WIP - "Worth Dying For" by Shadow Rebirth - T - Naruto

[Jarik]

It was way better than trying another redo of the Wave arc. Haku and Zabuza are great characters to include. Authors either just redo the Wave arc, or in an attempt to be unique, ignore them completely. Seeing those two in a completely different mission was very interesting.

I love the way they are stuck doing boring surveillance for so long, but as soon as they see something as 'dull' as a single ninja enter the village, it's suddenly all action. Also interesting to see how being stuck without speech has payed off.

[Jarik]

So there's been quite a few updates since I commented last, and I have to say, this is going to the next level.

The way this fic handled Naruto's first berserker moment was amazing. I've never seen a fic deal with it like that - a complete black out from Naruto, and then him waking up later to see the aftermath. His interactions with his team in the aftermath were great - they do accept him, but at the same time are terrified and wary, with Sasuke completely lost in his own trauma of being the one who blew Naruto's head off.

The interaction between Gaara and Naruto was the most unique take I've ever seen on that as well. That sense of mild awkwardness and discomfort despite Naruto having being ripped to pieces several times in a row is a million times more interesting than the usual uplifting scenes of Naruto sympathizing with him, or beating him into friendship.

The scene with Kyuubi was great too. Naruto didn't pull out his complete disregard for fear and start insulting the Kyuubi, or become best friends with it, or anything like that. He was completely terrified and only mustered courage due to his theory that it was a genjutsu test by Danzo.

The narrative in this is still one of my favourite in the fandom. It's rare you see a smart and cynical Naruto like this who is still written with flaws, self esteem issues and not overpowered.