Funny thing you of all people mention favouritism Lol
I would be deluded if I believed myself impervious to bias.
Anyway, Naruto is going to become Hokage. I think you might be forgetting that Naruto is Shonen manga, published in no other than Weekly Shonen Jump.
As much as we would like him to, Kishimoto will likely not deviate from the regular Shonen ending where Hero finally accomplishes his goals, which mind you were stated back in chapters 1 2 & 3. Naruto is bound to become Hokage, even though I agree with that it would be a better ending if Naruto became like Jiraya, travelling the world, ensuring peace lasts as long as possible.
Perspective is key.
Shoen Manga don't always play out as straight forward as the format would imply. Desires and ambitions are often satisfied in atypical, even convoluted ways.
Further - Naruto's dream has evolved from Part 1. Hokage was a position of respect that an attention-starved Naruto desired. But his role was bigger than that, and his dreams have expanded from simply being recognized by the leaf (and bringing peace/safety to his friends) to bringing peace and stability to the entire world.
Logically speaking - any outcome that satisfies Naruto's desire to be respected and his dream to bring peace to all is consistent with the Shoen format.
Assuming there is a Shoen format. I haven't read enough Shoen manga to establish that there is such a pattern, given that the 'magazine' is a phone book of publications each week (with many releases not being regular weekly installments).
Then what is the point of arguing with me ? I said the exact same thing. Senju and Uchiha are the main players, possibly Uzumaki. If Sir Derp's theories come true that is.
Hyuga are not special, they are just like Sarutobi, Nara, and all the other Ninja clans in Konoha.
Conflict requires necessity?
The Hyuuga are just like the other clans? Perhaps. But where and how did those clans come into being? How did the chakra get from the God Tree to Fodder # 15783 who just had it stolen back (for him to die, presumably)?
What kind of a question is that ? Someone had to die eventually, it's war. It would make absolutely no sense to kill both Neji and Hinata. Too bad Neji died though
You want to argue Kishimoto's intent above, but now want to argue "it is war."
It is a story of Kishimoto's design. Why would Kishimoto select Neji to die? Sai is quite disposable yet one who could elicit the same emotional response from Naruto.
I'm pretty sure everyone was spared in the Pain invasion... Feel free to correct me if I'm wrong though.
And yet we had Hinata's dramatic scene.
The side-character re-emerges to play a direct role in shaping Naruto's resolve to end the cycle of hatred.
Hyuga as a clan were relevant to the plot once. And that was Chunin exams. As I said, if they were ever to be expanded upon it would of have had started there.
Just like if Danzo was important, he would have been expanded upon in Part 1. Or maybe at the beginning of Part 2. His character was introduced, explained, made a few appearances.... then became a central part of the plot some 200 chapters after we last saw him.
Or Kabuto. If he were important, he would have been shown as much more than a lap dog to Orochimaru all through part 1.
The reality is that a lot of characters and subjects have gone 'dormant' within the story of Naruto for a very long time, only to spring up as critical points later.
Your argument makes as much sense as: "Well, if Madara were important, we would have heard more about him by now."
This is where playing favourites comes into play Lol
Neji was relevant to the plot three times.
Hinata was relevant to the plot three times.
1. For both - Chunin exam. It once again proved to show Naruto's determination and will to change things once he becomes Hokage.
2. Neji - Sasuke retrieval arc. You can barely count it, but it is relevant to the plot...
3. Hinata - Pain Arc - Used as a plot device to finally release all the anger Naruto has built up.
4. For Both - When Neji died and Hinata stopped Naruto from giving up.
Now if we could do that with Kiba...
Selecting another Hyuuga member hardly cements your argument against the Hyuuga being relevant. Neji's destiny was to protect the Head Branch - as he did. Hinata's destiny was shared with Naruto's.
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There is blatant imagery, here.
Why have Hinata's injuries act up when Naruto's dream is in jeopardy?
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BLATANT linking of Naruto and Hinata.
For this:
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It was stated in black and white back in Part One - and has been a recurring theme since.
Neji could see that Naruto and Hinata shared the same destiny - though he could not see what that destiny was, he merely assumed it was to be a failure.
It still doesn't change the fact that the clan itself was only relevant during Chunin exams.
And when you think about it, Lee, Shikamaru, Ino, Chouji, Sai, are all part of the same group of characters and they had just as much, if not more impact on the plot then either Neji or Hinata. You are being very selective and not looking at the bigger picture.
No other case has such strong imagery or track record.
We can predict, using my theory, when Hinata will be given panel time and generally what it will consist of. In our most recent chapters - she is seen collapsing as Naruto's heart stops. That is not merely shock - that is also imagery. The effort to include her was part of the imagery established during the Chuunin Exams and hinted at in the concept art for Hinata:
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Hinata can be seen, vaguely standing in the shadow of a hill that Naruto sits upon. A classic depiction of Yin and Yang is that of sun shining on a hill - Yin being the shadow created by Yang while Yang is defined by the boundaries of Yin. All of which is in a constant state of change.
Please enlighten me then, what was the point of you bringing anything pairing related at all into the discussion ?
Unless that was supposed to be a joke, in which case; Sorry, I didn't get it.
It was an example of the course of discussion that generally occurs on the base and the types of threads that are created.
