The start of this chapter is quite heavy as well. The realization that comes to Zetzu and Obito from Kakashi is well written and shocking. However, I marked this review as neutral because I am not sure why Kakashi didn't say anything to them previous to now. Given your diligent you are as a writer, and how many questions I have had throughout the story have been addressed in various chapters, there may be a logical answer to this, but I can't imagine what it is. We know that Kakashi knew Rin, and even if he does not believe that Rin is Naruto, I find it a little odd that after all this time, and as close as he is with Zetsu, he would have remained silent. Especially given he also suffered and has a clinic for abused alphas like Naruto. The parallels between Kakashi and Naruto are not often highlighted, but I find myself wondering why Kakashi did nothing for so long. He's known about Itachi for a long time. Perhaps it was his own shame, but once he confessed to Obito that he raped Naruto, he could have been open about everything. Perhaps this will be addressed, but I am curious as to why he did not say anything. It seems like a huge mistake of Kakashi's part.
When Kakashi says, "Naruto è stato addestrato bene", it reinforces the idea that he knows how much of Naruto is an act. Again, if Kakashi knew that Naruto was trained for this - and presumably Kakashi is smart enough to know Naruto is a spy - is there something else that could have kept him from coming forward? Perhaps it has to do with the settlement he made with Itachi for raping Naruto in the first place.
The fact that Obito doesn't know about Kurama makes sense to me, given his distain and hatred for the nobility. It seems to me that he would keep himself far, far from that. The fact Zetsu knows exactly who Kurama is doesn't surprise me at all. Zetsu knows everything. That's essentially his function. This may sound strange, but I also like that when Zetsu does show any type of emotional reaction that ends in violence, it is usually caused my extreme circumstances and injustice toward someone else. It's incredible that injustice is what motivates him. This also aligns with the fact he throws himself into his work as a lawyer. it's just a nice little detail.
Iruka! It's nice to see his introduction. He's a great character. It would be amazing for him to return to the story at some point, but I understand if it's not possible.
"La mia maschera era caduta." I like this line a lot because it has a lot of nuance and understanding. It's not just the mask of Kurama, but the dishonesty, and the veil between full transparency that Naruto and Obito have. In a sense, Naruto and Sasuke have a stronger relationship because - even though it took almost a year - their relationship has a stronger foundation because of the genuine honesty that Sasuke and Naruto now have with one another. Again, it's curious to see. By sharing all of this, Naruto is being open and honest with Sasuke in a way he never has with anyone else. And, I might argue that its may have been slightly inappropriate for him to tell Sasuke everything from the start. Yes, he should have said something, but this level of detail did not match their relationship.
This chapter genuinely paints Obito in a good light. He gives Naruto his own room, his own space, it's clear he took him away from Uchiha. What a kidnapping, as Itachi called it. The fact he refuses sex, the fact he forcibly puts distance between them and does not lean into the temptation is also great. I like the fact that Obito is able to stay strong in this. It shows remarkable progression for his character, given his previous actions.
The removal of the medications is interesting to me, as I like the idea that Itachi was using them as a weapon against Naruto and I suspected that perhaps he doesn't need them, or perhaps does not need as many. The ignorance he has around them also makes sense. The other critical thing that is worth pointing out here with the consistent theme of those who trauma who are too paralyzed to ask logical questions to others - about their intentions and what they want, why they are doing what they're doing. This same dynamic - Naruto refusing to ask question or communicate in a meaningful way - also leads to huge conflicts with Sasuke and why Sasuke was pushed to seek answers and comfort from Itachi, and then, subsequently Zetsu.
"Non avrei dovuto raccontartelo» sospirò. «Zetsu aveva ragione." When Obito realizes he shouldn't have told Naruto, that Zetsu was right, it felt so obvious. While I do understand that Obito likely assumed Naruto was just so in love, it's still disgusting in some way. Obito say what he wanted to see. Obito believed what he wanted to believe. I appreciate that he is trying to make amends now, but it still almost feels like too little too late.
