#kakashi x ryouma

[mizunoir]

A commission done for wonderful @bouncyirwin ❤

[astra-inclined]

Eight Hundred Eyes are Better Than One (although it didn’t seem to actually help her rip dokomeki)

I’m late, but here I am

@anbu-legacy @nezumiko @saunterleftside @ninjaeyecandy

It's been a hot minute since I've read Anbu Legacy, but here I am!

Oh a mission. I forgot Jiraiya was around right now.

Omfg..................Kakashi seeing his sensei threesome. The hypocrisy of it all. Kurenai is so satisfied. Raidou waking up like that.....Pls my ninja man.

I love watching Jiraiya piss everyone off immediately bc it's valid. He's The Worst hahah.

Oooooh I always love how you guys add in this like. Dichotomy between there being very traditional/old-school families vs more modern families in this universe!!! The old money Ginta and Kakashi's vs the normies everyone else. It makes things like this so interesting, where this yokai is so “real” to ones who have literally heard stories of her growing up compared to the others who literally have 0 knowledge.

"Lieutenant! How many goats can you buy on an ANBU’s budget? Ginta appeared at his elbow, knocking Katsuko’s echo out of his head." O-oh I see, you guys are gonna remind us of Katsuko when you get the chance. Cool. Not like I was thinking about her character last week and was SUPER SAD ABOUT IT AHH.

These mfers gonna die in a thunderstorm.

“Sakamoto is deaf and you both could have died,” Raidou said. “Is there a more appropriate emotion? What should I be feeling?”  I have MISSED READING THIS. Raidou scolding people is <3

“Except that you’re a giant hypocrite,” Kakashi added. “There it is,” Raidou said, sounding resigned. --- uh DUH RAIDOU. Mr. high and mighty over here, making the boys sneak around for various reasons (I mean, and they're taking things slow for their own reasons) but STILL. smdh. And Raidou’s worried about the presumed awkwardness of boss/subordinate, when really Ryouma’s moved on to better things (Genma, the love of my life).

“Not helpful,” Raidou said.  Kakashi shrugged. “Ask a stupid question.” --- The two least compatible of the whole team rip

How do you guys choose what sort of folklore/yokai to incorporate? Do you have X idea, and then find a yokai that fits, or do you peruse yokai and make the story up along with it?

“Be more cryptic,” Usagi said, startling him. He turned to find her standing an arm’s length away, poking gingerly at her bandaged shoulder.  “Don’t test him,” Raidou said, dumping a last clawed foot on the pile. “Because he will, and then no one gets answers.” --- Have you guys watched True Detective? I'm picturing the scene where normal cop is like "can you be fucking normal" then asks him how he slept and matthew mcconageufhey responds with "I don't sleep....I just dream". That's him. Kakashi. A rotten troll of a man. ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-kvkESiOXo )

I am SO excited about the mystery of everything!!! It's already dead, just re-animated? Starving? Is this some Orochimaru body stuff?!

Damn, that was a good one. Loved the fight and LOVED the description of the Dodomeki, that shit sounded intense and scary. Birds eyes?! That gaping mouth!!

Love that Kakashi negotiated body parts for his team. How sweet.

<3 <3 <3 Missed reading this!!! Gonna check more out after I work my next couple shifts. Love you all, and hope you’re healthy and safe and doing well.

[anbu-legacy]

Okay, NOW I’m tearing up.

As a reader, one of the things I look for in the authors I love most dearly is that sense of trust. That safety and assurance that I can go with this author wherever they want to take me, because they won’t turn on me, they won’t betray me, they won’t undermine that shared foundation that there IS a good in the world and that it’s worth fighting for.

I don’t read “grimdark” novels where all the characters fight over who can be nastier. These days I’m reading a lot more of what author Alexandra Rowland (@ariaste) has coined “hopepunk”: the world may be awful, but we can make a small corner of it better.

There’s a lot of darkness in Legacy, and a lot of pain. The ninja system is an immoral world at its core. But our own world is dark, and broken, and immoral at times—and we can keep going, too. Sharing kindness when we can; learning from our mistakes; making amends for our wrongs. If two kids as broken as Ryouma and Kakashi can make something better for themselves, there’s hope for all of us.

