The joke about Mizukage's bad hearing is getting old really fast... At least now we know she's a Godaime too. Coincidence?

 

Is Danzou really crippled or is he an actually real ninja using deception to make people underestimate him? Besides that little bit this chapter was pretty good but it got nothing on the new OP chapter:awesome

 

They have Viking Samurai Stormtroopers of doom. How awesome is that? :awesome

 

Yes.

The villages were founded roughly around the same time, so it's not surprising that having been around the same amount of time, they've had the same amount of leaders.

 

Pretty freaking awesome.

 

This times three.

Other than that, though, I don't really like how Kishimoto has been barraging us with new characters and countries these last few chapters. I would feel better about it if he actually showed more story instead of the stream of snippets, because some of this stuff has the potential to be pretty cool. It feels unnatural and clunky - and it kinda reminds me of some of the bad fanfics I've read in my time.

Seriously, where the hell did Konohamaru pop up from this chapter? Kishi isn't showing enough of what's going on elsewhere in his haste to get to the Kage summit, and I think these recent chapters have suffered for it.

 

As the ultimate Nagato fanboy, I have to say that I believe that Nagato was far less self-assured than he presented himself to be. That's why he came up with the whole "God" persona - so that he could prevent himself from second guessing his decisions. It was a partial case of lying to himself, and believing his own lies.

In his talk with Naruto he hinted very strongly that he would welcome a better course of action, but had come to the conclusion that such a thing didn't exist.

Let me be clear though: Nagato was very committed to bringing the world closer to peace and preventing the sort of life that he himself lived in others. It's also pretty clear that he didn't have a "dark" personality, but was pushed to being destructive despite his empathetic nature.

For a man like him, it was probably a relief to be able to put his faith in someone as idealistic as Naruto.

 

I don't know about you guy's but isn't it a little funny how Naruto has is face bandaged up sorta like Danzo. Leads me down some probably incorrect lines of thought. Namely that Naruto beats Danzo to the conference and is mistaken for him . . .

Not bloody likely, but with Kishi . . .

Other than that, Danzo's invisible arm FTW!

Who is the Kage for Ame? Konan?

EDIT: Ramble much, I do.

 

No no no, you've got it all wrong. Next chapter it'll be revealed that Naruto NOW HAS THE SHARINGAN TOO.

 

Na, wrong formula. Sasuke (and other evil villains), by character default, must have mad cheat skills to lord over the hero.

Sasuke's theme song: "Anything you can do, I can do better! I can do anything better than you . . ."

 

Ame is not one of the 'Great Five', and thus has no Kage. Same with Oto - Orochimaru wasn't a real Kage.

 

And the power of friendship will bring him back to Konoha.

hmm interesting I seem to coughing blood.

 

About time Kishi showed some awesome Samurai. Seriously, why is it that in a world of chakra used by ninja and monks, samurai are never depicted using it? It makes no sense for them not to! Granted that we don't see them often in the manga, the ridiculous downplay of the samurai chakra "potential" in fanfiction disturbing and downright illogical.

If I were a Daiyamo with enough money, I'd pay to get my samurai chakra training. And just as there is a sword style for sword using ninja (Dance of the Cresent Moon by Hayate) there must be plenty that samurai could learn.

Seriously downright stupid!

 

It's only a matter of time before Naruto gets the sharingan. He'll meet Sasuke at the Kage summit who will naturally refuse to come back to Konoha upon hearing the begging from idealistic boy, rewarding Naruto with a quick Tsukuyomi for his efforts. While in the wonderful world the power given to him by Itachi before his death will awaken and low and behold SHIRANGAN!NARUTO.

 

I'm a bit curious about this. Orochimaru once said that a ninja is defined as a person who uses ninjutsu, which leads me to believe that a samurai doesn't use ninjutsu.

While I have no doubt that the samurai are certainly great warriors and can use chakra for speed/strength, what's the real difference?

I still like my rape-baby!Kushina theory better.

 

I believe Kishimoto said at one point he didn't want to write a Samurai vs Ninja manga, and that's why samurai only have a minor mention in the series. It's likely there are many samurai who have some skill in ninjutsu, and are even be able to match a ninja in a 1v1 fight, but we will never see them.

I think the real difference between the two warrior types though is honor, not ninjutsu.

 

You say that like ninja have no honor, but in Konoha, at the very least, that is a fallacy for the most part.

 

Regarding Samurai, I like the fanon idea that a lot of samurai are washed out genins, former ninjas, and other people with cursory knowledge of using chakra.

I don't remember the story(s) this theory is presented in, but it does make some sense. We know that in Konoha, only about 9 genins pass graduate each year from the academy (could be even lower if they fail their Jonin's test), so what do the failures do with themselves?

After committing themselves to being a ninja for what, 6-7 years?, I find it difficult to believe that they would just give it up and become a civilian. It seems much more likely to me that they would then turn to being a mercenary, samurai, or some other combat role.

This way samurai aren't just civilians who know how to use a sword. Sure, they'd get wtfpwned by most ninja, but they could be a threat in great enough numbers or if they got the jump on you.

 

Shinobi Wars by Geor Sama, its currently my favorite fanon idea in regards to Samurai too.

 

While I realize that Naruto himself isn't exactly the best example, I'm pretty sure they just, you know, try again next time. Also, only about 9 genin graduate because of the jounin exam. From my understanding, pretty much everyone actually passes the academy standard exam.