UchihaTaijiya

The reunion had several elements that led me to believe it was not exactly as it seemed.

As mentioned, Sasuke could have taken Naruto's life the instant he appeared before him, but instead he told Naruto to give up on chasing him, since Naruto's dream was to become Hokage. I'm sure everyone remembers Naruto's response, which then led to Sasuke attacking him. Sasuke knows Naruto is strong, and I doubt he believed he'd take his life with a single strike. >.>

Sakura advanced on Sasuke, and Kishimoto drew three panels of Sasuke's face. Which uh, seems like a waste unless it was intended to illustrate a pause/hesitation. He did direct his sword at her, but considering that he only immobilized Yamato, it's certainly logical to believe he would have done the same to Sakura, instead of taking her life.

Following that, his threat to use "That Jutsu", seemed more as a way to unveil Orochimaru who was watching the reunion. Which it did.

So to me the reunion was Sasuke attempt to get across two points: He made it seem that he was willing to take his former team's lives, in hopes that they would give up on trying to bring him back (he even stated in the last chapter that Naruto doesn't know when to give up, which imo backs up this interpretation), and give Orochimaru the impression that he was willing to conform to Orochimaru's desires. Remember at this time, Sasuke was still being trained by Orochimaru, so feigning loyalty was still in Sasuke's motives.

Besides those points, Sasuke's phrasing and words were also questionable. Such as 'whim' and in repsonse to Naruto's question about the body transfer, Sasuke states "If it happens... so it happened." Using if makes it seem as if its a possibility, rather than his intended choice.


Now, he has expressed disgust towards Orochimaru and Itachi, will not let his team take anyone's life, and freed prisoners. It seems really odd that he would truly want to kill Naruto or Sakura or Kakashi or really anyone other than Itachi or Akatsuki, people who play God with other's lives and kill without hesitation.

And as for the kage bushin point, yeah, Karin had just mentioned that they were surrounded by people with the same chakra. It doesn't take much brain power to realize that they were Naruto's kage bushin. >.>

Sasuke may end up fighting his team again, but I don't think his character wants in any way to take their lives. He'd prefer it if they just left him to his revenge.

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