Post Author: Bob
Hi folks, miss me? That two week lapse seemed like forever, but Naruto chapter 469 is out so let’s get at it. I was quite impressed Kishi managed to cram four separate scenes into one chapter, it’s not an easy thing to do I assure you but Kishi must be keen to keep the reader’s attention on all fronts. Of course, as the title of this chapter (Sakura’s Confession) implies, Sakura steals the show with her Oh-so-bold statements to Naruto. But although I get what she’s trying to do, I have to say that in the end she’s just digging a bigger hole for herself. And I’m not just saying this as a bona fide HinataxNaruto supporter — Sakura’s whole “confession” of love just seemed so very artificial that even someone as dense as Naruto picked up on it.
I don’t want the Sakura business stealing this entire blog post, so let’s talk about the other parts of this chapter first. First off, Kisame vs. Killerbee barely progressed at all – it only received a one-page treatment in 469, but can anyone say Ponta-burgers? That darn racoon (it’s a tanuki, technically) is going to get himself killed charging someone as insanely strong as Kisame. Maybe if Ponta gets pwned, the so-called enka-ninja will get serious and show Kisame his moves.

Well, it looks like my speculation about Ao being in league with Danzo was just that, speculation. Too bad, it would have made for a pretty interesting plot twist. Right now, I have no idea what Danzo might be planning because surely he must do something soon or be voted out of office as the shortest lived Hokage. But before that he has Fuu deal with the pest following them. Fuu’s little mind transfer trap was pretty ingenious, I can’t honestly think of anyone being able to avoid something like that unless they knew exactly what kind of trap it was. Even though Ao falls for the trap, he does seem to know what kind of jutsu it is and calls it a cursed seal variant of the mind transfer technique. What’s with Ao, he seems to be able to identify any kind of jutsu thrown at him, is he some kind of walking ninjutsu encyclopaedia?
Anyways, the jutsu in question is undoubtedly based on the Yamanaka clan’s version. I wouldn’t be so surprised if Fuu himself has some Yamanaka blood in him. My question is: couldn’t have Ino have learned something like this instead of her lame version that requires the target to remain for the mind transfer to succeed? Now that Fuu has Ao exactly where he wants him, I wonder what he will do with Ao’s body. Danzo ordered Fuu to retrieve Ao’s Byakugan, but I doubt he can just gouge it out. My guess is that the old rule about the mind transfer jutsu still holds true: that any harm done to Ao’s body will be done to Fuu’s body as well. These kind of fights that rely on pure tactics reminds me a lot of Shikamaru’s old battles. I hope we have more of these in the future, they’re very entertaining.
As for the talk between the kages on the new alliance, I don’t have too much to say. I was more leaning towards Gaara as the new leader; and maybe even the Mizukage. I did find Mifune’s argument for the Raikage’s nomination kind of flawed. Sure he is a lot calmer now that he knows Killerbee’s safe, but what happens if his brother is in danger again (like right now)? I just don’t know how stable a guy is when he’s willing to sacrifice his left arm to beat a ninja with a chip on his shoulder who happens to be 20 yeas younger than him. As for the Tsuchikage, all I have to say is that he and Danzo must have been cut from the same cloth, but at least he is willing to concede for now.
And now for the meat of this chapter. I wasn’t expecting Sakura to just confess outright when she first finds Naruto, and in front of everyone too. That should be the first clue that something isn’t right here. I’m no idealistic romantic, but I feel that the first confession of love between two people should be just that: between two people and nobody else. You have all the time to advertise it to the world later on: dates, engagements, weddings; so there’s no need to make a big deal of it here. Also, Sakura is kind of cornering Naruto here and forcing him to respond to her in front of their friends and peers. This tells me she didn’t really think this through before coming here, and instead is doing this in a desperate attempt to fix the guilt she feels for making Naruto promise to bring Sasuke back to her. This whole “confession” feels like it was more for her own benefit than Naruto’s, like she’s trying to convince herself to get over Sasuke. And besides, why bring up your ex so much while trying to make a love confession? That just totally ruins the mood. I’m glad Naruto picked up on this — no way is he going to play second fiddle to Sasuke when Sakura is clearly not over him yet. Sakura is confused right now and letting her emotions getting the better of her judgment. I would say she was just trying to set things right with Naruto by having a rebound relationship, but was there even a relationship between she and Sasuke in the first place other than a one-sided one? I could go on with this, but I’ll leave it there. I still do think Sakura definetly has some genuine affection for Naruto, but this “forced” confession was not the right way of expressing those feelings. I was really hoping for a more genuine moment from Sakura, but she let me down here
Here’s hoping she comes clean and speak more from her heart in chapter 470.
BTW, loved Rock Lee’s reaction on page 9, but why is Yamato reacting like that?? Lol @ Kakashi’s expression throughout the whole scene: total indifference – he must have a lot experience with the ladies ;p