Sunday, March 12, 2006

 

Yamato: Questioning a Major Motif

Please be aware that the following discussion came out of various posts at Naruto Forums and therefore, you may have stumbled upon them before. There is also some repetition from other posts here ... I also am discussing VERY recent issues (so if you aren’t completely up to date you WILL be spoiled) and how they tie in to and actually enhance the Team 7 dynamic in Part 2 …

KON translation:

Sakura: Indeed, I understand the sooner (we chase) the better, but if Naruto's
in this condition...
Yamato: If that's the case, we'll leave Naruto here and go. He should have enough strength to return to the village by himself. {more stuff} Indeed, I am Kakashi's replacement, but I am different from him. Saying "I won’t let you guys be hurt"... I'm sorry, but don’t make me laugh. You guys are no longer beginner ninja who need to be protected and at any rate, you guys need to surpass Kakashi and become ninjas that can carry the village on their shoulders. Compassion and "being taken care of" are not the same. If we don’t pursue him now, we'll never get a 2nd chance to catch him. If we hesitated here, it'd be the end. There won’t be a 2nd chance to face Orochimaru.

Some people were quite alarmed by this speech and even more alarmed that Sakura would even consider an idea that seems at first glance to be completely contrary to the ideals of friendship and teamwork over a mission that Kishimoto has taught and propagated for so long.

I guess I am too much of an optimist to empathize with their dislike and worry about the changes. I really took this new view of Yamato's a totally different way. I love it and think Kishimoto is taking the amazing risk as a writer to make us question what we have assumed is the right way (and only way) of thinking for so long. . I like that he has readers reevaluate things and prevents older concepts going stale by making them more complex in the process of questioning them. I also like the new tone and new concepts - even if that means old ones are used less and less often - but I agree that I will be annoyed if Kishimoto even completely contradicts himself.

Firstly, this is likely just a test of the theme. Kishimoto could very well immediately prove how right Kakashi’s view is by having Yamato’s decision immediately backfire. Secondly, I don't see it as contradicting the basic Naruto theme of teamwork but more deepening and adding an amendment to that theme.

LEAVING NARUTO BEHIND

I recall yelling the word 'Stupid' out loud. There are many reasons why Yamato is making the wrong choice the least of which is Naruto's condition. There is Akatsuki, Sasuke, Grass Nins and a whole bunch of other threats to consider. But these threats are all speculations and just potential while Orochimaru is actually a proven threat in a weakened state and for once, obtainable. Yamato says Naruto can physically get back to Konoha on his own, and for what it’s worth, I believe Yamato honestly feels this is true. Naruto is not "crippled" and he is no longer in need of medical care (or Sakura would be administering it). He is exhausted and has overextended himself. He doesn't need help getting back but he is not in the state that he can help anymore. I don't believe Yamato would leave him if he was visually in harms way. Yamato is just taking more risks than Kakashi would but as we already heard from Ibiki during the Chunin exam - that is what being a Shinobi is all about ... determination, even at risk to your teammates.

Furthermore, Yamato shouldn't be separating the group for a variety of reasons including the fact that nothing like this has ever really stopped Naruto helping despite the odds in the past and the various other threats Naruto has, but Sakura is helping nobody this way when Yamato's way she is at least doing something other than worrying. Yamato is making the wrong choice for the right reasons. Sakura is making the right choice for the wrong reasons.

OVERPROTECTION

Even though we readers know it's a stupid move because trouble and Naruto attract each other, Yamato is making a good point. They need to stop overprotecting each other if they are to let each other grow strong enough to be the shinobi they have to be to face the villains they will be forced to face. I don't think taking care of a wounded comrade is overprotection. But I do feel Sakura rushing at a 4-tail Naruto was overprotection of Naruto by Sakura. I feel not telling Naruto the truth about him 4-tailing was overprotection by Jiraiya (?), Yamato & Sakura. I feel Naruto cutting a worried Sakura off during their first Jinichuuriki conversation was over protection of Sakura by Naruto. And I feel watching over Naruto when he is no longer really in physical danger is overprotection by Sakura of Naruto. Because he is NOT in need of more medical help, she can't do anything to help Naruto (she can't be successful as his bodyguard and he doesn't need a babysitter) so she shouldn't stick around when she is needed as an asset elsewhere. I agree overprotection usually is seen as "suffocating" but that isn't a prerequisite. Overprotection simply is why you are going beyond what protection is actually necessary and helpful.

