Summary: After getting discharged from the hospital, Naruto returns to a home that’s no longer standing. Sasuke, who doesn’t do well in cages, flees the first chance he gets. Unmoored, unsettled, Naruto looks to his motherland for answers. Uzushio calls her son home. The road to Uzushiogakure is long, but Sasuke walks it with him.
There are some Naruto/Sasuke blogs that I encounter and I am in agreement with some of their analysis but one of the ideas perpetuated by them is the idea that Sasuke is the feminine counterpart to Naruto' s masculine one or that he has characteristics typical of a "heroine", which I can not agree with.
Let's start with one of the most baffling claims that I have come across -
This conclusion can only arise from a narrow engagement with Japanese media, specifically post-1980s shounen manga or tokusatsu TV shows. To equate the theatrical use of bright colors in Kabuki with modern shounen protagonists’ personalities is a fundamental misunderstanding of both cultural history and artistic tradition.
Kabuki theater, does feature characters adorned in exaggerated makeup and vibrant costumes. However, these visual elements are not tied to personality traits like “loudness” or “rebelliousness.” Instead, they serve as symbolic tools to convey roles, emotions, and social status within the rigid structure of Kabuki performances. The protagonist in Kabuki is often a figure of restraint, dignity, and moral complexity, qualities starkly opposed to the brash, impulsive archetype of modern shounen heroes. Importantly, all Kabuki characters heroes, villains, and supporting roles alike wear bright colors and stylized makeup. This is a theatrical convention, not a character trait.
They are part of a broader theatrical tradition that emphasizes visual storytelling and emotional expression. Meanwhile, the loud, brash shounen hero is a modern invention designed to resonate with younger audiences, not a reflection of Japan’s historical ideals.
"The Ideal Japanese Hero"
The term “ideal Japanese hero” is overly broad and ahistorical. It ignores the evolution of Japanese storytelling across genres and eras. The traits commonly associated with modern shounen protagonists : short tempers, hyperactiveness , or “punkish” behavior are relatively recent developments, emerging in the late 20th century to appeal to adolescent demographics. These characteristics are often criticized within Japan as immature or simplistic, reflecting a deliberate marketing strategy rather than a cultural ideal.
In contrast, seinen and gekiga feature protagonists who embody a far more nuanced conception of masculinity. Characters like Manji from Blade of the Immortal , Musashi from Vagabond, or Thorfinn from Vinland Saga are introspective, morally conflicted, and driven by existential struggles. These figures align more closely with the Byronic hero, a brooding complex antihero than with the loud, hyperactive protagonists of shounen.
Sasuke : Revenge and Restoring Honour
The themes of revenge and the restoration of honor are deeply embedded in classical Japanese literature, so much so that there is an entire genre dedicated to it: Jitsuroku. These stories, often based on historical events, revolve around the pursuit of justice and the restoration of one’s honor through acts of vengeance. The most iconic example of this genre is the tale of the Forty-Seven Ronin, a story that has become a cornerstone of Japanese cultural heritage. It tells the story of a group of samurai who avenge their lord’s death after he is wrongfully framed and forced to commit ritual suicide by a political rival. The themes of loyalty, filial piety, and the moral imperative to restore honor are central to this narrative, and it has inspired countless similar stories throughout Japanese history.
The archetype of the wronged hero seeking vengeance is a recurring motif in Japanese literature. These stories often follow a similar structure: a protagonist is wronged due to political machinations or personal betrayal, resulting in dishonor and often death. The hero then embarks on a quest to avenge the injustice, driven by a sense of duty, loyalty, or filial piety.
One such example is Tales of Jiraiya, a classic Japanese folktale that served as one of the many inspirations for Naruto. In this story, the protagonist, Jiraiya, is a noble warrior who faces betrayal and must navigate a world of political intrigue and personal vendettas.
Sasuke is a textbook example of this archetype. His quest to avenge his family and restore their honor drives much of his character arc, making him a quintessential example of the classical Japanese male protagonist.
Despite being a deuteragonist, Sasuke’s role in Naruto is so compelling that he often challenges Naruto’s position as the protagonist, both within the narrative and in terms of audience reception. During the run of Naruto in Weekly Shounen Jump, Sasuke consistently ranked highly in popularity polls, and even surpassing Naruto to take the #1 position at least once. His character and story arc resonated deeply with Japanese audiences because they embodied the characteristics of a classical Japanese hero: stoic, driven, and principled.
