We all know that whenever Iruka comes, the episode is bound to be special. This was clearly no exception. Though Naruto has plenty protectors and elder figures at this point (Kakashi, Jiraiya, Killer B etc), the Iruka-Naruto bond is still special..its his first bond, Iruka was Naruto's first ray of hope and love in this accursed shinobi world. Listening to Iruka's message filled me with joy, and then this beautiful series made me cry again when B told Iruka just how much exactly, Iruka's words mean and have always meant, to Naruto.
2 Reviews
Iruka
tomasmmc-771988 January 2023
Warning: Spoilers
Iruka sensei is a special character. If he is present, the storyline is different and emotive without doubt. Here, the plotline returns to Naruto. He keeps training along Killer B to control a Bijuu dama, but he is not focused. B notices, and Naruto says because he felt the Kyuubi's chakra but from outside the room. The Hachibi is surprised, and tells B about the brothers Kinkaku and Ginkaku, that they surely were resurrected. He tells B that they won't keep Naruto on the dark much longer, yet B doesn't get the idea (he didn't pay much attention to the Raikage's orders). Anyway, Naruto is not convinced when B says it's his imagination, and asks where the bathroom is. The Hachibi notices that Naruto is trying to escape. When the protagonist reaches the temple, finds Shibi (Shino's father), and a group of shinobi, who refuse to let him escape. The report quickly goes to Tsunade and A. The Hokage is not worried as she prepared something in case Naruto tries to escape. At the temple, Iruka appears and tells Naruto that they were sent as back up on a mission to locate a creature with the Kyuubi's chakra. When asked about Yamato's absence, Iruka confirms that he is out because he can supress the Kyuubi's chakra. Still, Naruto remembers when he bumped fists with B, and he is the strongest creature of the island. Aware that there's something wrong and that they are lying, Naruto enters Sennin mode and forces a way out through the Falls of Truth. When he crosses the Falls, his headband falls from his head. Once outside, Shibi and the others follow him, and a member of Nara clan paralyzes Naruto with the shadow. But still on Sennin mode, and because he is outside the temple, he feels the chakra of all the shinobi around Kumogakure: Kakashi, Sakura, Shikamaru, Choji, and others. He feels the Zetsus and some reanimated ninjas. Iruka decides to stop the lie, and updates Naruto about the war. They discuss, as Iruka tries to convince him to remain there, the war is to protect him and if Tobi captures the remaining Bijuus everything will be over. All the enemies are looking for him. Naruto doesn't care, as his friends and many shinobis are fighting for him. Remembering Nagato's words about what war means and his last wishes, He says he will end the war, it's his duty. Iruka gets angry, not everything is about him, he doesn't have to take the burden alone. Naruto asks him for trust, as he was the first to acknowledge him. But Iruka tells that he already knows what he his thinks of him: a flashback of the Pilot is showed remembering Iruka's talk to Mizuki about Naruto. And also adds that he recognizes him like a younger brother, for that reason he wants him safe and away from "Madara" Uchiha. Naruto is surprised but also says he is not a kid anymore, he is stronger now, thanks to him, who gifted the headband protector Konoha. Iruka then retrieves the headband, walks slowly through the water towards Naruto, and returns it to him. But at the same time, activates a barrier seal to keep him there. Naruto responds that this barrier won't contain him, he said now he became stronger. He then enters the Kyuubi's chakra mode and escapes, breaking Nara's shadow jutsu and the barrier. Not even Shibi's parasite insects can stop him. As Naruto runs away wondering about Iruka's apparent mistrust, he takes his headband and sees a letter, from Iruka. His former sensei wrote: "If you're reading this letter it means I couldn't stop you. I expected you'd try to rush out to the battlefield right away. I know you are ready to fight. Tsunade ordered us to the Hidden Cloud's secret island to guard you and delay you from leaving as long as possible. I'm writing this letter just in case things don't work out like I want them to... which is pretty pathetic considering I'll be on an official mission. But if that's how it goes... I don't know if I'll manage to give this to you or not, but there's something I need to tell you. Come back alive Naruto!". Staring at the direction Naruto escaped, Iruka thinks "Forgive me Naruto. I'm weak. I think of myself as your big brother, but I've never actually been able to protect you". Then, Killer B comes from the Falls, asking if the small fool already left. Iruka sees him and asks for a favor. Killer B seems to remember him from somewhere and tells to bump fists. Iruka asks him to keep Naruto safe, and B, now aware of who he is, accepts. B tells the Hachibi that if Iruka couldn't stop Naruto, no one can. B tells Iruka that whatever he did, he means a lot to Naruto. The boy listens everything he says, Iruka is on his heart forever, in his private clan. "Naruto will owe him his life til his dying day". Iruka is left surprised, as Naruto is shown running and taking his letter with his mouth. Then, B proceeds to follow Naruto, though the Hachibi isn't sure. B says that they still have training to do, and on the battlefield will be better. Hachibi warns him that the Raikage will be furious, but B is adamant on his decision. Once he reaches him, Naruto is glad, but they must pass a series of barriers. The hachibi throws a bijuu dama which Naruto, on Kyuubi's mode, pushes breaking each one of the barriers. They finally get away from the island, yo the guards dismay. At the headquarters, Tsunade wonders unsurprised how Iruka couldn't stop Naruto.
