Why Is Everyone Being Stupid About The Sakura Situation?

[C4 Karura]

Okay, I finished up reading Chapter 474 a half hour ago, and I was really impressed. In fact, this has been one of the greatest chapters in a long while. Most important of all, however, is that Sakura has finally been made unflaky again. Sakura's character was flaky and useless throughout most of Part 1. Only at the very end did she start to get the level of determination seen from Sasuke and Naruto regularily. Then, for a brief period of 32 chapters, at the start of Part 2, she was actually a force to be reckoned with. She caused earthquakes with her fists, beat Akatsuki members (with help), and was one of the strongest characters in the series. Then after that, she stopped having fights in the series. While everyone else was getting insane powerups and new characters with even more insane abilities popped up, she stayed at the same level. Her once-strong powers were left behind. In recent chapters, espiecally, she was really annoying, and couldn't seem to stop crying. This last chapter, however, has validated her as a character again. Her actions in the recent chapters were explained, and now they actually make sense. We get why she's decided to kill Sasuke.

However, when I got to the forums, the avarage response to Sakura's actions was, "Sakura's stupid and weak! Why is she trying to kill Sasuke when she's so weak, and he's not?!?!?! And she's being mean to Naruto and lying to him!! She should stay home while the real ninjas take care of things! I hope she dies fighting Sasuke!!!" To all the people like that, here's what I have to say:

First of all, who says she's a weak Chunin-level? She hasn't fought in 199 chapters! Since the end of the Sasori fight, she has not fought once. (Well, except for punching a giant centipede while screaming, "HELL, YEAH!" in chapter 421. But that really doesn't count.) Does it not occur to anyone that she has probably been training a lot during that time? When a character in a manga hasn't fought in a while, they tend to have some new abilities! Remember Kiba and Akamaru's power in Part 1? Over 100 chapters passed between the end of his fight against Naruto and when he started fighting in the Sasuke Retriaval Arc. During that time, he didn't fight once, and only one thing of "training" was shown. (All it was was two pages where Akamaru practiced his "pee-on-people" technique.) Yet, somehow, when they started fighting in the S.R. Arc, they had a whole slew of new jutsu, and were far stronger. Who's to say Sakura hasn't gotten way stronger, as well? (I'm betting she's at least able to summon Katsuya by now.) I don't think Kishi will make her strong enough to beat Sasuke, but he will definitely add some new powers, so that it isn't a totally one-sided fight.

Second, why is everyone calling Sakura a jerk and an idiot? This post, in particular, really bugged me:

Originally Posted by shikamarulover18

i was rather surprised by sakura's decision to kill sasuke on her own. i mean i just don't understand what in her past fighting history has given her any reason to believe she has talent? i think she should just go home and wait for the real ninjas to take care of things. her selfish ambition is just hurting everyone! and could possibly result in their deaths! is this all some misguided attempt at reconciliation? so sai, kiba, lee, and everyone else have to risk their lives because SAKURA wants to stop sasuke on her OWN?? good lord. i can't even begin to explain how ridiculous that is. i also think it was quite arrogant of sakura to assume that the only reason naruto was going after sasuke was because of her and the promise he made. i mean, can you say 'the world does not revolve around you, sakura!' ugh. i've had enough of sakura in this series and if she is to meet her end here then i don't view that as a loss. she's just too selfish.

My response this person is: Did you even read the chapter? They completely explained her behaviour in the first 10 pages of the chapter. You do make a good point about her risking her teammates' lives, but the rest of it is pointless drivel.

So do all you people reading this agree with me? Or if you disagree, please give some actual reasons.

[OtoSeptic]

....*high fives*

*+ rep for you for having sense and having actually PAID ATTENTION to the chapter, thankyousomuch ~_~*

[C4 Karura]

Originally Posted by OtoSeptic

....*high fives*

*+ rep for you for having sense and having actually PAID ATTENTION to the chapter, thankyousomuch ~_~*

Yay, Rep! (Oh, and I'm adding a poll to the thread.)

[OnyxBlossom]

I definately agree. People obviously don't read the whole chapter(s) before coming to conclusions, and the whole "Sakura's an idiot" and "Who hates Sakura" threads are annoying and it's frustrating when people think she's still the weak ninja she was after she graduated the Academy. "Let the real ninjas take care of things" are you kidding me? That's total bull.

She's obviously been training during the time she hasn't been fighting, not just sitting around waiting for Naruto and the others to do everything, which is why she's probably going to go and try to kill Sasuke herself. And the whole Naruto going after Sasuke thing is because of the promise he made to Sakura, and because he doesn't want Sasuke to become what he is.

Sakura's selfish? She's risking her own life for Naruto. Do you think that's selfish? Because I don't.