Naruto, while a beloved protagonist, is often critiqued for his naivety and near-childish idealism. His unwavering belief in forgiveness and unity, contrasts with Sasuke’s capacity for ideological introspection. Sasuke makes for a more mature and nuanced counterpart to Naruto, appealing to audiences who appreciate the gravitas of a traditional tragic hero.
Some blogs and fans insist on framing Sasuke as a “heroine,” citing a comment from an anime director ( from early part 1, referencing Naruto wanting to save Sasuke from Orochimaru) who said that Sasuke is the “true heroine” because Naruto “chases” and wants to “rescue” him. This interpretation reduces their relationship to a rather shallow dynamic of pursuer and pursued, ignoring the larger narrative in the relationship( especially considering Sasuke never actually required physical saving despite Naruto’s concerns)
However, you can also easily and equally claim that Naruto fulfills the narrative role traditionally assigned to female love interests in East Asian stories – the emotional crutch that enables the lone ranger’s emotional salvation.
Sasuke embodies that quintessential archetype : Defined by self-imposed isolation, governed by ruthless independence and consumed by a quest for vengeance.
Naruto, meanwhile, assumes the role of the redemptive force, responsible for his emotional healing. His narrative purpose is mirrored across many East Asian romances:
-In Tale of Genji, Murasaki becomes Genji’s emotional compass, she counters his political ruthlessness, while refusing to abandon him.
-In Peony Pavilion, Dun Liniang’s love redeems the scholar Liu Mengmei and her devotion awakens him from his isolation.
-In The White Snake legend, Bai Suzhen’s love humanizes the ascetic Xu Xian, her devotion breaks his monastic detachment.
There are many more examples, but the pattern is clear. In the story itself, Naruto is contrasted to Sakura - the female character who is canonically in love with Sasuke and is expected to take the role of being Sasuke's emotional anchor- laments that she can't influence him through her love, and that role is given to Naruto instead.
In Chinese fan discussions, many have noted how Naruto – as the male protagonist – occupies the role of being Sasuke’s salvation, a narrative position traditionally reserved for female love interests.
Which second male lead tells the male lead, ‘You’re my salvation’ ?!
26K Likes
Naruto’s unwavering devotion to Sasuke frequently becomes a target of mockery, particularly among male fans who identify with him. As I've previously analyzed, this discomfort stems from seeing their self-insert character deviate from traditional masculine ideals by assuming what they perceive as a ‘feminine’ role – the emotional pursuer in the relationship. This cognitive dissonance manifests in two ways: either through hatred toward Sasuke for ‘making Naruto appear gay,’ or insisting that Sasuke should have been female to preserve conventional gender dynamics and avoid perceived emasculation.
Just to be clear, emotional nurturance isn’t gendered, but storytelling traditions have historically framed it that way. I’m not arguing that Naruto should be viewed as Sasuke’s ‘heroine’ instead of the reverse. The more compelling point is how the Naruto-Sasuke relationship also subverts the expectations of a the masculine archetype, and making Naruto an atypical Shounen protagonist.
I do remember JP fans discussing Naruto’s behaviour towards Sasuke and complaining that the way Kishimoto writes him resembles the writing of Shoujo authors.
> It was funny how all the supposedly ‘typical attributes of female manga artists’ perfectly matched Kishimoto’s depictions when someone listed them.
>>Kishimoto is great in a sense, for proving that depiction habits are not gender specific
It's amusing when people cite Japanese fans calling Sasuke “heroine” as proof he supposedly occupies a feminine role. In Japan, “heroine” typically just means the protagonist’s love interest – usually female, yes, but not inherently about performing femininity in the story.
On a related note, the label of "heroine" is a point of contention among the Western fans of Sakura. In Japan, Hinata is referred to as the heroine, including Kishimoto himself, because Naruto ultimately marries her. However, some fans believe that since Sakura is the main female character she should therefore be considered the heroine instead. They also fail to understand that the term "heroine" simply refers to the love interest of the male protagonist, rather than anything else.
Take this Japanese comment on a Final Fantasy VII clip, calling Sephiroth the “heroine.”
Nobody seriously argues Sephiroth plays a feminine role, even though Cloud obsesses over him (antagonistically), once idolized him, admires his looks, and Sephiroth’s beauty keeps getting emphasized. Clearly, it’s just a tongue-in-cheek remark about their homoerotic tension.
