I really liked how the Third reacted to seeing Orochimaru's handwriting, and the way his defection is going down. Extremely well done, and from Minato's PoV not so overwhelmingly obvious.

The reiteration about slaughtering the 'innocent' enemies made for some really nice tension in the chapter, as well as that trust aspect. I really can't wait to see what type of mental mindfuckery he goes through when the whole Kyuubi-is-sealed-where?! comes to light from Kushina.

 

I'm still waiting for some solid Minato/Sarutobi relationship building. Honestly they don't seem to be on great terms at the moment.

Also, I thought that Madara jumping out of nowhere to murder Midoriko was a little overblown. He doesn't have to be behind every evil deed ever committed in order to be the villain.

No, really, he doesn't.

 

See, you're assuming that Midoriko was the target. I see it rather as Madara getting more Senju material to work with, what with the whole cutting off Senju Han's arm. Kinda lampshaded by Kushina bitching out Minato for killing all those "innocent" Iwa Nin when it's clearly within his power to just beat the shit out of them. And since Madara is probably stronger than Minato at this point, it's easy to believe that if Madara didn't want you alive, you'd be dead.

On a side note, I kinda wonder if the Author has forgotten about Minato's second big important jutsu. When the hell are we gonna see a goddamn Rasengan?

 

We already saw it. I think he used it before the battle with A. But it wasn't perfect Rasengan at that time.

 

No, I realize that Midoriko probably wasn't the target, though Han does mention that she might have been in line for the Hokage spot which would put her on Madara's target list in all likelihood. I just think it's a little too much that Minato would have an axe to grind with him even before he meets him.

 

See now I'm hoping for a 'For me it was Tuesday' speech from Madara.

 

Oh shit on a shit sandwich with a side order of shit.

Shit just got real.

 

Shit's about to go down. Hard.

 

Somehow, the subtle drama that Minato's extreme reaction to Jinchchuriki creates between him and Kushina was beginning to grate on me. I was really beginning to tire of that elephant-in-the-room that everyone (including us) but Minato seems to know.

But I'm glad now that I didn't simply drop this. It just keeps getting better and better! The canon dovetail was superbly done and with an awesome cliffhanger to boot!

 

Shitfuckshitfuckshitfuck.

 

This is what my mind is full of right now.

Jesus Fucking Christ on a stick.

 

Very nice.

I've sort of lost track of where we are in the time line (Minato is 20 now?) but this was a great explanation as to why Orochimaru doesn't get annihilated by Minato and the Hokage has to show up - he's still too young.

My guess is that Minato manages to escape and informs the Hokage, who unleashes angry!Minato on poor Iwa and then goes to deal with Orochimaru himself.

Looking forward to Minato entering God mode. We now know that Oonoki is a super-badass in his own right, yet Minato managed to troll his whole army. Can't wait.

 

^ Orichimaru in the next chapter, please.

 

Minatos age is one thing I have a problem with. By the start of part 1 Kakashi is late 20s I believe. He was a jonin near the end of the war at 13. Currently he is like 7. Either the author has the ages off slightly or this war is not going to be Minato slaughters iwa and the war ends quickly.

 

I believe he is 26 at the start of Naruto. Which would put him at around 13 at the end of the war/ attack of the Kyubi. If he is 7 now then the war goes on for about 6 years, or there is a cease fire for a bit in there. I don't think 6 years is an unreasonable amount of time for a large scale war to take place.

 

I believe that Kakashi is 26 at start, 27 at Chuunin exam, and 29 at the start of Part 2 (2.5 years having passed). Currently he should be 30 in the manga, which puts him at 14 at the time of Naruto's birth.

 

Ages :
Kakashi 8.5 - Chunin
Minato 22 - Jonin
Kushina 21.5 - Chunin
Jiraiya 32.5 - Jonin
Sakumo ~ 42 - Jonin
Hiruzen 50 - Kage
With canon timeline, Mikoto is 5 month pregnant with Itachi.

 

Updated. Minato finally knows.

 

Indeed. Also, didn't like the way Orochimaru just casually manhandled him.

 

^This. I really didn't like the way this chapter played out. Despite the plausibility of a blood contract for an actual person, Minato did something similar with Madara and the Kyuubi in canon I think, reading about the main character being led around like a dog on a leash isn't fun.

And here I was looking forward to a great fight scene...