[Manga] Chapter 354 Discussion

[Hunter]

Welcome to the weekly manga chapter discussion thread .
This thread is created early to discuss spoilers and speculation about the upcoming chapter.
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A fair warning: To those few fans who are intentionally distorting the pronounciation of any names of any characters, stop it now! You are being very insensitive toward the fans who may like a certain character. And not to mention the intentional distortion of the names get a few posters so agitated that they go on a rampage of nonsensical posting mixed with an intense session of flaming. Those of you who are baiting these posters by taking part in this particular exercise of innovative name calling of a certain character.. well, stop it. You know who you are. We are more than willing to hand out a few bans until we get through to you. Hope I have made myself clear enough.

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[Rahan]

It looks like Deidara is now wondering what Kakashi and Naruto are up to. (seems he is not going against Sasuke right now)
Konoha forms a 8 man team (consisting in the enlarged Team 7 and the former Team 8 genins) to hunt Akatsuki.

The Sasuke part didn't make much sense to me. (giving catnip to talking cats ? Either Kishimoto or the translator was on crack) Apparently, he is visiting an weapon shop that used to belong to the Uchihas. (sigh, a new weapon _again_ for Sasuke).

[0TaKu0]

For the members who have yet to read the spoiler, here it is.

Spoiler for 354 Spoiler:

There's a Konoha Military Conference.
Lots of talk from the Mangekyou Guy.
There's a proposal to form two teams in order to restrain Akatsuki.

Suddenly, someone is called.
Kakashi says "Alright, Please enter"

There's a scene change to Sasuke's group.

They've apparently headed to an old arms shop that used to be used by the Uchiha Clan.

Two talking cats appear who Sasuke gives catnip to. The two cats begin to guide them. (WTF?)

They take them to the weapons supply. The weapons supply person turns out to be a cute girl.

There's another scene change to Akatsuki.

Deidara is particularly is interested in what Konoha is up to (Particularly Naruto and Kakashi) and takes Tobi along with him. Itachi and Kisame watch this intently.

Finally, back to Konoha. An 8-man team is gathered.
It consists of Naruto, Sakura, Sai, Kakashi, and...hmmm...who are these people? Shy white-eyed girl...dog-boy...and the guy with the black glasses...sorry, I've forgotten them. (Lol, It actually says this.)

Lastly, the Jounin who helped with Naruto's training completes the 8-man squad (Obviously Yamato).

-End

Spoiler by Hexa | Confirmed by Himajin | Translated by Crush.

Ho ho~ very, very interesting. This makes me wonder who will be the ones to face Deidara and Tobi.. I mean, we need a demonstration of team 8's new abilities and jutsu's who else could they face... perhaps for a short time (obviously they face Deidara and Tobi it will be with the aid of Naruto and Co). However, even for a short time just to display their new techniques against Deidara and Tobi would be great.

Originally Posted by Rahan

The Sasuke part didn't make much sense to me. (giving catnip to talking cats ? Either Kishimoto or the translator was on crack) Apparently, he is visiting an weapon shop that used to belong to the Uchihas. (sigh, a new weapon _again_ for Sasuke).

As for the Sasuke part with the catnip to cats, it shouldn’t be too confusing, its like when you go to a very exclusive area or place that is only open to exclusive people that know the "Password". It could be, these two cats will only lead you if you do what you are supposed to do (give catnip) after, you follow them and they take you down the correct path to the weapons / arms dealer (if you do the wrong thing, your screwd). So in other words, the two cats are the "guards", the catnip is the password or, the catnip could also be a bribe to the cats (Dont forget, catnip is like drugs to cats), rather then a password (I'm guessing this was all done to give "effect" of all this being either illegal, black market / or just that its exclusive only for Uchiha). Just a guess, we will see what happens when the raw is out.

Also, I highly doubt Sasuke is getting a new weapon, his Kusanagi sword will remain. Most likely he is visiting a black market arms dealer or there wouldn’t be all the "follow the two cats ordeal", its definitely illegal / black market if not, then its only exclusive to Uchiha. None the less its more likely that Sasuke is stocking up on "Ammo" for a up and coming "War" Kunai's, Flash Bombs, Shuriken's, Wires etc...

[Sasuke_Bateman]

The more Uchiha info the better.

[ChojinLocke]

Weapons...what sort of weapons could team Snake need? I thought they were on a suicide mission against Itachi and Kisame...what is in Kishimoto's mind...cats??

And Konoha formed a 8 man party? That sounds more like a small army...And where there is a lot of people there is a lot of blood too...

Finally Akatsuki...2 people going to check things out? Let's see..from one hand we have an 8 person army...from the other hand we have a 4 person super troop...I guess right now we should be wondering WHO is going to die rather than if someone will...

good episode (if it happens to be true)

[Sasuke_Bateman]

Oh yeah...it seems this chapter will have another Sasuke fangirl perhaps .
I'm also wondering if all the memebers of team Snake will carry weapons and will they all get cool clothes to wear, because Juugo needs it badly.

The Team Konoha picked seem to be focused on tracking with Hinata, Kiba and the Great Shino. With Yamoto there this seems like i pretty strong team that will cause a lot of problems to Akatsuki. Team Snake cannot be defeated.

