberrysasuke · 2 months ago

Text

Sasuke’s devotion

...as demonstrated in the first arc of the Boruto manga. Where we get intriguing insight into Sasuke & Naruto's dynamic as adults, and further reinforcement of some of the seeds Kishimoto planted in Gaiden.

I’m not exactly addressing the full scope of their bond here. The central theme of this post is Sasuke’s side of things and an exploration of his acts of love. But naturally, Naruto’s reciprocation factors into it and is addressed accordingly.

Although I intended to recount the events of this arc in chronological order, strictly sticking to that was messing with the general flow of things. So I jump back and forth between chapters a bit, especially towards the end so pls bare with me lol. But ultimately I don't think the order matters too much and where it does, I point it out.

Final note - I really like the movie, but it's been a while since I watched, so I didn't reference it much here.

He feels Naruto's pain, as his own

When Sasuke first meets Boruto, the interaction is swift. He only offers a matter-of-fact acknowledgement of Boruto's status as Naruto's son, responds to Hinata's greeting with a question about her husband, followed by an immediate exit to instead greet the sole reason he's even there at all.

It's not long before Naruto can't help but spill his innermost concerns about Boruto's future and that of shinobis as a whole. Sasuke immediately takes this to heart and appears sombre as he listens intently. He knows Naruto's heart and with that comes an intimate understanding of his woes, as if they were his own. It's evident in how he appears increasingly agitated in the next panel as he refuses to entertain Naruto's disillusioned train of thought.

He doubles down with a simple, but definitive statement - “the true nature of a ninja never changes, no matter how the tides may shift”. Simultaneously, we get an intentional flash of the headband that Sasuke lovingly always carries with him and has been doing so for years.

The statement itself goes beyond a simple iteration of his shinobi philosophy. It's being directly linked to a precious momento of their love and devotion to each other. Making it known that this belief Sasuke holds is actually rooted in and inspired by his love for Naruto. It's also a matter of the future that Naruto is referencing, is one they envisioned and decided to cultivate together -- their joint legacy. So he's naturally protective of it.

Every time he invokes this statement throughout this arc, it's a fond expression of exactly these two things: his devotion to Naruto and commitment to honouring his -- and by extension their - shinobi legacy.

Sasuke draws from his own source of faith (his boundless love) to counter and comfort Naruto's dwindling hope. Knowing this is something that will resonate deeply, and serve to renew his hope and in turn, soothe his worries.

It works perfectly, as Naruto is immediately on the same wavelength and echoes the words Sasuke left unspoken. Although not entirely convinced, he appears far more relaxed. If the person he trusts the most in the world still has faith, he's willing to listen.

The meeting is brief, yet in the span of a few minutes, Sasuke managed to leave Naruto more at ease than he found him. But he's not quite done yet.

A new mission

Sasuke leaves the Hokage's office with a very important personal mission: make the love of his life feel better.

Naruto's primary concern was a question of his son's shinobi spirit and the resultant gap in shared values is a major source of strain in their relationship. So Sasuke makes it his goal to train Boruto into a shinobi Naruto would be proud of. And in turn, tenderly nurture the spirit of Naruto he so vividly sees in him -- the source of his unwavering faith in the true nature of shinobis persisting no matter the day and age.

His first step being to task Boruto with learning the rasengan is extremely intentional, and very sweet. Since this is a jutsu very dear to Naruto; created by his father and passed down by his teacher. Also (not sure if Sasuke knows this, but we definitely do) something he learned solely to protect his most precious person -- Sasuke.

So he knows how happy Naruto would be to see his son inherit it. Judging by the way Naruto cannot stop grinning ear-to-ear after finally witnessing it -- he was absolutely right.

Naruto's happiness >>> planet-endangering threat

The minute he learned that something was bothering Naruto, all other priorities became secondary. Including a planet-endangering threat, apparently. We discover that Sasuke did, in fact, get severely sidetracked during their earlier meeting.

It's hilarious that he's casually divulging the most crucial information gathered from his latest mission, like it’s an afterthought. Even Naruto is baffled as he sinks down in his chair, trying to process the looming disaster that's potentially about to strike this planet.

We've seen it play out time and time again (even heard him outright admit it) but this is another reminder that for Sasuke, Naruto’s wellbeing takes precedence over literally everything else, including the rest of the world -- Naruto is his world.

To be loved, is to be known

We continue to explore the depths of Sasuke's reverence, when we see how disturbed he is by Boruto’s suspicious progress with his ninjutsu training. The immediate side-by-side with Naruto as a child and the way he recoils (squinting, frowning, brows intensely furrowed, turning his entire body away) at the difference in their respective spirits lol

Naruto is the ultimate standard for him so of course it stings when someone who resembles him so closely, fails to live up to it. Bringing it back to Sasuke's philosophy in chapter 1 -- rather than a faith in shinobis as a collective, it's more so that as long as Naruto's spirit persists in shinobis, Sasuke will continue to believe. This underpins why Sasuke regards being 'just like Naruto' as the best compliment he could give to Boruto when he does eventually become a 'true ninja'.

The subsequent scene set after their first training session, is of Sasuke so fondly and earnestly recounting Naruto’s story. It's not a surface-level recollection, instead full of feeling and intimate familiarity. He starts right off the bat with calling Naruto a 'noisy idiot' and 'half-wit' LMAO. The whole thing is a demonstration of how this reverence and adoration can be traced back decades -- yet still persists as passionately as ever, if not more.

This conversation also fleshes out a key difference between them -- who actually knows Naruto. Or rather, who Naruto has allowed to know him.

This motif first appears in the events leading up to Sasuke catching a punch Boruto meant to throw at his father.

In his outburst to Hinata moments prior, Boruto highlights the core of the problem. He essentially has no idea who Naruto is past the role of Hokage; knows nothing at all of the history preceding it. Naruto hasn’t disclosed these parts of himself to his son, leading to this massive disconnect that’s been allowed to fester and evolve into bitterness.

Hinata attempts and spectacularly fails to remedy this (since she also doesn’t know him, just fawns over the idea of him and even more so that Naruto’s never given her access either) -- only for Sasuke to appear as a beacon of hope for the boy soon after.

The issue is further reinforced as Boruto enters his dad's office, seeking out that knowledge. As he holds Naruto’s childhood jacket, he's made tangibly aware of the dirt, wear and tear that hold stories he’s never had access to. Core parts of his dad that he simply doesn’t recognise -- and it frustrates him all over again, as he throws it out onto the street.

In the charged silence immediately after, the doorbell rings and it’s Sasuke. This arrival completely changes the course of Naruto and Boruto’s fractured relationship -- epitomised in Sasuke picking up that very jacket later, as if picking up the pieces.

It all leads to this moment by the firepit. Boruto takes the opportunity to enquire about Naruto, and the picture Sasuke paints is so different from his own perception. It's so profound and the intimacy shared between Sasuke and Naruto is so loud and apparent, that it's difficult for Boruto to even comprehend. Since the difference between their experience of the real Naruto is vast.

Picking up the pieces

We get a glimpse into how fractured things are in the sequence of events before Naruto sends a congratulatory message to his son for passing the first stage of the chunin exam.

It’s intriguing that upon hearing the news, Naruto opts to hide his real feelings from Shikamaru. He actively rejects Shikamaru's attempt at getting him to open up about his family troubles, irritatedly shutting down his bid for connection. Yet in the first chapter, we witnessed how Naruto so readily share said troubles with Sasuke.

Naruto pretends to be unaffected by the news, but Shikamaru’s watchful eye catches on and urges him to convey his real feelings to Boruto. Shikamaru didn't account for the actual extent of Naruto's emotional disconnect though, so his advice is enacted in a rather awkward way, via email.

Boruto’s reaction to it is very sad, too. The way he’s torn between being genuinely happy to receive his dad's acknowledgement, but he can't stifle the disappointment at how distant the attempt was.

But we're privy to the fact that this was a huge undertaking on Naruto's end. It's astonishing how big a feat a simple online expression of feelings was to him. To the extent that he's profusely sweating and collapsing in his chair from the tension release after it's done.

Even when Shikmaru first makes the suggestion, Naruto looks so miserable -- the bags around his eyes are suddenly terribly prominent. He's exhausted at the mere thought of conveying his feelings, and Shikamaru's mildly exasperated but knowing expression points to this being the norm. This dysfunctional relationship with his son has been persisting for a long time.

These two evidently have a lot of work to do in untangling the years of distance, and resultant mutual emotional disconnect which, on Boruto's end, cultivated resentment.

Boruto’s progress is a major factor in healing this -- every point of progress acts as an opportunity for father and son to reconnect, and they get closer to reconciliation. The primary orchestrator of this is Sasuke, who's essentially pulling the strings to bridge that gap by training and guiding Boruto to align with the shinobi values Naruto holds so dear. Carefully nurturing that point of connection between them.

This link is also established in the text as the panel immediately after a display of their strained relationship (Naruto heaving a sigh of relief after sending a simple email), is a cut to Sasuke training Boruto and facilitating that instrumental development.

Naruto's only exception

Let's further explore the peek we got into how Naruto keeps everyone at an arm's length in his life now -- it's very telling of his emotional state in adulthood. He has become someone who finds emotional exchanges to be an excruciating process.

We see a repeat of Naruto feigning indifference when he's obviously antsy about if Boruto passed the second stage of the chunin exam. Immediately upon Shikamaru's arrival with said news, he pretends to be working.

The same Shikamaru he knows can see right through it all -- but still, he remains absolutely committed to this poor act of nonchalance. He even waits until the guy's out of earshot before allowing himself to be happy.

It made me wonder why he's trying so hard to not be perceived. We know Naruto is someone who has a lot of feelings, all the time. That's who he is and always has been. However in adulthood, we're consistently shown that he is so adamant about witholding access to himself. Whereas in his younger years, he wanted so desperately to be seen, heard and thereby accepted.

The answer lies in the various roles he now plays and embodies -- he is the Hokage. A war hero that saved the planet. The strongest shinobi to ever exist. A married man with kids. He's been perceived to hell and back at this point; romantically, platonically, parentally, and authoritatively, etc. Experienced every type of bond there is.

He's constantly under surveillance from his peers, colleagues, the villagers, the shinobi world, his stalker-turned-wife, and his kids that look up to him. He must even feel watched by his own parents and teacher, whose legacies he dedicated his entire adult life to honouring. While not all ill-intentioned or undeserved, the sheer scale of it and the expectations he's subject to must be exhausting.

On top of -- rather, because of -- that he's closeted. Perpetually suffering the unrelenting consequences of repressing his sexuality and being pressured into a one-sided marriage. Forced to endure this lifelong facade. All done in his ultimate pursuit of acceptance (read more about Naruto's repression in this post here).

All he ever wanted growing up were bonds -- as an adult, he's being crushed under their weight. Rendering him a jaded, detached figure that won't allow the tiniest glimpse past his strict defenses and carefully maintained mask of Hokage.

Sasuke is the only exception; the love of his life has absolute, free reign past these barriers.

Where his face goes blank from his confusion at Shikamaru initiating a 'trivial'* exchange, he'll happily indulge Sasuke discussing an equally 'trivial' matter of merely meeting Naruto's son. Not even reporting a necessarily meaningful exchange, either. Just recalling how he bore a strong resemblance to him.

Which Naruto has no issue indulging to the fullest extent, even voluntarily steering the conversation in a deeper, more vulnerable direction. We've seen him pointedly reject someone like Shikamaru's similar attempts, yet a few chapters prior, he spills his guts to Sasuke before he even has to ask.

For once in his adult life, in Sasuke's presence, we're shown Naruto completely and intentionally unguarded.

*I'm using quotations marks because these are not trivial exchanges, but this is the standard that Naruto sets up and fails to follow when it comes to Sasuke lmao

To love, is to endure

Okay this part is gonna be a bit of a journey so pls bear with me. This deciphering room conversation has always intrigued me. Comparing it to some previous exchanges they've shared, allows us to explore the implications of what transpired here.

It reveals the existence of a line between them, shaped by years of repression and restraint and the product of their circumstances. One that Sasuke occassionally draws.

At the heels of Naruto’s explosive joy, this scene brings with it a stark shift in tone. Their arrangement is the first clue to the underlying unease -- they're positioned a few steps apart, perfectly capable of having this conversation face-to-face, yet actively choosing to have their backs to each other. Notably, they don’t make eye contact once.

After discussing business, Sasuke immediately excuses himself, but is stopped by Naruto calling his name. The corresponding expression is strangely tense, almost anticipatory. He doesn’t even respond, instead lets Naruto do the talking, while maintaining the same look.

