Naruto Neji and Chouji are Dead

[Prince Charon]

Its been mentioned, here and elsewhere, that Neji and Chouji should not have lived long enough for the med-nins to reach them after, IIRC, the failed mission to retreive Sasuke.

Suppose they did die? How would this effect the surviving members of Team Gai and the Rookie Nine? Would Sakura or Ino outgrow their crushes on the traitor? Would Shikamaru become more focused, or would he ask to be demoted to Gennin? Would Hinata beat up Hanabi for calling Neji 'weak'?

So, opinions?

 

[GenocideHeart]

That could be a VERY good AU. Things could go any different number of ways, but among otehr things, I'd see Tsunade questioning her own ability to lead, as her incorrect assumption that Sasuke was alone was what led to this - and making assumptions in a world as deadly as that of the ninja is very dangerous, especially when you are the village leader.

 

[Deathwings]

One of the change would certainsly concern Naruto.
He was friend with Chouji to some extend (Chouji never treat him bad, wich is more than a lot of peoples can say) and Neji was comming out of his emo phase thanks to him, so I think that the foxboy is going to take the failed aptemp a lot harder and maybe (hopefully) didn't forgive Assuke and decide to go for his blood instead of "saving" him.

 

[JohnnyG]

Also, since the village loves to use Naruto as a scapegoat, it could make his life there even more hellish. Tsunade can likely protect his ninja career (there's always debates on how much power the council truly has in ninja affairs), but she can't force the whole village to treat him better. So, with Sasuke defecting, as well as the Hyuuga genius and the son of a prominent clan dead, I could see things becoming very difficult for him before he and Jiraiya leave on their trip. I could also see him taking some of that guilt (even if he doesn't deserve it) on himself.

 

[nuclear death frog]

I can't see the Hyuuga clan leaders caring too much about Neji's death, despite his skill and potential. Remember, he's a branch clan member. In other words, he's expendable.

The Akimichi clan (was it more than just Chouji and his dad?) could make trouble for Naruto, but ultimately it was Tsunade who assigned the mission and Shikamaru who was leading it, as the mission's "senior" shinobi (by rank).

 

[GenocideHeart]

I can't see the Hyuuga clan leaders caring too much about Neji's death, despite his skill and potential. Remember, he's a branch clan member. In other words, he's expendable.

The Akimichi clan (was it more than just Chouji and his dad?) could make trouble for Naruto, but ultimately it was Tsunade who assigned the mission and Shikamaru who was leading it, as the mission's "senior" shinobi (by rank).

He's a branch member who's actually regarded very highly by Hiashi himself, as the fact he felt the need to explain himself proves.

Thus, he's considerably less expendable than you think. Hiashi would at the very least cause trouble privately, but I see him venting his anger more on Tsunade and the Nara clan than on Naruto. After all, it was SHIKAMARU who decided to bring naruto along, so even if he wanted to blame Naruto, he'd first have to blame the one who actually chose him in the first place.

 

[nuclear death frog]

He may be highly regarded by Hiashi but the fact that he is still under the Cage Seal is proof that his value to the Hyuuga clan ultimately doesn't account for that much.

Then again, it's fairly likely that the "bird cage" seal and Orochimaru's curse seals can't be removed, else Anko's probably would have been removed by now. After all, the Third had over a dozen years between Orochimaru hightailing it and his own death to figure out something.

Actually, in a perverse variety of logic, I've thought for a while that the "bird cage" means you're more valuable to the Hyuuga clan, since it automatically destroys your eyes upon your death, meaning an enemy village can't plunder the eyes of fallen Hyuuga branch clan members. The clan doesn't bother to PROTECT its future heads.

The above'll probably be picked apart, but I still found it rather humorous when I first thought of it.

