[Discussion] Naruto and Sasuke: A Contradictory Story?

[NaruSasuRival]

When reading a story, it is sometimes interesting to try to understand the mindset of the writer. This is something I try often, especially with Japanese manga story. In Naruto manga, I have noticed something weird about the roles of Naruto and Sasuke, and I sincerely hope Kishi will someday explain his choice of Naruto's character. However, while waiting for him, I have noticed the following:

(1) Naruto's character embodies the notion of the existence of a God who is the only supreme being who has the answer to everything and therefore should be given the authority to make decision for everybody. Naruto, for that reason, also incorporate the notion of faith, and hope. While, you may think I invented Naruto's embodiment of God, you will think twice after reading the following.

(2) Sasuke's character on the other hand is merely a human being being controlled by the event that occurs around him. Unlike Naruto who seems to have something innate in him that always beat the event around him, Sasuke is always changed by the event riding on one confusing state to another.

To make the above more clear, notice the following:

- Sasuke as Uchiha, have learned almost all the history of the Shinobi from the stone tablets from one stage of the Sharingan to another.
- Sasuke has learn the entire history of the leaf from Tobi aka Obito
- Sasuke has learned certainly beat of Konoha from Orochimaru
- Sasuke has heard all the Hokage before Tsunade, and obtained the other sides of the Leaf story besides the Uchiha
- Itachi also gave a detail version of the history to Sasuke.

Very opposed to Sasuke is Naruto. Officially, he has not been told anything detailed except the event of his parent death by Kushina and Minato's chakras inside him.

From the above, one question arises:

Why Isn't Naruto, the savior given the history of the Shinobi? Why Sasuke seems more informed that Naruto? What is Kishi's message in these choice?​

Well, I don't have any definitive answer. Thus, I chose to consider the themes and origin of Kishi's story. The minute Kishi brought the idea of reincarnation, it became clear. Unlike Ashura who is legendary a demigod, Indra is actually a god who has embrace ignorance of human life. Thus, while Ashura was ascending to godship during all his previous reincarnation, indra was falling from a state of god to mere human. This may explain while Naruto has more innate wisdom while Sasuke seems pretty dumb as far as their interpretation of life is concerned.

This is what I think: Naruto has been enlighten while Sasuke is falling.

Give your thoughts, and tell us any contributing or opposing analysis.

 

[Mellow]

because all narutos life they hid shit from him.

 

[FoxesInWonderland]

That's an interesting perspective.

 

[BLAZE]

Still no answer about so called world peace and wiping out Hatred

 

[patrickscott]

It's plausible. Very interesting indeed.

 

[6thHokage]

Stop riding Naruturd's d

 

[RedShadow]

I think I sense a flame war....

 

[Reboryushon]

Cool topic.

From my point of view..

Naruto learned from Jiraya.
Naruto learned from Pain.
Naruto learned from Obito.
Naruto learned from Madara.
Naruto learned from his own experiences, just like Sasuke.

Sasuke is part of the cycle of hate. He feels that hate is the answer, the power he achieved was only possible by feeling hate itself therefore it is the only thing he knows. (Karin reaction when she feels sasuke chakra is darker than ever is a hint towards this)

Naruto is enlighten, he knows the correct path while Sasuke is lost. The message might be that hate is a never ending cycle, the ones that hate or are caught in its vicious cycle never find the answer because they are lost.

Somehow Naruto might be above hate.

 

[Trea]

I think Naruto learns from instinct, emotions, by his friends and comrades actions, reactions and experiences. He doesn't have to go through things twice to learn the lessons. Naruto also has empathy for people and feel bad about what other people go through.

Sasuke might have heard the history from many more people than Naruto has, but he seems only capable of pulling the things out of those lessons that personally affected him. It's like the rest of what he heard didn't exist if it didn't affect him or his clan. Sasuke has always only thought about how things affect him.

Sasuke has not shown the capacity for empathy since the time he got upset with Sakura for saying something stupid about Naruto when they were in the academy. Sasuke is easily controlled by events and the influence of other people. Which is where all of this anger and hatred comes from. Personally, I think he hates himself for having killed the only person who truly loved him. He's trying to make up for that by aiming that hatred at the system, the kages, Naruto and the tailed beasts.

The whole point of the story is that they are opposites and Sasuke will keep falling until Naruto convinces him to give up the cycle of hatred. That's what the sage is hoping for. That Naruto, who is so good at understanding people's emotions, will be able to get Sasuke to connect to his emotions again.