[Sabaku Kyu]

Finally, They're back! As expected, Team 8 is going to get featured this arc. And it looks like Kakashi will be acting as their surrogate sensei as he did for Team 10. Like someone else mentioned, this team is good for tracking, but it seems a little underpowered if they plan to actually confront and capture Itachi. I'm surprised they didn't include Gai's Team for good measure, but perhaps that's too many characters to focus on in one arc

Originally Posted by 0Taku0

Also, I highly doubt Sasuke is getting a new weapon, his Kusanagi sword will remain. Most likely he is visiting a black market arms dealer or there wouldn’t be all the "follow the two cats ordeal", its definitely illegal / black market if not, then its only exclusive to Uchiha. None the less its more likely that Sasuke is stocking up on "Ammo" for a up and coming "War" Kunai's, Flash Bombs, Shuriken's, Wires etc...

Suigetsu as well will probably rely mainly on Zabuza's sword, Juugo on the natural weapons CS gives him and Karin....well I have doubts about how much fighting she'll get to do, but she could use some weapons. But I doubt they stopped by just for Karin's sake or for minor weapons. They probably want info from the shopkeep. If this place used to be an Uchiha hangout, it might be that Itachi still stops by every now and again.

Originally Posted by ChojinLocke

Weapons...what sort of weapons could team Snake need? I thought they were on a suicide mission against Itachi and Kisame...what is in Kishimoto's mind...cats??

I'm really surprised people are so freaked out about the talking cats. They are likely summon animals and not normal cats (feline versions of Pakkun). But the fact that Sasuke just seems to carry around catnip... o_O

Originally Posted by ChojinLocke

good episode (if it happens to be true)

This one's from Himajin supposedly. 99% probability it's real

Originally Posted by Sasuke_Bateman

Oh yeah...it seems this chapter will have another Sasuke fangirl perhaps

As if there haven't been enough of those already

[Luminion Lancer]

-*Yawn* More weapons for Sasuke (as if he doesn't have enough on him as it is). Man, Kishimoto must have given Sasuke a Magic Carry bag that can hold an infinite amount of weapons (look at the Chuunin exam in his fights he always has a lot of weapons) along with a Magic Sword, Magic Seal and a Magic Eye. I am almost surprised Sasuke isn't called Solid Snake (in all honesty he can't be called that because he ain't cool enough for that title) and his arch nemesis brother is Liquid Snake .

-So Team 8 might be back? About damn time. There is a God after all. Seriously, why couldn't they have been featured earlier? What was it that they had when Naruto asked them to join when Sai was introduced? A mission? Did it take them that long to complete it or is it just Kishimoto's convenience?

[Hir0]

yes! finally more Hinata, Kiba and Shino!

Shippuuden Watchers are gonna moan about this, they're gonna be waiting for months for some of their action

[cheese no koma]

aww, all of us are getting excited about team 8's return, i do wonder what those who thought that the kishi would never give old characters screen time think, guess it pays to not lose faith.

[Sazelyt]

So Kurenai is out of the picture. Well, she was pregnant, that is something to be expected. Still, I am more than glad to see, team 8, compared to the Habis. Those are the main characters, not the water guy, not the two-faced, or not the male hunter.

But, I still do not enjoy the way Kishi is arranging those teams. Konoha sends 8-member team against Akatsuki, while we are forced to consider the Habis strong enough to fight with only 4, while the reality says they are not. I wonder, till when this exaggeration will continue.

[Nuu]

seems like it will be an intresting chap... woot for return of team 8

[Mr. Johnny 5]

Seems my prediction was for a big part true....Team Kurenai joins Team Kakashi.
But then only as a big squad.

As long as Hinata doesnt die by sacrificing herself for Naruto and admits her love things are fine with me

[Mists]

Ugh, seems like more fan service than making-sense story line. As much as I want to see the other Genins, it just doesn't make sense. Neiji does, but there are other Jounins who could possibly do better against Akatsuki, forget the doing 'normal jobs' crap, Genins can fill that area!

I wonder if we're in a place where more characters will die, hopefully with meaning this time...Kishimoto really wants to finish this manga. I have a feeling this is the last big adventure for the genins we all love. There might be 2 more major arcs after this, but probably only involving portions of the Genins but definitely Naruto, Sasuke and the leader.

Pt 2 just doesn't do it for me......it just keeps getting lamer and more cliche.

Cat nip to cats huh...perhaps the secret weapon is "Uchiha" which means fan. Or perhaps it is that little girl which some spoilers say. This almost reminds me of 'Heroes'.............................

Bleh, something new please! I'm so tempted to just stop reading but it's been just good enough to boringly watch what will happen next.

Excuse my criticism!

[Ichimaru]

Originally Posted by Mists

Ugh, seems like more fan service than making-sense story line. As much as I want to see the other Genins, it just doesn't make sense. Neiji does, but there are other Jounins who could possibly do better against Akatsuki, forget the doing 'normal jobs' crap, Genins can fill that area!