 

[JohnnyG]

Actually, I wasn't referring to the reaction of the Hyuuga clan specifically, more the fact that the two "geniuses" from the past two academy classes are gone, and that Naruto has an involvement (even if we all know none of it is his fault). What I meant was more how the normal villagers (the masses who are easily swayed) might react. It could honestly go several ways. They might not care less. Or they might blame it all on Naruto. Or it could be somewhere in the middle. Who knows? We all know that it Tsunade that assigned the mission, and Shikamaru who led it, but when has reason and common sense stopped the villagers from persecuting against Naruto?

 

[Pirazy]

I can't see the Hyuuga clan leaders caring too much about Neji's death, despite his skill and potential. Remember, he's a branch clan member. In other words, he's expendable.

True, they might not care about Neji that much personally, but fact remains; he's one of the best they've produced in generations, his genes are valuable. They probably wouldn't mind marrying him off to Hinata or Hanabi in order to produce stronger heirs..

Would be pointless to let his genes "dilute" by wasting them on another branch family member, or maybe even allowing him to marry outside the clan.

 

[DhampyrX2]

There's always the chance some of the village could grow a brain and blame Sasuke like they should. It could even go to the point that the more militant ones start trying to prop up Naruto as his rival because they want someone to make the traitor pay. Mob mentalities can go screwey like that. Better a demon that remained loyal and fought to his near death beside his comrades than a traitor that caused the death of two prominent village genin on the track to greater things. They might be more angry that Naruto wanted to bring him back alive than anything. If nothing else, death like that might prove that the Sharingan is flawed and is really nothing but trouble. Itachi and Sasuke aren't worth the trouble of getting back.

I could see Inoishi, Shikato, and Chouza going to the Hokage and demanding a mission to assasinate Sasuke for this little clusterfuck, with Hiashi demanding a similar mission right behind them. If they're denied they might start building their own 'strike team' for future revenge against the Sound with the survivors of the Rookie Nine as the centerpeice. Well, minus Sakura, anyway. She wasn't close enough to any of them but possibly Ino to betray her ridiculous ideal of Sasuke-kun over their deaths. The rest, though, would be motivated by either anger, guilt, or duty to go after Sasuke.

 

[ttestagr]

That's a good idea. The normal villagers would likely remain idiots and put the blame on their favorite scapegoat, but I can see Hiashi and Ino/Shika/Cho reacting like that. Hell we might even see Naruto take Chouji's place on that team.

 

[JohnnyG]

I personally think DX2's idea sounds great. It's outside the norm (while remaining within the realm of believability), and has true potential.

 

[Mighty Bob]

I always thought the idea that they wanted Sasuke back ridiculous. Whatever happened to traitors being executed? I figure, send teams (perhaps experienced Hunter Nin who are actually TRAINED for this rather then a gaggle of genin?) to haul Sasuke back, and if the village truely just can't live without a pack of red eyed angst monsters brooding about the village, then force the kid to fill a cup at the local sperm bank and solve the problem that way. Heck, the new Uchihas grown this way could be raised specifically so they won't be anything less than 100% loyal to the village. In fact, I've always wondered why Orochimaru didn't plan on doing that himself, then he'd have a limitless supply of Sharingan bodies, both to take over and experiment on. And I'm sure he'd find a way to keep em fiercely loyal to him and consider giving themselves up for his soul an honor.

 

[Prince Charon]

If they're denied they might start building their own 'strike team' for future revenge against the Sound with the survivors of the Rookie Nine as the centerpeice. Well, minus Sakura, anyway. She wasn't close enough to any of them but possibly Ino to betray her ridiculous ideal of Sasuke-kun over their deaths.

No, I think Tsunade and/or Ino would 'convince' Sakura to grow up a little, after that, if she didn't grow up on her own. Not saying I think she'd be part of the strike force (except maybe as a med-nin), but giving up on Sasuke, yes, I think she would. Eventually.

 

[Matdeception]

Guys, never forget that Sakura is a 12 - 13 year old girl at the bloody most. And with the rather shoddy translation of the anime, it's quite suspect she even said 'I love you'. I see it more as 'I really, really, really like you.'

