Naruto 131
Topic: Naruto
We now enter part three of Sasuke's angsty backstory. Sauke goes into town and finds his aunt and uncle dead. Concerned about his parents, he goes home to find them dead too. Then he sees Itachi. To his surprise, Itachi's the evil one. He greets Sasuke by assaulting him. He explains to Sasuke that he has to learn the Mangekyou Sharingan to be a challenge to him. To do so, he needs to kill his best friend. Once Sasuke knows it he'll be a worthy test but at the time being he's not even worth killing. He knocks him out and Sasuke wakes up in a hospital the next day. He hears talk that he and his brother are the last survivors of his clan and Itachi's missing. He goes into town and keeps thinking about the way it used to be. However, now it's in ruins. While throwing stones into the water, he sees Itachi?s reflection and angrily dives in. In present time, he sees tells Naruto that they?re best friends so he has to kill him. Alright, despite the fact that Everyone basically knows this part of Sasuke?s backstory (well, most of it) it?s always powerful to watch again. I feel really bad for him. The poor boy doesn?t deserve this. Now that he?s become Itachi 2, he?s spreading the chain of hatred. As Sasuke was during that time, Naruto?s obviously confused and hurt. One can only wonder what Sakura is feeling now. I?m looking forward to seeing more of Naruto and Sasuke?s fight.

TL-chan Presents: 4 Signs to Tell if You're an Angst Master (scroll over the images to learn)

Naruto 130
Topic: Naruto
Naruto has a plan to beat Sasuke. He?s going to use his spirit of the ninja. However, that might not be able to compare to Sasuke?s raw strength now. We then return to flashback mode. As chibi Sasuke lays in bed, he contemplates tat something seemed different about Itachi?s Sharingan. He?s also concerned about the relationship between Itachi and his father. Sasuke?s father asks him how his classes are and he replies that they?re boring because he?s always the best. Therefore, he teaches him a new move. Sasuke?s glad that his father?s finally taking notice of him, but then he comments that he?s not as good as Itachi. When he can properly use the Katon technique, then he?ll be considered an adult. As he practices the Katon Goukakyuu no Jutsu, he gradually makes it bigger. He briefly goes back home and his mother bandages his face but then it?s time for some more serious training. After getting better, He asks his father for a second chance. He eventually persuades him to watch and creates his biggest fire yet, but his father just turns around and walks away. However, this time he says ?As expected of my child? and tells Sasuke that he did well. He tells him to proudly wear the family crest and continue to improve. Sasuke smiles. He also warns him not to follow his brother's path. Some time later, Sasuke is talking to his mother. He asks if his father just sees him as a replacement for his brother. His mother disagrees, but he doesn?t believe her. His mother then explains that because his father is in charge of the whole clan he always focuses on Itachi, the older one who the responsibilities will eventually fall to. However, when he?s with her he only talks about Sasuke. Sasuke goes to train a bit. In hopes that he?ll sur-pass Itachi. The next day, he asks Itachi to teach him some new moves. When he declines, Sasuke comments that he always treats him like a burden. Itachi tells him they can train next time and flicks his forehead. Sasuke mentions that Itachi?s ?next times? never come. However Sasuke?s glad that Itachi?s still the same. He then notices the Uchiha symbol that Itachi destroyed, which makes him angst some more. While his mom makes lunch, Sasuke asks his father if there?s more then one type of Sharingan. His father tells him it?s too early to use the Sharingan, so Sasuke brings up the fact that he?s his child. His father then explains that there is another type called the Mangekyou Sharingan. There?s special requirements to learn it though. Sasuke wonders what his father thinks about his relationship with his brother. He asks why his brother doesn?t care about him. His father says it?s because he doesn?t like to interact with other people. Sasuke realizes that his father really wants to get close to Itachi but can?t. His mother lightens the mood by giving him his lunch so he can go to training. Sasuke runs there happily, knowing that his father doesn?t hate his brother. Sasuke thinks about Itachi?s achievements and plans to beat them. Getting to normal time again, a very Itachi-like Sasuke mocks Naruto and violently beats him. Another great episode. The more I get to see of Sasuke? past, the more it hurts to see him the way it is now. Even knowing what his past was like, I still find it hard to believe that Sasuke would become so evil. The insight on his father is interesting too. As of last week, I hated the cretin for the way he treated Sasuke. Now I understand more about him and don?t dislike him anymore. He?s got quite a lot of problems of his own. While he?s growing on me, I?m gradually beginning to dislike Itachi. Not only is he the cause of all the family problems, but he doesn?t seem to have an inch of goodness in him. Though Normally I sympathize with his type of character greatly, I feel no sympathy for him. However, I have a great deal of sympathy towards Sasuke now. I really hope I don?t lose it.

