Chapter 631 - The old good team seven: the same, but different

I’d like to talk about chapter 631. I’m a huge Naruhina shipper, but I wasn’t bothered the least by the latest chapter, on contrary, as a great team seven fan, I was super happy. I knew narusakus would fangirl and be happy with the chapter, and they have all reason to it, but I didn’t expect naruhinas would be so pissed. 

Sakura really looks a lot like Kushina, no one can deny it, and this is self-evident, so of course Minato would notice it and comment about it. Also, Sakura is indeed Naruto’s girlfriend, like in girl friend, a girl who is his best friend. For me, Kishimoto’s intention is clear.

Naruto’s reply to his father’s teasing question (any father when he sees his son with a girl asks if she’s his girlfriend) was: “ummmmm… the thing is… yeah, you could say that! I mean if you are splitting hairs, I guess-” No matter what version you’re looking at, mangapanda or mangastream, Naruto’s reply lacks certainty. Also, Sakura doesn’t allow Naruto to finish his explanation. What’s important is that Kishimoto wanted the this sentences to cause humor. He wanted Sakura and Naruto to act with each other as in the good old days, because this is the chapter of team seven.

Sakura will always be Naruto’s best friend. And what Minato and Kushina always wished for Naruto was that he made good friends, so Minato is more than happy that Naruto accomplished this. Then, he leaves his son on the capable hands of the healer and friend Sakura.  He knows Naruto is in good hands, it doesn’t have to be the hands of a lover. So hating on Minato because he acted like a good father is low.

Then, pay attention that in the very same page there’s a picture of Hinata. Why Hinata, why not other character? Kishimoto is reminding us that he remembers Hinata, that Hinata exists, and this, guys, makes all the difference. Naruto, Sakura and Sasuke act with each other exactly how they acted in the good old days of team seven, but they’ve also changed. Sasuke wants to be hokage, Sakura won’t be left behind anymore and Naruto has Hinata in his life now. This was, as I said, the chapter of team seven, and Kishimoto gave highlight to this, he showed they were the same, but still different.

So, yeah, narusakus have all reason (and right) to fangirl and be extremely happy with this chapter, but there is absolutely NO reason for naruhinas to be pissed or annoyed about it. Hasn’t Kishimoto given us enough proofs of naruhina? Being annoyed because of this chapter is baseless insecurity. This was the chapter of team seven, so the three main characters acted as “team seven”. That’s the moral of the chapter.