The same applies to Sasuke. A lot of these “heroine” comments are playful nods to his narrative function as Naruto’s emotional focus, not some statement about gender roles in the story.
The claim that Sasuke’s status as a bishounen (beautiful, graceful male) makes him the “feminine counterpart” to Naruto’s “masculine” Yang energy is a misapplication of the Yin-Yang analogy. In Naruto, the Yin-Yang dichotomy is explicitly tied to thematic contrasts of darkness/hatred (Yin) and light/love(Yang), not to gendered traits or appearances. Reducing this philosophical framework to superficial characteristics ignores both the manga’s intent and the cultural context.
Kishimoto employs Yin-Yang symbolism to explore moral dualities:
Sasuke as Yin : Associated with darkness, vengeance, and isolation due to his role as an antagonist, not his appearance. .
Naruto as Yang : Embodies light, hope, and connection as the protagonist who seeks to unify the shinobi world, not his brashness.
This contrast is ideological, not aesthetic.
In Taoist philosophy, Yin and Yang are interdependent forces that create balance. Kishimoto uses this duality to frame their narrative roles and never extends the Yin-Yang analogy to their looks or behavior, this is a fan-imposed interpretation.
People who label Sasuke’s beauty, or reserve as “feminine” misunderstand Japanese cultural ideals. In Japan:
-Bishounen aesthetics (youthful beauty, androgyny) are celebrated as markers of sublime masculinity, not femininity. Historical figures like samurai and nobles prized elegance and refinement.
- Stoicism and introspection are hallmarks of classical heroes
You can also easily reverse their assigned roles: Sasuke’s demeanor and strategic ruthlessness , and qualities that drive him to dismantle the Shinobi system are inherently Yang traits: active, decisive, and transformative. Conversely, Naruto’s compassion and loyalty to the village reflect Yin qualities: nurturing, passive, and preservative.
Sasuke and Naruto’s outwards characterization is not unique anyways . Iconic rivalries like Rukawa and Sakuragi (Slam Dunk, another inspiration for Naruto) follow a similar pattern:
- Rukawa : Aloof, refined, popular (akin to Sasuke).
- Sakuragi : Loud, brash, and comedic (akin to Naruto).
These contrasts are narrative tools. Mapping them to Yin-Yang binaries ignores their purpose as simple character foils.
Sasuke's Desirability and Beauty
One of the most persistent and misguided arguments used to frame Sasuke as a “heroine” hinges on his desirability and physical beauty. They claim that because Sasuke is desired by multiple characters and his appearance is frequently emphasized, he must occupy a traditionally “feminine” role akin to a female love interest. This interpretation reflects a profound ignorance of Japanese literary and cultural traditions that celebrate male beauty as a marker of masculine excellence.
Japanese literature has long exalted male beauty, associating it with nobility, power, and otherworldly perfection. The seminal Tale of Genji, centers on Hikaru Genji, a protagonist whose beauty is described as transcendent:
“His appearance tempted men and women alike, as he had smooth white skin and an excellent fashion sense, which increased his fame and popularity.”
Genji’s allure is central to his character, yet it never undermines his masculinity. Instead, his beauty amplifies his status as an aristocratic ideal - charismatic, politically astute, and socially dominant.
It brings me to the next topic:
Bishounen
The term bishounen (美少年, “beautiful youth”) is frequently misrepresented in Western discourse as synonymous with effeminacy. In contemporary usage, bishounen is a fluid aesthetic category that transcends genre and sexuality:
- In shoujo manga: Bishounen are romantic leads
- In shounen/seinen manga: They appear as rivals antagonists , or sometimes even as the protagonists
- In Boys’ Love (BL): While often the central cast, their appeal lies in narrative dynamics, not inherent femininity.
“Comics for younger boys tend to use arrogant bishōnen in the role of the recurring minor rivals readers love to hate, though their effeminate good looks there, they will often appear older... stronger, and thus in fact more masculine than the commonly shorter and less mature protagonists. ”
-Manga: The Complete Guide, Del Rey
Critically, bishounen aesthetics prioritize androgyny - not gender ambiguity. These characters are unmistakably male, blending refined features with traditionally masculine traits (e.g., ambition, combat prowess).
To equate Sasuke’s beauty or desirability with femininity is to impose Western gender binaries onto a narrative rooted in Japanese aesthetics. In Japan, male beauty has never been antithetical to masculinity - it enhances it.