Naruto 129
Topic: Naruto
More of the temporary shortness. I apologize for this. Naruto is getting his butt kicked by Sasuke, who?s not even using the Sharingan. Soon the episode shifts to Sasuke?s past with Itachi. Little Sasuke is happy that his father will be with him when he begins classes the next day. However, he says that he can?t come because he wants to see Itachi become a member of ANBU after his mission. Itachi says that he?ll go, annoying their father. He explains that they?re required to have a relative at the ceremony so his father decides to go. While at school, everyone expects Sasuke to do well because Itachi was their best student ever. He does do quite well and becomes the best in his class, but he?s angered that his father doesn?t give him the same recognition as he gives Itachi. Meanwhile, Itachi does get into ANBU. However, he?s gradually becoming a darker person. Sasuke notices this and is concerned. Back at the battle, he plans to use Sharingan. I really enjoyed this episode. It was sad and angst. Also, it gave some interesting background on Sasuke and Itachi?s past. I really like the brotherly relationship between them. Sure they both turn out to be insane, but their innocent days were just so cute. I feel really bad for Sasuke though. His father was such a jerk. Next, they?ve finally changed the OP and ED themes. The new OP is alright. It reminds me of the fourth OP, Go. I like the ending much more though. It was a pretty song with a pretty animation. The only problem is, it implied NaruSaku a bit too much. I?d much rather SasuSaku or NaruSasu.

