As annoying as some SVSSS misinterpretation can be, I feel like people who are staunchly on the side of MDZS only having one interpretation are more annoying. I have never had to deal with as much smug energy as I've seen in the MDZS fandom. Especially the people who take it as a black and white morality tale. I'm worried about what smug 'um actually...' the fourth MXTX book is going to produce.
tbh i'm more concerned with the fact that some people come out of mdzs, the book debating the nuances of morality and mob mentality (which is often very black and white, reductionist, dehumanizing, pointing fingers to find someone to hate etc etc) with the takeaway that This One Character is Morally Right and Everyone Else is Wrong, Actually
purity culture has poisoned people's heads and is doing great damage to current art and media (side-eyes netflix atla) and it's more felt in how some fans express their opinions in fandom
sadly there's always going to be people who misinterpret things. it's not on the author but on people's own subjectivity and the way they project their own worldview and thoughts on the works of art they interact with
One of these days, Shen Jiu is going to find out that SQH wrote the BL novel about his brother. That night, SQH wakes up to find Shen Jiu standing over him, menacingly going “I know what you did”. SQH ends up jumping out of the window to escape.
Sqh has to hightail it out of there with a SJ hot on his heels- adrenaline makes it so he runs so fast his legs become a blur, and he gets into his car and that's how the chase around the city starts,
SJ, head out of the window, trying to blow out SQH's tires with his gun: "Stop right there you disgusting rat!"
Sqh: *manages to swerve just in time, screaming out of the window too* "LIKE I WOULD LISTEN TO THE MAN WITH A GUN"
SJ: "I'm going to cut your fucking hands off!! You won't be able to write ever again!"
Sqh: "JUST TRY TO TELL SHEN YUAN THAT, HE'LL BE MAD AT YOU FOR A DECADE!!"
SJ: "You- I'll kill you!"
They go on a mad chase for almost an hour, at least until it occurs to Sqh that he has an ally!! that's!! more powerful and scary!! that SJ!!!
And so he winds up in front of Mbj's mansion screaming "MY KING HELP ME!!" The guard already knows him from the times he's gone there to work on homework with mbj but he can't let him pass without Mbj's say so.
The moment he hears Sqh's voice, Mbj is out of the his window down to the side-ladder he uses to sneak out as fast as a winter wind. He tells the guard at the door to let Sqh's car go though and to close them immediately, and just in time. SJ almost crashed into the gate but he screeched to a stop just before ruining the hood of his very expensive green sport car.
Sqh stays the night, and the night after that. He's not going to sleep at his own house until he's absolutely sure SJ is being supervised and out of the country.
btw: sqh kept calling mbj his king bc he noticed that mbj liked it a lot. And when he asks mbj for something while pathetically whining "My kiiing~" it tends to do the trick. It was true that the way to a man's heart is acting pitiful! (he's not going to think too much about that)
Thank you for your post about SQQ being SY’s name. Because I’ve never understood the fandom’s obsession with wanting him feeling like he was lying and wanting Binghe to call him by his old name. Maybe because I’ve read a LOT of the “transmigrated into the villainess” media, and most of the MCs go by the villain’s name for the rest of their lives. Even in the cases where they DO tell their SOs that they’re a transmigrator, their SOs are like “huh, neat” and still call them by the villain’s name
(Cont) and the MCs have zero issue with it because as far as they’re concerned, the villainess’s life is their identity now.
I kind of get the obsession bc fandom and culture in general is obsessed with the concept of identity. But what I don't think many people realize is that identity is something that changes and it's influenced by time and space and many other circumstances. That's is how is possible for this particular character to had been Shen Yuan and Peerless Cucumber and now be Shen Qingqiu. Shen Yuan was the fuerdai with three siblings and a loving family who was waiting around to die because he didn't have a purpose, didn't work and had a comfortable life. Peerless Cucumber is the unhinged version of himself, the genre savvy netizen that spends too much time reading everything popular or that catches his fancy and arguing in the forums and being anti-fan of his most hated/loved novel.