I came across this post and the claims here are completely eregrious
" saying Sasuke is meant to be a typical Japanese ideal of masculinity....... wearing lipstick crazy "
The argument that Sasuke can’t embody Japanese masculinity because Kishimoto drew him wearing lipstick in one illustration is absurd. The image in question depicts Sasuke in theatrical stage makeup, a stylistic choice for a cover art that portrays him as a Kabuki actor. Also, Sasuke’s single illustrated portrayal as a actor does not negate his role as a classical Japanese hero.
"call Sasuke the Japanese ideal of masculinity... funny... meant to be bishounen"
The assertion that Sasuke’s bishounen design disqualifies him as a masculine ideal is complete ignorance. As I have already written before, In Japan:
- Bishounen aesthetics celebrate androgynous beauty as a form of sublime masculinity.
- Historical samurai and nobles prized youthful, refined appearances as markers of nobility and power.
- Modern male idols, actors, and singers cultivate androgynous looks without compromising their perceived masculinity.
The claim that bishounen implies homosexuality or femininity is also not true. In contemporary usage in Japan, Bishounen is a neutral aesthetic term. Sasuke being the conventionally attractive man embodying classical Japanese traits is quite literally the appeal of Sasuke/Sakura. I am not sure why they would be against it.
Masculinity encompasses a spectrum, from Naruto’s boisterousness to Sasuke’s stoicism. Grace, restraint, and beauty are hallmarks of the classical hero, not markers of femininity. To view Sasuke as the “feminine” counterpart is to erase the diversity of Japanese masculinity.
On an end note, I am active in a lot of Chinese fan spaces and the contrast between Sasuke's perception there ( or East Asia in general) with the Anglosphere/Latin America's view of him is rather striking-
Sasuke is seriously has such masculine charm —if I were a woman, I’d totally wanna marry him!
I just read all of your naruto fics - incredible no notes. Genuinely some of the best sns fics ive ever read. Do you have any more naruto ships youd one day write for? I know you did shika/temari/naruto (which amazing very hot and its so clear they wanted her to stayyyy) but any other ships you like?
thanks!! I just care about the ships with Naruto in them but IDC enough to write about any of them tbh outside of pwp maybe
There are some Naruto/Sasuke blogs that I generally like and I am in agreement with many of their analysis but one of the ideas perpetuated by them is the idea that Sasuke is the feminine counterpart to Naruto' s masculine one or that he has characteristics typical of a heroine, which I can not agree with.
Let's start with one of the most befuddling claims that I have come across -
You can only come to the above conclusion if your only consumption of Japanese media include post 1980 Shounen or Toukatsu TV.
Theatre/Kabuki were enactment of the existing literature and I can assure you that their protagonists were FAR from the modern Shounen protagonists( I discuss this in detail below ).Almost every character in Kabuki has exaggerated make up and wore bright colour, it's not reserved for the protagonist either.
"The Ideal Japanese Hero"
This is a very broad term in itself that doesn't take into account the time period nor genre.
The character traits typical of a Shounen protagonists that presumably OP is talking about such as being short tempered/rebellious/punkish appears very late in the history of manga. These protagonists exhibited such qualities to be relatable to adolescent boys but they are not the ideal conception of masculinity in Japan and they are often criticised for being immature.
These characteristics are often not found in Seinen/Gekiga works, or any literature that is not targeted at kids.It consists of a very diverse variety of protagonists but they are much closer to the Japanese equivalent of a Byronic hero than a loud troublemaker. Take Blade of the Immortal , Vagabond , Berserk , Vinland Saga etc.
Back to Sasuke : Revenge and Restoring Honour
These are the topics that are so embedded in classical Japanese literature that there is an entire Genre dedicated to it : Jitsuroku
The one that started it all i.e Forty-Seven Ronin tells the story of revenge against a political opponent who caused the death of a Samurai lord by wrongfully framing him. This story and it's themes are embedded deep in Japanese heritage and remains one of the most influential works that would inspire similar stories.
The story of being wronged due to politics, resulting in dishonour and ultimately death and then being avenged by the protagonist who sets out to fulfill his duty of revenge and restoring their honor owing to filial piety or loyalty becomes a staple genre. One of the examples being Tales of Jiraiya, one of the many inspirations for Naruto
And Sasuke is a textbook example of such a character from this genre.