Naruto 127-128
Topic: Naruto
Kimimaru thinks that he has the advantage against Gaara, but he uses sand to protect himself. Lee wants to fight too, but is easily launched away by Kimimaru?s tail. He?s okay though because Gaara?s sand protected him. He realizes that he?s too weakened and only n the way. Kimimaru rips out his spine (eww? he?s still so skeivy) and uses that and some freaky thick arm bone against Gaara. Gaara simply increases his shield. Meanwhile, Orochimaru and Karuto discuss Kimimaru?s condition. Kabuto says that the only thing he really knows is that Kimimaru was the last surviving member of the Kaguya clan. Orochimaru mocks the clan and explains that he needed Kimimaru due to his powerful bloodline. Back at the battle, Lee believes that Gaara?s shield is impenetrable, however Kimimaru continuous chipping away at it. He?s unable to destroy it though. However, he says that he won?t lose even though he?s dying from his illness because he?s not alone. He thinks of his precious Orochimaru. In his flashback, Orochimaru talked to him about how he?s an ideal container for him. Kimimaru agrees with this. (Freak!) He also gives him a gift- Sakon, Tayuya, Jiroubu and Kidoumaru. They?re not happy about it and attack him, but Kimimaru easily defeats them. Gaara seems a bit disturbed that he believes Orochimaru is so great and continues attacking him. He?s low on chakra but uses the rest of it to continue dominating the fight. Kimimaru sinks completely under the sand. Lee?s happy that Gaara won, but Gaara still looks uncertain. Kimimaru?s bones then pop back out of the ground. Gaara saves himself and Lee from the launching bones. Still underground, Kimimaru does some angsting. He has flashbacks about invading some of the villages and killing all the people there with the rest of the Sound ninjas. He?s really weakened from his sickness though. Feeling completely useless, he no longer wants to live. Back in present time, thinking of Gaara?s comments anger him but Orochimaru?s give him hope. He wants to find the truth of the world with Orochimaru. Gaara tells Lee that Kimimaru is defeated but he?s reached his limit as well. This is just the wrong time for Kimimaru to make his triumphant return. He states that Orochimaru didn?t brainwash him and aims his arm bone straight at Gaara?s eye. However in the process of doing so, Kimimaru dies and Gaara is spared. Orochimaru could care less about his minion?s death. His biggest concern now is Sasuke. Gaara and Lee sit together in front of some trees. Gaara is disappointed that they would?ve lost. Lee disagrees, pointing out that Gai says that luck is also part of strength. Gaara calls Gai a busybody, which gets Lee annoyed. He thanks Gaara for saving him but yells at him for how he talks about Gai. Gaara says that Lee?s the same as Kimimaru since he becomes angry when the one whom he admires is insulted. Gaara also compares them to Naruto. He says that the person important to you isn?t always good. Even if you know they?re evil you?ll still like them just because loneliness is too strong. Naruto finally catches up with Sasuke. The two are on top of statues of two opposing ninjas. Naruto asks Sasuke if he?ll run away, getting him to turn around. He now has a curse seal on his face and his left eye is mutated. He calls Naruto a clumsy idiot. Naruto remembers what Sakura told him about her need for him to bring back Sasuke. Sasuke tells Naruto like he told Sakura to not concern himself with him anymore. He then continues mocking Naruto and laughing evilly. Naruto thinks about his past relationship with Sasuke and asks him why he became like this. Sasuke responds by asking what it matters to him. He says that he?ll follow his own path and nobody should tell him what to do. He?s nolonger going to associate with Konoha so he tells Naruto to go home. Naruto tells Sasuke about the sacrifices of his friends, but he still doesn?t care. This gets him quite angry, so he jumps at Sasuke and tackles him. They continue arguing, which inevitably leads to a fight. Unlike in their last battle, Naruto doesn?t want to fight him. Unfortunately for him, Sasuke starts choking him. After throwing him into the water with incredible force, he realizes the great power that he got from Orochimaru. He wonders how strong he?d get with the full curse seal. Naruto has a bit of angst about the changed Sasuke. He then comes out of the water to continue the fight. Sasuke sends him flying right back in and steals his kunai. He tells Naruto that his dream lies in the past and no longer exists. He then enters flashback mode. He was watching Itachi train and was amazed at his skill. He?s about to try the same, but Itachi tells him they have to go home because of an important mission. Sasuke?s annoyed at him for lying and starts practicing anyway. You don?t see the results, but he somehow winds up twisting his ankle. Itachi carries him home and they discuss Sasuke?s excitement about going to the academy. Present day Sasuke starts throwing kunais at Naruto. He then uses kunais and string to tie him to a rock. He tells Naruto again that he doesn?t want a future with any of them and sends a huge blast of fire at him. Naruto one hour specials tend to rock and this one was no exception. It makes you feel sympathetic for Kimimaru and really despise Orochimaru. I can?t believe Kimimaru would show so much devotion for someone who finds him so expendable. I was rather sad when he died, because ugly as he was I was growing attached to him. I really liked the part about Sasuke and Itachi. It was just so cute. I can?t believe that Itachi became so evil. The scary thing is that Sasuke?s becoming just like him. I know he wants revenge, but his method of obtaining it is stupid. It he wants to stop his brother, he should do it with his own strengths, not Orochimaru?s. Due to manga spoilers, I know that he won?t be saved anytime soon, but I?m hoping that Naruto (or anybody else) can return Sasuke to the way he used to be. It?s scary to see that adorably innocent kid forgetting his dreams and becoming a killer. I?m looking forward to the Naruto vs. Sasuke arc, but the preview told us nothing. It was quite funny though.