[optimuskage]

hmm, this is actually a good argument for Sakura. but still, she really stands no chance against anyone on Sasuke's team except Karin, and Lee and Kiba probably wouldn't b much help either. remember, Sasuke fought off 4 Kages, and while he lost, he was still a major threat to them. besides, Sakura seems to b rash right now, attempting to kill what's probably now an S-rank criminal when she usually does poorly in her fights. so unless she actually mastered long-range jutsu or somehow incredibly improved her reaction time, she's probably as good as dead. besides, she has shown to b kinda selfish and really annoying, so i wouldn't really care if she did die. might actually help the story move along.

but the thing i hate the most about Sakura is her fans, they're really annoying (that means all of you, she's just trying to get rid of her guilt, therefore she's doing this more for herself and not for Naruto)

[C4 Karura]

Originally Posted by OnyxBlossom

I definately agree. People obviously don't read the whole chapter(s) before coming to conclusions, and the whole "Sakura's an idiot" and "Who hates Sakura" threads are annoying and it's frustrating when people think she's still the weak ninja she was after she graduated the Academy. "Let the real ninjas take care of things" are you kidding me? That's total bull.

She's obviously been training during the time she hasn't been fighting, not just sitting around waiting for Naruto and the others to do everything, and the whole Naruto going after Sasuke thing is because of the promise he made to Sakura, and because he doesn't want Sasuke to become what he is.

Sakura's selfish? She's risking her own life for Naruto. Do you think that's selfish? Because I don't.

Yay, Onyx agrees with me, too! (How long do think it'll take for some idiot to come on this thread, declaring that Sakura is a horrible person, and we're all idiots for thinking otherwise?)
EDIT: Someone already did. (Although they were polite and didn't call us idiots.)

[C4 Karura]

Originally Posted by optimuskage

hmm, this is actually a good argument for Sakura. but still, she really stands no chance against anyone on Sasuke's team except Karin, and Lee and Kiba probably wouldn't b much help either. remember, Sasuke fought off 4 Kages, and while he lost, he was still a major threat to them. besides, Sakura seems to b rash right now, attempting to kill what's probably now an S-rank criminal when she usually does poorly in her fights. so unless she actually mastered long-range jutsu or somehow incredibly improved her reaction time, she's probably as good as dead. besides, she has shown to b kinda selfish and really annoying, so i wouldn't really care if she did die. might actually help the story move along.

but the thing i hate the most about Sakura is her fans, they're really annoying (that means all of you, she's just trying to get rid of her guilt, therefore she's doing this more for herself and not for Naruto)

-__-'... Once again, READ THE CHAPTER, PEOPLES! Almost everything you said was either disproved in the chapter or my post at the top of the thread.

[ninjawolf08]

I never really did like Sakura, and I still don't.... but I did like how the chapter developed her character. It was a great change for her.

[OtoSeptic]

What amuses AND annoys me is how everyone is all "Dude, Sakura stands no chance!" or "She better have a new jutsu if she expects to live longer than two seconds!"

Dude. Has everyone forgotten that she could splatter Sasuke's brain all over the sidewalk with one hit? Sure, he's generally stronger than her, but that doesn't mean she's weak.

[cherryflower]

I agree. she must be stronger! I mean what elese would she have been doing in all those chapters? and who knows, maby she learned to use medic justu offensively like kabuto. All I can say is I can't wait to read the chapter that shows if she's gotten stronger ^^

[C4 Karura]

Originally Posted by ninjawolf08

I never really did like Sakura, and I still don't.... but I did like how the chapter developed her character. It was a great change for her.

I agree, this was one of the greatest chapters for her character.

[OnyxBlossom]

Originally Posted by optimuskage

hmm, this is actually a good argument for Sakura. but still, she really stands no chance against anyone on Sasuke's team except Karin, and Lee and Kiba probably wouldn't b much help either. remember, Sasuke fought off 4 Kages, and while he lost, he was still a major threat to them. besides, Sakura seems to b rash right now, attempting to kill what's probably now an S-rank criminal when she usually does poorly in her fights. so unless she actually mastered long-range jutsu or somehow incredibly improved her reaction time, she's probably as good as dead. besides, she has shown to b kinda selfish and really annoying, so i wouldn't really care if she did die. might actually help the story move along.

but the thing i hate the most about Sakura is her fans, they're really annoying (that means all of you, she's just trying to get rid of her guilt, therefore she's doing this more for herself and not for Naruto)

That makes me laugh. She's doing it so Naruto can stop chasing after Sasuke, meaning she's doing it more for him and the others than herself. She's literally committing suicide for the people she loves, not to "get rid of guilt".

[C4 Karura]

Originally Posted by OnyxBlossom

That makes me laugh. She's doing it so Naruto can stop chasing after Sasuke, meaning she's doing it more for him and the others than herself. She's literally committing suicide for the people she loves, not to "get rid of guilt".

Thank you for posting this! I'm going to quote this whenever someone says she's selfish.

