Naruto Chapter 524 – You Pissed off the Wrong Copy Ninja

Post Author: Bob

Hotdiggity, it’s Naruto chapter 524 time. So this chapter continues right off from last week’s cliffhanger where Haku has immobilized Kakashi so Zabuza can cut him down. Of course, Kakashi survives this cheap move and continues with his plan. I was expecting more of a drawn out battle between Kakashi and Zabuza before he had to be sealed, but I guess we’re pressed for time in this war with so many battles going on at once. Heck, Kakashi’s only taken down one of the Seven Mist Swordsmen so far, and already the other battles in this war are creeping in.

As I stated last week, I was expecting a different outcome with the whole Haku dies again scene. My idea was for the familiar scenario to trigger a memory inside Zabuza despite his soul being suppressed; and that he would somehow break out from Kabuto’s control momentarily and willingly stop his sword swing just before striking Kakashi. I honestly think that this would give the scene more tension and give some dignity back to Zabuza by showing that he has a will strong enough, even if for just a moment, to oppose Kabuto’s powerful Edo Tensei. By having it appear that Kakashi was cut in half by Zabuza’s blade was a nice trick to keep us on edge, but did anyone really think the great Kakashi would die in this battle against some mindless zombie swordsmen?

So anyways, I think we can all agree that Haku’s suicide block served no real tactical purpose in this situation. For one thing, since all the Edo Tensei summons are indestructible, there’s no need for one zombie to protect another since all their wounds and limbs can be regenerated. Haku should have attacked Kakashi from the rear instead of trying to shield Zabuza. Also, Kakashi demonstrated the first time this happened, that he has no problem dodging Zabuza’s blade even while carrying Haku’s dead body. So I guess the only explanation for Haku’s actions was that Kabuto was trying to psychologically stun Kakashi by recreating this horrific moment in the hopes he will let his guard down. But I guess to do this, Kabuto would have known the full details or maybe even witnessed the battle at the bridge in the Land of Waves. Kind of a creepy thought, but considering it’s Kabuto, I think it’s plausible.

So Kabuto’s little psychological warfare game backfired on him (who wants to bet this will be a continuing trend in the other battles?). Instead of weakening Kakashi, Kabuto’s perverse act of forcing Kakashi to kill two opponents he respected and honoured in memory has not only strengthened his resolve in this battle but accomplished something no other villain has been able to do to Kakashi so far as we know…. Kakashi is pissed off. Zabuza and Haku were never really villains, more like tragic heroes forced to work for the bad side due to unfortunate circumstances. We now know Zabuza only tried to kill the Mizukage because he was controlled by Madara, so here’s further proof. Now in their first encounter, Kakashi probably didn’t know these details about Zabuza. But as their battle wore on and they exchanged blows, Kakashi began to realize that there’s something more to Zabuza than the berserker killer everyone portrays him as; that “something” probably wasn’t something cheesy like ‘a heart of gold’, but more like a sense of honor and justice. Zabuza’s actions at the end of their battle proved this and Kakashi gained a lot of respect for his opponent because of it. This is explored in Kakashi’s flashback to what Naruto said to him in the aftermath of their mission in Mist country. Even though they were the enemy, Naruto’s encounter with Haku and Zabuza taught him an important life lesson that has helped shape him into the person he is today. As a side note, one can ask why did Sasuke turn out so #%$ed up even though he experienced the same life altering event… but let’s leave it at that. My point is that even though they were bitter enemies at the beginning, Kakashi still honors Haku and Zabuza’s deaths. And Kabuto perverting those honoured memories is setting off some very sensitive nerves in a normally cool and calm Kakashi.

We’ve never seen Kakashi angry before, but you can feel it building up in this chapter. I think the way he so efficiently finished off Zabuza is just the first sign of his battle prowess in Kakashi Berserk mode. Funny thing is, angry Kakashi talks and gives out orders just like normal Kakashi. For me, the sure sign that Kakashi is really pissed off is in the panel where he picks up Zabuza’s sword and tells Sai to shut up and do what he says. After seeing this side of Kakashi, I think we all know that the remaining Swordsmen don’t stand a chance. Yeah, they’re supposed to be the uber elite of all Swordsmen in the Mist’s history, but just take a look at Kakashi’s eyes when he says he’s going on a rampage.

Other things that happened this chapter:
– Neji almost gets raped by a Zetsu clone while Kiba bitches about not getting enough panel time in this story arc.
– Gaara and his army detects the approach of the group of undead kages. It might just be me, but Muu the Tsuchikage just doesn’t sound very intimidating.

Next chapter: Kakashi Wins. Flawless Victory.

But you know what doesn’t Win? The German television version of Naruto anime opening, don’t ask me why it isn’t in German.