What do you guys think? I want to believe it, but something seems off. Since the end of part 1, it's been portraying Sasuke as an evil, self-illusioned vigilante seeking nothing but absolute power and destruction. I'm not saying that he doesn't genuinely intend to protect the village now, but I have a hard time seeing this new perspective last. For years, the manga has been dragging out and emphasizing the contrast between Naruto and Sasuke, and it's been at the deep heart of the plot for some time. It's also been heavily implying throughout (mainly by Itachi) that Naruto will be the one to bring Sasuke back. Also, throughout the entirety of Shippuden there has been a focus on not only Naruto's resolve and power, but on Sasuke's as well, and it just so happens that they directly contrast one another's every single time. They drift further and further apart each time without fail. It's been such a present and consistent theme throughout the story that I'm sure 90% of us have been thinking (as I have) that it would all conclude with a final fight between Naruto and Sasuke, after which Sasuke would presumably either die or get Talk no Jutsu'd by Naruto.
As much as I WANT Sasuke to be good again, I have a hard time believing that all of the constant dampening of the contrast between him and Naruto all these years will simply end abruptly with Shodaime's Talk no Jutsu. If all of the build-up of that side of the plot was for nothing, I'll be genuinely surprised. I think something will happen on the battlefield with Naruto and/or Madara and/or Orochimaru that will change him.
What are your thoughts? And while I'm at it, what do you think of Orochimaru?
As much as I WANT Sasuke to be good again, I have a hard time believing that all of the constant dampening of the contrast between him and Naruto all these years will simply end abruptly with Shodaime's Talk no Jutsu. If all of the build-up of that side of the plot was for nothing, I'll be genuinely surprised. I think something will happen on the battlefield with Naruto and/or Madara and/or Orochimaru that will change him.
What are your thoughts? And while I'm at it, what do you think of Orochimaru?