The episode was outstanding because of Iruka. Every word he said, each dialogue was perfectly written. Iruka is that, Naruto's older brother, who also had to live knowing his own parents died on the Kyuubi incident. And most important, like the flashback to the Pilot showed, he was the one to understand him first. He acknowledged his existence, and took him out of solitude and sadness. He was the one who invited him for ramen when no one else did, the one who tolerated his antics at the academy (same as Hiruzen), the one who respected him. That's what Killer B understood from Naruto. For the small fool, Iruka is special. In the manga was the phrase of the private clan, so it's kind of new. Looks like Naruto, from the bottom of his heart, wanted to belong to a clan, a family given his parents death. And by learning the destiny of Kushina's clan and village, besides of the implied fate of his father's family, he has no one else. So Iruka is part of his living family. It's pretty emotive and touching. The letter and how was delivered, was excellent. And Iruka's words also mean a lot. He is not a powerful shinobi, so he couldn't protect Naruto like Kakashi or Jiraiya did. That's why he feels weak. But he accepts the reality and asked B to protect his little brother. Iruka is a great character, surely the most humble and simple of the whole story. He never wanted a moment of greatness, or tried to show how important he is. During Naruto's welcome, he stayed behind, watching like anyone else. He remained in the same place since the pilot, but Naruto will always count on him. Whenever he needs him, Iruka will be there. It doesn't matter if they don't spend time together, what matters is to be when the beloved person needs you. That's family when the kids grow up. Then, if someone would want to compare Naruto's bond with Sasuke, whom he called like a brother sometime, it's obviously very different. Sasuke never cared about Naruto's feelings, his sadness or loneliness. He wasn't there for him. That's not what a brother or a friend is. Another comment to make is the Hachibi's remark, and hence, the Raikage's stubborness. Naruto is no dumb, he'd realize eventually, sooner or later, that the war started. And there was no way to stop him once he knew. He wouldn't let his friends or countless shinobi die for him. When he felt the war while on Sennin mode, he obviously felt first Sakura and Kakashi's presence, the closest persons to him on the battlefield. So there's no way he'd leave them on their own. When Pain attacked, he took the responsibility himself. Was a good idea to remember Nagato's words about the war, after all should be the coming reality given all the deaths caused. How Naruto deals with that, it's unclear. This time, Nagato is not around to bring people back to life.
The episode was outstanding because of Iruka. Every word he said, each dialogue was perfectly written. Iruka is that, Naruto's older brother, who also had to live knowing his own parents died on the Kyuubi incident. And most important, like the flashback to the Pilot showed, he was the one to understand him first. He acknowledged his existence, and took him out of solitude and sadness. He was the one who invited him for ramen when no one else did, the one who tolerated his antics at the academy (same as Hiruzen), the one who respected him. That's what Killer B understood from Naruto. For the small fool, Iruka is special. In the manga was the phrase of the private clan, so it's kind of new. Looks like Naruto, from the bottom of his heart, wanted to belong to a clan, a family given his parents death. And by learning the destiny of Kushina's clan and village, besides of the implied fate of his father's family, he has no one else. So Iruka is part of his living family. It's pretty emotive and touching. The letter and how was delivered, was excellent. And Iruka's words also mean a lot. He is not a powerful shinobi, so he couldn't protect Naruto like Kakashi or Jiraiya did. That's why he feels weak. But he accepts the reality and asked B to protect his little brother. Iruka is a great character, surely the most humble and simple of the whole story. He never wanted a moment of greatness, or tried to show how important he is. During Naruto's welcome, he stayed behind, watching like anyone else. He remained in the same place since the pilot, but Naruto will always count on him. Whenever he needs him, Iruka will be there. It doesn't matter if they don't spend time together, what matters is to be when the beloved person needs you. That's family when the kids grow up. Then, if someone would want to compare Naruto's bond with Sasuke, whom he called like a brother sometime, it's obviously very different. Sasuke never cared about Naruto's feelings, his sadness or loneliness. He wasn't there for him. That's not what a brother or a friend is. Another comment to make is the Hachibi's remark, and hence, the Raikage's stubborness. Naruto is no dumb, he'd realize eventually, sooner or later, that the war started. And there was no way to stop him once he knew. He wouldn't let his friends or countless shinobi die for him. When he felt the war while on Sennin mode, he obviously felt first Sakura and Kakashi's presence, the closest persons to him on the battlefield. So there's no way he'd leave them on their own. When Pain attacked, he took the responsibility himself. Was a good idea to remember Nagato's words about the war, after all should be the coming reality given all the deaths caused. How Naruto deals with that, it's unclear. This time, Nagato is not around to bring people back to life.
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