Besides, it's a learning experience. I've 'fallen' for some one before, thought I bloody well loved em, but meh, after a few months of not seeing em, it's easy to figure out that the romance (as one sided as it had been with Sasuke and Sakura) is over, and it's time to move on.

 

[puckreathof]

Thus, he's considerably less expendable than you think. Hiashi would at the very least cause trouble privately, but I see him venting his anger more on Tsunade and the Nara clan than on Naruto. After all, it was SHIKAMARU who decided to bring naruto along, so even if he wanted to blame Naruto, he'd first have to blame the one who actually chose him in the first place.

Actually, Tsunade recommends Naruto to Shikamaru. You don't really 'ignore' suggestions from your boss, so she was pretty much forcing Shikamaru to take Naruto. She knew that Naruto was pretty darn capable, and with the whole Oro/Jir mess from her youth, she knew the kid would go nuts if he was kept out of this mission.

Admittedly, I imagine the blame's location depends on who you ask. The village would basically blame the failed mission on Naruto, saying his presence alone was enough for it to fail. I think Hiashi would take his complaint or general bellyaching to the highest, and pretty much be on the Hokage's case. The council would be... well, who knows. Danzou would probably be ready to use this for future gain. The council would probably do something drastic, like demote Shikamaru to Genin, brutally dress Tsunade down, and then probably mess with Naruto just on general principle.

But yeah, it would have been nice to see one of them die. I mean, the moments were real good. Bah.

 

[Gong]

Can anyone else here imagine what Jiraiya could do with three years of isolation and all the guilt and anger that would be coursing through Naruto if Chouji and Neji died? Jiraiya already thinks Sasuke is trash, with the extra motivation of two dead Gennin, he could turn Naruto into the organic equivalent to a sharingan seeking tac-nuke. He wouldn't be the worst enemy for our traitorous angst-machine

Shikamaru, Lee, and Gai would be the scary ones. Sasuke's actions led to the death of Shikamaru's best friend, Lee's youthful rival, and one of Gai's precious students. Most un-youthful, Sasuke. Most un-youthful indeed. Drunk Lee wants to have a few words with you.

Imagine being the sole focus of a motivated and vengeful Nara Shikamaru. He went from Gennin to Jounin in under five years in canon. Imagine what he could become with enough hate inside of him.

Naruto impressed a lot of people in the Chuunin exams. I think almost all of Konoha's ninja population would put the blame on Sasuke, Orochimaru, and Itachi, in that order.

Sasuke's a fucking traitor.

Orochimaru orchestrated everything.

Itachi killed his clan and turned Sasuke into a power hungry "avenger", thus making Sasuke Orochimaru's target and turning him into a traitor waiting to happen.

There would be resentment against Tsunade, but I don't think there would be too much. Almost all of the Chuunin and Jounin were out on missions. The only non-essential personnel she had to send after Sasuke were Shikamaru and company. They just had the bad luck to be going up against Orochimaru's personal minions and the Kishimotogan.

 

[GenocideHeart]

There would be resentment against Tsunade, but I don't think there would be too much. Almost all of the Chuunin and Jounin were out on missions. The only non-essential personnel she had to send after Sasuke were Shikamaru and company. They just had the bad luck to be going up against Orochimaru's personal minions and the Kishimotogan.

Actually, Tsunade DID have a few people available that were of higher rank. Besides Shizune (whom she SHOULD have sent with them - she was the one who, as a young gal, was so anal about integrating medic nins in teams!) I recall there being a few Anbu as well as Iruka and Inuzuka Hana.

She just didn't want to spare anything higher-level for what she automatically assumed was a Genin gone slightly insane... even after she'd been told of the situation with Sasuke and Orochimaru. She made a HUUUUUGE evaluation mistake there.

 

[ttestagr]

Shizune was out on a mission. It was her team that ran into the Sound 4 and nearly lost 2 of its members. Iruka was on a mission too I believe.