He is the typical classical Japanese male protagonist : Prodigal, Reserved, Beautiful, Filial, Graceful
(more on beauty later)
Despite being a deuteraginist he challenged Naruto's role as a protagonist both in the text and outside of it . During the run of Naruto on Weekly Shounen Jump , Sasuke would occupy the #2 position for the vast majority of times and even beat Naruto at least once to take the #1 spot. His character and story arc was incredibly popular in Japan because it exhibited characteristics of a classical Japanese hero.
He might get mixed reactions in the West but he is beloved in Japan. So much so that some people wanted him to be the protagonist instead of Naruto.
Naruto while a beloved protagonist is considered too naive,and almost childish in his beliefs . While Sasuke is his mature counterpart who is capable of ideological introspection.
Blogs that are in favour of putting the 'heroine' role on Sasuke often use a comment made jokingly by one of the anime directors as Sasuke being the true heroine because he is to be chased and rescued by the protagonist or claim that some Japanese people discuss him as such and I am ????? Are you serious? This is such a superficial way of looking at their relationship and Sasuke's character arc or even what actually transpired between them that I am not even bothering countering it.
If you could browse 2channel back in the day , instead of the 'heroine' comments that these people claim you would see hundreds of messages in various threads that Sasuke is apparently the true hero of the story or how they want Sasuke to be the protagonist. There would also be comments about how emasculating Naruto's relationship with Sasuke is but that is another can of worms.
It is a common sentiment in Japan that if Naruto was a Seinen manga, Sasuke would undoubtedly be the protagonist.
Instead of being the 'heroine' or 'feminine counterpart', Sasuke exhibits the reserved, graceful and mature masculinity typical of a classical Japanese hero in counter to the open,exuberant and juvenile masculinity of Naruto.
There are people who claim Sasuke being a bishounen and graceful is him being the feminine counterpart because he is the Yin to Naruto' Yang. I highly disagree, Yin-Yang analogy is used throughout the manga to describe contrasting forces especially darkness/hatred and light/love , it is not used to portray outward characteristics. Using Yin-Yang to explain their appearances or behaviour is just extrapolating using the philosophical concept outside of its use of the manga.
While femininity is associated with Yin, I would like people to introspect what 'feminine traits' in the Japanese context constitute. Because the 'feminine traits' that Sasuke apparently exhibits aren't feminine at all.
Sasuke-Naruto are not the only two duos with such outward contrasts anyways , it's predecessor duo and one of the most recognisable rivals (at least in Japan) like Rukawa-Sakuragi from Slam Dunk, which Kishimoto likely took inspiration from has Rukawa who is aloof and desirable vs Sakuragi who is more of a delinquent in both appearance and behaviour . Such contrasting outwardly attributes are present in a lot of Shonen rivalries, you don't need Yin-Yang concepts to explain these.
On this tangent I would actually recommend everyone to read Slam Dunk not only because it is good but to also actually understand how a normal Shonen rivalry between two obvious straight males works and how much of a deviation Sasuke and Naruto' relationship is. I mentioned before that Kishimoto likely took inspiration from this and I say this because in addition to Rukawa-Sakuragi's rivalry in the sport, there is a love triangle aspect to it. Sakuragi loves Akagi who has a crush on Rukawa, who doesn't care. Here's where the similarity in the dynamics ends. Sakuragi actually really likes the girl , he only starts playing basketball to impress her and then develops a rivalry with Rukawa. This is the inverse of Naruto where Naruto's interest in Sakura was borne out of his rivalry with Sasuke . I can go on about their similarities and Kishimoto's subversion but it's a topic for another post.
Getting back on topic.
Sasuke's Desirability and Beauty
One of the most common arguments that is used in favour for Sasuke as a heroine is that he is desired by multiple people in the story and how his beauty is commented and highlighted on, and that these are the features apparently typically given to the female love interest.
This is one of the most ignorant claims I have ever come accross. Japanese literature has a long-standing tradition of exalting the beauty of males and their desirability, often to denote how perfect and/or otherworldly the person is.
One of the seminal works in Japanese literature Tales of Genji had to say this about its protagonist Hikaru Genji : "His appearance tempted men and women alike, as he had smooth white skin, excellent fashion sense, which increased his fame and popularity". His beauty is commented throughout the novel and he is desired by many, this doesn't negate his very masculine character.
It brings me to the next topic:
Bishounen
This is a term with so much history and what tropes it is associated with changes according to what genre it is used in that I am not surprised that some people just use it as a synonym for feminine/homosexual men. But in the contemporary lexicon and usage it just means a pretty boy of any sexuality.