It even continues after Naruto reveals that he’s aware that Sasuke has been training Boruto. The tension echoes in Sasuke’s subsequent responses being rather drawn-out, punctuated with several pauses.

While Naruto is the opposite, and evidently walked in here with a clear purpose -- to confront Sasuke. Why? He loves to bask in the fact that Sasuke loves him, and will jump at opportunities for affirmation.

We've established how every step Sasuke has taken so far in this arc has been motivated by love. Which drives him to stick around in a town he seldom visits, to execute his master plan of easing Naruto’s troubles -- his commitment to restoring his beloved's faltering hope. Naruto came here to openly recognise this.

The sequence of this deciphering room interaction mirrors a dialogue during the fourth shinobi world war (ch 680). Naruto confronts Sasuke regarding the real reason behind him so single-mindedly protecting Naruto. Declaring he now understands how it was possible for Sasuke's body to 'move on its own' to save someone precious to him (this entire scene is broken down nicely here).

His playfully smug grin is a testament to him absolutely reveling in the knowledge that Sasuke has been acting out of love. If you compare Naruto's expression here with the one in the Boruto panel, they're very similar -- so the intentions behind them can be reasonably equated. Sasuke's answer in this case is also extremely charged silence, functioning as confirmation for Naruto.

Naruto also knows that Sasuke deliberately concealed training Boruto from him, so by choosing to bring it up anyway, he’s looking for a reaction -- another confirmation.

We've seen how even when Sasuke’s glaring daggers into him, Naruto is busy blushing under his intense gaze instead. He enjoys being the object of Sasuke’s undivided attention (and affection). Everytime he recalls Sasuke considering him a worthy opponent, he’s overtaken by uncontainable excitement (this post dives into this further).

One of the major ways their love manifests is in their mutual respect and appreciation of each other’s strengths. For Naruto especially, this is embodied in moments of acknowledgement -- hence why he was so lovestruck at Sasuke’s “I want to fight you…” It’s the best outlet they’ve found to express and enact their love given the circumstances and heteronormative, homophobic society under which their bond formed.

That's also why Naruto is so sincere in upholding the integrity of their fights; only deeming it a worthy match if they’re fighting on equal terms. So on the hospital rooftop, he insists that Sasuke put his headband on, so they can spar as equals. Then in the first Valley of the End fight, moments after Sasuke unlocks his third tomoe due to the sheer gravity of his love for Naruto -- in another act of love, he complies with Naruto’s desires for an honest fight by putting on that very headband.

Contrasting all this with the discussion earlier about Naruto’s growing and deeply held distaste for being perceived by others while here he is (and always has been), going out of his way to seek out Sasuke’s lmao.

So, we can say that in the deciphering room scene, Naruto is essentially initiating a moment of intimacy and awaiting reciprocation. Yet, all Sasuke can offer is a loaded pause. Eventually when he does respond, it's a matter-of-fact reiteration that puts an end to the conversation altogether. Still an affirmation, but a rather (and unusually) flat one.

It doesn't come to a soft, warm-hearted conclusion like their last exchange during chapter 1, but instead with both bearing rather rigid expressions. Naruto is left tight-lipped and dejected and Sasuke has no smile to offer this time. Viewing them side-by-side really amplifies the contrast in tone and outcome.

Even Sasuke's engagement with the statement ("the essence of a ninja never changes" -- the significance of which I mentioned at the start) is off. He engages with it four times during this arc, yet his attitude this time is strikingly different from the other three.

This establishes the existence of that line I mentioned at the beginning. One forged a long, long time ago -- stemming from their repressed feelings.

There’s allusions to this in Gaiden, too - specifically that ‘cooperation’ panel (an outline of implications of this scene can be found here and here). You can feel something simmering between them, courtesy of the little clues Kishimoto leaves through the construction of a strained atmosphere.

The uneasy undercurrent and its implications is something even Sakura picks up on, rendering her particularly distressed because it’s yet another reminder that her 'husband' has never, and will never belong to her lol. Them being in their own little world, a space she's never had access to, is something she's always been insecure about and deeply unsettled by.

The 'cooperation' and deciphering room dialogues also follow the same sequence:

Naruto initiates intimacy - admitting he’s ready to drop everything (the village, his kids, his wife) and essentially uproot his life to be with Sasuke.

Sasuke, woefully and reluctantly but fueled by pettiness, draws a hard line -- throwing Naruto's own words back at him.

Naruto is left dejected yet guilty-looking, since this outcome and the mutual misery underpinning it is a direct consequence of his own choices.

Another similarity can be found in the scene where Sasuke was disappointed in Boruto’s artificially induced progress in his ninja training. Since this called into question whether he really did emobody Naruto's shinobi spirit. But Sasuke proceeded to withold his own unpleasant feelings about the matter, and engaged in Boruto’s pretense and allowed the kid to become his disciple.

And in the deciphering room, despite being bristled and slow to reciprocate, Sasuke entertains Naruto’s initiation of intimacy in a pointedly careful and controlled manner.

Totally oblivious to Sasuke's suspicions, Boruto was excited since he focused primarily on the affirmative decision. Whereas Naruto knows him well enough to receive Sasuke's pettiness in full-force and, like in Gaiden, looks quite guilty over it.

In both cases, of course it's not ill-natured -- Sasuke is just unsettled. He wants Boruto to work hard and become a true shinobi by honest means, and he of course, absolutely loves indulging Naruto. It's precisely because he cares so much, that he acts this way.

Naruto and Sasuke's relationship is no stranger to mutual and silly acts of pettiness, but the pattern of Sasuke engaging in petty behaviour twice outside of regular bickering, is intriguing. To explore this, we have to consider the motivations behind petty behaviour, specifically in close interpersonal relationships.

This study points to the highly affective nature of pettiness. You’re not petty about things that don’t bother you. Things don’t bother you, unless you care. And in this case, Sasuke cares a lot. Hence why Naruto’s bold approaches, when contrasted with the harsh reality of his choices, leaves Sasuke quite bothered. It’s ultimately hurt derived from love (read this great post that explores the theme of conformity in Naruto's ending).

The same study also drew a negative correlation between petty behaviour and life satisfaction. Although Sasuke is genuinely happy to be by Naruto’s side in whatever capacity…of course he’d much rather do it married*. Living the life they deserved. Yet they find themselves here, as miserable adults miserably married to their respective stalkers. So yes, there is a lot to be dissatisfied (and therefore petty) about lol

*(I mean this more in a comparative sense to their current situation. Idk if marriage in the traditional/ceremonial sense, would necessarily be the route they'd take if they could have -- just being together romantically, whether married or as boyfriends, is more so what i'm referring to)

Combined, I believe all of this points to the existence of a tangible line that was established by the homophobic and heteronormative society they live in. That they begrudingly maintain as tired, repressed adults.

It's also something they're bound to by the duty they share as being the strongest shinobi to ever exist. This particular motif is reflected through their attire in the deciphering room scene, since it's first time we see them meeting with Naruto in his Hokage robe. Sasuke's own cloak is also tightly closed, when it’s otherwise deliberately shown open (or in the movie, completely shed) in Naruto's presence.

It's like their robes function as another layer of separation, encasing them in the shells of their respective roles. Naruto as Hokage, the protector of the village, and Sasuke as Naruto's protective shadow. One role successively binds the other.

This boundary built on shared responsibility as the strongest shinobi. Something that they equally feel and are passionate about but it falls slightly more heavily on Naruto and the extra layer of expectations he's chronically bound to (as discussed earlier). But Sasuke is willing to follow him anywhere (very fitting of his role as a 'shadow'), even to such agonizing ends -- where Sasuke feels not only his own pain, but also intimately experiences Naruto’s pain as his own (vice versa).

Their shared repression manifests in these little moments, where they struggle against that line. Sometimes, they brush up against it, and when Naruto is the initiator -- unable to keep his desires from manifesting -- Sasuke is the one to bring them back to reality. The reality of Naruto’s choices. And the reality that Sasuke will stand beside him anyway. He loves him, so he will endure.

“But Sasuke accepted him nevertheless. His love for Naruto is like a rock steady faith, a prayer. No matter what happens, he can't and won't stop loving and caring for Naruto. He joined in Naruto's goal of uniting all shinobis, and he is accountable to Naruto.” - from this great post on the concept of Sasuke’s love for Naruto being like a prayer and op further discusses their bond in adulthood.

No words needed

When Momoshiki attacks the stadium during the final stage of the chunin exam, Naruto decides to take on the enemy alone. He entrusts Sasuke with the safety of their children, then looks at him so tenderly. Almost like carefully asking for permission -- they always fight by each other's side, but this time, it'd be best if Naruto went alone. So it's also a look of reassurance.

Because look at Sasuke -- he's so stiff. He makes the promise, but not without hesitation and is so tight-lipped while doing so. Sasuke has always been one to struggle with Naruto entering dangerous situations, where Sasuke can't protect him like he desperately wants to (read more about it here). Naruto recognises this and softly soothes him, silently asking for his faith. They know and share the pain in each other's hearts, after all.

Through this look alone, it's apparent they're exchanging feelings only they know. Naruto is making a request only Sasuke can fulfill. That he only trusts Sasuke with. And Sasuke trusts him right back. So he makes the promise.

Knowing each other's hearts has also meant that they've never needed words to understand what they do for each other's sakes. A way this is shown in this arc, is through the symbolism of Naruto's childhood jacket.

The jacket is present during key events -- a major one being when Sasuke first makes that declaration: “the true nature of a ninja never changes, no matter how the tides may shift.” After Boruto threw it out of the window, Sasuke rescues and returns it to Naruto, who was holding it when he first heard those words.

It is also an embodiment of Naruto’s legacy -- which Sasuke has been protecting and nurturing all this time -- and holds so much history in the wears and tears. And in that, it also becomes a marker of substantial progress between him and his son.

Naruto was quite bothered by how, compared to his own, Boruto's clothes were too clean. This small fact represents the difference in their lives growing up and thus their shared values, being too vast for them to truly understand each other.

The scene outlined above occurs immediately after the deciphering room scene. The same Naruto that collapsed in his chair after sending a short email, makes sure to tangibly and meaningfully convey his congratulations and how proud he is of Boruto, face-to-face. To which Boruto is overjoyed to the point of tears. This is the most tender exchange we’ve seen between them, thus far.

And Naruto knows that it's all thanks to the love of his life that he was able to take this step. The jacket is functioning as a symbol of this very fact and the faith that Sasuke restored in him. That's why he's holding it so tenderly in the panels immediately after.

In chapter 1, he was squeezing it tightly between his hands, distorting the fabric -- looking downwards at it as he resigned himself to hopelessness. Now, he's cradling it so delicately and smiling up at the sky.

They didn't have to exchange any words explicitly detailing Sasuke's contributions for him to receive the feelings embedded in them. To know that he is deeply cherished by his most precious person. And the manifestations of this person's love, heals his hopes for a brighter future.

He keeps his promise

Following the revelation of Boruto cheating both throughout and in the final stage of the chunin exam, the progress they made in repairing their relationship is momentarily but spectacularly shattered. This, too, is once again remedied by Sasuke. With earnest devotion, Sasuke honours Naruto's act of entrusting his child to him.

He finds Boruto and gently but firmly reprimands his dishonest actions, before guiding him in the right direction learn from his mistakes. He rebuilds Boruto’s drive and self-confidence by placing the utmost faith in him, and imparts Naruto’s feelings on his behalf. And then in an incredibly paternal gesture, he lends Boruto his most dearly cherished momento -- the headband. Essentially entrusting this child with inheriting his and Naruto's shared shinobi legacy. It's a testament to how much Sasuke’s grown to care for and believe in Boruto, and created such a meaningful bond.

I wonder if he sees himself in Boruto, since Sasuke was also a kid desperately chasing his father's acknowledgement. In which case, Boruto isn't only a mirror for Naruto, but also reflects parts of Sasuke.

Mentoring a child you see some reflections of your own childhood struggles in, and the act of guiding and supporting them through it can facilitate a person’s own healing.

(Just to be clear -- I’m not making a total 1:1 comparison between Fugaku & Sasuke, and Naruto & Boruto’s relationships, or the respective characters themselves. The circumstances, nuances and severity of the two father-son relationships, are different. But I think we can reasonably draw similarities on the essence of a child seeking their parent’s acknowledgement in both scenarios.)