Naruto 126
Topic: Naruto
Garra sees Lee dripping blood and remembers when they fought. He tells him that he?ll fight Kimimaru. Le wants Gaara to be his backup, so Gaara makes him trip and tells him that he can?t fight n his condition. Lee agrees and warns Gaara about Kimimaru?s bone attacks. As the battle begins, Kimimaru attempts to figure out Gaara?s strategy while Gaara proceeds to kick his but. After incasing him in sand, he comments toi Lee that Kimimaru has the same eyes as Sasuke, eyes that wish to prove the worth of their existence. Naruto continues chasing after Sasuke and walks into a cave. Inside, he discovers a vision of his childhood where he runs away from people who see him as the nine tails and he trips. In reality, he falls as well and Sasuke continues running. (Okay, that made no sense at all). Then we learn about Kimimaru?s past. He?s sitting in a dungeon cell in the darkness where he was raised. He wonders to himself why he?s there and randomly hits this human shaped dent in the wall with one of his bones. He?s let out for the sake of fighting for the Kaguya clan. Kimimaru realizes in the present time that he needs to fight and activates his curse seal. With it, he?s much stronger and has an extra mouth. (Yep, still skievy.) Gaara is quite annoyed that his attacks aren?t working. Kimimaru then has another flashback. He?s sent on a mission by the Kaguya clan to mist village. While searching, he meets Zabuza and Haku. He asks if they?re from the village and Zabuza says no. After they continue walking, Haku notices that Kimimaru has the same eyes that he had before meeting Zabuza. Next he meets Orochimaru. Orochimaru tells him that he?s not from the village but shows him where to go. After Kimimaru leaves, Orochimaru mocks the foolishness of the Kaguya clan. Kimimaru thinks about how he only helped the Kaguya clan because he felt needed. However, he was the only survivor of the attack. Once alone, he would just wander around. He was attracted to a flower, but got mad that the flower too was ignoring him. Orochimaru stops him from destroying it. He tells Kimimaru to come with him, making him very happy. Kimimaru now believes that everyone is born to serve a purpose and his is to protect Orochimaru and his ambition. He activates his level two curse seal and a tail rises from the ground. Naruto sees a vision of Neji, who tells him that Sasuke is in the darkness and he can?t stop here if he wants to catch him. He realizes that that?s true and heads on. Back at the battle, Kimimaru fully emerges and charges at Gaara. That was a particularly good episode. Kimmimaru has such a sad past. Also, he?s such a cute kid. It?s sad that he turned out so scary looking as an adult. I can definitely see more resemblance to him and Sasuke besides the eye comment of Gaara?s. They were both the last surviving members of their clans and they were both wound up going to Orichimaru. Though I dislike Zabuza, the highlight of this episode was seeing him and Haku because chibi Haku was completely adorable too.

Naruto 125
Topic: Naruto
Kimimaru attacks with his most skievy power yet as he launches his fingertip bones. (Seriously, I could barely watch.) However, Gaara is able to deflect them all with his sand sheild. Kankuro takes on Sakon and Ukon and is doing pretty good against them with all his puppets. Even though they're probably the strongest of the initial opponents, they have one small weakness now, Ukon's on the front. Being that he's not used to it, this could be their downfall. Temari has the advantage against Tayuya so she easily defeats Tayuya. Shikamaru is quite scared of her power, which is amusing. Finally Tayuya is down. Now hopefully the rest of the group can die out soon, especially Kimimaru and his stupied skeivy fingertips.