Bishounen serve as love interests in Shoujo, the entire cast in a BL, Antagonist/Rival and sometimes even the protagonist in Shounen and Seinen. It just means a man who looks handsome/beautiful in a androgynous way but at the same time not be mistaken for a girl.
I came across this post and this is what put me over the edge to actually create a proper post because the claims here are completely eregrious
" saying Sasuke is meant to be a typical Japanese ideal of masculinity....... wearing lipstick crazy"
I don't think that the author drawing Sasuke with stage makeup on a cover featuring him as an actor negates the fact that Sasuke is meant to be a typical Japanese ideal of masculinity, I have already discussed it in detail above the reasons he is considered such.
"call Sasuke the Japanese ideal of masculinity... funny... meant to be bishounen"
I don't think OP has any Idea on the Japanese conceptualisation of masculinity nor the term Bishounen, which is fine if they weren't scoffing at an objectively correct reading of a character due to their own ignorance.
Being beautiful, youthful and desirable is well within the form of Japanese masculinity. Being bishounen doesn't negate masculinity, on the contrary validates it.
The sublime masculine Samurai were obsessed with keeping youthful appearances. And there is a reason almost all Japanese male idols/actors/singers strive to look androgynous.
I don't think Sasuke/Sakura shippers refuse to accept that he is Bishounen, that's quite literally one of his appeals,it's a general term not exclusively used to describe homosexual men. The origins of the term definitely contains homoeroticism but as I have said before that in contemporary usage it just means a pretty man and can be found in almost all type of Japanese media.
However if anybody uses the 'Japanese Ideal of masculinity' as an argument against him being attracted to a man, they would be displaying ignorance as these are concepts which can be found in a complementary fashion throughout Japanese literature.
Bishounen also has different tropes associated with it depending on the genre:
Comics for younger boys tend to use arrogant bishōnen in the role of the recurring minor rivals readers love to hate, though their effeminate good looks there, they will often appear older... stronger, and thus in fact more masculine than the commonly shorter and less mature protagonists.
- Manga: The Complete Guide, Del Rey
I think many people cannot let go of their Western sensibilities when analysing the text, especially in relationship to concepts like masculinity which is very dynamic even in Japan. They see two contrasting masculine characters: one being more open and brash and the other being reserved and graceful , and come to the conclusion that the latter is the feminine counterpart , which cannot be further from the truth.
Either that or some people are affected by their bias towards a certain pairing dynamic.
TL;DR Sasuke is the embodiment of classic Japanese masculinity
I'm going to get out some (sns meta) thoughts that I've had percolating for a while now and have expressed on discord here and there. I don't know if these will ever make it into a fic or not. RE: Sasuke characterization
One of the things I find kind of frustrating about the way fans characterize Sasuke and SNS is that I keep seeing memes and fanworks that sort of imply Sasuke feels he is unloveable in some way? As if, his issues with accepting Naruto's affection in Shippuden stem from some fundamental belief he has that he doesn't deserve to be loved that way, so he has to push Naruto away. And to me this is just.... so confusing? Like it's wrong in a super obvious sense, but also I'm not quite sure where it comes from beyond a desire by a subset of fans to project their own insecurities about their self-worth onto sasuke, but I feel like it's more widespread than even that.
Most generously, I see one particular panel used as "evidence" of this characterization - the panel/page where Sasuke asks what "friend" means to Naruto and he replies "when I see you take things on by yourself, I hurt." Sasuke's response is pure surprise, and I can get how that's easy to read as "oh wow you LOVE me and don't just think of me as a friend?" From there it's usually extrapolated by fans as Sasuke having some hangup over believing his own love was painfully unrequited and that's why he was acting out, which is an undercurrent to his revenge mission, but I think it's such a misread. Idk it's so boring/dumb to read it as "Sasuke is so gay and Naruto is so hetero and oblivious he had to become a terrorist about it!" pls
Sasuke isn't surprised in that panel because he is realizing that Naruto actually loves him romantically when he thought he wasn't worth loving, I think the key lies in Naruto's phrasing - he *hurts.* Loving Sasuke hurts, but he does it anyway. That's what Sasuke has been running away from this whole time, isn't it? This idea that his love for Naruto or for his team could be used to hurt him because his love for his family/brother had already been used to hurt him - that's the fundamental drive of his character. Sasuke is afraid of the pain of love, either the pain from losing someone or the pain caused when that love is wielded like a weapon against him. It's not a question of whether or not he's deserving of love - he actively tries to be as unloveable as possible because the more someone loves him, the more likely he is to fall into reciprocity. It's easy when he just has fangirls who don't truly know him, but that's not what it's like with Naruto.
