Hi all, this is my first post, but I've been reading the prediction threads for awhile...its finally gotten to the point that I just can't not speak anymore!!
First of all, I want to defend Naruto. Its seems there are several people who feel Naruto is, at this point, a little bit weak. And yes, he did hyperventilate a few chapters ago. But I think the guy deserves a little more credit. In the last few months (which cover a rather short timespan in-universe), Naruto has had five (Raikage, Madara, Sakura, Sai, Gaara) rather deep conversations, with many revelations, all about Sasuke. These conversations occur back to back, with little time in between for Naruto to process what has been happening. He is having a rather difficult time reconciling Sasuke's decisions with the information he has discovered. Naruto is at his lowest point right now. His whole image of team seven is shattered. I know I would be hyperventilating and passed out on the floor if it was me. I am glad to finally see physical evidence of Naruto's pain...he usually does an extremely good job of hiding his pain behind a smile, to the point that even those close to him forget how much pain he is in (witness Kakashi, Yamato and Sai thoughtlessly talking about who should go after Sakura and who should return to the village instead of comforting him, even though he is clearly distressed). In fact, I will be disappointed if this hyperventilating does have something to do with Itachi's gift. Naruto deserves a weak moment as much as anyone else,and I think anything else would almost cheapen Naruto's pain. He is human too. Hopefully, Naruto will soon begin to come to terms with all of this, and get a little more positive. He has some very important decisions to make...decisions which may shape the entire future of the ninja world.
On that note, I must also briefly defend Sasuke. While I am not a huge fan of his character, I recognize he is a necessary evil. No matter how much anyone dislikes him, or thinks he gets too many powerups, Sasuke is not going anywhere, and those powerups will keep coming. Why? Sasuke is Naruto's foil, his opposite in every way. Through Sasuke, Naruto's strengths and weaknesses become even more apparent. Naruto and Sasuke are both faced with the choice to avenge; Sasuke chooses revenge over bonds, Naruto the opposite. Sasuke is a genius; jutsu come easily for him (hence all the powerups). Naruto has to work a little harder at it, though his end results are usually just as good if not better than Sasuke's. Their bond is an important keystone in the main plot of the story. They are the embodiment of the bloodfeud between Uchiha and Senju (which is becoming incredibly important), and they will be the ones to settle it one way or another. I do not think Sasuke is going to die until the very end of the manga, if he dies at all. I still have hopes, for Naruto's sake, that Sasuke will be redeemed. As such, while I am not sure that Sasuke is strong enough to defeat Danzo...he's not gonna get completely creamed.
I really dislike Danzo though, so I kinda hope Sasuke does do him in. I doubt it will happen though. Danzo is an extremely dangerous character, both to Naruto and to Akatsuki. His abilities mean he could potentially control Naruto...which nobody wants to happen. He possesses both the Shodai's powers and the Sharingan, both of which have proven effective at tempering the power of the kyuubi...I fear what may happen if Naruto meets Danzo in battle.
As for Izanagi...I am not entirely convinced that the closing of the eyes is linked to 'lives' similar to Kakuzu's hearts (though the idea certainly has merit). The manga does clearly state that there is some secret behind them closing, and the sharingans on the arm clearly have something to do with the jutsu. However, on page 14, Karin states that the 'third eye is still closed' - this suggests that only three eyes were closed...has Danzo not been 'killed' 5-6 times now? And also, I'm fairly sure there is at least one point where a closed eye opens, though I haven't the energy right now to go back and try to find it. The way I see it, Danzo's jutsu (presumably Izanagi) is a jutsu which consumes a large amount of chakra and makes him virtually invincible. While the jutsu is activated, he cannot be killed. The attacks seem to miss him, or he quickly 'reforms' in a new place. I don't think anything beyond that can be concluded about it at this point.
Anyway...I'm glad to have gotten all that off of my chest. I'm sorry its so long! I enjoyed this chapter, and I am looking forward to the next!!