This theme of healing lasting hurt manifests in the conclusive chapters of this arc. It begins with Sasuke avoiding eye contact with Naruto, as he shly zooms through his explanation and immediately exits to allow them to have a moment. Naruto is initially speechless. Partly in total awe of the results of Sasuke's efforts, and partly because he's not sure how to approach this conversation with Boruto.

From Naruto’s perspective, the last note he left Boruto on was quite a bad one, perhaps the lowest they’ve ever been. Then here comes Sasuke, with Boruto in stride wearing his childhood jacket and the headband Naruto kept and treasured for years while awaiting his beloved's return. A head-to-toe embodiment of not only their love, but what it means to be a true ninja which is something he was convinced had had its time.

We know in crucial moments, when he’s emotionally overwhelemed, Naruto is no stranger to cracking a joke to momentarily ease the tension. So he does exactly that.

They honestly share their true feelings, apologise and resolve the lingering bitterness that’s been hanging over them for years. Now, they can finally heal and move forward.

Sasuke fully succeeded in what he set out to do - making Naruto happy.

Boruto asking Naruto to share his stories is a direct callback to the advice Sasuke gave him after their first training session -- where he suggested that Boruto shift his perspective and seek out what Naruto had to experience to get here today.

In this tender moment of reconcilliation, Boruto does just that in asking to learn more about who the real Naruto is. Not as the village's Hokage, but as Uzumaki Naruto.

This all culminates beautifully in the final attack. Sasuke takes the lead and coordinates. While Naruto provides Boruto with the necessary encouragement to follow, both with words and in the form of lending the combined power of all the meaningful bonds in his life, to create that ultimate rasengan.

Boruto is moved to tears at the life his dad has lived. All the trials and tribulations he endured to get to this point -- an insight he’d always yearned for.

We get this massive panel of Naruto and Sasuke’s clash at the valley of the end. Among all of Naruto's history with the rasengan, only his father and Sasuke's contributions are individuated.

Rasengan is a jutsu Naruto learned to help Sasuke, so placing this panel in the conclusion of an arc where Sasuke does everything in his power to help Naruto, feels incredibly full circle.

Full Circle

In the aftermath, Sasuke does what he loves best -- rushing to Naruto’s side and immediately starting with the teasing. His smile has finally returned, as he holds his hand out for Naruto to take.

The cloak that was shown tightly closed moments prior, is now flowing freely. The earlier chapter shows his hair appearing flat and jagged -- weighed down. Next to his beloved, however, it's fluffy and swaying in the wind -- weightless.

Another point of intrigue is how Naruto stares at Sasuke’s extended hand, seeming momentarily shocked. Since, after all, Sasuke is the one enthusiastically initiating intimacy again, like we saw in chapter 1 and was so hesitant and pointedly strained in their interactions preceeding this moment.

Sasuke proceeds to turn things up a hundred notches by so smoothly invoking his pledge to forever stay by Naruto's side, while still holding his hand. To which, Naruto’s speechlessness coupled with the intensely flirty look they exchange really seals the deal on how purely romantic this exchange is.

It ends with Naruto once again repeating those words Sasuke said to him at the very beginning of this arc. This has him smiling before lightheartedly scoffing and affectionately calling Naruto a numb-skull. It's a clear demonstration of not only receiving his feelings, but wholeheartedly reciprocating.

It’s another full-circle moment from their first meeting in the Hokage’s office that ends in the same way. It also really echoes the feel of the cathartic conclusion in chapter 698 where Sasuke lovingly calls Naruto 'usuratonkachi' -- some things never change.

#sns meta #sns analysis #narusasu analysis #sasunaru analysis #narusasu meta #sasunaru meta #narusasu #sasunaru #anti naruhina #anti nh #anti sasusaku #anti ss

165 notes · View notes

badgalsasuke · 9 months ago

Text

I've seen some Narusasu blogs make the argument that Sakura seems to believe that the forehead poke is a a good/romantic thing.

However upon re-reading Naruto Gaiden I've got to disagree with that notion. Sakura is very much aware of the true meaning behind the forehead poke.

On chapter 8 of Naruto Gaiden we see small Sarada starts asking questions regarding Sasuke's whereabouts

Me and other blogs have already pointed out how Sasuke's mission started years after Sarada was born and Naruto was already Hokage, but since Sarada has no recollection of him being present during her childhood it becomes clear Sasuke had no intention in being a present father and playing house with Sakura from the very beginning.

So going back to Sarada and Sakura's conversation over Sasuke; Sakura, as we see, becomes overwhelmed with Sarada's interrogation and isn't honest with her. She pretends the reason why Sasuke hasn't been present in Sarada's life is because of this dangerous, grueling, important mission. However we already know that Sasuke went on a mission much later and before that he still didn't care about Sarada. On top of that, when Sarada asks about showcases of affection between her parents Sakura once again is unable to say the truth and instead deflects.

Here's where some might make the argument that Sakura believes a poke in the forehead is better than a kiss from Sasuke she's never actually received. That's not what's happening though.

Sakura is deflecting, changing the topic and making Sarada a false promise. She's promising Sarada they'll talk about Sasuke later and she will explain her marriage to him and the truth of his whereabouts. But as we know that never happens hence why Sarada escapes to find her father herself. Sakura acknowledges this years later.

This is exactly how Itachi used the forehead poke on Sasuke and how Sasuke used it on Sakura that one time. Make a false promise you have no intention in fulfilling and say "maybe next time". It's almost like a cycle of neglect.

Itachi promised to spend time with Sasuke but he never did to the point Sasuke grew to detest the poke and when they reunite for the last time and Itachi apologizes for what he did he doesn't poke Sasuke's forehead anymore, he unites their foreheads instead as there are no more false promises to make nor lies to tell.

When Sasuke used the poke on Sakura it's after Sakura suggested to go with him on his atonement journey, Sasuke rejects her telling her it has nothing to do with her then pokes her forehead and says "maybe next time" but as we know that next time never happened as Sakura herself had to chase Sasuke after Naruto got married to Hinata because Sasuke never came back to the village.

So this time it was Sakura's turn to make a false promise to her child telling her "next time" they'll be able to talk about her dad but that conversation never happened.

When the mission is over and Sasuke goes back to Konoha for one night & the next morning he's about to leave Konoha again we see him poke Sarada's forehead after he sees her get sad over him leaving again.

He promises Sarada just like Sakura did to her, just like he did to Sakura and just like Itachi did to him a "next time" that will never come. In the manga Boruto we would see Sarada state her father prefers to spend time with Boruto over her so you already know how it goes; Sarada wanted a present father and her father only gave her the false promise he would be but he never was.

After receiving the poke Sarada turns to look at her mom and what's Sakura's reaction? another one of her famous fake smiles. Why? because she knows the implications here and there's nothing she can do about it. This is the marriage she chose and fought for.

Also, notice the unimpressed look in Sasuke's face when he's looking at Sakura, but SS shippers swear this man is deeply in love with her lol

Now, some Sasusaku shippers make the argument that since Sakura and child Sasuke blushed when getting poked then that must mean the poke is a positive thing.

This is a very surface level argument to make that ignores ALL the context surrounding the forehead poke that Kishimoto wrote (usual for SS shippers, that's the extent of their analyses lol).

So why do they all blush? simple, they believed the lies, these were the first times each one of them got the poke and were promised something they would never get.

The blush does not implicate love or any positive connotations. The blush indicates naivety.

#naruto gaiden re-read #anti sasusaku #anti sakura #anti ss #anti uchiha family #narusasu #sasunaru #sns #sns meta

338 notes · View notes

arixella · 2 months ago

Text

Before the Mission (part 6)

╰┈➤ pairing: Naruto Uzumaki x female! reader

a/n: pt.1 pt.2 pt.3 pt.4 pt.5 pt.6 pt.7

summary: On the eve of a critical mission, you and Sasuke confront the emotional tension between you, choosing honesty and distance in order to protect what remains of your fractured relationship with Naruto.

wc: 725

contains: angst, emotional distance and tension, miscommunication, unresolved romantic tension, slight love triangle

You were suited up—armor buckled, weapons strapped in place, mask hanging loose around your neck. The early morning fog had settled like a blanket over the camp, muffling the sounds of shinobi movement and last-minute preparations. Everyone was almost ready to head out, but your mind wasn’t on the mission.

It was on Naruto. And how he wouldn’t even look at you.

You had tried to catch his eye before the briefing, tried to silently say I’m sorry, I miss you, but he walked right past you—eyes forward, jaw clenched, heart closed. Like you weren’t even there.

You didn’t blame him. But it still cut deep.

You had just started moving toward the gathering point when a hand lightly caught your arm, pulling you aside. You turned, and Sasuke was there—his face unreadable, but his grip gentle.

“Come here,” he said quietly, nodding toward the edge of the trees.

You followed him without a word, letting the hush of the woods swallow you both. It was quiet out here. Private. The perfect place for things that needed to be said but hadn’t found their moment—until now.

Sasuke stopped walking, his back to you for a long beat. The mist curled between the trees, wrapping around the two of you like the moment didn’t want to be interrupted.

He finally turned, his gaze serious, focused entirely on you. “I don’t know what’s going on between us,” he said. “But whatever it is… it’s dangerous.”

Your breath caught in your throat.

He looked away for a second, then back at you with a rare softness in his voice. “You need Naruto more than you need me.”

That hit you in the chest like a weight. You opened your mouth to speak, but he kept going—low, calm, honest.

“I fear that if we keep getting this close… we’ll actually fall in love with each other.” He said it like a quiet warning. Not bitter. Not jealous. Just true. “And neither of us want that.”

Your throat tightened. Not because he was wrong, but because he wasn’t. This tension—this comfort, this escape—you’d both been using each other to survive the hurt. And it was almost something more. If you weren’t careful, it would be.

You stepped closer, nodding slowly. “You’re right. I care about you, Sasuke. You’ve always been a good friend. You were there when I needed someone. But… if Naruto and I ever want to get back on track… we need to make sure these rumors never come true.”

Sasuke let out a quiet breath, like something unspoken had finally settled between you.

“I know,” he said. “Let’s not give anyone any more reasons to believe it.”

You smiled, small and soft, a little sad. “Thank you.”

Then, without thinking too hard about it—without giving yourself the chance to second guess—you leaned up and pressed a gentle kiss to Sasuke’s cheek. A gesture of gratitude. Closure. Finality.

He blinked, not expecting it. But he didn’t flinch or pull away. His eyes flicked to you, and something unreadable passed over his face.

“Don’t let him go,” he said quietly. “Even if he’s stupid enough to walk away for now.”

You gave him a short nod, feeling your chest tighten with a strange mix of peace and ache.

The two of you walked back to camp in silence, side by side but not together. The distance was already growing between you—intentional now, chosen. A line drawn, a chapter closed.

The mission was about to begin. And so was your next fight… for Naruto’s heart.

♡♡♡

#anime #naruto #naruto x reader #naruto x you #naruto x y/n #naruto series #naruto uzumaki #Naruto uzumaki x reader #sasuke x reader #naruto angst #naruto fluff #sasuke fluff

82 notes · View notes

jojomiwbvb6 · 1 year ago

Text

The Shower Scene, Pt. 4

Taglist: @emzandthevoid @mentallynot-here @bloodymug @sprokat @princesspeach-00 @ghoulsquad @missduffsblog @yeehaw-my-guys @lma1986 @artificialbreezy

Author's Note: I apologize for taking so long to do this chapter! I have had a bit of writer's block and I have been busy doing a lot lately. This will be the finale to this series, I really hope you enjoy! Feel free to give me more ideas! I was thinking of writing some Sasuke or Itachi fics as well.

Warnings: 18+, MDNI, NSFW. Extremely long and descriptive smut, unprotected p-in-v (be safe about it, or use condoms please), overstimulation, degradation, praise, oral (female receiving), punishment, spanking, swearing, squirting, casual alcohol consumption

PSA: this is very obviously a work of fiction, and should in no way be taken seriously or literally. this piece of fiction uses real people in fictional and fantastical mindsets--and it is in no way a representation of the real person or who they are as a whole. Thank you for coming to our ted talk.

Atlanta.

The humid wind hits your face, the city never motionless around you. You inhale the air, closing your eyes and letting your body relax. Your nerves are completely jumbled and overstimulated as your mind mulls over the past week so far.

The pictures of yourself flash through your head. Noah's words flooding your mind. You can't escape the anxiety it brought you, and the excitement of your actions.

You stared at your feet, black vans reflected against tan concrete as you stood against the bus. Twiddling your thumbs and exhaling heavily, you turn to Davis as he approaches you.

