Naruto (Chapter 8-12)

Chapter 8

Previously in Naruto. Naruto, Sasuke and Sakura had to take a bell from Kakashi. However none of them managed to do it. Kakashi decided that they should forget being a ninja.

Sasuke is upset about that and tried to attack Kakashi. It’s quite surprising that he snaps like that as he usually seems rather calm. And that's understandable. He wanted to get revenge, he probably trained hard to achieve his goals, and now his Sensei told him that he can't be a ninja.

The reason why the team failed is their lack of teamwork.

Sakura argued that they are only two bells, so teamwork seems counterproductive as one of them would still fail. However, Kakashi said that they should have worked together and set aside their individual interests.

Then he gave a “the reason you suck” speech to everyone. But...

1. Kakashi didn't say anything about what he expected. And blaming a lack of teamwork in a newly-created team is bullshit. Moreover their team was badly made (at first sight). Sakura hates Naruto. Naruto hates Sasuke. Sasuke doesn't give a fuck about the other two.

2. Kakashi didn't let Sakura do anything at all. He cast a horrible illusion at her. And I don't blame Sakura for fainting, she saw a mutilated and dismembered Sasuke!

3. In defense to Sasuke, Naruto and Sakura were already defeated when he decided to fight against Kakashi.

Kakashi orders his students to look at the numerous names carved on the stone. There are ninjas who died on duty and are recognized as the heroes of the village. Kakashi's best friend is said to be one of those heroes.

Kakashi gave a second chance but forbade Naruto to eat lunch.

Yet, Sasuke decided to give food to Naruto as the latter needs to energy for the team to win. Sasuke finally began to realize how important his teammates are, he started to change and stopped being individualistic.

But the team still passed the test! Why?

Because teamwork is more important than abiding by the laws. That sounds very wrong. Friendship is a common theme in most Shonen manga, so it’s no wonder that Kakashi would advocate it. Yet, we are talking about ninjas here. The (fictional?) image we have of ninjas are people who must complete their missions over all else while shutting down their emotions.

Chapter 9

The team’s first mission is… catching a missing cat. The Hokage then wanted to “babysit”, “run errands to the neighboring village”, and “help dig sweet potatoes”. What the hell? I thought they were ninjas, not freelancers like Gintoki in Gintama. Why would you waste your manpower for this kind of mission? Well I guess it is better than doing nothing. Or maybe Konoha needed money and forced Genins to work for the villagers?

Thank you Naruto for saying that!

That's a simple organization chart. Not that I have any problem with that.

Well, the Hokage is kind (or irresponsible?) and accepts to give the team 7 a C-rank mission.

Naruto thought he would have to protect a princess or a Daimyo, but instead he had to protect a drunk old guy. And Naruto is very small! But Kishimoto shouldn’t take hair in account for their sizes...

And that is team 7’s first important mission! Even if it is an old guy, protecting him seems more interesting than any of their previous missions.

World-building yeah! I am a sucker for world-building.

Oh shit, Team 7 already has an enemy!

WOW THAT IS BRUTAL!

Chapter 10

I usually don’t comment cover page. But I looked at Naruto’s training menu. 10K run, 100 push-ups, 100 sit-ups. Isn’t that Saitama’s training in One Punch Man? Then don’t worry Naruto, you will become the most powerful ninja within only three years.

Sasuke is even more impressive in that chapter.

Naruto on the other hand didn’t do jack shit. Even Sakura tried to protect Tazuna, aren’t you ashamed dude?

Kakashi easily stopped the Demon Brothers and saved everyone.

That one time when Naruto is even more useless than Sakura. Of course, Sasuke is going to mock him.

Kakashi totally deserves his rank of Jônin. Nice observation skill.

Tazuna requested an escort mission against thieves and brigands, which would be easy even for Genins. But he is actually targeted by ninja, therefore the mission is much harder than Kakashi thought.

Of course Naruto is ashamed of himself! He trained a lot, but couldn’t do anything in a real fight. He doesn’t want Sasuke to be better than him. I like Naruto’s determination, and his behavior during this chapter is realistic. While everyone would dream to act like Sasuke, in truth we would probably be like Naruto. Of course, Naruto wants to be the Hokage, he wants to be like Sasuke. So he vowed to protect Tazuna.

Zabuza’s first appearance! And that’s a cool introduction. He holds a huge sword with only one hand, how strong is he? Tazuna’s enemies (the Demon Brothers and Zabuza) all came from Kiri, one of the five ninja village with Konoha.

Chapter 11

Thanks to Kyuubi, Naruto has amazing regeneration.

And the main antagonist of this arc is Gatô, the richest man in the world. Yeah he is a dick. Of course he is a dick.

The reward for a C-rank mission is between 30,000 and 100,000 ryō; for a B-rank mission it is between 150,000 and 200,000 ryō.

I think that Konoha should accept to help the Wave Country even if they don't have much money. It can be for humanitarian purposes (saving a whole country from an evil man). And building a bridge can favour trade between Konoha and the Wave Country and it is better in the long run for both countries.

Kakashi accepting this mission is quite irresponsible as it endangered the lives of his whole team. But if he refused, we wouldn’t see one of the best, if not the best arc of Naruto, so I forgive him.

Naruto fucked up and killed an innocent hare because he thought it would be an enemy. Well he is not totally wrong as it is a decoy!

Kakashi is hyped to be one of the strongest Jûnin of Konoha!

Zabuza arrived! Naruto wants to fight against him. But Kakashi stops him, he knows that Zabuza is much stronger than the Demon Brothers. He has to beat him by himself.