Helping Naruto aside, I find that there is a more compelling part of Obito that is interesting. For starters, he says "«Rimedierò a tutto» mi promise." and although he is Madara's son and he has all his wealth, a fantastic position, all of that, he doesn't seem to do anything with it for anyones good. Granted, Obito is impulsive and has his own issues, so his personality is not suited to this. However, given what we know about him, I find it incredibly interesting that he doesn't ever seem to indulge in any sober reflection to get his act together and actually do more to ensure that he follows Madara. If we believe that Madara is using Itachi to force Obito to do more, then Obito genuinely needs to do better and be more present. Maybe that's what he's done since losing Naruto, but his actions in the main story also don't support that. He skips events, is belligerent, Sasuke finds him covered in blood in a bathroom after a murder (which we could debate if such violence is justified given the circumstances), and yet he seems considerate and kind to Sasuke - which really surprised me. So Obito uses the money and privilege he has for what he wants, which is fine and aligns with Obito, and the other aristocracy for that matter, but it also feels unsatisfactory because he could be doing so much more and he's not. Again, perhaps he did something in the main narrative. After all, someone planted that bomb. And Obito being the one to do it makes sense as even if everyone suspects him, he's not stupid enough to do something so obvious as to make himself the target. Right...?
I am still not sure about the soulmate thing with Naruto and Obito. There is something poetic and cathartic about lost love, and the idea of a destined love. However, I wonder if in this case it leads to so much more pain and suffering. While part of me wants to root for them, another part of me does not see them as compatible in the main narrative. After all that has happened and all that will continue to happen, can Naruto really just forgive Obito? I doubt it. I don't know that I could, but then again, we have not yet seen Naruto's truth behind the dog situation.
Strangely enough, Madara continues to fascinate me. His self control, the way he reprimands Obito for not learning better control, it's great. Part of me knows that Madara has made mistakes in the past and who knows, maybe he was involved in Rin's death. But the thing that really sticks out to me is how much I genuinely like Madara. Without knowing more about what happened to Sakura, from everything we have seen - on page - in regards to Madara, he is one of the better characters in the story. Yes, his past is an issue, but whose past isn't? Naruto's past is insanely problematic and him bringing Sasuke into the situation he is in is absolutely indefensible. That said, especially given the modern day fascination with punishing people for something they said when they were young, and for never accepting that someone can grow and change, I think the way Sakura's death changed Madara. Granted, he is not fixing the system that he is in charge of, he lets the other nobility do whatever they want, he doesn't stop Hashirama or help Naruto. He is the peak of the system and allows it. Madara is an industrial strength question mark in the story and I find myself wanting to understand more about him.
I love the way the bond is painted in this chapter, about how it seems to fill Naruto up and help him with his emotions, how it calms him down. The line "E mi stupii come una persona di solito così arrabbiata potesse contenere così tanto amore." in particular is quite beautiful. It's curious to see the way that Obito uses the bond with Naruto in this way, as we have never seen the bond used in this way before. It's incredible and beautiful to have something so powerful. The strength of an adult, who is control of their emotions, knows themself, and is able to comfort another. It's emotional. The way their emotions balance out, how it feels like a flow of water. Amazing imagery.
Leave it to Zetsu to very easily sum of the problem present in the entire narrative: "Non potrà mai esserne libero» replicò Zetsu amaro. «Non quando tutto il nostro mondo funziona così." ANd yet it is all the much more curious that Zetsu will not do anything to intervene in societies many, many issues.
Huh, so Itachi told Zetsu and Obito what I suspected, and they even use the same language that Itachi did, about not being enough. "Ci penseremo in quel momento. Magari non succederà nemmeno! Magari è tutta una stronzata inventata da Itachi!" Rather than seeing that Naruto started to go back to sex to get what he wanted to be with Obito, it seems Itachi took the ungenerous approach and said that Naruto would go back to others. And to some extent, we do see that in this chapter too. After all, Naruto does seek some relief in the servants before Obito stops it.
And I will continue to point out that I like how Obito is a foil for Itachi, how they both show love from two different perspectives. Obito asks Naruto what he wants about his body and his treatment. Itachi never really did that.
It's so nice of Madara to ruin the subsequent chapters for us: "Non mi importa che patto hai fatto con suo padre» disse gelido. «Se quel moccioso sarà di intralcio, non esiterò a riportarlo a Itachi." I m not at all surprised by this statement. he is trying to project his son, and although Madara loves Obito, and did allow for Naruto to go to Obito in the first place, I can for sure see the conflict this brings and the issues this poses for Madara, especially in relation to his goals with Obito succeeding him.
Gai genuinely made me laugh. The more characters that are introduced, the more it seems like the true Alph, beta, Omega dynamic is fading from the world. There seem to be a lot of characters that break the standard molds if you look hard enough for them in the world, which is interesting and I wonder how that will continue to develop as the story progresses. And, more importantly, how these changes come about. I also love that Gai steals from the house, showing that he is not someone they know well. It's funny and honestly, it made me laugh. Gai was a great, light hearted addition to the story.
- until next time
S |