[Leaf/Mist Shinobi250]

I love Sakura's character in all of the Naruto manga. I have seen those posts about Sakura standing no chance against Sasuke blah blah blah. For one Sakura is not stupid...she wouldn't go into a battle that she didn't think she could win maybe. She is smarter then Sasuke after all. Since she is a GENJUTSU TYPE Shinobi...I think her chances to fend off Sasuke's Sharingan Genjutsu is pretty good. We all know her power (Strength) is well above Sasuke's. Plus she has Lee, Kiba, and Sai with her who are all powerful characters.

[yoh150]

Sakura is going to go after Sauske Naruto will chase after her..nothing new right when its getting interesting its going back to same old stuff. Sakura is not going to kill Sauske if she does then thats hilarious I would not stop laughing.

[GaaraoftheSand13]

Yay, this was awesome! I agree, this is one of the best chapters in a while. And about Sakura, I think she's on Jonin level easily. She may not be able to beat Sasuke alone, but she can put a good fight and probably beat the people still with Sasuke (since we don't know who will be with Sasuke other then Karin when he comes out of that deminsion and fight Sakura).
She can DEFINATELY kill Karin. And I can honestly understand her intentions. She's just doing it for the people she loves. Granted, what she told Naruto was unbelievably stupid, but she that's only cause she didn't have the heart to tell him the truth. And granted, Sasuke is still much stronger than she is. If an S ranked criminal can interupt a Hokage meaning and not die in five seconds that's some strong guy. She probably shouldn't try to kill him alone, but I don't know where people got selfish from. That doesn't even fit into the context really...

[Yuuta]

Sakura is one of my favorite characters, and I don't believe I'm being stupid about the situation. I am very concerned for her. I do not think that she has what it takes to fight Sasuke.

If I offended with my 'barely chunin' comment, I am sorry. I was basing that on that fact that she basically only has taijutsu, and that seems to be able to be avoided by characters rather easily. If she is outmanevuered or overtaken by speed, she hasn't really shown any jutsu to fend it off, though she can heal herself afterward.

I completely and totally agree with the assumption that she has new jutsu. I even said that in my thread, she must have new jutsu if she's confident enough to go after Sasuke.

Also, I think she has a great reason to go after him, and didn't challenge that at all. I just wish she was going after him to confess or something.

I apologize if I came off as 'being stupid' in my thread, I am not trying to disrespect Sakura. I am simply concerned for her.

[C4 Karura]

Originally Posted by Yuuta

Sakura is one of my favorite characters, and I don't believe I'm being stupid about the situation. I am very concerned for her. I do not think that she has what it takes to fight Sasuke.

If I offended with my 'barely chunin' comment, I am sorry. I was basing that on that fact that she basically only has taijutsu, and that seems to be able to be avoided by characters rather easily. If she is outmanevuered or overtaken by speed, she hasn't really shown any jutsu to fend it off, though she can heal herself afterward.

I completely and totally agree with the assumption that she has new jutsu. I even said that in my thread, she must have new jutsu if she's confident enough to go after Sasuke.

Also, I think she has a great reason to go after him, and didn't challenge that at all. I just wish she was going after him to confess or something.

I apologize if I came off as 'being stupid' in my thread, I am not trying to disrespect Sakura. I am simply concerned for her.

Oh, no, I wasn't annoyed with you, I was annoyed with some of the people who responded to your thread.

[Nemico]

Well I hadnt actually thought about it how you had but I find it rather interesting now. I was quite surprised with Sakura's decision, it really changed her character and made her seem quite more respectable that she is actually gonna try and do something. Like you said she has not fought in awhile and I'm pretty sure she knows that Sasuke is extremely powerful so she most have something up her sleeve that make's her go ahead and do this. (Nice Job)

[TheViolletteHeart]

See, here is where I'm in the middle.

A person can be both smart and stupid at the same time (I am a very good example of this). See, Sakura has book smarts, deffinitely. However, she greatly lacks in street smarts. She can be very selfish, but in this case, it's really not as selfish as people are trying to make it out to be.

You make an excelent point about her improving. If she doesn't have any new skills, Kishi isn't just going to just let her run in and die. He's going to make the fight at least a little interesting.

Honestly, my only issues with Sakura are with her personality, but it's the same way I feel about many females in shounen manga. Since shounen manga is aimed for males, hence the "shounen", the female characters tend to be very antifeminist. Sakura is stronger than a lot of female characters in shounen manga, but she's still extremely annoying and antifeminist.

I tend to prefer characters like Konan, Tsunade, and Temari because: 1) They are less selfish and annoying, 2) They are really powerful and strong, so 3) They don't need men protecting them. They can fight on their own. Basically, those three demonstrate the feminist qualities I can stand behind, whereas Sakura can't. At least not yet. But she's a teenager; she's still developing, as you said.