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docexe-mx · 8 months

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Some belated thoughts on the first chapter of Boruto: Two Blue Vortex, aka, Boruto part II. Spoilers after the cut.

This chapter being simply titled “Boruto” to contrast with how the first chapter of part I was titled “Uzumaki Boruto” is actually a nice touch. Succinctly reflects the new situation of the main character: From the esteemed Hokage son and golden child of the village, to a pariah considered a traitor and wanted dead by his former home. Ironically, Boruto barely appear in this chapter. Most of it is centered on the rest of the cast (with a particular focus on Sarada), giving out exposition and setting up the current status quo.

Ikemoto’s art is still an acquired taste at best, an absolute eyesore at worst. To be fair, he does have improved since the manga started, but not really enough for my tastes.

I definitely like Sarada, Sumire, Chouchou and Mitsuki’s time skip designs, while Shikadai and Inojin’s leave me a bit cold (mostly because they don’t look particularly older). Himawari’s new attire is good, but I would have preferred if her hair was a bit spikier.

I didn’t care much for Kawaki’s design in the flash forward at the beginning of the manga, but his current get-up post-time skip is actually better, although not by much.

Boruto’s design isn’t bad per se, but outside of the cape and some accessories, his outfit is just not that different from his original get-up, which feels like a wasted opportunity (at the very least they could have given him some additional colors or something).

Kishimoto’s writing has some… issues. So apparently, people could still feel something was wrong with the rewriting of their memories in the early days and the obvious contradictions involving the switch between Boruto and Kawaki, but as time has passed, the Omnipotence Shinjutsu has suppressed the unease and now everyone just accepts their new memories as true. While that’s fine and dandy, it still doesn’t explain what happened to the massive amount of physical evidence pointing out that Boruto was the Hokage’s son. Did all the photographs, written records and videos of Boruto just disappear? Were altered by the Shinjutsu? People look at them and think they are forgeries? Kishi, you might not think any of that is important enough to address it but it’s a genuinely massive plot hole that makes this entire plotline fall apart and it just keeps nagging at the back of my head.

So far it’s confirmed that Sarada and Sumire are the only ones unaffected by Eida’s Omnipotence, and Sarada herself seems to have been turned into an outcast in the village because of her insistence on defending Boruto. As to the matter of how to solve the entire mess, Eida still doesn’t have any control over her powers and doesn’t think reverting people’s memories to how they were originally will be possible, but posits that rewriting them again might work although that still carries risks of its own.

Talking about that, the scene of Sarada and Sumire trying to fool Eida and Daemon regarding how they were unaffected by the Omniptence Shinjutsu but are “definitely” affected by Eida’s charming power was extremely cringe worthy. Although to be fair, it’s kind of implied that neither of the ultra-broken siblings actually buy it and are merely humoring them for the time being.

Shikamaru being the 8th Hokage was a surprise. On the one hand, he is actually a good fit for the position, indeed, back in the original series it was acknowledged he could make for a good one. On the other hand, it also feels weird and I can’t help it but get this nagging feeling that he was made Hokage specifically because Kishimoto forgot that Kakashi was still alive. Then again, his face was not sculpted in the Hokage monument during the flash forward, and if they respect that detail, it would imply he only took the mantle very recently.

While Shikamaru’s antagonism towards Kawaki in Part I wasn’t exactly unfounded (especially considering how things turned out), it did got very old very quickly and now that it’s been transferred to Boruto, it’s even more irritating. He taking out some of that on Sarada for defending Boruto was also annoying, so in that sense, Sarada calling him out and pointing out that it’s his predecessor the one she follows as her role model was actually deserved to an extent.

Kawaki can move freely in the dimension of the Sukuna Hikona. The scene with him watching over the unconscious Naruto and Hinata was really morbid, but it’s clear he is still in a dark place. However, he does seem to care for the safety of the people in the village if his actions to protect them from Code are anything to go by. That’s something at least.

The scene with Kawaki and Mitsuki was heartbreaking. Just the notion of Mitsuki turning against Boruto and fervently wanting to kill him is tragic considering their prior bond, compounded by the fact that his current relationship with Kawaki is clearly not the same and it’s leaving him feeling dejected. I just hope this whole mess won’t end with Mitsuki eventually turning into an outright villain, you just know Kishimoto is itching to explore parallels and contrasts with Orochimaru.

The scene of Himawari training with Chouchou was nice, showcasing their growth as well as Hima’s natural talent. I presume Himawari has already graduated from the Shinobi Academy, although the chapter doesn’t clarify it.

