Okay, let's talk Sasuke and Sakura. You know, SasuSaku. That ship. The one that sometimes feels like it sailed straight into a storm of… well, opinions.
Specifically, let's chat about The Last: Naruto the Movie. Because, confession time: I kinda liked their thing in that movie. *ducks for cover*
Hear Me Out!
I know, I know. Some people aren't thrilled with how their relationship panned out overall. The "forehead poke" isn't enough for some. I get it.
But in The Last, there's something… different. A tiny glimpse, maybe? A whisper of something more than just unrequited teenage angst?
Sasuke's Absence (Makes the Heart Grow Fonder?)
He wasn't even *in* most of the movie! Talk about commitment. Jokes aside, his absence created space for Sakura to shine. To be strong. To worry in a very...wife like manner.
We saw her support Naruto. She showed her incredible healing abilities. She was a total rockstar in her own right, yet she still cared for Sasuke. That's mature love, right?
Sasuke, from what little we see, seems to have grown up a bit too. He's still brooding, obviously. It's his brand.
However, there's a certain… thoughtfulness about him. An understanding of Sakura's strength. He seemed to acknowledged that he needed her.
That Moment on the Moon…
Okay, the whole space adventure was a bit wild. But their brief interaction on the moon? Small but powerful.
The subtle way Sakura looked at him, the relief in her eyes when he appeared. It was a tiny, almost imperceptible change in their dynamic.
It felt like a mutual respect, forged in the fires of war and years of… Sasuke's questionable life choices. But respect nonetheless!
Unpopular Opinion Incoming!
Maybe it's because I'm a sucker for a good slow burn. Maybe I’m just easily pleased.
Or maybe, just maybe, The Last gave us the most believable, albeit brief, glimpse into a functional Sasuke and Sakura relationship.
It wasn't perfect. It wasn't a fairytale. It was a quiet understanding between two people who had been through hell and back. And chose to stand besides each other.
But Wait, There's More!
Let's be real, Sakura deserves someone who appreciates her. She has always been supportive, even when Sasuke was off doing… who-knows-what.
Maybe their love story isn’t a grand romance. But it shows that even the most damaged people can find a way to connect. Even if it takes a really long time (and a moon mission).
So, yeah, I liked their portrayal in The Last. Sue me. What do you think? Am I totally off base? Let me know in the comments before Sasuke fanboys comes to poke my forehead!
“I'm going to surpass you! Believe it!” - Naruto Uzumaki
(Okay, that quote has nothing to do with SasuSaku, but I just really wanted to put it in.)