Naruto 124
Topic: Naruto
Naruto continues to chase after Sasuke. Lee attacks Kimimaru is a drunken rage. However, he quickly falls asleep. Kimimaru is curious as to whether he?s faking and cautiously approaches him. It was a trick, and Lee lashes out on him once again. He celebrates and then pretends to fall asleep again. Kimimaru again falls for it. He studies the bottle and realizes that Lee is drunk on sake. Shikamaru is still busy trying to strangle Tayuya but is running low on chakra. Kiba comes out of the water and his wound is still hurting him badly. Kimimaru attempts numerous times to stab Lee, but he keeps dodging and then uses his feet to grab the bone. He dodges several more slashes., frustrating Kimimaru. Gai explains more to Tsunade about Lee?s drunken power. Since he destroyed a restaurant from a shot of Sake, he doesn?t know how strong an entire bottle will make him. Tsunade wonders if his body will hold out since he?s still recovering. Back in the battle, Lee charges at Kimimaru but falls over. Now that he?s mad, the abuse can continue. Meanwhile, three shadows fly by. Kimimaru is forced to activate his curse seal. This way, he?s able to do better against Lee. Shikamru slowly lets go of Tayuya and realizes that he needs a new strategy fast. Sakon wonders around, following Kiba?s trail of water. Kiba, who can?t move again, smells that he?s coming. (Sometimes dog instincts can be a benefit.) Lee snaps out of his drunken trance and realizes what happened. He sees Kimimaru in front of him. Kimimaru explains his advanced bloodline, which allows him to manipulate the cellular structure of his bones. He can also create new bones. Now he has the upper hand in the fight. Shikamaru continues trying to calm down even though he knows that no one will come to his aid like when he was in trouble in the past. Kiba thinks he?s safe when he can?t smell Sakon anymore, but Sakon appears behind him in his normal form. He put on Kiba?s jacket to cover his smell. Kimimaru is about to walk away, but Lee tells him that now he?s going to fight for real. Lee tries to kick him, but he grabs his foot with his bones. Shikamaru can?t think of a plan and lets go of Tayuya. Sakon holds his kunai up to Kiba. The three would be toast if not for surprise saviors. A gust of wind blows Tayuya away. A large figure blocks Sakon?s kunai and some sand pushes Le and Kimimaru apart. The people who saved them were Temari, Kankuro and Gaara respectively. The sand siblings declare that they?re Konoha?s allies. More old characters! The sand siblings return and we get to see Neji and Tenten in Gai?s flashback. Also, I don?t pay too much attention to the OP so I don?t know how long it?s been there for, but I noticed a slight change. They now show Lee and Gai fighting rather then crying. Next week should be call, considering that the sand siblings are incredibly cool. I?m excited to see them in on the action too. They?re quite strong, so their help is definitely needed for this situation. Also, when are Tayuya and Sakon going to die. They got rid of Jiroubu and Kidoumaru so easily, but these two just won?t die. I look forward to their demise.

Naruto 123
Topic: Naruto
There?s very few Naruto clones left for Kimimaru to destroy. Shikamaru tells Tayuya that he won?t hit defenseless women (Blah! Sexist!) but she dosn?t seem defenseless so he?ll keep attacking her. Even without her flute, she continues to put up a good defense. Kiba crushes some leaves to help heal his and Akamaru?s wounds. Kimimaru then finishes up the destruction of the clones. He then releases Sasuke from the barrel. However, he?s not himself. He then runs off. Kimimaru continues to fight Naruto, but Rock Lee shows up and kicks him out of the way. He tells Naruto to go after Sasuke and says he?ll fight Kimimaru. Naruto warns Lee about his bone attacks. After Lee convinces him that he has to go because he promised Sakura, Naruto heads off after Sasuke. Back at the village, Tsunade is questioned for sending out a team of gennin. Gai runs in, panicked and asks how Lee?s surgery turned out. Tsunade said it was successful and he?ll be able to start training tomorrow but should rest for now. However, they find out that he?s missing. Lee continues to beat up Kimimaru. Tsunade assumes correctly that he went to help fight. The problem is, instead of taking the bottle of medicine, he took Tsunade?s bottle of sake. Gai says that if Lee drinks Sake it will have horrifying results. Back at the battle, Kimimaru evades all of Lee?s kicks. Lee asks him to stop the battle so he can take his medicine. (Amazingly he consents to this.) Gai explains that when Lee drank a tiny sip up sake (Lee now takes a sip) he went into a mad drunken frenzy and destroyed the restaurant they were in. Kiba continues hiding in the water, Shikamaru continues fighting Tayuya, and Naruto continues following Sasuke. I?m glad we got to see some of the characters that haven?t been on for so long. More Lee and Tsunade is always a good thing. Gai is fun too. The only real fault of this episode is its humor. Lee in a drunken rage will probably be interesting, but the storyline around now is pretty serious. It?s just not necessary. Next week we?ll get to see Sakon and Ukon again. Hopefully they?ll finally die.