Meanwhile, here is Naruto, laying in a pool of his own blood, smiling and admitting that loving Sasuke hurts, but he shows no hesitation, no sign of backing down. Sasuke has given him every reason to turn his back on him, to close himself off, and Naruto never does. He just bleeds and bleeds and exists with his heart on his sleeve like that, not even scared to admit it. I think that scares and amazes Sasuke, which accounts for his expression in that scene. That's why Sasuke loses. He thinks by killing all of the soft parts of him that he can grow past feelings as juvenile as fear, but here's Naruto with all of this terror at losing him, losing his village, his friends, but he doesn't flinch. He just accepts the pain as part of living, which is what Sasuke ultimately realizes he needs to do. I think it's actually way more interesting a read than Sasuke just being surprised someone loves him so much.
It's not that I don't think Sasuke can't have self-esteem issues. He's insecure to a fault in part 1 and it's what drives him away from the village. He fears not being the best, of falling behind to someone he sees as a sort of protegee. As much as SNS fans despise the mention of any kind of "brotherly" bond I genuinely think that's what they have in part 1, even if it's twisted. I think them forming some kind of earned brotherhood is what makes the end of part 1 impactful, like Sasuke kind of, in miniature, does to Naruto exactly what Itachi did to him: a fundamental betrayal, violence, the severing of his most important bond which tears away any semblance of family. I think it's the transformation of this relationship (they no longer see each other as protegee/brother) in part 2 which actually opens the bond up to becoming something more romantic. And then, after part 2, I definitely think Sasuke would struggle with guilt and whether or not he feels worthy of Naruto's love, but there's never really a question of whether or not he has it (whether or not that love is romantic is obviously another question entirely). But I dunno, I can't abide any characterization where Sasuke mopes around feeling sorry for himself all the time. I also think any guilt he would feel after shippuden is purely restricted to Naruto - there is just no way I see his "redemption journey" as him actually feeling sorry for threatening the kage. His participating in Orochimaru's human experimentation is another issue - one I haven't made up my mind on. I think Sasuke would come to regret parts of it, but I also don't see him beating himself up over it constantly.
Anyway, these are just the ramblings of someone procrastinating on writing, but they're things I think fundamentally inform how I write and interpret Sasuke in canonverse fics.
Summary: After getting discharged from the hospital, Naruto returns to a home that’s no longer standing. Sasuke, who doesn’t do well in cages, flees the first chance he gets. Unmoored, unsettled, Naruto looks to his motherland for answers. Uzushio calls her son home. The road to Uzushiogakure is long, but Sasuke walks it with him.
ahh just finished reading this fic, and WOW OP YOU DID SO GOOOD!!! 😭💓💓💓 i thought i'll just read it for the ship, but you make the uzushiogakure's lore SO INTERESTING and the way naruto dealt with grief compared to sasuke... is just BRILLIANT! i'm crying so much when naruto desperately trying to find meaning behind his existence, his suffering as sasuke can only stand by his side, knowing that what naruto is going through is exactly what he had been dealing with after his family's massacre.
also i love the way you expand on how jiraiya and iruka loves naruto but despite their love, they never did care for him in ways that matters to naruto. just like how sasuke still hates itachi yet loves him as a family, a brother, naruto can't let go of his love for iruka, who he deems like a brother, and jiraiya, the only semblance of a father figure he had.
goddamnit i can't write enough how much i love this, but I TRULY DO!! the yesterday me seeing this fic on AO3 did not expect today's me to be so happy to be able to read such a brilliant story... but I DID! and i wanna thank you so much for writing this story!! it makes me really happy to read a different way naruto and sasuke can resolve their inner conflicts and find peace in a way that suits them rather than what the society expected them to be! many many thanks!! 🙇🏻🙇🏻💓
Thank you so much for such a kind review 🥹😭😭😭 seriously!!! I'm so glad the fic resonated with you, and thanks so much for sharing your thoughts on it!!! ❤️
My Writing Dump @greatloverslieinhell - Tumblr Blog | Tumgag