- Ki

Am I the only one feeling like Kakashi and Ryouma are not, in fact, headed towards an actual adult relationship but towards complete trainwreck? I was seriously side-eyeing that conversation they had last chapter. I feel like, unintentionally, Ryouma has begun to depend on Kakashi as an emotional crutch and Kakashi is way too young and unprepared to see this is happening -

(cont.) he’s being pushed into that role mostly because Ryouma’s damage is so overt and his emotional needs so apparent compared to Kakashi’s own inscrutable nature. Ryouma telling Kakashi about his crush on Genma seemed less like healthy honesty that relationships should have and more like Ryouma wanting to lessen his guilt by confessing his ‘sins’ to Kakashi because Kakashi has always, in Ryouma’s own words, listened to him without judgement and given him the reassurance he needs. He wasn’t really thinking about whether this was something Kakashi needed or wanted to hear 5 seconds after he asked Ryouma out and Ryouma accepted. He was thinking about clearing his own conscience and unburdening himself. Obviously this doesn’t make Ryouma a bad person…just…I don’t think either of them is ready for the roles they’ve been pushed into. I can’t believe you all are giving me more anxiety over this relationship than Genma/Raidou’s will-they-won’t they. Last ch was riveting btw!

–

You are (probably) not the only one who sees disaster coming! Ryouma is not anywhere approaching emotionally healthy, and neither is Kakashi, and neither of them have the slightest idea what they are doing. Like all traumatized young assassins without good relationship role models or substantial time in therapy, they are going to fuck things up. They’ve done so already! Punching people in the face is not a good communication method. 

The question remaining is whether they’ll recognize their fuck-ups, apologize, and try to do better. And that is, indeed, a Big Question (but with, I think, some groundwork laid).

Reader poll! Drop a reply and let us know what you predict. :D

- Ki

[genericnarutoblog]

9 people you’d like to know better

Rules: Tag 9 people you’d like to get to know better

Tagged by: @saengak You're easily one of my favorite new blogs I’ve recently followed! Thanks for the tag!

Tagging: ??????????? breaking all the rules. 

Favorite Color: Red! Candy Apple Red! Maybe that’s why I have a thing for monochrome art with a threatening sharingan colored red to make it pop. It’s my favorite aesthetic!

Top Three Favorite Ships: My favorite ships bounce around depending on my mood and what I’m currently reading. In the past I’ve loved KakaGai, Shiita, and KisaIta. MinaKushi is a classic which I don’t necessarily read much about but I still love art of them! Kakashi/Ryouma from Legacy is also my favorite but I don’t know if it counts.  :V Also Kisame x a single dorito chip is my OTP. 

Lipstick or Chapstick: Chapstick. I have one in almost every room of my apartment (which is like 1 room but still) and then in my car, purse, and workplace. I hate makeup. 

Last Song: Burry a Friend By Billie Eilish. Bad Guy by the same artist is what I’m listening to currently. She has a really soft voice but it’s so edgy. 

Last Movie: Captain Marvel. Seen it on my birthday. It wasn’t bad just not my cup of tea. 

Currently Reading: ANBU Legacy’s new chapter. Other than that The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. At least trying to read it. My aunt gave it to me for my birthday and it meant something to her. So I’m trying to read it before I see her again on Easter. 

[recentanimenews]

Yen Press Licenses "Tanya The Evil," Additional "Sword Art Online" And More

Yen Press had a big slate to licenses to announce at this weekend's Sakura-Con, including several hot reincarnation fantasy light novel series, including Saga Of Tanya the Evil, plus more Sword Art Online. 