 

[GenocideHeart]

Shizune was out on a mission. It was her team that ran into the Sound 4 and nearly lost 2 of its members. Iruka was on a mission too I believe.

Actually, Genma and Raidou were on patrol duty. Shizune ran into them as she was LEAVING Konoha. So she WAS there when the Genin left...

 

[Mighty Bob]

Then in that case Shizune probably was already slotted for a mission that couldn't be dropped...but yeah I'm with you on this one GH, Tsunade really dropped the ball.

Give a mission to retrieve a genin traitor (who has shown he can fight at chuunin level at least and has the sharingan AND has a curse seal from Oro-chan) to a fresh chuunin who hasn't had any actual experience leading a team or doing any of the duties of his new rank yet. And then she told him that he might want Naruto. And was pretty non-chalant about 'Oh and take along any other genin you manage to scrounge up in X amount of time' Plus Sasuke had a pretty good head start (he left late night early morning, Shikamaru wasn't given his mission till sometime in the morning, perhaps even late morning. Ninja can move a huge distance in that amount of time)

That whole mission was set to fail from the get-go.

 

[Lumias]

Yes, while I agree that Tsunade screwed the pooch, the one really to blame was Kishimoto (or however you spell the author's name) He had people act completely stupid and against there nature's from the Sasuke retrival and onwards.

He had Tsunade ignore valid information, give a new Chuunin a potentially dangerous mission, let him only take Genins, suggested he take Naruto with, (who is like a little brother to her) but didn't say to take or assign a single Medic-nin to the team despite that being one of the things she seriously believes every team should have.

 

[Matdeception]

Hell, Naruto himself might be pissed at Tsunade, maybe even Shikamaru with how things transpired.

I found it rather weird that, at least from Naruto's perspective during the chase, he felt as if he was trying to 'rescue' Sasuke. I fully believe either no one directly told him that Sasuke left on his own (Which I certainly didn't see after re-watching the episodes in question), or there was a miscommunication down the chain of command.

Shikamaru, during the breifing outside the city gates, made it sound like this was a rescue mission, as in Sasuke had been kidnapped. Certainly points to that when Naruto was running after Sasuke, leaving Lee to Kimimaro, and asking himself 'Why is he running away?'

I mean, what do you think would change if everyone who went after Sasuke knew with 100% accuracy that Sasuke himself had left the Leaf? When he left the village like he did he became and official Missing-nin IMO.

Meh, I'm blabbing. I can certainly imagine Naruto being shaken up by something like this, even so far as changing his 'Never break my promise' attitude. It's a good ideal, but his promise to Sakura has already been tainted with the death of Neji and Chouji. While he wasn't 'close' to Neji, Chouji was part of the group of misfits he hung out with during the academy days (Shikamaru, Kiba, Chouji, and Naruto) and one of the few people during that time that actually acknowledged him.

Fuck, if I was Naruto, I'd simply straight up say. "I'll kill every last Uchiha on sight!" (Seeing as there are only Itachi, and Sasuke left, it's a good promise. Unless the rumors about the AL having Sharigan is true, but that doesn't really change the facts.)

Seriously. Nothing says focus like the death of a close friend (well as close as most of his friends could be).

Frankly, I'd be scared to even look at that AU Naruto. He'd almost be making himself an 'Avenger', maybe, bah. Extreme case, anyway.

 

[GenocideHeart]

Naruto doesn't even have to break his promise.

He just promised that he'd bring Sasuke back.

He never said anything at all about him being either alive or in one piece. :sisi:

 

[Lumias]

"Naruto, where's Sasuke you promised to bring him back remember," Sakura demanded.

Naruto opens a large duffel bag, "Well, here's a few of his fingers. Most of his blood is in that Jar, but some of it might still be in this sponge, a few of his intact organs in these jars, everything else is just kinda smashed into this bag, you'll have to sort out what's what for your self, sorry I might have missed a few of his entrails back there." Naruto shrugged before he dropped said bag in front of a shocked Sakura and walked away.