Interestingly, while the chapter confirms Himawari's memories were altered, unlike other village inhabitants, she hasn’t turned against Boruto, refusing to believe that he killed their parents and having faith that they might still be alive somewhere. Of course, all of that is based on her original memories of Kawaki and she is ultimately right. In any case, it’s sweet that she is willing to help her brother and that, in a roundabout way, she thinks highly of her adopted sibling, not only considering her original bond with Boruto but also the bond she and Kawaki formed in the anime.

Code has spent the past few years searching for Boruto after amassing an army from the body of the Juubi. His patience has finally been exhausted so he decides to attack Konoha with the intention of attracting Boruto’s attention. His plan was actually clever, but I’m not exactly fond of him imperiling Sarada specifically, then again this is Kishi’s “traditionalism” rearing its ugly head again.

In any case, the scenes of the attack on Konoha and Boruto’s dynamic entry were cool… or would have been if the art was actually better. All I can say is that I’m eager to see the anime tackling this chapter when it finally returns.

#naruto #boruto two blue vortex #spoilers #analysis #criticism #uzumaki boruto #uchiha sarada #kakei sumire #eida #daemon #kawaki #nara shikamaru #uzumaki himawari #mitsuki #code

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theunrealinsomniac · 2 years

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Why aren't you crazy about Sakura's confession to Naruto?

You are gonna get me yelled at lol. You know that?

I don't like what it does to their dynamic. Or what it doesn't do to it I should say.

Like most things that aren't about Sasuke or the Uchiha, this is never brought up again in the narrative after it happens.

It would have been an excellent catalyst for romantic drama. I don't care if Kishi says he sucks at romance, he made relationships at the core of his story, and this?

This possible complete betrayal of Naruto's trust and the idea that Sakura actually might have *not* been lying about her feelings going undiscussed is one of my greatest issues with Shippuuden as a romance writer.

Do I think Sakura was just trying to keep Naruto safe and would have done and said anything to make it so? Yes. Yes I do.

Do I think she started off laying it on thick but by the end kinda talked herself into a genuine confession? Yes. Yes I do.

Does that matter at all? No, it apparently does not.

It is a wasted opportunity on the level of not exploring the outright evil shit going on in the Hyuga Clan.

And I will say this one more time.

You. Can't. Fake. A. Blush.

I also don't like how much more bad faith criticism came out of the fandom towards Sakura.

Those fuckers were handed a golden ticket to attack the girl and I will never forgive Kishi for not exploring the consequences of it and maybe protecting his main female character.

So despite loving the potential, not wild about that scene sadly.

Thank you for asking!

#ask theunrealinsomniac #anti naruto shippuuden #narusaku #it is a narusaku scene after all #also anyone who comes for me on this opinion? i will block you #idgaf

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fuwafuwamedb · 4 years

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Kishi Nami Services Pt 6 (Gilgamesh, Hakuno)

Previously: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

___

This morning was hard. Hakuno could feel her head pounding, her stomach grumbling with the need for something to be offered. She could feel a heaviness in her body, as though the whole night for resting had been wasted and her body’s energy was spent.

However, she had only so long before the light would burn across her bed, the morning sunlight telling her that it was time to put up or simply grumble and curl up tighter in bed.

With this in mind, Hakuno opened her eyes.

What met her gaze was darkness.

A blissful dark room met her gaze, with a couple of opaque glass windows around the door that trickled water down to a couple basins below. She could hear the water babbling now, only because she was waking up enough to notice it. The furniture was simple, a large armoire with fine carving that matched the bed posts. A couple nightstands of the same color stood on either side of the bed as she sat up slowly. The lamps looked like they’d been handmade, shaped in the form of large pillars with what looked to be some kind of cat prowling around the base of the thing.

The ceiling was a mass of greenery, leaving her to frown as she climbed out of bed.

And then she noticed it: she was in a large black button up.

The sleeves covered her arms entirely. The shirt’s buttons were done up all the way to the top, but it still slipped a little over one shoulder. Her dress had been removed, as had her bra.

Hakuno grabbed the fur blanket from the foot of the bed, wrapping it around herself as she forced her headache to take a backburner.

She looked around, not finding her dress or her phone.

There was little choice but to leave the room and search elsewhere.

Hakuno hurried to the door without the fountains first, opening it up and flicking the switch only to end up pausing.

A vast array of colors met her gaze. Only the richest of colors like golds and crimsons, navy blues and lush greens. She could see so many animal prints amongst the rows of clothing, leading all the way back to the treasure trove in the back.

Golden and silver jewelry lay in the back, lined from the chest upwards and above row after row of fine leather shoes and boots. There were more things in this room than a clothing store. They were far more illustrious than anything she’d ever seen at the finer end shopping stores she’d seen in her life. The room looked like she’d stepped into excess wealth.

Gilgamesh.

The moment she saw the outfit on the chair in the room, she remembered it well.