  Who's ready?! https://t.co/OMsTtOnMkZ

— yenpress (@yenpress) April 15, 2017

    Saga of Tanya The Evil (light novel and manga)

The Saga of Evil Tanya!!!! Claps all around @yenpress @SakuraCon panel! light novel and manga http://pic.twitter.com/Ca2r1nlPfo

— Wendy (@Hello_itsWendy) April 15, 2017

  manga The Monster Tamer Girls aka aka Kaijuu no Shiiku Iin, by Mujirushi Shimazaki - two volume 2015 series from Manga Time Kirara Forward

The Monster Tamer School #yenpress panel @SakuraCon KAIJU!!!! http://pic.twitter.com/gxFR1ElHVw

— Wendy (@Hello_itsWendy) April 15, 2017

  Regarding reincarnating as Slime, popular light novel series by Fuse and Mitz Vah

Regarding reincarnating as Slime light novel! @yenpress panel @SakuraCon http://pic.twitter.com/Gh1BiClmlD

— Wendy (@Hello_itsWendy) April 15, 2017

  Though you may burn to Ash aka Tatoe Hai ni Natte mo, by Kakashi Oniyazu, two volume ongoing from Young Gangan

For his beloved younger sister's treatment, Shinomiya Ryouma is working frantically to raise a billion yen while going to high school. One day, a mysterious woman asks him, "Can you put your life on the line for what you desire?" and after receiving a ticket from her, an accident befalls him! When he wakes up, he finds he's turned into a girl and what's more, he's participating in a "game" where a win means he can reverse his fate but a loss means he'll die instantly.

Though you may burn to Ash @yenpress #sakuracon2017 panel hot angels http://pic.twitter.com/hhBA2adWZ8

— Wendy (@Hello_itsWendy) April 15, 2017

  Laid Back Camp @yenpress @SakuraCon panel! http://pic.twitter.com/2XGWKeuFWp

— Wendy (@Hello_itsWendy) April 15, 2017

  Laid Back Camp, aka YuruCamp△. Soon to be an anime. Volume 3 of the series about the girls who meet at a lake-side view of Mt. Fuji, share a cup of noodles and end up camping together in a celebration of new sensory experiences, was released in Japan on February 10th.

Laid Back Camp @yenpress @SakuraCon panel! http://pic.twitter.com/2XGWKeuFWp

— Wendy (@Hello_itsWendy) April 15, 2017

Val x Love aka Ikusa x Koi bu Ryusuke Asakura. 2015 two-volume ongoing from Shounen Gangan

Baka Updates describes it

Akutsu Takuma wants nothing more than to be left alone, to live and study in peace. He has a terrifying face, which has prevented him from making friends and earned him the nickname "Akuma" (devil). However, he is satisfied with being alone and spending all of his time learning, hoping to become the good person his late mother saw in him. All of this changes when he gets involved with the nine Saotome girls, who are Valkyries. Takuma is called by Odin to pair with them to protect the world from demons and the threat of total destruction. The Valkyries' power comes from love, and so now he must live with them and try to become closer to them. To start with, they prioritize his intimacy with the strongest Valkyrie, Natsuki. Will he and the Saotome women be able to save the world?

Val x Love @yenpress panel @SakuraCon More Harem Manga for you! http://pic.twitter.com/UU6Y8ROX5T

— Wendy (@Hello_itsWendy) April 15, 2017

A Polar Bear in Love aka Koisuru Shirokuma by Koromo. inspiration for anime

A polar bear in love @yenpress #sakuracon2017 super cute!!! http://pic.twitter.com/AK0caeG0e5

— Wendy (@Hello_itsWendy) April 15, 2017

Angel of Slaughter by Makoto Sanada and Kudan Nazuka

2015 four volume horror josei from Comic Gene Baka

Updates descibes it 13-year old Rachel awakens to find herself trapped in the basement of an abandoned building. Without any memories, or even a clue as to where she could be, she wanders the building, lost and dizzy. In her search, she comes across a man covered in badges. He introduces himself as Zack and he wields a grim-reaper like sickle. A strange bond is struck between them, strengthened by strange, crazy promises… These two, trapped in this strange building, don’t know why fate has placed them there. But they will work together desperately to find a way out…

Angel of Slaughter @yenpress panel @SakuraCon http://pic.twitter.com/slLlYnf0ZS

— Wendy (@Hello_itsWendy) April 15, 2017

As Miss Beelzebub aka Beelzebub Jou no Okinimesumama., 4-panel comedy by Matoba. 2015, four-volume onoing from Gangan Online and Shounen Gangan