"Hey, kid! Some of the guys were just thinking of exploring the botanical gardens and the zoo and maybe going for some grub, wanna come?" He smiles at you, raising an eyebrow for an inviting answer.

"Shit, bro, I'm down." You agree and smile back. It was the first day off in over a week and you were grateful for it. You were looking forward to moments with Noah, but you also needed to get out and do something else for once.

As you and Davis caught up with the group, consisting of both you two, Ruffilo, Noah, Matt, and Jolly (the rest went off to do other things), you could hear their jesting and cackles even from a ways back.

"Morning guys!" You say, smiling and out of breath.

"Hey (Y/N)!" You were greeted by multiple of them.

Noah turned, walking backwards. "Hey, (Y/N)," he smirks lazily, waving his hand, drawing his eyes over you subtly and licking his lips.

You huff, catching his eyes and offering a suggestive smile. "Hi, Noah." He smiles back at you, and then turns back around to continue walking. You admire his long, toned frame as he took smooth strides forward.

All of you thoroughly enjoyed the relaxing and wondrous vibes of the gardens and the culture of the city. Having been walking and exploring for over 2 hours, you all decide to pause your activities for a bit of lunch.

"What should we eat? I'm starving, man," Ruffilo comments.

"Hmm. Haven't had Chipotle in a while," Davis replies.

"How about sushi?" Matt adds.

You're silent. Honestly, you're so hungry, you don't even care what you guys eat. Anything sounds good.

Noah steps up beside you. "Sushi sounds fuckin' fantastic," he agrees.

When the others aren't paying any attention, Noah leans into your ear quickly and quietly, "I'm hungry for something else, though."

You almost gasp when he leans away, giving a quick caress to your ass while the others are walking away. He casually smirks at you, continuing to walk in the direction of the Japanese sushi bar on the corner.

Your face felt hot, and you were fighting the frustrated blush that crept up your face. You were nearly hyperventilating and you couldn't help it. You took a deep breath of the next gust of Georgia wind that caressed your face, composing yourself and catching back up with the group.

"Fuck, this hits the spot dude." Matt comments, and you're nodding along with the rest of the guys.

"Hell yeah."

You're all sitting at the table, a whole boat of sushi in front of you and then some. Ruffilo is sipping on sake while all of you make small chit chat.

"Hey! Ruffilo! Let me try some of that," you say.

"Ever had sake?" Ruffilo says.

"No," you state, taking the small white cup from his hands.

"What!" You hear half of the table exclaim, with pleas of interest in you trying the drink.

You slowly take a sip. Instantly the taste of the Japanese alcohol hits your tongue and you're writhing. "Yuck! Oh! That's revolting!"

Cracks of laughter erupt from the table. Soon, you are laughing as well.

"That's enough of that," you joke.

After lunch, you all go shopping and walk around downtown. After several hours of being out and having free time the whole day, it was time to return to the hotel that was booked for the night. In the morning, you would quickly pack up and shuffle back onto the bus for Orlando, Florida.

Walking away from the bus with a suitcase in hand and backpack over your shoulder, you step into the hotel. You stop at the front desk to get your keycard from the receptionist.

"Room for (Y/L/N), please."

"Ahh," she pauses, typing on her keyboard. "We don't have a room here, I'm afraid..."

You frown. "All of these rooms should have been pre-booked," you state. Your mind frantically searches for a solution. You begin to list the several names of the other crew members and band members, but most were already in their rooms. You thought of one more name.

Oh, you thought. He didn't!

"There may be another name," you try. "Sebastian?"

The receptionist, looking mildly annoyed now, huffs and types in the name. You ignore her annoyance, watching patiently. A look of resolve crosses the receptionist's face. You feel hopeful.

He did.

"Hmm," she says. "It appears one more keycard is available for this room. Just sign this document and you may have your keycard."

You fill out the appropriate paperwork, signing on the line. The receptionist pulls the paper back to her and slides the keycard across the counter. You exchange your thanks.

"Room 207, 3rd floor." The woman tells you and turns away.

You don't waste anymore time. As you walk down the hall to the elevator, the smirk on your face grows 10 miles wide, confidence enveloping you.

You knew exactly why he'd done it, and frankly, you weren't about to protest. Your heart slams into your chest with every sound of your heels and the roll of the suitcase wheels on the carpet.

You take a deep breath as you step onto the elevator.

207.

The silver numbers glint as you stand parked in front of the door. He was inside there already, waiting for you to come in. You exhale shakily as you grip the door handle, and you hesitate.

Closing your eyes, you begin to smirk. This is what you've been fiending after for several weeks. Taking another deep breath, you slide the keycard into the door.

The lock clicks and you twist the handle, allowing yourself into the room.

You analyze your surroundings. One lamp is on in the dimly lit room. A small walkway leading into a rather spacious double bed. There was a desk to the left, and a mini kitchen straight ahead. The bathroom immediately to the left. Without paying further attention, you walk to a bed and set your bag down on it.

You didn't seem to notice Noah, maybe he'd left the room for something. You shrug, bending over to open up your suitcase and lay it out.

Without you noticing, Noah slips out of the bathroom and leans against the wall, examining the rear view you're giving him.

"Well, well, already bending over? Princess, I haven't even taken off your clothes yet," Noah chuckles darkly.

You swear you jump 10 feet into the air, yelping loudly. If he hadn't scared you, his words would've gone straight to your core. "Noah Sebastian, for crying out loud!" You laugh and smack his shoulder. "Don't do that!" You both share a chuckle.

You can feel Noah decreasing the distance between you two and your laughter begins to fade. Noah's eyes flutter over you, landing on your eyes, your mouth, your breasts, feeling overwhelmed pleasantly.

You found yourself licking your lips. You begin to turn away.

Faster than the flick of a wrist, Noah's hand shoots up, gripping your jaw and squeezing your cheeks together. You are both silent, the tension shooting higher than ever.

You go to grab his hand and you are immediately caught by his other hand. He grips your wrist tightly, but not painfully. Noah's eyes change into dangerous slits and a playfully evil smirk takes over his features.

"The way that you have been torturing me has been driving me insane," Noah whispers into your ear. You want to collapse on the spot.

He begins walking you slowly backwards.

"You've been such a fucking brat, too, getting me hot for you at the worst times..." His hot breath fans your face, your own breath quickening in pace.

"The only thing I can think about is how I'm going to having you praying to me when I'm done ravaging you." You feel your hips hit the desk behind you.

"Noah..." you whisper.

He pulls at your face until you're eye to eye with him. He chuckled darkly.

"That's my fucking name," he growls into your ear. "And you're never going to forget it."

His hands leave your face and your wrist. Gripping your hips, he lifts you onto the desk and shoves you on it. He pulls you against his own hips, and his left hand rises to tangle in your hair.

Noah's cologne invades your senses, addicted to the scent. He tugs at the strands, inflicting a raspy moan from you. "How beautiful," Noah mumbles, helping himself to your inviting lips.

You both kiss as if life were going to end. His fingers flex against your clothed hips, pulling at your shirt and caressing you. Your tongues slipped against each other, nipping and suckling at each other's lips.

You wrapped your legs around Noah's hips, pulling him closer. Noah pulls away from your lips. Smirking, he pulls up your shirt with ease and tossed it away somewhere on the floor behind you.

"Such pretty, pretty tits..." he drawls, giant hands cupping them and he flicks a nipple. You gasp. Noah moves up your body, leaning over to envelope a taut nipple into his warm mouth. He flicks at it with the tip of his tongue and you moan quietly.

He pops off of you and smirks wickedly, and feigns a look of concern. "Is that just too much pleasure for you? Should I stop?"

"N-no! No, please, don't stop," You almost choke.

Noah stands. His bulge is prominent against his sweatpants and you almost drool. It seems so big and you can't focus on anything but the need you feel. Your core is hot and you squirm.

"Such a needy fucking slut." He pulls your body forward, running a hand oh-so-low but not enough.

You mewl as his fingers creep to your covered pussy and slowly tease the bud.

"Mmm.." you groan and Noah chuckles.

"Like that, babygirl?"

You nod.

"Too bad." Noah stops and you whine. "Enough of that. Strip,"

"Yes, sir."

Noah chuckles. "Such good manners for me. So desperate."

By now, you're a puddle of pleasure and you want it to swallow you whole. Noah sits on the edge of the bed as you peel your pants off your shaking legs. You remove your panties, tossing them aside.

"So pretty," he comments. "Come here and lay across my lap."

You obey, positioning yourself across his lap.

"Before we begin, is this something you're okay with me doing to you?"

"Absolutely," you confirm. "I can take it."

Noah hums in understanding. "Such arrogance. You will learn."

His hands begin to touch and caress the flesh of your behind, shaking the cheeks and watching them jiggle with satisfaction. He rubs in slow circles. His hand leaves your ass, forming a cup-shape, and crack.

The first spank stings, and you gasp out. His hand returns to rub the welt.

"Here's how this is going to go. You will get five spanks for our first time. This is your punishment for being such a slut," he rubs slowly. "If you fail to complete the spanking, I'll fuck your mouth. I won't stop if you choke or gag."

You whimper and nod your head.

"I'm glad you understand. If you succeed, princess, I'll have a taste of you for myself."

You mewl, squirming in his lap. "Now, now," he warned you. "Count for me." You nod frantically, wanting so desperately to please him. Although, you wouldn't complain if you failed the test.

The first two spanks were easy. His hand fell on tandem and you dutifully stated each number with each gasp and whimper he pulled from you. You really didn't think you could fail, how could you? Sure, it stung a little, but you could handle it.

As "three" fell from your lips, the usual soothing rub came to ease the sting.

"Everything okay, princess?"

"Yes, sir."

"May I proceed?"

"Yes, sir."

"Good girl," he whispered, making you squirm. He chuckled darkly. He pulled apart your cheeks, and leaned down. "Mmm, princess... so wet for me. Oh, I bet you're just aching. Let me help you..."

Noah dipped his fingers in between your legs. His fingers slid between the wet folds and you jolt. His other hand keeps you still and you're left victim to his merciless tease. He softly rubs into your wet heat and you're left mewling against his leg, head hanging.

Noah rubs the tip of his middle finger into your clit. "How's that?"

You nod frantically, unable to speak against his onslaught. At your response, he removes his fingers from your heat and resumes the next spank. The fourth spank is rougher and harder than the last.

"F-four!" You cry out, struggling to hold the composure that remained. "P-please, Noah, I--"

"Hush," he demanded. He caressed the welt, the red marks on your ass much to his liking. "One more for me, princess. You can do it."

Without any warning, Noah's fingers slip once again against your heat. Only this time, he doesn't relent. He teases and pinches your clit and you squirm, earning a dark chuckle from him.

Noah slides his fingers up to your entrance and sinks one finger inside of you and you moan.

"Noahhh, this isn't fair!"

"Be quiet, and don't you dare cum, or you lose," he threatens, and you obey with whimper after whimper as he pumps his finger in and out of you.

He adds another finger, and begins assaulting your clit with the other hand. You're an absolute mess against his lap, his fingers scissoring inside you and rutting against your g-spot. Bliss and pleasure overwhelms you, getting close to the brink as Noah's fingers continue to pump into you, faster and harder.

Your whimpers begin to form into cries, pleading for him to let you cum. Your eyes begin to roll back and you're trying to push back onto his fingers to get more from him.

"You like that baby?" He whispers in your ear. "Gonna cum?"

You nod, mouth agape. Noah smirks and removes his fingers entirely. You groan in frustration, and, as sly as he is, catches you off guard with the fifth and final spank.

Your brain almost can't comprehend the pleasure your body feels, the sting sending you into shock and you almost forget your task.

"F-f-five..." you stutter.

His large, long hands caress both cheeks of your ass and a kiss is planted onto the red welt on the swell of it.

"You're such a good, good girl, princess. I'm impressed. Good job," Noah praises you. "Lay down on your back for me."

You slowly get up and crawl onto the hotel bed mattress and lie down on the cushiony pillows.

"Spread your pretty legs, don't be shy."

You let your legs fall apart, spread against the sheets. Noah sucks in a breath and hums in satisfaction. He crawls up the bed to you, pulling his shirt off and tossing it aside as you had. Your eyes feast on the tattoos covering his body.

"God, princess, you're so fucking wet," you moan at his words and he dives in. Noah's tongue licks a wet stripe up your core from your entrance to your clit. You cry out, hands immediately finding his hair. Noah hums and you quiver, the vibrations stimulating you.