And Shen Qingqiu? He is the guy who was forcibly put on the original' body, told to fulfill his narrative destiny and improve the original storyline. He inherited the original's abilities and "sins". He took all of that and tried to make it work because he needed to survive. But he's also the person who was kind just because he could, and made an effort to teach the disciples at Qing Jing Peak (and from other peaks and sects too) so they could grow up well and be happy and independent. He's the guy that even though he likes domesticity and staying at home also loves to explore new places and go sightseeing and maybe see a cool monster now and then. He is friendly and easy going and has a thin face, and has experienced so much in his life as Shen Qingqiu that Shen Yuan would have probably never had to. Does that mean his previous life doesn't matter? Of course not. It's where he comes from. But should we say that's his "true self"? I don't think so. It's just a part of him, of what he used to be; his past, but not his present.
Okay so my theory is that Kishi always knew that the final villian would be a woman because otherwise Naruto's reverse oiroke jutsu wouldn't have worked. And Naruto was seen flaunting his new jutsu (that he practiced more than Rasengan 😏) from the first chapter of Shippuden. But Kishi took care of not showing it to us. Until Kaguya. Because she is a woman and will only be distracted by naked men. 🙄 And even though war arc was written a bit lazily, he must have known that he will have to introduce a new villian keeping in mind that they had to be a woman. And all the existing villians were men. At least, he must have had the barebones of that idea, even if not fully realized at the time. Kishi mindfully created a situation where Naruto would have to use that jutsu, which really speaks volumes, the jutsu as in. It also didn't escape my notice that Sasuke had to comment on the fact that Naruto's kage bunshin jutsu (often mixed with his oiroke, as was the case when he distracts Kaguya), is an attempt to dispel his loneliness. He distracted Kaguya with his oiroke men, many of whom suspiciously look like Sasuke, and Naruto does think he is cool looking (way more than Sai 😤😂). So that brings us to the conclusion that, Naruto must have practiced making Sasuke looking clones a lot in the blank period. Heheh aww. When Konohamaru makes the reverse oiroke with Sasuke and Sai, Naruto is mad. Because he does feel very very possessive towards Sasuke, as was already established. So he can make Sasuke looking clones to distract women but he wouldn't have Konohamaru making a quite explicit looking reverse oiroke of Sasuke. But again, Kishi guised it under comedy, like usual.
What do you think Kishi's intent here was, throughout? I feel like he played it very cleverly.
Heeeeey! Sorry for the wait, I had a lot going on these past few days.
From my point of view, the author's intent is not so easy to discern. In any piece of media we’ll be reading their work through our very particular perspective, no matter how much we try to be impartial and analytic about it. In the end is going to be OUR reading of the work in question, which often enough aligns with others but not always. Naruto fandom is a pretty good example of that. There are things you can establish as facts (Example: Naruto and Sasuke are important to each other. That’s a fact. Now, the way any fan chooses to interpret the nature of their relationship differs even between fans that ship them romantically) Art is already polysemic, allowing different interpretations of the same work, and I think that in NARUTO’s case Kishimoto tends to be a little (a LOT) ambiguous about some things, be it to have plausible deniability or to touch on themes that he can’t write explicitly.
Kishi mindfully created a situation where Naruto would have to use that jutsu, which really speaks volumes, the jutsu as in.
I’d say that he always had the Sexy Reverse Harem jutsu in mind and was just waiting for an opportunity to put it in the manga. The Last was announced in 2012. Already at that moment in War Arc he had to know how his story would end, and that there would be a sequel and all that entailed. He had plausible deniability if he wanted to try anything “funny”.
As for Kaguya, I really can’t say if he always had her in mind. She’s the most underdeveloped villain in all Naruto, besides maybe Gatou. But hey, he had to create her to make sense of the sequel. Doesn’t mean he can’t take advantage and put something as “questionable” as a bunch of naked men in a shonen manga. And make Naruto say he had practiced it a lot. But of course he’ll never explain that, and will use the plot to distract the reader from those little things he drops now and then. And it works, right? Because the most casual audience has never stopped to think: hold on, is it a normal hetero behavior to obsess over sexy naked men to create a jutsu that Naruto just got to use against one enemy??? Naruto, who wasn’t very good at transforming into other people in the beginning, who failed that first test to become genin, was able to transform himself into Sasuke perfectly in chapter 3? What does it all mean, really? -shrugs- But most people aren’t interested in that part of the story. So Kishimoto can get away with putting very ambiguous stuff into his story as long as he uses a distraction to take the attention from it.