As Miss Beelzebub likes #yenpress panel @SakuraCon http://pic.twitter.com/rR7mB1xAMP

— Wendy (@Hello_itsWendy) April 15, 2017

  One Week Friends, inspiration for the anime

One Week Friends @yenpress panel #sakuracon2017 friends~ http://pic.twitter.com/fYyKgOuPJg

— Wendy (@Hello_itsWendy) April 15, 2017

So I'm a spider, so what?, another popular reincarnation fantasy light novel series

Baka Updates describes it

Haruaki is a scaredy-cat but he also wants to be a good teacher. However, his new school isn’t exactly what he thought it would be. He ends up going to a school that’s for monsters, demons, ghosts and all sorts of creatures!

So I'm a spider, so what? LN announcement! @yenpress #sakuracon2017 http://pic.twitter.com/snLx94pcuA

— Wendy (@Hello_itsWendy) April 15, 2017

  Terrified teacher at Ghoul School aka Youkai Gakkou no Sensei Hajimemashita!. 4-volume 2014 ongoing from GFantasy

Terrified teacher at Ghoul School! @yenpress panel @SakuraCon http://pic.twitter.com/Tj8fA60Dz7

— Wendy (@Hello_itsWendy) April 15, 2017

Graineliers by Rihito Takarai. 2-volume 2013 ongoing from GFantasy

Baka Updates describes it

In this world, there are certain individuals known as "graineliers" who produce "seeds" that conceal various powers. The story follows a boy named Lucas who has the power of these seeds at his disposal.

Graineliers @yenpress panel #sakuracon2017 http://pic.twitter.com/mAdRgVl88C

— Wendy (@Hello_itsWendy) April 15, 2017

Natsume Ono's ACCA 13, inspiration for the anime

Natsume Ono's ACCA 13 @yenpress #sakuracon2017 http://pic.twitter.com/5x4nCg8ybp

— Wendy (@Hello_itsWendy) April 15, 2017

  Sword Art Online - Caliber from Shii Kiya, Sword Art Online Alternative Gun Gale Online from Keiichi Sigsawa and Tadadi Tamori and Sword Art Online Artworks from abec

Lots of Sword art online @yenpress #sakuracon2017 http://pic.twitter.com/BlfMaPVzMf

— Wendy (@Hello_itsWendy) April 15, 2017

  -----

Scott Green is editor and reporter for anime and manga at geek entertainment site Ain't It Cool News. Follow him on Twitter at @aicnanime.

By: news+feed@crunchyroll.com

[astra-inclined]

Friends Without Benefits (I mean they haven’t quite tried u know)

last chapter before bed

@anbu-legacy @nezumiko @saunterleftside @ninjaeyecandy

"But this time, when Kawasaki-sensei sent the baby medic class home with reading assignments, Genma was waiting at his loft or a coffee-shop to read the pages aloud and drill Ryouma on the concepts." Ok but like....I ship the FUCK out of Genma x Ryouma. Don't get me wrong, the canon is perfect, but a blushing, crushing kohai and their competent, beautiful, caring sempai/lieutenant....yes please.

It's the opposite of how I feel about Kakashi and Raidou, I don't ship it in any way, and I want to lock them in a room so they can unconstipate themselves, and get over their ROUGH start, and not be so tense. Lord have mercy.

Hakone and Ryouma are clowns. Or really it's just Ryouma who's a clown and he drags everyone into his little clown car with him. They're so cute <3 I love his friendships with people. Mr. low-self-esteem, yet loved by so many different kinds of people. And he's gonna read his textbook to him...My heart...

"He’d healed." ---AhhhhhhhhhHH <3 <3 <3

"Eventually, she spotted for him, too." <3!!!

"Did he know about the aphrodisiac reputation? Surely he must. He knew everything" --- 1. of course Ryouma knows that reputation 2. His faith that Genma is so smart and knows everything is. Adorable

"“You’re as reckless as the rest of us, you just hide it better.”" ---- Perfect Genma summary.

.

"At least she wasn’t smiling at Genma anymore." ---Omg but wait, jealous Ryouma is a nightmare hahah. Homie....please....

I looooove how Rin is written- she's so no nonsense, vaguely kind but not warm at all, girlboss, only has Success on her mind.