SAKURA:

Yamato leaving DOES portent immediate doom, but Sakura leaving (or at least considering the idea) actually portents growth in the long run ... It is her first step in protecting Naruto from a far instead of inhibiting him by trying to protect him close up ... this macro managing technique is a way to actually be an asset - to "save Sasuke so [Naruto] won't have to" while not physically limiting Naruto's own participation in the process. I don’t think Sakura will actually rescue Sasuke without Naruto ... but I do think she will try or at least, do a lot more activity towards that goal from the periphery. She had an epiphany way back in Part 1 and immediately became Tsunade's apprentice. That was her turning point ... the moment she realized she wasn't keeping up her share of the teamwork and wanted to help Naruto and Sasuke. Recently she had her second epiphany and just now realized that she wants to save them both from themselves.

When we first meet Sakura, she has no confidence in herself so she tries to get confident by leeching off those around her. Of course she will crush on the most popular and strongest boy because of what it will mean if he likes and acknowledges her (even if it is a lost cause from the start) and because instead of gaining joy in her own accomplishment (which she struggles to do) she can easily gain joy in his more certain success. It's something she has to grow out of ... and hopefully she has by having her crush become something of a more authentic love (wanting to deserve and share with him and help Sasuke instead of just using him as a safety blanket) and gaining emotional well being through her own accomplishments.

Naruto is much more reliable to Sakura right now. In my opinion, Sakura truely and deeply loved Sasuke but she realized that had become an obstacle to her own growth ... and despite her heart is moving on. Yet, now that Naruto has a chance with Sakura, he has become altruistic about the Sakura/Sasuke relationship. And Sakura is not just looking for eye candy anymore ... she wants something more.

Sakura has no inner demon so she never needs to fear entering the darkness. (For more details of the inner demons of Sasuke and Naruto see Mizura’s NF thread: http://forums.narutofan.com/showthread.php?t=85051 ) She can't do what Naruto can there - she can't mentally touch Sasuke in the way Naruto can. And Sakura needs to still realize this and understand that she CAN'T protect them from themselves because she will either be hurt in the process or inhibit their growth. What she needs to realize is that the best way to save Sasuke and Naruto is to motivate them both and do what she can from the outside. She can get them the information they need to accomplish their goals. She can be a distraction and a threat to the villains. And she can be the reason and purpose for both Naruto and Sasuke not to loose complete control over their sanity - she is the reason to reenter the light once the purpose is accomplished. By simply being strong for them and committed to them, she is helping them the best ways she can. SHE can turn herself into THEIR last line of defense against THEIR own demons ... by become something more than ONLY the last defense during fighting.

NARUTO:

Naruto hasn't been letting Sakura in since he returned nor is allowing her to express her worry over him. Just like how Sakura is no longer letting her feelings for Sasuke hinder her own development and has made him instead be a catalyst for her growth, Naruto won't let his feelings for Sakura (nor any feelings returned from her) hinder him from his personal conviction to save Sasuke but instead prefers just to use those feelings as a further motivation.

Naruto's personal goals and his ambitions have been put on hold ever since. Naruto's desire for constant attention (which he now even has in negative ways from Akatsuki!) and his need to be acknowledged (sated at first by his fellow genins and eventually even by Sasuke during the VOTE fight) were fulfilled and now his efforts and determination is aimed in a more altruistic way.He was not just HUMBLED; Naruto was emotionally CRUSHED. And he still hasn't really gotten over it so to survive, he has had to rebuild himself from the bottom up. He really isn't himself anymore ... just like how he forced himself to completely change his mindset and stop running away after the oath of pain ... Naruto again has completely changed his mindset to force himself to keep his oath to Sakura. This isn't to say his ultimate goal to be Hokage has disappeared because he is more interested in Sasuke ... just that Naruto now suppresses it with his other more instinctual desires - he's become stoic and hardened mentally in order to allow himself to follow Sasuke into the darkness.Naruto is only NOW able to joke about things like his strength because loosing Sasuke has put things into perspective. Naruto NOW realizes there are things much more serious and important than how the world generally views him. He doesn't feel the need to brag to prove his confidence anymore because in reality, he actually IS more confident in who he is and actually IS more determined about what he now needs to do. He no longer needs other's validation because the pursuit of Sasuke is purpose enough.