I think the fact that Kishimoto was so insistent on drawing this scene speaks volumes about how relevant he thought it was, or at least how much fun he had doing it. It takes you back to the beginning of the manga, when Naruto used the Sexy Jutsu against his teachers. Sometimes you spend so much time on a story you need to remind yourself why you love it.
But as I was telling you, I don't know to what extent everything was planned that way. Sometimes readers can notice more connections between parts of the story than the author himself, and being a 15 years old manga, we can’t say that something Kishimoto wrote for chapter 3 was intended to have an impact beyond the first arcs of the story. But regardless of Kishimoto's intention, it’s a fact that Naruto spends time and effort on things that interest him, that matter to him in some way. And the fact that he put so much effort into pulling off a reverse harem jutsu with different types of men, all very attractive and different (despite the fact that some have that sexy dark haired look lol Naruto has a type), unlike his sexy harem jutsu which is just clones of his female version, shows how much attention Naruto pays to how other men look NAKED. Does that mean he was ogling guys at the onsen? Did he buy magazines with pictures of sexy men? Did he observe men in the village and practiced how to transform into them? It was something he did frequently, if his comment about how he practiced it more than Rasengan says anything.
It also didn't escape my notice that Sasuke had to comment on the fact that Naruto's kage bunshin jutsu (often mixed with his oiroke, as was the case when he distracts Kaguya), is an attempt to dispel his loneliness.
And you combine that two things, Naruto practicing the Sexy Reverse Harem Jutsu with his clones, his Kage bushin Jutsu being and expression of his loneliness, with this panel from the Road to Ninja Oneshot
...We can take it as canon that Naruto uses that jutsu to play cards with himself, as Kishimoto was the one to draw it. From playing cards to practicing derivations from his original Sexy Jutsu, I’d say it’s not a stretch to think it happened. And since Naruto probably had a lot of time alone in his apartment when he wasn’t on missions…
SQH is just doing his own thing when he suddenly feels a chill go down his spine and the terrible feeling that he’s in danger. Meanwhile, I foresee that new student ZZL is going to be a regular visitor to the Ouran club. He probably requests for SY all the time and stares at him a lot. Binghe is filled with the burning desire to poke his eyes out.
it's like the superstition of when someone is talking about you you sneeze but Sqh is waking up in a cold sweat two-three days in a week with the feeling that something is really wrong. He may have to prepare to flee the country. Better to have that as a back up plan!
Oh yeah ZZL definitely goes daily to the host club. He and SY will end up locked in a closet (bc ZZL was comforting his pet snake yet again). When Lbh finds them (rather fast, he's been keeping an eye on ZZL) he yeets ZZL out of the closet and locks himself with SY inside. For reasons!
"Yuan-ge I think Zuzhi-lang is a dangerous person. Please stay away from him."
"..." SY stares at him blankly.
Having his senpai's undivided attention, he blushes a bit but pushes out his chest valiantly. "Don't worry, Yuan-ge, I will protect you."
"... I think something is crawling up my arm."
Knocking from outside: "Shen-xiong, I think I left something-"
"Don't worry Yuan-ge, I'll kill that thing for you. Don't move."
"No, Binghe, don't kill it- AHHH IT GOT INSIDE MY SHIRT"
"Shen-xiong, I already said she's fond of you. Please open the door."
"BINGHE DON'T- WHY ARE YOU HUGGING ME RIGHT NOW!?"
"It- it's to kill the snake, Yuan-ge!"
"But I don't want you to ki-"
The door blasts open. On the other side stands Liu Qingge, lowering his leg, with a thunderous and disgusted expression.
"What are you two doing."
Sy: "..."
Lbh: "..." He stubbornly keeps his arms around SY.
Sy: "Ah... the snake..."
"Shen-xiong?"
Sy, voice strained, "It got... inside..."