He licks into your folds with fervor, as if he hadn't eaten all day. His tongue dances and pokes at your entrance, pleasure spiking and you're squirming against his mouth. Noah laps at your clit, boldly taking the bud into his mouth and sucking at it. He then takes it into his mouth, swirling the sensitive area against his tongue, dancing in circles.

"Noah!!" you cry.

You arch your back, eyes rolling back as you grip his hair and pull, and he groans. Noah adjusts his position, shoving your legs up and he dives deeper into your pussy. He shoves his tongue up into it, swirling it and shaking his head like a rabid dog. You're practically crying out, thrusting against his face and leaving it a wet mess.

Offering you his fingers again, he dives against your clit once more, nipping at it and sucking it; this time, he aids his mouth with his fingers. Thrusting two digits in, his long fingers find your g-spot again. He mercilessly pokes at it, unrelenting with his tongue and fingertips. You're moaning and a mess and it's almost too much.

Your eyes see nothing but stars in the back of your head and you're moaning loudly. You cum and rut onto his mouth. "Fuck, fuck," you gasp.

Noah pops off of your pussy. "Tastes... so good..." he gasps. "I want more."

"I want you so bad, Noah," you whine. "I want you to fuck me."

"What a dirty mouth," he comments, stinking a finger in your mouth as he caresses your jaw. You wrap your lips around his finger and lock eyes with him. You suck and lock eyes with him. He smiles, and removes his finger.

Noah removes his pants and slides his boxers down his slim legs. The only thing you can do is lay there, mouth agape at the beautiful artwork before you. You bite your lip, you just can't wait.

He comes back to you, and you gasp in surprise when he forces your legs against your chest. Noah captures his lips in yours and lines his cock up with your entrance. He wastes no time in sinking in slowly. Due to your wetness, he slides in easily and sinks in as far as he's able. You're both gasping and long moans escape from your mouths and the intense heat between each other's legs.

He begins to move slowly, enjoying the teasing ways your walls grip his cock, threatening to take him deep.

"Fuck, baby... your pussy is just so fucking wet..." he mumbles. A low groan erupts from him, eliciting a moan from you.

His pace begins to quicken and he ruts in deeper. He just can't help himself when you give him the go-ahead by moaning louder.

Pretty soon, the room is filled with explicit sounds from the two of you. The sound of skin slapping fills the room and you're moaning. You're both mumbling the dirtiest phrases to each other, getting each other hotter and higher.

"Fuck" is the only word you chant as he thrusts into you like his life depends on it. He's fucking you hard and unforgiving.

"This pussy is mine," Noah growls into your ear, and you moan.

"Noah!!" You cry as his pace picks up, desperate and greedy. Skin slaps skin, near stinging, relentless. You can't help it when you cum, creating such a sinful sight for Noah as your wetness coats your legs and his cock.

He growls. "Fuck, I'm not done with you yet!" He pulls out and turns you over into doggy, pushing your stomach down and pulling your ass into the air.

He enters you again, finding his rhythm. Pulling you back against his hips in every thrust.

"Take me, take me, take me," you cry out.

Noah groans, picking up his pace. He twists his fingers into the strands of your hair, pulling your head back. He pounds into you, and at this angle the pleasure is overstimulating as his cock hits your spot over and over. He pulls you further back, forcing you to rise to your hands, the pace unforgiving and tears fall down your cheeks.

"Noah!" You cry once more.

Juices run down your legs as you cum one more time, but Noah doesn't seem to be done. You're worn out and fucked into bliss, drooling against the pillow. You can't think and your voice is hoarse.

He groans loudly, letting you know he's almost ready. You push back on his cock and he growls. Wrapping a hand around your throat and squeezing gently, he begins fucking in quick ruts. "Fuck, princess, (Y/N)!"

He pulls out of you, his cock glistening and pulsing as his cum shoots out in pearls against your stomach. You moan, but Noah isn't done.

His hand goes to your clit and he smirks. You cry out at the fast quick pace he uses on you, his fingers insert inside of you to smash against your g-spot in one final assault.

"Cum, (Y/N), one more for me," he insists. He doesn't stop, and quickens his pace.

"Noah, please!" You beg, too overstimulated and sensitive.

He doesn't listen, yet urges you towards an orgasm that feels like a tsunami coming for you.

It happens before you can stop yourself, your cum coming out in such a powerful wave that you squirt a little, making such a mess.

This absolutely pleases Noah and he smiles. "Perfect." He kisses your cheek. "You are wonderful." He praises.

You both lay there, panting and laughing, praising one another.

"Shower?"

"I think so."

#noah sebastian #bad omens #bad omens cult #noah sebastian x reader #noah sebastian smut #jolly karlsson #nicholas ruffilo #nick folio #noah smut #the Shower Scene Noah

453 notes · View notes

awinterrosesstuff · 4 months ago

Text

Hinata's fans have so many absurd claims. You could spend years trying to debunk them. But there a few...

"At least, Hinata didn't confess during war (contrary to Sakura)"

Hinata confessing her love in the middle of a fight before rushing towards Pain (and failing miserably)

I'd like to add that chapter is literally called "confessions". For Hinata obviously ! I'm sorry, but I don't find Hinata confessing her love in the Pain's arc more commendable than Sakura confessing in the war arc. It's pretty much the same thing. Hinata was clearly there to express her feelings. And contrary to a claim I've seen, she wasn't "forced" by Naruto to tell him how she felt. She didn't need much convincing to make a whole declaration. She was clearly here for that and I'm tired of Hinata's fans trying to claim the contrary.

Edit : Just a small addition after a conversation in the comments: Sakura didn’t confess during the war arc just to confess (contrary to Hinata in the Pain arc). It was a desperate move in the hope of stopping Sasuke from fighting Naruto and killing the Kages. It really makes their hypocrisy worse.

"Neji can't do the twin lions fist"

Well... first, since he didn't use it in the manga, you can say it I guess... but really, why do you believe it's a good thing in favor of Hinata ?

You see that ? That jutsu Hinata's fans like to brag about everytime ? Shown twice in the manga (why Kishimoto ? Why ?) and... no explanation on what it's supposed to do. Nothing. Only the design and the name. Kishimoto literally explained almost every jutsu. His explanations usually look like tutos. As someone who likes Neji, I'm very glad he didn't get superfluous jutsu. In what world people are happy Hinata gets that treatment ? And it's even worse when you consider the databooks where it's stated it taught only to the main branch. Meaning Neji doesn't have the privilege to learn it.

And anyway, if Neji wanted to learn that jutsu, he would have easily. The boy was able to master his techniques by himself just by observation. Before the chunin arc, he wasn't trained in the Hyuga style by Hiashi (contrary to someone else).

This is sometimes attached to differents claims like "the twin lions fists is very powerful" or "Hinata surpassed Neji with the technique" etc. Since it never damaged anything or anyone, it's hard to tell if that technique is powerful or not, or if she surpassed (in the war arc you can tell she didn't) him or not.

"Hinata is so nice and empathic"

"Hinata is so smart"

"Hinata is the strongest kunoichi"

So here all the panels I'd could come about Hinata's canon traits.

So her known traits : She's shy and weird and looks away when Naruto looks at her. Neji describes her as "all sweetness and light" and "peacemaker". Meaning she doesn't like fighting and conflicts. Something that has been shown many times, particularly during this fight until Naruto "convinced" her to fight. She's not good at the Hyuga style and is seen as weak and a failure by her family. I know once Naruto tried to cheer her by saying she was strong. But hey there's a difference between being strong and the strongest kunoichi (a title that goes to Tsunade too).

So, here we go... even if Neji says she's sweet, I can't remember her being particularly nice (something Choji has been noted for) or empathic (Naruto is right there). Giving some ointment to Naruto and Kiba is nice that's true. (Little edit there, I was wrong on one thing) But... reminding Neji's of his status and his "destiny" is neither nice nor empathic. I don't remember her being smart. I'm sorry but if anything, her "fight" with Pain showed she isn't very bright or strategic.

"Hinata's love for Naruto doesn't influence her decisions".

I'm not going to add everything but...

Did Hinata's fans even know their fave character at this point ? The first thing you see her doing is to apologize to Naruto on Kiba behalf, the next is her trying to give Naruto's the answers without thinking about her teammates. She doesn't cheer on Kiba (her own teammate) because of her crush on Naruto (someone she barely interacted with). She gives Naruto the ointment first. She literally fights Neji because Naruto is finally watching her (her own words) and she doesn't want to look uncool in front of him (sorry, what ?). She gives him the proud failure speech. Then in the Pain arc, she's literally risking her life and the village (she perfectly knew Naruto was a jinchuriki at this point) just to confess her feelings. She said twice she chased after Naruto her whole life (the Pain arc & the war arc), you can actually see it in the panels I posted. And she again risked her life for Naruto in the war arc. Almost all her appearances in the manga are connected to Naruto in one way or another. I don't want to hurt anyone, but Hinata is a love interest and Kishimoto always has written her like that. Most of her decisions are made because of and for Naruto.

"Hinata loves Hanabi so much. She's a great sister. "

Please show me one panel where she even thinks about Hanabi. Oh yeah right, she dreams about Hanabi and Neji spying on her while she's on date with Naruto. Poor Hanabi... and poor Neji.

I've also read some Hinata's fans making fun of Sakura for rushing to Madara with no plan just to impress Sasuke. And... what do you think Hinata meant by "in front of him I can't bear to look uncool" when she was fighting Neji ? She wanted to impress Naruto and be seen by him. And rushing at Pain (the strongest of the akatsuki) without a plan is somehow better than what Sakura did ?

Reposting just in case someone forgot... how is that different ?

#naruto #naruto manga #anti naruto fandom #anti hinata fandom #anti hinata hyuga #anti hinata #anti naruhina

68 notes · View notes

teamsasukes · 2 months ago

Note

Was Itachi's forehead poke to Sasuke a sign of distancing himself and not wanting Sasuke to get involved, rather than just a mere sign of affection? I saw a few people talk about that and how it's weird that Sasuke does that to his family considering the original meaning.

yes, you've got an accurate handle on the original meaning of the Forehead Poke. fundamentally it is an expression of distance that itachi wields at times when he cannot be with sasuke. and it seems to be a throughline of his childhood: sasuke asks itachi to do something as mundane as train together but itachi continually refuses on account of his duties as a shinobi.

it is not a gesture devoid of love -- it's not as though itachi ever delights in dismissing sasuke (on the contrary, he is always regretful). but there's a cruelty in the uncertainty of it all: the most direct translation is "maybe next time", so itachi fails to provide even an assurance that they can, like, hang out next week or something. this chasm between them is then widened by itachi promising, on the night of the massacre, that he might allow a final battle between them if sasuke ever proves competent enough to bother fighting, leaving sasuke in protracted pursuit of the looming specter of his older brother.

this distance is really only bridged (barely) in their final scene when itachi lays bare the truth of his motives, his regrets (which are lacking, to put it mildly, but for sasuke this is nonetheless momentous), and his unconditional pride in and love for his little brother. the Forehead Poke is notably absent here because textually, the enforced distance wrt sasuke is framed as itachi's greatest wrong. (seriously, itachi says something to the effect of: i shouldn't have done All That because maybe you, my 7-year-old brother, could have brought change to our clan... thereby reducing inconvenience for konoha, of course. the paucity of virtue in massacring the uchiha doesn't really register for him even during this reconciliation, and it's deliberate... because the author doesn't see it as much of an issue either!)

anyway, it might seem odd for sasuke to repeat this gesture with sakura in chapter 699, then, particularly because it seems to be invoked in a manner identical to itachi in his neglect. kind of an odd way to signify a happy ending for these characters, right...?

well, it works for me solely because it is not identical! and naruto's english dub is my worst enemy. i would grab a couple of manga panel screenshots in the original japanese to prove it, but it's easier for me to just plug these scenes from the anime. here is an itachi Forehead Poke (0:51) and here is sakura seeing sasuke off at the konoha gate (0:33). there's a subtle but meaningful distinction in the phrasing: "mata kondo da" vs. "mata kondo na". which, in effect, alter the meaning from "maybe next time" to:

(there's an excellent tumblr post from years ago which performs a substantive analysis of the japanese in both contexts, but eludes me now. pls send if any of you have a link to it!)

so personally i adore its inclusion in chapter 699 specifically. it obviously carries a great deal of weight for sasuke and it's meaningful he chooses to express it to sakura specifically despite leaving the entire team behind -- in lots of ways, and more than any other character, i think for sasuke, sakura is the anti-itachi. (that would require another post to elucidate.) so not only is it an expression of regret at unintended distance, but, more crucially, it's a promise of return. i think it's incredibly sweet that sasuke can repurpose the gesture from something soul-rending to something hopeful.

