mixed feelings at the encounter ?

After more than 2 1/2 years, finally, Naruto and Sasuke met again. Both had grown up in their own ways, and now they were eyeball to eyball with each other. The air was clearly filled with tension and one could feel both of the boys were strained by the countenance of the other one. Sasuke was the first to rise his voice, and as soon as he spotted Sai his voice seemed to be dripping with disinterest while glancing down to "the new Team Seven".

Sai admitted that at first his mission was to kill Sasuke, but he had decided against it- instead he now wanted to protect the special bond between Sasuke and Naruto. Moreover he claimed that he hadn't figured out yet exactly why, but there must be a special reason why Naruto and Sakura are trying so hard to get Sasuke back.

Sasuke didn't seem to care much about Sai's words and only stated again he will cut those bonds loose - the only bond he still had is a bond called hatred for his brother, as he said. Naruto had gotten furious and asked Sasuke why he didn't killed him back then, if he wanted to break those bonds no matter what. The only thing Sasuke answered then is that he only saved Naruto by chance and that he didn't want to follow his (referring to Itachi's) footsteps. Naruto looked infuriated, but seconds later his expression changed to blank shock- when Sasuke came down and hugged put his arm around him.

Next thing Sasuke asked Naruto was if he hadn't got a dream about becoming Hokage, and if he shouldn't use his time training instead of chasing after him. Thereon Naruto answered how one person who can't even save one friend ever could become Hokage. Sasuke merely shrugged it away and instead of responding, drew his blade, adding that this time, at his whim, Naruto will lose his life.

Just before Sasuke was about to slice Naruto with his sword, Sai stepped in and defended him. Moments later Sasuke encapacitated everyone through using his Chidori, which now came out of his entire body. In the meanwhile the Nine-Tails appeared inside of Naruto's mind, telling him he should remove the seal and he would lend him his power in order to win. Naruto though, didn't want to depend anymore on the Kyuubi's chakra and told him to disappear. Suddenly Sasuke however appeared beside Naruto, declaring now he could finally see from where Naruto's power came.

The Nine-Tails then denoted that Sasuke's chakra is even more sinister than his own, just like Uchiha Madara's. Sasuke took offense by that and dispelled the Kyuubi, causing his form to disappear. Just before this happened, he added that Sasuke must not kill Naruto since otherwise, he would regret it..

Back in action, Naruto again tried to convince Sasuke of coming back, telling him that his body would soon be taken by Orochimaru; but the horrified answer by Sasuke made him litterally shut up - as long as he'd get revenge, he would give his life again and again. Moreover Sasuke was ready to use his new technique, but got stopped by Orochimaru, who told him to wait a little longer. Without another word to Naruto, he disappeared.


Naruto broke down and started sobbing because of his own incapability and his lack of power even after that long time span in which he had trained. Sakura then told him crying wouldn't bring him back, so they both plucked up new courage, determined once again to succeed the next time.
How long have we waited for this chapter - to be exact, 73 damn chapters, which makes 73 weeks, which is more than one year, to see the encounter of those two. Damn long time, if you ask me. But anyways, I'd say the long wait was not for nothing. Apart from the something-similar-to-a-hug-scene, it held a bundle of emotions, especially at the end. Naruto crying like this was indeed heart-rending, since after such a long time not to be able to change anything, hurts. A lot, one could say.

Actually there was a lot of bashing for this chapter and I've read countless times how pathetic Naruto seemed at the end, but as for me, I absolutely don't think so. What do you expect after 2,5 years of training and hard work, only trying your best to come a step closer to your aim, which is of course in this case, bringing Sasuke back, and then when you fail after all this time - I would have been honestly surprised if Naruto hadn't looked horrified and depressed.

Moreover there is no way Sasuke and Naruto would have been given the chance to battle it out right there, this was clear from the start. Naruto had become a lot stronger, but so had Sasuke - and I believe, Naruto wouldn't have been mentally ready at that point of time to fight no matter what against Sasuke again. Mentally not ready. In my opinion, this chapter only had given Naruto's personality along with his feelings for Sasuke more depth, and apart from that, concerning the fight everyone is hoping for, I'm positive it will end differently when they meet the next time.

Found at Ch. 307-10, Shippuden Ep. 01