"INSIDE!?"
Snake: bits Sy's thigh
Sy: Passes out
lbh: "YUAN-GE!?!? YUAN-GE WAKE UP"
ZZL: "it's not poisonous-"
Lqg, pulling out a sword from gods know where: "Someone explain to me what's going on NOW"
LOL 😂! Shen Yuan suffers so much XDD! And he will suffer more when ZZL under orders, kidnaps him to meet Binghe’s previously unknown biological father, Tianlang-Jun, Mafia King! (He was previously in jail and either got let out on good behaviour or escaped). He is really keen to know his future son in-law. Also, he has a full collection of all the Bingqiu BL manga and novels and he has Opinions.
I did say Shen Yuan had more damsel in distress situations that all of CQ High's female students combined lol
And the snake is nor poisonous, he'll be fine! In fact...
The infirmary
Because of Lbh's insistence, Sy shyly shows him the bite. It's redish and swollen around the two marks, but otherwise looks fine. However Luo Binghe CANNOT DEAL with the fact that someone('s snake) got to hurt his senpai like that. If anyone should bite Shen Yuan it should be him!
So Lbh gazes soulfully at Shen Yuan, takes his hands in his, and says "I'll make you forget about it, Yuan-ge." And Binghe. bites Shen Yuan. On the same patch of skin the snake bit. Shen Yuan goes completly rigid.
Binghe licks. Sucks a bit. He lets go barely a second after and replaces the blanket over Shen Yuan's leg. He's red like a tomato but Shen Yuan is-
Well Shen Yuan has ceased to respond. His brain is still stuck processing the part where Binghe was bending over his lap to put his mouth on his thigh.
The sensations, the electric current that shot like lighting to certain part of his anatomy- He fists the blanket with shaking hands and can't even speak.
Surely this has a perfectly friendly and platonic explanation, right?? RIGHT??
"Now you won't have to think about the snake. When it hurts, you can... think of your Binghe."
My- my- my- my Bing-
"...Uh"
"I'll go find a drink for you, Yuan-ge, I'll be right back~"
Lbh skips out of the room happily humming a pop song that SY knows it's about getting your man and putting a ring on it, but he can't really process the implications of that.
Sqh, who watched everything through a crack in the door: "So what was that-"
SY: SHUT UP SHUT UP HE DID IT BECAUSE HE THINKS I'M AFRAID OF SNAKES SHUT UP *throws a pillow at Sqh unprompted, shaking and gasping and clutching at his blanket for dear life like a molested maiden*
Sqh: ...Bro. Are you serious.
Sy: YES!
Sy gets out of the bed, grabs his things and goes for the door.
Sy: "Tell Binghe my brother called and I had to go."
Sqh: "🎵Run, run, run away, run away, baby, before he puts a spell on you~🎵"
Sy, disheveled, a bit unhinged, pointing at him threateningly as he backs away from the infirmary: YOU SHUT UP
Just when SY is out of the school gates a limousine stops in front of him. The car door opens and a handsome man with red eyes (??) and familiar features leans out, waving a hand.
"Nice to meet you, Shen Yuan. I would very much like to have a little chat with you."
Shen Yuan opens his mouth to answer when someone grabs his hand and pushes him into the limousine. The door closes, the car slowly speeds out of the school, and now Shen Yuan sandwiched between the handsome man who looks a lot like Binghe wtf, and
"Zuzhi-xiong... why are you here?"
"My uncle wanted to meet you."
TLJ, "I see you've become familiar with my nephew", waggles eyebrows.
Sy: "...And who are you if you don't mind me asking, sir?"
"Ah, pardon me." He extends a hand for Sy to shake."I am Tianlang-Jun, your father-in-law."
When did Shen Yuan he got married???
"Oh, and Luo Binghe's dad. And the CEO and mayor shareholder of Southerlands Corp," he adds dismissively. "Among other things."
Like one of the most dangerous mafia bosses that spent 12 years in jail and had gotten out barely three years ago on good behavior and after paying a hefty sum in bribes.