"“I didn’t put in years of study and training just to pray for a god’s miracle. And neither will you.”" --- Rin please.......I can't be in love with EVERY character... (but I am). What an icon.

Fantastic chapter. This is like my favorite slice-of-life, except the life they lead is intense and filled with Tanuki gods and blood disorders.

[astra-inclined]

Hello ANBU Legacy Fans! I made a playlist for ANBU Legacy. I’ll describe my thoughts on some of the songs under the cut! Hope you enjoy it!

@anbu-legacy

ANBU Legacy Playlist- The Kids Might Be Alright

1.    You Know What They Do to Guys Like Us in Prison - My Chemical Romance (I love the overall feel of this song, the chaotic nature, and especially the last lines about “going down with my friends”- I feel like we all love Legacy for many things, but especially the friendships between everyone)

2.    Savior - Rise Against (I know literally this song is about a breakup, but the overall solemn and tragic tone won me over in adding this. Also I love the word savior because that’s probably not how most laymen in Konoha view ANBU, even though they are the ones doing the dirty jobs that does ultimately “keep the peace”, and also our boys (namely Kakashi and Ryouma) doing playing savior for others, but mostly in a way that’s trying to save themselves (that suicide/murder chapter, y’all know the one))

3.    Send the Pain Below – Chevelle (Everything hurts)

4.    Control – Halsey (I love this for ANBU in general! The tone of it is so scary and mysterious and “ And all the kids cried out, "Please stop, you're scaring me" /God damn right, you should be scared of me“ always reminds me of how they are perceived by non-ANBU folks.)

5.    Afraid (Ryouma) - The Neighborhood (This song for me is CLASSIC Ryouma- wrought with insecurities and sadness and the fear of being replaced or forgotten and not belonging and the DISTRUST while putting on his chummy face and sleeping around but really keeping everyone at arms length! @ninjaeyecandy)

6.    All I Really Want (Katsuko) - Alanis Morisette (Definitely the last lines of this songs speaks to me for Katsuko: And all I really want is some comfort/A way to get my hands untied/And all I really want is some justice...She’s so wonderful and suffered so much, and I wish she was with us longer to fuller navigate into being taken care of and loved by the team!!! #KatsukoForever, I seriously love her to death!!)

7.     What's in the Middle (Kakashi) - The Bird and the Bee (I always think of Kakashi for this because it seems like the song is about emptying one’s self of things in general, and the singer feels very detached from life/others. I see Kakashi in this line “I might need a little help with my own interconnection“ as well as the whole chorus. I also like how flat the singer sounds for him!)

8.     Skeleton (Raidou) - Bloc Party (Okay, this might be silly but I’ve literally CRIED while listening to this song and thinking about Raidou. I feel like every line fits perfectly with him- he’s a simple man, doing his best, but the constant STRUGGLE and fucking up, and he’s the Leader but he’s also still so young with wild teammates, and I just feel like he was at a breaking point in certain chapters/arcs! “And I've paid my dues/Just to get them all back” let the man have PEACE. @saunterleftside)

9.     Honest Mistake - The Bravery (They ALL say and do some dumbassery stuff sometimes)

10.   I Feel So - Boxcar Racer (They’re also often angry and fighting and feeling LOTS of emotions despite Ninja Code: Don’t Feel Shit)

11.   WagakkiBand – Kishikaisei (Genma) (Okay. @nezumiko I have such a bone to pick with you....Genma is SO put together- obviously he has faults as all humans and well rounded characters do but my GOD, it was so hard to find a song for him!!! Or at least, hard to search for qualities about him that people sing about! In the end I came to this band because they’re known for being a mix of of traditional Japanese instruments and rock. Genma’s spirituality is something I’ve always loved about this character. The lyrics I liked for this song are “Surely, you aren’t fighting by yourself/Because whatever happens, you’ll be supported/So, do your best“. I feel like Genma is SUCH a support system for everyone, being Raidou’s second in command, and feeding Ryouma’s self esteem, knowing how to navigate the more interpersonal situations. Ugh. Love love love.)