I wonder if we're in a place where more characters will die, hopefully with meaning this time...Kishimoto really wants to finish this manga. I have a feeling this is the last big adventure for the genins we all love. There might be 2 more major arcs after this, but probably only involving portions of the Genins but definitely Naruto, Sasuke and the leader.

Pt 2 just doesn't do it for me......it just keeps getting lamer and more cliche.

Cat nip to cats huh...perhaps the secret weapon is "Uchiha" which means fan. Or perhaps it is that little girl which some spoilers say. This almost reminds me of 'Heroes'.............................

Bleh, something new please! I'm so tempted to just stop reading but it's been just good enough to boringly watch what will happen next.

Excuse my criticism!

yeh that

more focus should be on the stronger journins, neji + glasses dude

the rest imo are scrubs.

[Mr. Johnny 5]

Originally Posted by Ichimaru

yeh that

more focus should be on the stronger journins, neji + glasses dude

the rest imo are scrubs.

He is one of the coolest (ex-genins) Aburame Shino!
Ok, Naruto forgot his name but that's Naruto....i expected more of you guys

[Sabaku Kyu]

Originally Posted by Mists

Ugh, seems like more fan service than making-sense story line. As much as I want to see the other Genins, it just doesn't make sense. Neiji does, but there are other Jounins who could possibly do better against Akatsuki, forget the doing 'normal jobs' crap, Genins can fill that area!

I wonder if we're in a place where more characters will die, hopefully with meaning this time...Kishimoto really wants to finish this manga. I have a feeling this is the last big adventure for the genins we all love. There might be 2 more major arcs after this, but probably only involving portions of the Genins but definitely Naruto, Sasuke and the leader.

Excuse my criticism!

They're not genins but chuunins. Two experienced jounins, two likely jounin-lvl ninja (Naruto and Sai), and four chuunins for support sounds about right for a normal S-rank mission. But considering that this is Akatsuki we're talking about, this type of mission should really be ANBU territory. But of course we knew that wouldn't happen.

Originally Posted by Mr. Johnny 5

As long as Hinata doesnt die by sacrificing herself for Naruto and admits her love things are fine with me

So, I'm not the only one who sees the possibility of something like that happening. It would be sad for Hinata fans, but it could work. Not only does it neatly tie up the problem of what to do with Hinata should Sakura become Naruto's love interest, it also makes a good situation for Naruto to receive a standard shounen emotion-fueled power up

[Suna no tate]

Originally Posted by Sabaku Kyu

They're not genins but chuunins. Two experienced jounins, two likely jounin-lvl ninja (Naruto and Sai), and four chuunins for support sounds about right for a normal S-rank mission. But considering that this is Akatsuki we're talking about, this type of mission should really be ANBU territory. But of course we knew that wouldn't happen.

Yup. ANBU territory. It'd be a real shame if another konoha nin died, though in reality, its about time for another death.

Originally Posted by Sabaku Kyu

So, I'm not the only one who sees the possibility of something like that happening. It would be sad for Hinata fans, but it could work. Not only does it neatly tie up the problem of what to do with Hinata should Sakura become Naruto's love interest, it also makes a good situation for Naruto to receive a standard shounen emotion-fueled power up

Love? What is this thing you speak of? I thought naruto was completely over sakura. I mean, since the timeskip, I don't think he's said or done even one thing that indicates he still is all googly* inside over her

*googly being a scientific term, that is in my country, which is america.

[Sabaku Kyu]

Originally Posted by Suna no tate

Love? What is this thing you speak of? I thought naruto was completely over sakura. I mean, since the timeskip, I don't think he's said or done even one thing that indicates he still is all googly* inside over her

Me and 0Taku0 had a debate about this awhile ago. Basically, Naruto has shown several times post-timeskip that he probably still has a crush on Sakura (asking her out on dates, enjoying it when he's injured and she offers to help nurse him) but doesn't pursue her as strongly as he did when he was in the academy. That's understandable seeing as how Naruto has far bigger things to focus on these days. But more importantly, there are the hints of Sakura's growing feelings for Naruto, which aren't blatantly romantic, but are much improved over what they used to be.

*googly being a scientific term, that is in my country, which is america.

Ah. I see.

[Ulquiorra]

Yeah it's fanservice and Team 8's hype is due to the fact that they haven't been seen in like 8,000 chapters. They are well behind Team 7, Team Gai, Team 10, and Team Sand in importance. But it's good to get their appearance out of the way so all the teams have now done something in Part 2. I don't see them doing anymore than Ino/Chouji. But get ready for the NaruHina wank.

I am not even getting into the talking cats and magic Uchiha weaponshop run by a hot girl.

I am just curious with a large group of Konoha ninja if Kishi might kill one of them off? If Asuma could get punked by someone like Hidan, then it stands to reason the better Akatsuki should be doing some major damage. If Team 7 and Team 8 walk out of this intact it makes the Akatsuki seem even weaker. I don't see anyone from Team 7 dying. Not yet. Shino? Who cares. Kiba? Would have about the same impact as Chouji dying. Hinata? Bingo. A long death scene confessing her feeling to Naruto. But Kishimoto would never do it.