Huh. So Kabuto wants to join Akatsuki? I wonder how many issues it will take before he backstabs them (that's pretty much his thing, isn't it? Besides, hasn't he said something already about taking out Sasuke?).

"So, yeah, totally got all your mans in boxes here. Now you gotta let me in, cause I'm the only one who knows how to use this technique left alive!"

"Ummm....you realize that performing it in front of me let me copy the technique with my sharingan, right?"

"Welll.....shit."

"So that was your only trump card, huh?"

"Umm...well, I do have those ninja trading cards from the chuunin exam. Mint condition!"

I'm curious about why the plot keeps toying with making Kakashi the Hokage. It seems pretty natural- frees up the role of team lead for Yamato to take over, and gives Kakashi something to do. Does Tsunade just have to die or something? I dunno. Glad to see the super puncher is back.

I think you can tell something about my state of mind when the first thought that pops into my head after seeing the summoning thing in action is 'wait...so that thing can summoning a person at any time from any place without their knowledge or awareness? So, does that work on anyone, or just people who make a contract with the summoner? And can a person use it, or just animals? Because if you could, say, perform a summoning on someone you happen to know is taking a shower at that very moment I think I've found a whole new insight into what motivated Jiraiya to become a sage.

This is pretty cool and all, Naruto learning how to control the seal. It does feel a little cheap though. 'Oh look, Sasuke just got his eyes supersized. I guess we should do the same with Naruto, then. Just in case the plot was becoming exciting or unpredictable.