Naruto 122
Topic: Naruto
Thank you Dattebayo for continuing with Naruto! Here comes another speed entry. Shikamaru figures out how Tayuya?s controlling her minions by watching the movements of her fingers. He also binds them so they can?t attack him. He then attempts to use them to help him, but Tayuya just destroys them. However, she?s bound by the kage mane no jutsu as well. Therefore, she activates the level two curse seal and is the only one of the four who doesn?t look incredibly hideous. With an illusion she creates, she takes back the advantage again (or so she thinks). As usual, an enjoyable episode. Next weeks should be good since Lee is finally coming back.

Naruto 121
Topic: Naruto
Kiba?s fight: Kiba is upset that Akamaru is hurt and attempts to kill Ukon by stabbing himself with a Kunai. Ukon?s upset because he didn?t expect Kiba to do that and wanted to avoid damage. Kiba forces him out of his body. He then uses smoke bombs in order to escape. However, he left Akamaru. Ukon sees him and laughs evilly. It turns out though that it was really a trap. The fake Akamaru explodes and lots of kunai launch at Ukon. Kiba is hiding behind a rock with Akamaru. He?s relieved that he?s still alive. He thanks him for helping him in battle and saving him from serious injury. Kiba flashes back to when he received Akamaru as a pet from his mother and sister. Apparently, Akamaru had the nasty habit of peeing in peoples faces then too. He and Akamaru become good friends, but his mother?s annoyed at him for just spending all his time fooling around. She tells him that he and Akamaru have to grow strong together. Akamaru agrees and they begin doing just that. Ukon goes back inside Sakon to sleep. He first has Sakon promise to kill Kiba though. Kiba is unable to move and Akamaru is still unconscious, so they?re in for a bit of trouble. Sakon thinks he found them by following a trail of blood, but it was actually just Kiba?s bloody coat. The trail of blood continues into the water.

Naruto?s fight: Kimimaru destroys several Naruto clones. Some he kills by deflecting Naruto?s Kunai. Others he gets by stabbing with his bones, which he can stick out of his body. He pulls out one of his bones and forms a sword, which he says is as hard as steel. Naruto still says he?ll destroy it. Kimimaru also says that he?s mastered the five dances.

Shikamaru?s fight: Tayuya continues to control her minions with her flute. She thinks she?s destroyed Shikamaru, but it was just a clone. The real Shikamaru is discovered and has to evade a barrage of slashes from Tayaya?s minions. Shikamaru reveals that he knows she?s controlling them with her song. She says that he still doesn?t understand the full complexity of it. It?s true that he doesn?t know the pattern that?s controlling their individual attacks. Tayuya says that nobody?s heard her next song and survived. She plays it and her minions jump at Shikamaru.

The animation seemed a bit off at points in this episode, but it was still really enjoyable. Kiba?s fight was the most interesting of the three, possibly because of my newfound attachment to him. It looks like Shikamaru?s battle will be the main focus next week though, as it was the only one shown on the preview. I?m guessing it will be the end of his fight.