Last time, we were left with one of the most epic pages in Naruto history –the scene when Naruto saved Sakura from Sasuke’s slash. And on the bottom of that page, the part that focused Naruto and Sasuke’s eyes were just epic. We all know this is the fight we have been waiting for. The tension is in the air, and most of us want to see Naruto teach Sasuke a lesson, but is it fair for Sasuke to face a well-recovered Naruto after being worn-out from his fight against Danzo? Nevertheless, this is the moment we’ve been waiting for. All the events have been built-up to this anticipated battle.

Chapter 485 starts off with a face-to-face illustration of the series’s rivals, but Kakashi attacks Sasuke first. Pretty much, the first few pages of the chapter shows Team 7 talking about how Sasuke has been consumed by the dark side. Naruto tells him that he understands why he has followed his “path”, but Sasuke just tells him to shut up because he never had parents or siblings to deal with. Then, Sakura just defends Naruto, saying that he had faith on Sasuke. I thought the drama was really well-portrayed, especially on the bottom of page 6. Then, Sasuke tells them that he had killed Danzo. The art on top of page 8 was cool –it really showed Sasuke’s true character. Kakashi tells Naruto and Sakura to back off, that it’s his business to deal with “the fallen”, but Naruto just holds him off with a shadow clone, and attacks Sasuke with his signature wind-element jutsu, Rasengan!

Sasuke brings out his lightning-element technique that Kakashi himself had taught him. It’s interesting how their fight starts like how their previous fight ended. Last time, Naruto lost from their Chidori-Rasengan collision, but this time, it looks like he’s not going to hesitate. There’s no Konoha headband on his forehead. It’s on. The whole art, where both of them tried to hit each other with their moves was just mind-blowing. I felt the intensity in that scene. And then, it flashes into an internal vision of Naruto trying to convert Sasuke back with his words of sympathy. It reminds me of the time when Naruto changed Pain in the end of their battle. But Sasuke wasn’t affected by his words. He just tells Naruto that he only has two choices: to kill him and become a hero or to be another one of his victims.

And his answer: “NEITHER!”

The chapter ends with a scene returning to their chidori-rasengan collision –a large splash with explosive sound-effects. Naruto has a third answer, but we won’t find out till the next chapter (Kishi is just good with ending his chapters with cliffhangers) Apparently, they’re power levels have developed. This is definitely going to be an epic match up.

MY SPECULATION:

This match will definitely not be one-sided; we’ll see their fair share of power-ups. Even though I think this match is going to be epic, I have a feeling that Madara Uchiha (AKA Tobi) is going to play a part near the end. Either he’s going to interfere and save Sasuke, capture an exhausted Naruto, or kidnap Kakashi so he could get his Sharingan eye. And if ever the fight ends, I think Naruto will win, hopefully making Sasuke return to the “bright” side. I have a feeling that if Naruto gets captured by Madara, Sasuke will have the urge to save Naruto  before he fully-extracts the Kyubii out of him. Another thing that I’m looking forward to is the secret power that Itachi has given Naruto. I think it’s a defensive spell that would either A) protect him from Sasuke’s powers or B) protect him Madara’s ritual. We’ll just have to wait.

This is a great chapter, and I can’t wait for the next one.