12.   You Are a Runner, and I am My Father's Son - Wolf Parade (Kakashi x Ryouma) (Okay, but isn’t this just kind of perfect?! Literally this title alone is the two of them as people! Kakashi being forever changed by Sakumo’s everything, and Ryouma running from intimacy. “I am my father's son/And I'll build a house inside of you/I'll go in through the mouth/I'll draw three figures on your heart”.)

13.   The Boy Who Ran Away – Mystery Jets (Ryouma) (Okay, Ryouma’s just so easy to find music for because he’s somehow the ANGSTIEST of them all, even next to Kakashi! I love him for it though...My OG Fallen Leaves crush. “And when he gets to this mythic place/The streets are dirty, dark and deep/There is no rest there/There is no place to lay a head to sleep, to sleep”. My heart.)

14.   New Cannonball Blues – TV On the Radio (This song scares me sometims and it’s so fast and frantic, much like certain arcs and chapters that keep me at the edge of my SEAT)

15.   Glory and Gore – Lorde (The general tone of it all, scary, dark, fighting, blood, dying. “The sun's starting to light up when we're walking home/Tired little laughs, gold-lie promises: we'll always win at this“. Obviously I don’t know where the story is going to end and play out- but realistically we all know that ANBU teams tend not to live for long...)

16.   Blood on Me – Sampha (Ugh, just such a good song and again more of the tone of it all, running away from some unknown predator and fearing for your life.)

17.   Melos – Wednesday Campanella (Okay, this actually has a short Wikipedia page I’d recommend reading: search Run, Melos! and it should pop up. Basically, the story’s main theme is “unwavering friendship” where the main character goes through a bunch of crap to save his best friend’s life!!! I love the video, I LOVE this song, and I love the whole story!! What brings enjoyment of Legacy if not the friendships in story, and also all the ones we’ve made out of it?)

18.   The Beginning – One Ok Rock (All these sad hoes) (Again, this song to me is about love/friendship/hopefulness and more good things. Despite all the adversity in this universe, I don’t think it’s ever completely dark and devoid of hope. All the characters have ability to change themselves and be more open to others and the world as a whole.)

Anyway! That’s basically the gist of what I was thinking with this playlist!!! I came from Fallen Leaves and I’m here with Legacy. I love love love the people in this fandom, as well as the current and previous writers that have given so much of their own love, care, and dedication.

I’m a month late, but have a wonderful new year everyone!!!

[anbu-legacy]

SCIENCE

@kaminoko-x: (not an ask so I can link stuff) I was rereading through character asks because I finished Hard Came the Rain (there was much fluff induced screaming) and was hungry for more ANBU Legacy things (as usual). Ended up giggling about this x. As someone who worked with kids for a part time job, I just really appreciated Ogata’s insane level of kid wrangling, she is a master and a queen and I would like to be her someday (don’t we all).

I also found this x and then went on a giant squeeing spree about world building and science in ANBU Legacy because biochem is my uni major and I’m a nerd. SCIIEEENNNCE

Like, to my knowledge and googling, sarin isn’t a naturally occurring chemical species so Konoha has to have chemical and biochemical analysis, synthesis, and purification techniques to produce it. And people to research what exactly sarin does biochemically (bc Genma’s commentary indicates they probably do know exactly how it works) and streamline production methods so it could be used enough that it’s well known among ninja/medical profession as a useful potent poison. HOW BIG IS KONOHA’S SCIENCE RESEARCH DIVISION AND WHO GETS TO BE IN IT. ARE THERE ANY CIVILIANS. ARE THERE ANY NINJA-SCIENTISTS (other than Orochimaru, but does his stuff even count as actual science if it’s not peer reviewed), IS THAT A THING

Genma’s comment about using a less potent organophosphate shows his chemical and biochemical theory is at least irl uni level- I’m like 99% sure it’s from med-nin training. But it does make me wonder if you’d have science classes available if you aren’t headed into medicine. Are there basic science classes at the Academy? How far in theory do they go? What about post-academy, are they available like officer classes? Would you have to pay for them, are there any pre-reqs? I have so many questions.