"I still don't understand what would you want to talk with me, sir," SY says respectfully while freaking out internally bc wtf wtf wtf why is THE Mafia king Binghe's dad??? And what does he think he and Binghe are-
"I want us to discuss the future, of course. But first-" he pulls out a disturbingly familiar manga, "Would you mind giving me your take on Night lessons with Senpai first? Truly a work of art, isn't?"
SY: ... (ノಠ益ಠ)ノ彡┻━┻
Why is the mafia boss reading filthy bl in his spare time!? What the fuck is this shit?!?
Meanwhile in CQ High's host club
Sqh: I'm telling you, he said he had to go.
Lqg, calling SY for the 15th time: He's not picking up.
Sqh: Let me try *tries to call SY. Doesn't connect* Ok, now I'm really worried.
Suddenly Luo Binghe barges in like the hounds from hell. He's clutching SY's phone in his hand like he's an attorney showing evidence to the court. The screen is cracked.
"Yuan-ge has been kidnapped!"
On the limousine:
TLJ, serving SY champagne: My favorite bit is when the senpai invites his classmate to demonstrate a few of his techniques. There's nothing better than a good threesome.
SY: physically unable to articulate a single response nor drink his champagne.
ZZL: "Would you like some snacks, Shen-xiong?"
SY: "No, thank you"
TLJ: "Do you think the author would be willing to some type of orgy special chapter? I'd be willing to commission one- Maybe I should write them a fan letter. Nephew, write this: Dear, illustrious author..."
SY: ...I could be freaking out in peace right now. Why the fuck did I have to leave the infirmary 🍷ノ( ゜ __゜ノ)
TLJ: "...and an orgy special would be a great addition--"
Shen Yuan in his early days in the host club, making small talk with a girl. “So, what are your hobbies?” Girl: Reading. Currently, I’m into ABC. SY, perking up: hey, I read those books too! So, what is your opinion on this subplot? Girl: well- . And this goes on. SY with his fans are like a mini book club where they discuss stories and have fun tearing them apart. SY probably got LQG to join. He just went “LQG, we need more people in the host club, pls join 🥺?” And LQG, heart racing, said yes.
Shen Yuan president of the unofficial book club!!!! He probably brings up a different book or manga every week, and he'll read almost any genre. In fact, I think it was because of his fans that he first read BL. Maybe one of them shyly told him about the plot of certain story, he perked up in interest and asked the name of the story. She readily loaned him the book, and he began reading it on the way home and finished the first volume that night. At 3AM he was setting an online purchase for the whole series. And the following days he could be seen only lifting his head from the book to drink water and eat something. When he reached the third volume, he raised his head in befuddlement. Then, the next day at the club:
"Why none of you told me the protagonist was gay?!"
LMY and SQH should be so glad that Shen Jiu isn’t interested in BL, because he would’ve immediately recognised his brother and Binghe in that one, fake names or no, and thrown a fit. As it is, everyone involved probably heaved a sigh of relief when he graduated. The rule of no one being allowed to ask YQY about his love life (pre-dating SJ). He probably smiled sadly while a sad violin instrumental played in the background. ZZL! Binghe’s not going to be happy about there being MORE competition.
hello anon! :D Yes ZZL is coming and it's with ulterior motives, hehehe
I think in this AU SJ would be fond of NYY as well and one time when he visits her he happens to go to the library of the Ning family while NYY is speaking with her father. There's a shelf where all the printed copies of Lmy and co.'s bl manga AND two books of Sqh's "original" novel. It catchs SJ's attention bc he wouldn't expect NYY to read such weird titles (Night lessons with Senpai, Midnight tutoring, Let me in, Senpai...) and when he opens one of them immediately knows.
He gets a bad feeling about the novels innocently placed next to the manga.
Have you ever felt the rumbling before an earthquake? It was exactly like that. It's a miracle he didn't shredded the damn books right then.
He doesn't say anything about it to NYY, bc he's already losing enough face, but later when he gets home he starts to look up the names of the authors. He can't find them, but that keeps him in a frenzy and tempestuous mood that Yqy can barely get him out of at night.
And that's the beginning of She Jiu's subplot of hunting the disgusting bastards that are defiling his brother's image, fictionally. Will he ever found them?