KAKASHI:

This reminded me of an earlier time when Iruka was the overprotective one and Kakashi was the one pushing Team 7 … unlike Kakashi, who remembers the “cute kids'” that they used to be, Yamato knows them only as they are now and wants them to live up to the expectations that come with being trained by two Sannin. ... Yamato feels that Kakashi is babying those two still (which he kind of does if you look at the Itachi fight) and that the best way for them to get strong is to force themselves to become assets at all times.

KAKASHI VS YAMATO … OR IS IT?

There has also been a lot of talk how Yamato might be an Anti-Kakashi … I find this too simplistic although I understand the appeal of such a view. It’s been Cat vs Dog, Copy 1000s of Jutsus vs Personal Secret Techniques … and now it looks like teamwork as the priority vs the mission coming first. The fact that both characters are grey yet in seemingly exact opposite ways (Yamato tries to utilize teamwork but the mission is his priority, Kakashi tries to accomplish his missions but teammates are his priority) helps to prove the point.

But, Yamato isn't an exact mirror image of Kakashi in this particular case. Yamato prefers using teamwork to best accomplish a mission - but it is not his last line of defense. He macro-manages ... depending on each Shinobi but only so far as they can actually help. He is the last line of defense. Kakashi on the other hand, is the first to fight each battle, trying to protect everyone while he can ... asking that his teammates stick together in the background to back him up. The teamwork is much more relied upon. He micro-manages much more. Yamato is not willing to protect them unless they desperately need to be protected. It has nothing to do with opposition to teamwork itself ... it has to do with learning to adapt to the current situation ....

At first I found it strange that he did try to improve teamwork so much ... He must have thought that was what was best for the mission at the time. He is representing Yondaime's idea that "You must be able to adapt to cope with the situation (240)" ... Yes, Yondaime wanted to return to base (which did not happen) when Kakashi was hurt but in that case the injury was deemed much more serious. Furthermore, it wasn't a one-time opportunity in the way this situation is ... meaning you don't leave your teammates defenseless but you must also do what is best for the current circumstances. Yamato might have made the wrong choice for what is ultimately best (because it's specifically Naruto being left) but it is positive that he can adapt and thus, even make a choice. And Kishimoto has shown this before ... the idea of leaving behind a comrade in danger if that is the best thing for the mission and for that comrade is something Shikamaru already did during the Rescue Sasuke Arc. I realize the major difference between leaving a vulnerable unwilling comrade after a fight and leaving a strong willing comrade to fight .... but my point is that doing the latter already contradicts Kakashi's unbending rule that you NEVER, under any circumstances, leave a comrade behind. One person can't fight as a team. There is no backup when you fight alone.

I don't see this new notion as a complete about face. Yamato isn't representing the Shonobi should work by themselves for themselves mentality Gaara used to have. He isn't representing Sai's view that you shouldn't utilize other team members in any way but as bait. He isn't representing Kakashi's original idea that you should even ignore comrades in serious need of help (the issue might be that he misjudges Naruto's condition - but that has no bearing on the young Kakashi's concept of leaving ANY comrade behind). Yamato isn't saying anything that is totally contrary to Naruto's way of the ninja ... he isn't dissing teamwork or asking Sakura to become nothing but a tool to the mission. He is just saying that if a teammate isn't in immediate danger and doesn't actually need protecting and babying then you shouldn't prioritize them over the mission. Leaving friends behind to fend for themselves IS DIFFERENT from leaving friends behind to fend off an enemy ... and Yamato sees this while Kakashi, because of his past, can't. Kakashi does not EVER bend his rule about protecting his teammate's over the mission while Yamato switches easily from mission to protection and back depending on the circumstances.