It’s not at all the first time there have been sciencey worldbuilding details in ANBU Legacy. There’s been a ton of medical details in particular, and anaesthetics and drugs and soldier pills are a thing. And that one village medic had salve from the war described as good for chemical burns in Suffering Fools and Kakashi mentions gas as part of the war in Worth the Pain, so chemical weapon development is a thing too (is that how sarin was developed?). Idk this one just particularly caught my eye and set me off ahahhaa

——

When we got this, Ki and DK both said, “This is yours to answer, Nezu.” Probably because I’m 90% the one who throws overly detailed science and medicine into our worldbuilding. And I have been sitting on answering this for approximately ever, not because I didn’t want to, but because I wanted to do it RIGHT and then pretty much paralyzed myself into inaction. But that’s no way to honor what might be my favorite ask EVER. So, @kaminoko-x and any other science nerds in our tiny fandom, here goes…

Disclaimer #1: Answers to character asks aren’t canon. It’s possible that I overstepped in choosing sarin as my example, and should have chosen a more easily synthesized neurotoxin like strychnine. 

Disclaimer #2: I’m an avid student of medicine and science, and a skilled researcher, but I’m not a medical professional and I don’t have a science degree. I made a left-hand turn partway through university and transferred from a science program to a theatre program. And then worked for many years in user experience design for computer software. But if I had both infinite lifetimes and health, I’d totally be a scientist in several different fields. And a doctor and a veterinarian. And of course, a writer.

BUT ANYWAY… Let’s get to it!

The world that Kishimoto handed us is full of contradictions that we writers do a lot of contortions to make work. They have computers, which implies plastics, semi-conductors, microchips, clean rooms, micro-machining, and a whole lot of basic chemistry and physics. They have video cameras and CCTV. And they have chakra that can cause explosions, create water dragons, and heal what ought to be life-ending traumatic chest injuries using the patient’s hair. They notably don’t have gunpowder or projectile weapons, which real Japan had in the 1500s. They go everywhere on foot because who ever heard of the wheel or horses, let alone an internal combustion engine? Except wait, don’t they have trains? And wasn’t that a motorboat they took to get to the Land of Waves in Naruto’s first big mission? Yeah, so there’s that.

So here’s OUR canon: they DO have technology and scientific research. And they do have a basic understanding of a lot of the science we have. Even if we gave them only pre-industrial-revolution tech, they’d be able to do sophisticated chemistry, and as we’ve already seen, they have much more modern tech than that.

Continuing education for ninja is for all ninja, not just ANBU and not just officers. It’s a requirement, whether it be classes in practical skills like map-reading, sword combat, cryptography, field use of poisons, first aid, etc, or academic studies like history, literature, medicine, poison synthesis, engineering, and other less obviously ninja-y skills. the more academically inclined can take classes above and beyond the requirements. And those looking to specialize, like Ryouma taking medical training, obviously have a whole series of classes tailored to those specialties.

So yes, Academy kids do get science classes, although they are probably couched in ninja terms. It’s not physics, it’s calculating the trajectory of your arrow. It’s not biochemistry, it’s synthesizing ricin from castor beans. Even if they only go as far as elementary education, they’d have to have some basic math literacy.

There also has to be an army of civilian workers who do things like keep the power plants running, dispose of the garbage, grow the crops and raise the livestock, slaughter and butcher the meat, weave and dye the fabric, etc. And an associated army of merchants and traders, bankers and investors, restaurant workers and chefs, and all the other people who make a society function. And some of those people have to have scientific and engineering knowledge, or there wouldn’t be television for Naruto to watch Captain Seaweed on.

I’ve always believed there are peer-reviewed journals and academic institutions in this world. Konoha isn’t a university town, but that doesn’t mean there are no universities in Fire Country or any of the other countries. And our ninja would have access to at least some of those journals, etc.

There are definitely chemical weapons, and probably biological ones as well, if even only the crudest, medieval forms, like throwing diseased corpses into a city’s water supply. (Human history is appalling.) And there is not gunpowder. Maybe development in that line is actively suppressed. Or maybe there’s some reason that it doesn’t work, because chakra. Either way, ninja wouldn’t want civilians getting their hands on weapons that could take down the ninja’s position of absolute military supremacy.