(also deserving of another post lol but this scene also achieves a neat and, crucially, subversive callback to sakura's foundational insecurities... it's like poetry it rhymes)

all that said, i understand why it reads as something different once we are then given the context of chapter 700 and gaiden... i dislike both of these installments, primarily for the implication that distance becomes a love language, so to speak, between sasuke and sakura/sarada. these relationships are ruled by distance and sasuke accepts it. it's disappointing! his journey to learn about more of the world in chapter 699 jibed with the character's arc until that point. this does not.

my unpopular take is i think this has just about nothing to do with sakura or the sasusaku relationship and everything to do with authorial outlook on sasuke's actions in part 2. and for the record, i maintain that these crimes ultimately amount to very little -- violence and death are occupational hazards if one is a shinobi. konoha is also foregrounded by a cold calculus on the worth of human lives; i'm sure sasuke's indispensable role in saving the world outweighs the killing of a few samurai. i just think kishimoto needs sasuke to atone, somehow, forever, via endless service to the village. and he also cannot sensibly write a kakashi- or naruto-headed government that would impose any meaningful punishment, so sasuke is relegated to a state of permanent rootlessness in some dumbass quest. it's a sacrifice on his part, but contrived for a number of reasons, chief among them being that the sasuke we came to know in the original series would literally never internalize konoha's ideals in this manner. so even though the Forehead Poke in gaiden and boruto retains the elements of promise and anticipation of eventual reconciliation, it feels kind of... lame and weightless. there is a superficial signal at growth but materially, for the parties on the receiving end of the Forehead Poke, very little seems to change.

frankly, i think we are meant to view sasuke's love as noble (and sasuke himself as penitent, suggested by the ascetic quality of his life). sasuke is still doing things differently than itachi, insufficient though it may be: he is honest about the reason for his travels, he does not rush to dismiss sarada when she needs emotional support, his motives are selfless rather than selfish (sasuke guards against the threat of the otsutsuki; itachi... wanted sasuke to kill him, in no small part as a desperate ploy to end his own suffering, notwithstanding the subsequent damage that would be inflicted on his thoroughly traumatized little brother). gaiden is surprisingly candid about the distance as a source of distress for sarada, sakura, and even sasuke, but by the end everyone understands why it must be as it is. the state above all! (you'll notice even itachi's apology to sasuke held this precept intact... there is a reason the series closes with sasuke accepting his old hitai-ate.) it is admittedly vexing, considering the totality of evidence here, to see sasuke's nomadic status in boruto pinned on how much he hates his dumb bitch wife and not, you know. the shockingly bad politics underpinning the narrative.

i appreciate the attempts of sasuke enjoyers to explain his distance as natural aversion to konoha, but this isn't canonically backed by any interiority (which seems to be absent in boruto-era team 7 at large) and moreover it requires miscommunication between sasuke and sakura (or even naruto) so great as to be unbelievable. i've accepted that post-pt2 sasuke is an unfortunate victim of kishomoto's nationalist views. his weird takes on how a man like sasuke would behave in a loving relationship and likely desire for a continued revenue stream don't help either. yes i will weep forever...

TLDR: i think the Forehead Poke fits in chapter 699 precisely because it diverges from itachi's. i resent its recurrence suggesting distance from loved ones is an inevitable condition of sasuke's life to which he's stoically acquiescent.

#to expand on sasuke & romance... i've seen people say kishimoto hates ss specifically.because of how he writes minato/kushina for example #well minato is an entirely different guy! and kishimoto is self-professedly weak on the romance front #he has a lot of strengths as a writer but the reversion to tropes and stock archetypes in writing romance is veryyy glaring #sasuke is therefore chronically aloof but also in a mature relationship and it's difficult to believably accomplish both #and of course we have seen sasuke not aloof! we know he's capable! but the romance trope mind virus works in alarming ways #it's also just perceived as way less cool for sasuke to be emotionally expressive towards a woman than a brother(-coded) character #and there's no in-text comparison either. shikamaru is the closest in comportment but he is paired w temari who serves as a tsundere #other than that... i guess there's kakashi (romance aside) but even he deliberately presents as affable #ss in gaiden to me reads less like malicious portrayal & more like. a juvenile take on what sasuke/sakura would be like as grownups #kishi's particularly bad w adult romance because it requires an intimacy i don't think he's entirely comfortable portraying #even in pt 2 ss manages a couple of really authentic touching moments but then as adults i'm like whoooo... are these people....#and above all the entire cast is emotionally and dimensionally neutered in boruto because it sucks. the premise sucks. i don't care for it.#itachi & sasuke #sasusaku #uchiha sasuke #naruto meta #ANYWAYYY thank you for the ask!! it was nice to yap about sasuke & friends again omg i miss them #also sorry this took a week to answer i haven't had much time and wanted to be thorough

54 notes · View notes

maoam · 1 year ago

Text

Chapter 182 (beginning of Sasuke retrieval arc).

Chapter 214 (near the end of Sasuke Retrieval arc, 32 chapters after the first image). I think everyone can see the obvious foreshadowing and call-back Kishimoto made here.

Chapter 450 (beginning of the Five Kage Summit arc).

心中 (Shinjū) - double/lovers suicide.

Chapter 486 (End of Five Kage Summit arc, 36 chapters after the first image).

Random mention of double-suicide and someone not being able to let the person they're in love with go. Naruto suggesting double-suicide to Sasuke because he can't bare to let Sasuke go. He wants to be with Sasuke in the next world, and is ready to leave his dream and everyone else behind for Sasuke.

Kishimoto is a big fan of Chikamatsu Monzaemon, (I have mentioned this many times, he used his name for the creator of puppetry jutsu in Naruto) who was literally known for his double-suicide romantic plays. The idea of being together in the next world because you can't be in this one is a famous romantic trope and very popular in Japan. SS shippers will bring up the most obscure proof for SS, but they will close their eyes for this blatantly obvious proof that Kishimoto intentionally wrote Naruto and Sasuke romantic. This is not a brotherly dynamic written here, not in any sense of the word. Unless you are illiterate. So yes, keep saying Kishimoto does things "accidentally" when I literally over and over again show you plainly that he does use literary tools like any writer does, in this case FORESHADOWING.

Kishi knew what he was doing ❤️ Naruto is a love story. This post is for the reading comprehension gang.

#sns #narusasu #sasunaru #mp

464 notes · View notes

raven-at-the-writing-desk · 1 year ago

Text

july 2024 savanaclaw + 4koma manga updates

There's no Episode of Octavinelle chapter this month! It should also be noted that the next chapter for the Episode of Savanaclaw won't be out until DECEMBER. With that news out of the way, let's get into this month's updates ^^ (It's a lot of me screaming)

Aaaaaah, I'll never get over how pretty this mangaka draws Leona's eyes and hair 😳 LIKE LOOK AT THAT HEAD TURN BACK SHOT, DOES HE NOT LOOK LIKE HE'S A MODEL MAKING A TURN ON THE CATWALK???? ?? ? ????? ? ?? Vil... eat your heart out 🤡 (This probably is not what I should be focusing on in a chapter full of action and high stakes qwegkuvqwoevqwdsa)

The way the other characters are reacting to Leona's UM really lets us see how powerful King's Roar is! You can see how their bodies are being pushed back by the sandstorm, how they're physically bracing themselves against it (like Riddle, Ace, and Grim) or even having their vision obscured and struggling to breathe in the new dry environment (like Deuce).

I didn't share them here, but we also see Leona blowing through many Savanaclaw mobs. The sheer magnitude of power on display is really amazing--and I can see why his UM sparks fear in others.

AYO RUGGIE YOU GO He leaps at Leona and attaches himself to his dorm leader in an attempt to try and get him to stop...

(Warning: lot of barking incoming)

HUH????? ? ? ? ? ?? ? ? RUGGGIEIEKZ/???? ? ? ?? ?? ? ? v LEONAKL88onanasan???a?A/a/a///A//???????v? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?ohy mMYG FUFDSKDCKCIUNG GOAFKDk dsmdasnkdfsjlbyadosibiyoadsobadfbiyoegwofaegsouqetqfe LE*inAIBN na GRABBED HJSJUIJN IM BYT THE FFUCKINGGF F NNEDCKKKK>>>>>>????v?v?v??v?v?v?v? 😱 LOOkm at thhHOW RUgigie'es sa FACE AIj ssamS BREAKJGN???? ?? ? ? ? ? ? ? GSITHE SKING IS CRACKIXNG GFAN D TURNING NTO SAND ANDN LOEONA JUST DONES'T JBI EF VE A SINGLE SHITAS RUGIGIE SI WRITHTING OVER HERB E OTL

It's not like seeing Ruggie in this state is anything new; the dialogue hints at it in the game and the light novel also has an illustration of Ruggie with his skin cracking from Leona's UM. It's just... something about seeing it depicted across multiple frames + the sheer desperation in Ruggie's face (and the close-ups, MAN, the close-ups) really amplifies the emotions.

THIS IS LITERALLY THE SASUKE CHOKE MEME, ID ON'T TKNOW WHETHER TO LAUGH OR TO CRY OR TO BE WORRIED FOR TRUGIGIE

MAYBE ALL THREE 😭😭😭

DAHLBEFQBOUFQEYVIQEFYFQEBIPFOA But also there's a part of me screeching about L*ona gripping your neck like that while glaring at you like you're garbo 🤡

Here's the part where Riddle attempts to collar Leona and fails. Again, I MUST stress how well this mangaka draws Leona's hair and eyes, they are UNMATCHED.

OKAY FIRST IT WAS HUGGING RUGGIE'S NECK, NOW YOU'RE GRIPPING HIM BY THE HAIR????? Leona's handling the perceived traitor so callously 💦 The way Ruggie is looking back up at him, too... Caught up in Leona's shadow and glaring at him with such defiance... declaring that he will never EVER give up.., contrasted with how broken and empty Leona looks before he lets go of Ruggie... telling him to just give into despair… It's a lot of complicated feelings going on right now. As the Savanaclaw light novel elucidates, Leona was afraid of his own dorm members looking to him for leadership, afraid that they would make him hopeful again--because he expects to be let down like he has all those other times he tried to prove his merits. Now everything leading up to this point has proven him right, toppled that hope he had built up because he let himself be taken in by the starry eyed students under him, Ruggie included. AND NOW LOOKING AT RUGGIE, ON THE GROUND AND IN DESPAIR, IS A REFLECTION OF LEONA'S OWN FEELINGS... BUT HE WON'T LET HIMSELF CRY OR BE WEAK LIKE THAT 💀

WOW UH This feels really different from how the same "Leona tried to sand Ruggie" scenes played out in other interpretations of TWST. Here, we more clearly see that, despite the interruption of Riddle trying to collar Leona (which made Leona drop Ruggie for a second), LEONA JUST TURNS RIGHT BACK AROUND AND FULLY COMMITS TO SANDING RUGGIE????? That's so stone cold 😭 Look at the lack of care in Leona's eyes???? They're so blank, he has entirely given up :((

What a way to end a chapter...

Now for a complete tonal shift--

This month's 4koma (there's only one "segment") stars Sebek, who is receiving praise from Crewel for having the top exam score! Ace and Sebek proceed to work on Enigmics/Magic Analysis together. They are stated to share this class together in the game, so that's a consistent bit of lore for ya! In the end, Sebek's able to pull a transportation spell by visualizing where Malleus is. He earns an apple from Crewel for being a "good boy"!! Sebek is then asked to teleport the apple to Malleus and Lilia to demonstrate his mastery of the skill, but accidentally teleports a ton of them.

That's it for this month! A little less content than usual, but still quite substantive. We're getting down to the wire; soon we'll see both Leona and Azul's OBs!!

301 notes · View notes

snsism · 4 months ago

Text

something kabuto said caught my attention when i was reading kabuto vs. the uchiha brothers' fight, and it was this panel right here.