Gilgamesh had worn those jeans and that jacket last night. She remembered wearing the jacket when he’d helped her out.

She clicked the light off and went to the other door.

Why was she in one of his shirts? What was she doing in his home? This had to be his home too. It was far too rich blood for her taste. She’d never seen anyone have such an exotic home and, now that she was looking around, it reminded her a bit of his work environment.

On the other side of the other door, she found him.

The man had his hair brushed out and in a tussled mess around his forehead and head. Instead of slicked back, it looked more like he’d crawled out of bed and went to work.

“Good morning.”

The man looked up, his hand halfway through brushing at his bangs when he saw her. The small smirk had her hesitating, her arms wrapped around herself a little.

She stopped in place, waiting.

“We’re almost to lunch time, but I suppose that never matters when you’ve drunk enough.” Gilgamesh moved to stand up, walking over and herding her towards his table. “I’m assuming your head hurts?”

“Terribly.”

“I’ll grab you some medicine.”

She grabbed him as he began to walk towards his room. “Can you grab my dress too? I should get dressed.”

“I’ll find you some boxers of mine for the time being. Your dress is still at the cleaner’s this morning.” He nudged her towards the table again before he went into another doorway, leaving her to stand or sit.

It wasn’t much of a choice. She settled into one of the tall seats and looked around at the room.

There were more plants around the ceilings here, being watered carefully by a series of small pipes that went alongside the dark beams on the ceiling. The room was rather earthly in colors and furnishings. If it wasn’t wood, it was marble or metal, the hues more crimsons and dark blues accenting beige walls or dark woods.

It felt like being amongst a nature preserve more than being in a house.

The tall ceilings did wonders to add to that feeling.

“Enjoying the view?”

Hakuno glanced over to the man nearby, watching him approach and hand her the boxers and pill bottle.

“The place was more designed by Enkidu, but it is comfortable enough. You won’t find a place nicer.”

“I’ll agree about that.” She could agree much better with a couple pills downed and the boxers shimmied on. “Do you know how long it’ll take for my dress to get back?”

“About an hour or two.”

“Oh.”

Damn.

If that was the case, then she would just have to wait. It was a little much to be in a state of disarray with a client. Even worse to be in a state of disarray and at the client’s house in his-

“…Gilgamesh? Did you help me into this?”

“Do you find it difficult to believe that I couldn’t help you out of a dress and into a large shirt without looking?” He settled back into his seat, those red eyes watching her carefully.

She coughed slightly, “thank you for the help. I don’t normally drink so much.”

“You enjoyed yourself. Never apologize for taking pleasure in good company and an evening. You should do it more often. Rather than your careful plans and distancing behaviors that you normally armor yourself with, it was rather amusing to have your honesty with yourself and me.”

“My honesty? I’ve been honest this whole time.”

The man simply smirked a little more, moving one of the plates of croissants at the center of the table towards her.

“Gilgamesh-“

“You need to eat and hydrate. You can find yourself something to drink in the fridge.”

“I should go home,” Hakuno argued.

“In my clothes?”

She winced, opting to change the subject. “You said in the fridge?”

“The left side,” he told her simply, resuming his work. “I’m sure you’ll want to discuss your thoughts of my date while eating as well. I’ve taken the liberty of jotting down my qualms with the woman from last night.”

How convenient.

This would actually be a good opportunity. She could garner more insight from his words, maybe tease out any desires he had in a spouse by looking at the qualities he had admired and not admired in Artoria. She pulled out one of the small bottles of juice, opening it quickly before she hurried to the table to look at his handiwork.

Her eyes froze on the text.

“This just says, ‘everything’.”

“She was rather poor quality, but the looks were admirable enough. I suppose even peasants can hold some redeeming quality. Lotteries exist even in nature. So charitable.”

The man smiled as he leaned back from his work, watching her stand there.

“Now, my next woman would be one I would prefer to see with more amusing qualities. Perhaps a bit more flexibility towards situations that arise. I’m thinking a bit less tomfoolery and a little more propriety towards whom they are with. Think someone who suits my side better.”

The man was asking for someone like him?

Hakuno hummed for a moment, sipping at her juice and nibbling on a croissant as she pondered his words.

There was Ishtar…

Ishtar would suit him very well. She’d love the riches in his house.

“I’ll make arrangements this afternoon,” Hakuno told him. “Would this upcoming Friday work?”

“I’ll have Siduri ensure it does.” The man laughed. “To think you’d see my way so easily, Hakuno. I am nothing if not surprised at your skilled mindset.”

“I have a talent for my work.”

The strange glint in his eyes made her chest feel warm, but maybe it was just the fresh croissants.

Yes, it was probably just the food and the hangover. Nothing more.

When she left, she’d get Ishtar prepped for the date.

#drabble #drabbles

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