No denying that Naruto is vulnerable. But being vulnerable is different than being in danger. I believe ultimately friendship does still come first. There are other ways to serve that friendship than sticking together. Perhaps, the best way to serve friendship and teamwork is by doing your duty, and having faith in your friends to do theirs too ... even if that includes just getting themselves home safely. The best way to serve friendship is by doing everything involved in being the strongest Shinobi you can be. Wasn't separating to study with the Tsunade and Jiraiya for this purpose?

A KAKASHI/YAMATO/NARUTO/SAKURA TEAM

We just found out Yamato & Kakashi were on the same team once already .... Now we plainly see how different Yamato’s mentality is from the driving force that was Team 7. I personally prefer the idea of Yamato and Kakashi back on the same team now that I do see an inner conflict available. I already liked the strength of such a team (considering what they would face) and the one thing that disturbed me was a perceived overlap in personalities between Kakashi and Yamato. I was unhappy that such a team would have too perfect a dynamic and common vision that it would be uninteresting. Not anymore. This could be very promising dramatically with the two commanding officers (even if Yamato would likely be submissive to Kakashi) at odds over the best way to help Sakura and Naruto …
___________________________________________________________________

NJT translation:
Yamato: The one that hurt Sakura was you Naruto ... Sakura didn't want to hurt you so she lied ... That Kyuubi strength that you have, if you did use that strength you might have a faster chance of saving Sasuke. But relying on the strength of the Kyuubi isn't your true strength. And so, if you rely on the Kyuubi, not only will you hurt yourself but it'll be strength that will hurt those close to you. You should be realizing that by now. The reason you didn't try to stop releasing that power is because you got impatient, right? From now on, I'm going to suppress your Kyuubi power completely. However if you think that will make you weaker then you are greatly mistaken. You are strong enough to not need to rely on that strength. You're true strength, isn't from Kyuubi's power, and the reason you're able to stand Kyuubi's chakra is because of the strength of your own chakra. If you want to save Sasuke do it with your own power. Not with Kyuubi's eyes, but your own.

I think this week just proved even more that Yamato has a just do it, act mature and helpful, don't overprotect but deal with the problem head on, attitude. He isn't willing to protect Naruto from the truth because he knows that can't help Naruto or make him stronger in the long run. Once again he is doing the seemingly opposite of what Naruto's former sensei, this time Jiraiya, would have wanted. It is only at first glance they are so different. Jiraiya wants Naruto to use his powers to the fullest he can and actually unsealed the red chakra. Yamato here is sealing it again and telling Naruto he's better of not using it.

But on closer inspection there is an overlap in purpose again. Jiraiya wants Naruto to have the Kyuubi as a trump card but has also propograted that Naruto NEEDS control and shouldn't use other powers flipantly. His training focuses on power not control because Naruto has so much spare chakra (chapter 91) and needs strong moves since Akatsuki is after him. Jiraiya thinks he whould be better off directing his power towards the bigger fish out there like Akatsuki not solely at Sasuke (hospital conversation) ... He has wanted Naruto to be stronger than the average ninja for his own protection but never wanted Naruto to push himself so hard that Naruto scraps his limits. Jiriaya even worries when Naruto pushes himself too hard like during the Rasengan training. He wants Naruto strong but within a healthy framework.

Yamato is just pointing out that with rushing and impatient behavior, Naruto hasn't been in control and has been relying on Kyuubi too much. And this is not healthy. Just like he felt that staying behind to protect comrade when it is unnecessary was overprotection not compassion, he is now saying that relying on demonic harmful powers where you could loose yourself and will hurt both yourself and friends is an unnecessary risk and over the top when the job can be gotten done with much less. And until Naruto can understand, accept, and control that, Yamato once again might be more correct and sealing the Kyuubi might be the best thing for this particular situation.

Comments:
...Wow. That's a lot to take in. Worth reading, though, and well stated. I hadn't thought to look at Yamato's decision like that, but it was interesting and makes sense. Especially the over-protection part. The only response I have to Kakashi's over-protection is this: He already lost one of them, and he's probably trying to prevent a second.
Another comment, " she CAN'T protect them from themselves..." was very well said.
Altogether, it was all well stated. *Gives cookies* ^^
 
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