"you can read other people's feelings"

this really struck me, especially after looking back at itachi and naruto's talk in chapter 366.

itachi asked naruto, why does he care so much about sasuke when he literally abandoned him. (in other translations, he asked naruto why was he so obsessed with sasuke). naruto got mad, basically saying that for him, sasuke was like his brother and told itachi he was a better brother than he ever were.

in the next panel, itachi has a speech bubble with dots, indicating he wanted to say something but chose not to. then, he smiled as if he knew something. interestingly, kishi only drew his mouth, not his eyes.

in chapter 403, naruto thought about his conversation with itachi which made me a bit more suspicious.

itachi asked naruto, what would he do if sasuke refused to come back to the village in which naruto replies that he'll do whatever it takes to bring him back.

"you just said sasuke is like a brother to you. im asking what you'd do if your 'brother' attacked konoha."

the first thing that caught my eye was the punctuation " " between the brother and the second thing i've noticed is that it almost sounded like itachi was mocking naruto and the emphasize on " " between the word, brother, only added to the fuel.

what we know so far is that itachi could read people's emotions with his eyes. he smiled and mocked naruto for calling sasuke his brother.

in these panels, to me it looks like itachi was playing a little with naruto's feelings, trying to get a reaction out of him by asking if he would be able to stop sasuke, even if it meant killing him.

just look at naruto's face, itachi definitely touched a nerve there. but what made me pause and think was itachi's next sentence.

"can you choose between sasuke and konoha?"

he read naruto's feelings for sasuke, smiled, mocked him, and then asked if he would be able to kill him and / or if he would be able to choose between sasuke and the village they both protected. this clearly indicates that for naruto sasuke was someone so precious that it made itachi doubt and ask that question.

the real question is:

could naruto really choose between sasuke and konoha?

yes, he could, and he admitted it himself in kage summit arc. naruto searched for the raikage and pleaded him to stop sasuke's execution.

mind you, a few chapters back, he told people, for example, nagato, that killing anyone for revenge was wrong and promised them that he'll change the world of hatred. yet here he was threatening the raikage that if he doesn't spare sasuke's life, there will be war between konoha and kumo.

it clearly shows here that he was speaking more for himself instead of the whole village, who also became wary about sasuke. he was willing to sacrifice konoha for sasuke.

naruto started pleading the raikage on his knees, begging him to spare sasuke's life, but at the same time threatening him and his village, trying to justify sasuke's actions and his desire for revenge and started crying in front of everyone.

the raikage mentioned how oddly naruto acted and basically called him out by saying that it is not normal for a shinobi to beg for a criminal's life.

in the end, naruto himself answers itachi's question.

he would choose sasuke over konoha in a heartbeat.

in that chapter, itachi also told naruto how he was still acting like a child and how he needed to realize that he would be forced to make impossible decisions like this. naruto confessed that there was someone else (jiraiya), who told him the same thing, but naruto has made his choice and he won't go back on his word because that's his ninja way. itachi smiled knowingly / warmly at naruto's response. he knew naruto would do anything in his power to save sasuke, and he knew how deeply he cared for him.

also, the right person that could paint sasuke's blank canvas in every color the person wanted was definitely naruto. naruto, who never gave up on sasuke, who sacrificed himself but also konoha for sasuke, who fought everyone who spoke ill of sasuke, who was willing to die with him, who saved sasuke from the dark, painting sasuke in every color, in a new light.

#sns #sasunaru #narusasu #naruto x sasuke #naruto #itachi number one sns fan

121 notes · View notes

twomiddlefingersforthehaters · 1 year ago

Text

Sasuke and his trouble: When you really love and care someone, you can't hide it.

☞ Offering his bento

Right before this scene, Sasuke gives a grand speech to Sakura about he needs to pass this exam to get his revenge. Even though he knew full well that if he shared the food he would be disqualified and not allowed to train as a shinobi… but… when he saw Naruto's face he threw everything away and risked his ninja career as well.

☞ Sasuke asking Sakura not to divulge about his Curse Mark to Naruto

When Naruto asked her about Sasuke's mark, Sakura remembers what Sasuke told her in the Forest of Death. The next thing we see is Sasuke asking her to promise him not to tell Naruto about the curse mark because he doesn't want to worry him.

This scene has appeared twice in the manga... once in this chapter (69) and the other in chapter 178. From her recalls in ch. 69, there was this dialogue that sasuke says: ｢いいか...これもチームワークだ｡｣ = ī ka ... kore mo chīmu wākuda = Listen... This is also teamwork”. But the interesting thing is that she doesn't include this dialogue in chapter 178.

What prompted her to recall the scene:

Sakura tried to come between Naruto and Sasuke when they got into a fight on the hospital roof top. And Naruto says this to her: 'Sakura...Don't get in my way!', but the way Naruto saying to Sakura with a sharp manner is completely new and you can see from the panel how much his words shocked her. We all know Naruto isn't the type to speak angrily to Sakura. And yet, we've seen Naruto put Sakura in her place twice when she was trying to get between his goals. Like in this scene and in the 5KS arc. Both of these scenes have one thing in common, which is that Sakura comes between Naruto and Sasuke.

The word Naruto uses here is 邪魔しないで (jama shinaide) which means don't get in the/my way; stay out of the/my way; don't disturb me; don't bother me. This expression 'jama shinaide', is negative and kind of strong to use towards other people. And it is not a polite word.

Then she recalls this:

Raw: 約束してくれ...このアザのことはナルトには言うな｡あいつに余計な気を遣われても困るんでな...

Romaji: yakusokushitekure...kono aza no koto wa naruto ni wa iu na. aitsu ni yokeina ki wo tsukawarete mo komaru n dena...

Literal: Promise me... You won't say anything about this mark/bruise to Naruto. It's only going to trouble me if he unnecessarily/extra worries about me...

気を遣う (ki wo tsukau) is an expression which means "to be considerate," "to be mindful," "to care about someone/something", or "to go out of one's way (for someone)"

Sasuke is expressing that he would be troubled if Naruto were to go out of his way to show concern and worry for him. Why would it troubles Sasuke to see Naruto worries about him? Even Sakura was worried about him during the Chūnin Exams arc.... Why couldn't her worries bother him, even a little? Towards Sakura, he was completely annoyed & distant whereas with Naruto he worries about him and also feels pain whenever Naruto get hurts.

#Haruno (when you realize you are the third wheel) Sakura #narusasu #sasunaru #sns #naruto manga #my stuff #Naruto #Sasuke

252 notes · View notes

comikas-fandom-dump · 15 days ago

Note

I wanted to move over to an ask/message rather than continue to reply on my silly post. If you do not mind?

This is a note off a fanfiction i wrote, where you can see me working through the sand siblings ages. As you can see I'm not above being wrong, but it's not due to lack of trying to figure things out. Do you agree with my Sand Sibling ages?

I personally feel like Gaara id actually just a little younger than the Naruto-group, born in the January of the next year, rather than in the same year as Naruto. My only argument for this is i really feel lile Gaara was made a Jinchūriki /after/ Naruto was, like almost as a response. But that's my mental canon. The Manga, i believe, just lists Gaara as the same age, and with his birthday in January, it would default him to older than Naruto by 10 months? I personally see him as younger.

Oh god, even more of Kishimoto's god-awful planning. Okaaayyy, let's try this.

For nerdy reference, I made a spreadsheet a while ago to prove a theory of mine, namely that the character ages in the Databooks are calculated in reference to Naruto's age, not their actual, canonical birthdays. In an example, despite not celebrating a birthday between August and December, Sasuke somehow turns 13 in that timeframe, according to the Databooks.

That is until Jin no Sho, when all the characters born prior to October 10th (Naruto's birthday) age up by one year, whereas the rest of the cast does not. This would also mean that Konoha's graduation month is most likely set in early January or late December, with students born earlier in the year being younger (making Hinata the youngest among the Konoha Twelve).

Jin no Sho is probably the most reliable source for our purposes, and it puts Temari's age at 20, Kankuro's at 19, and Gaara's at 17. One interesting little detail is their Ninja Registration Numbers, which are 53-004, 54-002, and 56-001, with the front two digits probably indicating their year of graduation (fun fact, Yashamaru became a Genin at approximately 9, Rasa and his children at 12 years old).

From here, my research aligns with yours. Kankuro was born 265 days after Temari, and Gaara 614 days after Kankuro. Pregnancy usually takes 280 days (anything below 259 days is considered premature), and mothers cannot become pregnant sooner than 21 days post-partum, meaning that Kankuro was born at least 2 weeks (15 days) prematurely.

As for Gaara's age in relation to Konoha's Jinchuriki, Jin no Sho claims Gaara to be older than Naruto by 9 months. And yeah, it did seem counter-intuitive to me as well, but I then re-read Chapter #547, and it appears that Rasa had been trying to seal Shukaku into one of his children for years, starting with Temari. It most likely was not a response to Konoha's new Jinchuriki.

Since it was supposedly Rasa's and Chiyo's experimentation that caused Gaara's premature birth, I wouldn't be surprised if Kankuro, too, was born prematurely due to Rasa's experimentation. As far as my memory goes, the text never claims that Gaara was the only premature birth among his siblings, so it's compatible with canon at the very least.

I hope this was helpful in some way 😭

#naruto #ask #naruto discussion #naruto analysis #gaara #kankuro #temari #sand siblings #spoiled-bat13 #heading off to bed now aaaa #if i ever do end up writing a fanfic about the sand siblings #i'm definitely gonna make gaara younger tho #if kishi doesn't need to follow the rules then why should i?#gaara being a baby feels intuitive idk why

53 notes · View notes

theheirofthesharingan · 7 months ago

Text

"Itachi tortured Sasuke for 72 hours in his Tsukuyomi." and "Itachi showed Sasuke his parents' deaths 518400 times in his Tsukuyomi."

It's a cheap attempt to demonize Itachi. A way to say, "Look! He committed these atrocities at his own brother. What a terrible person. No way I'm ever going to like him."

Before I begin, this post is not condoning what Itachi did. And it's not an "Itachi did nothing wrong" post. So if anyone wants to get angry about it, calm down.

What Itachi did was already bad enough without having to inflate the numbers in order to demonize him and his fans as well. It can be proven right away.

First of all, on the "72 hours Tsukuyomi" thing.

Itachi never put Sasuke in the 72 hours Tsukuyomi. We know Sasuke's state after the 24 hrs one. The boy was in a coma afterwards. Let's just take a look at the pages following the massacre.

First of all, Itachi did not show Sasuke the same thing over and over "on a loop" to Sasuke right after the massacre. It was a lot of things. The deaths, the happy moments. He wanted Sasuke to believe he was evil. That the person who took away these happy moments from him was Itachi himself. There's this one panel of his parents being slaughtered in the corner. However, there is also Itachi replaying Sasuke's happier memories.

This moment then continues.

Sasuke wants to escape. Is he in coma yet? No. He's clearly run out of the house. Although Sasuke almost collapses in this, but we know he wouldn't collapse right here yet.

The above flashback continues in the chapter #403 when Sasuke recalls his suppressed memories. He's staggering and nearly collapses. But he actually doesn't fall down here.

The next moment from that page.

And then this.

And finally this.

In all these pages Sasuke is seen running/chasing after Itachi. He throws kunai at Itachi. He does collapse, but it happens after he's awakened his Sharingan and he's exhausted after everything he's experienced. His trauma plays an important role, but it's not immediately afterwards.

I need to be enlightened: How could the 7 year old Sasuke endure a 72 hour Tsukuyomi, chase after Itachi, and even make attempts to attack him, but a 12 years Sasuke went into coma after 24 hours.

Now, where do the specific numbers 518400 really come from? And why do people think it's truth?

Let's do some maths here. To convert 72 hours into seconds, we need to multiply 72 with 3600 (or 60 × 60).

So, seconds in in 72 = 72 × 60 × 60 = 259200 seconds

When you multiply 259,200 with 2, you get — 259200 × 2 = 518400.

What do these numbers really mean?

That Itachi had to put Sasuke in the 72 hours of Tsukuyomi twice and show him their parents dying "on a loop" every single second. Or he had to show their parents' deaths twice every second to make these numbers.

But we know already he never put Sasuke in his Tsukuyomi for that long.

When we take the 24hrs in the inn into account, that demands that Itachi show Sasuke his parents dying 6 times every second. Because the seconds in 24 hours are -

24×60×60 = 86400 seconds

To make these numbers 518400, we need to multiply the above mentioned numbers by 6.

86400 × 6 = 518400

So, by this logic, Itachi was showing their parents dying to Sasuke 6 times every single second. How did people calculate this? Where's the proof? Is there anything other than "Trust me, bro" to this claim? No.

Some people bring up Itachi's novels to justify these numbers.

The time that passed within this genjutsu was one one-hundredth of one one-thousandth of one one-millionth of that of the real world.