Ninja scientists absolutely do research and development. That’s how soldier pills came about and continue to be refined and improved. That’s how new poisons and chemical weapons come about. And you bet your sweet ass the ninja want to keep control of that research and development. Just like the military runs weapons research in our world.

Sarin, in particular, was probably too modern an example, though. I should have gone with strychnine or curare or some other neurotoxin that has been known and used for centuries. But sarin is the ultimate organophosphate poison, and I’m a giant nerd who researched organophosphate poisoning for my very first ever fic (which is embarrassingly bad to my much-improved writer eyes), and it’s a great class of poison for storytelling. Plus it’s believable in the semi-tech world of Naruto. Also I have an illness that is caused by a neuromuscular junction dysfunction, and the medication I take for it, pyridostigmine, acts a lot like a weak organophosphate poison, and would make a person without my disease quite unhappy.

Um… I feel I may have wandered into the weeds a little. The point being, yes, there is science and technology in our world. Yes, Academy students get a basic science education. Yes, there is continuing education, and there are both ninja and civilian researchers. And yes, I would love to sit down with you and talk about your many questions, Worldbuilding is my one of my favorite things, and so is science and medicine. 

But of course my REAL favorite thing is thoughtful, engaged readers who ask fantastic questions.

<3 and SCIENCE, Nezu

ps: I completely agree, Ogata is a paragon. Ki’s AMAZING at writing kids and their minders.

[life-is-not-bliss]

Part one of my life blog:

Genma shuffled over, sock-footed, and patted Ryouma’s head. “I’d refuse.”

Aaaaawwww 🤩🤩😍😍

He tugged at definitely-not-his-shirt again. It itched.

The sooner they got this over with, the sooner he could go home and take a shower. And go to bed.

Or get executed, in which case his borrowed shirt wouldn’t itch anymore, either.

The logic of a sleep deprived brain is just perfect

If she thought Ryouma still didn’t believe in a future, she could arrange it.  

But he’d told Kakashi he wouldn’t sell his death cheap.

Oh my gosh all the feelings!!!! These two are just so perfect for each other!!!

“Do you believe you are too important to follow the chain of command?”

[...]

Sagara glanced at Kakashi briefly. “I already know your answer.”

This whole scene is so serious and I am feeling bad for poor Ryouma nearly falling asleep on his feet, but I had to snicker at that bit because yes he does and isn't it nice that everybody knows this :D

That was supposed to be a punishment?

Oh oh Ryouma this is just wrong on so many levels. I mean do you listen to yourself????? First the part where you explain strategies for disciplinary actions ranking from abusive to actual horror shows and then you are GLAD you get to choose torture?!

The way you (the authors not Ryouma, English is so confusing) describe this society is always so authentic, this us part of why I am so immensely invested in your stories

Even while everyone is a cute flirty power puff fluff they are still horny murder puppets... I remember the part where Shibata (?) got off on someone (most likely Kakashi) being willing to commit genocide for them

(Something along "for Konoha I would kill every innocent between X and Y" or what was it?) (Okay after remembering part of the line I am quite sure it was Kakashi - the hypocrite drama queen ("but the little girl/ dog/naruto/ insert something innocent cried!!!")

And my point is... my gosh Ryouma please become a streetworker helping kids find their way and in your freetime being part of a rock band and of course living with Kakashi and the dogs full time

Things We Cannot Win (Raidou, Genma, Kakashi, Ryouma, Sagara) — The consequences keep coming, and Ryouma and Kakashi learn to cope.

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[anbu-legacy]

IT'S A VERY DISTINCTIVE [X]! i adore everything about legacy as it is but this makes me /desperately/ want a heist mission.

I was trying to find an appropriate Leverage heist GIF, but instead I found this and spent several minutes contemplating what Kakashi and Ryouma would do if they were handcuffed together in enemy territory. 

My Sunday is immeasurably improved. 

(Also, gold star for spotting the reference!)

-- DK

[bouncyirwin]

This came at the best time ever! Thank you for making my day better and for this wonderfully crafted piece! 🙏🏼😍

A commission done for wonderful @bouncyirwin ❤