But Kishimoto never alluded to these numbers in Manga. The novels were published 7 years after Itachi had died in Manga (in 2015 in Japanese). All throughout those years, Koshimoto never bothered to tell us Itachi's genjutsu had this much detailed ability. The "Itachi had a girlfriend" is a more believable claim than this.

To conclude - Itachi never put Sasuke in Tsukuyomi for 72 hours. There was no torture that "lasted for 6 days/lasted for so many days/lasted for eternity" and all the lies these people have created here.

People are too desperate to demonize this boy. I wish I had vast vocabulary of colourful words I could hurl at these people.

#itachi #itachi uchiha #pro itachi

72 notes · View notes

the-fictional-wife · 1 year ago

Text

Finding Happiness (Itachi Uchiha x reader)- 1

This is the start of a series of scenarios for post-war Itachi (yes he lives) finding happiness with you! I miss fluff in Itachi's tag so why not make my own.

I want to mainly focus on the relationship but some chapters down the line will explain more plot also the chapter sequences might not end up in chronological order^^

This will be fem reader heads up so she/her pronouns!

Even though this isn't nsfw, some things in this series won't be exactly appropriate so imma still say MDNI!

////- means pov switch

Word count: 2.0k+

Chapter 1- Grocery Shopping + Cafe Cuties Next Chapter?

“I want to help.”

“You should want to take it easy instead,” you sigh. Itachi was up...yet again to help despite being on mandatory bedrest to help his body regain its strength back. He’s restless; it’s easy to understand; he’s banned from missions, and staying home is rather dull, but...

“Tsunade strictly said you were to rest while on house arrest. That’s the whole point I’m here.” You rest your arm on the cool kitchen countertop to grab a pen and begin writing down a shopping list with a huff.

“....”

At the silence, you turn around with pursed lips to face Itachi only to stifle a laugh when you see his face: eyebrows furrowed, lips just slightly jutted-

If you didn’t know any better, you’d say he’s pouting.

“I would argue three weeks of nothing but bed imprisonment is adequate enough rest, don’t you agree.” Itachi huffs.

After weeks of being detained right alongside Sasuke, Kakashi made the executive decision that Itachi deserved something better than a jail cell: temporary house arrest.

With a babysitter.

You glance at Itachi’s mildly annoyed face, momentarily taking in the sight.

You’ll spare him...for today.

“hm...fine, the sun would do you well anyway.” You finish writing the list and hand it to Itachi, whose eyes blankly rake the paper, then folds it into his pocket.

“Well, let’s go,” You stand at the doorway where a large black seal awaits, designed to trigger the alarm around Itachi’s ankle. Weaving the signs, you both squint at the burst of light before ushering him out the door.

As the two of you walk out of the Uchiha compound, you ponder over the last few weeks with Itachi. You can’t count the heart attacks you’ve gotten from seeing an empty bed and surprise; he was admiring the fish.

He is a quiet, stealthy patient, somewhat akin to an 87-year-old senior citizen. On the more serious end, you think back solemnly; his eyes had often reflected his concession to emptiness. Sunken in and soulless.

‘But now…’ You peer at Itachi from the corner of your eye.

His eyes sharp and attentive; the color is back in his face; sunkissed pink cheeks, his short sleeve shirt giving view to his lean muscles-

‘He’s actually kinda...’

////

Itachi can’t tell if it’s the heat of your gaze or the sun flushing his cheeks.

Your gaze washes over him, a captivating light he yearns to forever bask in. Domesticity is a variable of life he is unacquainted with and…undeniably undeserving of.

And yet, the further you expose him to gentleness, affection, and peace, the more he greedily deludes himself into that he belongs.

Encompassed in a life of peace he’s desperately craved, peace he’s found with you.

Within the shinobi existence, emotions, relationships…living. All become an unforeseeable luxury.

It’s unsettling to desire. To be human.

Itachi silently shifts his eyes toward you, observing as you conceal your face, abashed from being caught. He finds himself smitten.

“You were looking a little pale. If you feel weak at any time, don’t be afraid to lean on me.”

A lie, of course. An utterly endearing one.

‘Perhaps, in this life…’

He capitalizes on the chance anyway.

‘…I can be selfish.’

////

As you head into the village, you feel something creep around your arm.

Neither of you acknowledge it.

+++

Your arm is still intertwined with Itachi’s as you both find purchase in a decently sized everything market. Waving to the cat perched in the front, you read the aisle numbers with its affiliated products: ‘Household items- 1, Toys- 2, Jewelry- 4,...Fruits & Dairy- 5’. After detecting where you wanted to begin, you guys head to your destination, avocados.

Itachi lightly tugs your arm, signaling your attention.

“It’ll be quicker if we split. The potatoes are within eye range; I’ll only be a minute.” Your face scrunches in; reluctantly, you let go with a poorly concealed pout.

“... don’t trust me? I promise I’ll return to you shortly.” With that, Itachi saunters, leaving a lingering graze against your skin.

You pause, leaving the way your heart palpitates unavowed. ‘A kiss would have sufficed,’ you snicker and return to your dilemma with hunched shoulders.

You’re on your fifth avocado before you give a groan of defeat. “I can’t tell which ones are good or not; they all look the same,” you mumble, distracted enough to miss the figure peering closer.

“May I see?”

His gentle whisper tickles your ear, you force the quiver down your spine to still- even when you feel his careless lips making one too many brushes to your ear, you wordlessly nod yes.

His broad chest and feather touch of his hair against your cheek overwhelm your senses as he reaches his arm around your waist to probe at the fruit you have in hand.

You pray he can’t feel the way your heart beats.

“Hmm...this one is ripe. You can tell by the dark color and firmness...good eye.” Within a blink, the weight of Itachi’s presence vanished, and he pulled away.

Ah. That.

“R-right, thank you,” you fumbled over your wording and rushed to the edge of the aisle. “Okay, let’s split from here to make things easier; I do the first half of the list, you do the last. Capeesh?” Fingers bend into a okay sign; you give a shaky grin and rush down to the next aisles, leaving Itachi to fend for himself.

“...” Itachi blinks, idly standing before he lets out a defeated puff of air.

‘...It appears I’ve made a mistake.’ With furrowed brows, he peers down at the list with a harsh, focused stare.

Your mind hasn’t left Itachi as your heart physically pains in guilt; it’s his first time out in weeks, and you flat leave him. Putting your final item in your shopping basket, you haul it down Itachi’s direction, only to find him in the exact same position as before.

Tilting your head, you ask befuddled, “Itachi, what are you doing?...” Oh.

You steer closer, and the pitiful sight in front of you makes your shoulders pull straight; Itachi’s eyes strain, glaring down at the paper an inch away from his face at a poor attempt at reading the words.

He can’t see.

‘How long has he been-’ you quickly shuffle in your bag and call for Itachi’s attention. “You should’ve said something! I had brought your glasses with me, but I completely forgot about it-” Itachi takes it with a grateful upturn of his lips.

“Thank you..” He mutters, drawing his attention back to the list. “We are still missing the tomatoes and bread; I passed them earlier on our way in. Follow me.” Itachi gingerly takes your wrist in hand and leads you down the correct aisle.

Soon after you paid, you’ve collectively decided to grab a bite to eat. “Itachi, you smell that?” You sigh out an exhale; an alluringly sweet smell wafts itself above all the open markets along the sides from a small corner amongst the buildings. A mini cafe.

You brush against the roughness of Itachi’s calloused fingers, only grabbing his pinkie to lead him down.

You’ll pretend like you didn’t see the way he flushed.

+++

Slouching in the seat across Itachi, you flex out the ache in your fingers from the weight of the bags as you wait for your shared order of dangos.

“I’ll assist you with the baggage on our way out.”

Looking up in disbelief, you scoff, “Hell no- you’re still in recovery.”

“Don’t overwork yourself for my sake....”

Hypocrite.

You open your mouth to respond, only to suppress yourself at the sight of the waiter approaching.

The waiter smiles while serving your drink and food, then turns over and carelessly drops Itachi’s tea, droplets splashing onto Itachi’s lap.

With a twitching smile, the waiter laughs, “Oh, how clumsy of me, you should get yourself clean. You mutt; should be easy for a traitor, always covering his dirt.” Your mouth is agape, eyes shifting from Itachi to the waiter.

Itachi remains unfazed, his gaze fixed on the waiter with an air of nonchalance. It’s almost patronizing. The waiter scowls, turning away from the stare-down, muttering his pitiful complaints about Itachi’s mere presence.

“Geez, what was their problem?” You scoff side eyeing the waiter. Itachi sits silently, sipping his tea, looking down at his plate with a vacant stare. “...Itachi, you okay? I’ll go backhand a bitch for you, they had no right to treat you like that.”

Itachi’s eyes shift to you at your aggressive demeanor. “Don’t. I’ve made peace with my past; their hate will only torment themself.”

A lie. For a brisk moment, you noted how his mug trembled under the tension of his grip. You make a tsk noise, propping your head onto your hand, reluctantly letting the situation go.

Glancing up, Itachi discerns how your lips are still pulled into a snarl, glowering in the general direction of the offender.

‘Hm, that won’t do.’

Rolling back the ache in his shoulders, he figures he could relieve your tension. If it’d make you smile,

“…besides…”

He’d be a fool.

You turn back over with an inquiring hum.

“...they just aren’t sigma enough to control themself.” He returns to sipping his tea.

“…”

“....”

“Pfft- WHAT” You break the silence, convulsing with laughter. “I-Itachi, don’t ever say that in your life again- I’m not a good influence on you.” Still unable to break the giggles, you look at Itachi’s soft stare and slowly compose yourself under his unwavering gaze.

You cough in your hand and shift your eyes away.

“Let’s eat.”

You fall into a rhyme of chewing and idle conversation.

“See, now you’re lying! I never laughed when you put your glasses on-” The table shifts from the weight of your knee. You firmly dangle Itachi’s wrist away from his glasses as he attempted to remove them a few seconds ago.

“...you couldn’t even catch your breath.”

“I was just surprised! I’ve never seen your eyes so…beady.” You tremble, holding back a cackle. His prescription, unfortunately, made his lens the size of a brick, but thankfully, Tsunade aided in making it more suitable.

“So now my eyes are beady,” His voice barely whispers, he looks off to the side. A look of dismay washed over your face; you cusp his face between your hands, pulling his gaze back up to you.

“Hey- don’t get all mopey; you know I think you’re cute with the glasses on.” You softly look to reassure him, guilty over your tease...until you notice the subtle twitch in his lips, a poor attempt at maintaining his stoic facade.

He was joking.

Itachi shifts his weight into your palms, eyes closed in total serenity. “Do I?...”

‘Absolutely full of himself.’ You express your annoyance with an eye roll and flop back into your seat, leaving Itachi’s head to hang.

‘...did I displease her again.’ Itachi looks down at the final dango stick and holds it to you.

“Here, a truce for forgiveness.”

“But, that’s your favorite…and we bought that with your budget-” you sheepishly add.

“Please, I insist, I...don’t think I can finish this.” Itachi gives a light smile as he hovers the stick to your lips.

The blood rising to your face makes you dazed as you brush aside bits of your hair and savor the first dango ball on your tongue with a hum.

You swear it tastes sweeter from him.

“Thank you, Itachi; consider yourself forgiven.” You say before opening your mouth for the next one.

+++

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

“All done,” you brush your hands off proudly after putting away all the supplies and produce. When cleaning up the bags, you notice a mini bag that looks different from the rest.

‘Could this be Itachi’s?...’ You gently spread open the bag, eyes widening in astonishment; a beautiful crystal necklace sweetly lying in a small box with a small note tagged onto the front.

It reads,

‘I hope it’s to your liking, I noticed you wear this color frequently. Let this be a mark of our friendship ~ Itachi.’

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

Note: Heyyy haven't wrote anything since like 2021 but I might be back probably, probably not- This is pretty self-indulgent but hope yall still enjoyed ^^

Do I think Itachi would say "sigma" if it meant you'd laugh for him after feeling like he depressed the mood? YES. Live with my canon.

Do I think Itachi actually likes physical touch but is just touch starved? YES. I'm projecting.

Any sort of love is appreciated don't be shy to say hi and good luck to everyone during finals week!

*Also-If you have any tips on writing + writing Itachi please let me know!

#itachi uchiha #itachi x reader #itachi uchiha x reader #reader insert #fluff #finding happiness💗#fem!reader #uchiha #naruto fanfiction #naruto #fanfic #itachi #itachi fanfic

187 notes · View notes