(my) one and only

I decided to look at the OG Japanese text for a meta I was working on and imagine my surprise when I saw how VIZ absolutely butchered the translation of this page. Sasuke thinks HE WAS BORN TO BE ATTRACTED TO NARUTO (Image 1 is the more accurate translation, image 2 is the VIZ translation, and image 3 is the more accurate translation along with other proof that Naruto and Sasuke are a pair).

In the VIZ translation, Itachi gives Sasuke a speech about how two who are seeming opposites are actually two sides of the same coin and can only succeed together. Sasuke later thinks about Itachi's words after Naruto discussed the way they cooperated to take down Kaguya.

It's still very gay and significant that Sasuke thinks he and Naruto are a pair (in fact, the EN version was one of my favorite scenes), but it absolutely doesn't show how powerful the original version is. Because this moment reflects an awareness on Sasuke's part that he and Naruto are fated ("born to...") in a positive manner ("attract complementary things...").

It is yet another egregious example of VIZ removing the nuance from SNS moments. Things like SNS' heart symbolism and the pattern of Naruto's feelings for Sasuke being regarded as bizarre are downplayed by VIZ (Note: In the fourth image I posted, the original nuance is that Naruto and Sasuke's hearts are able to connect with each other, and it's a direct callback to Sasuke's words to Naruto during VOTE 1 (互いの心)). It's unfortunate that even when you opt for the manga, many moments are lost in translation.

Additionally, 引き (which means to draw) is also used by Kabuto to describe the way Naruto clung onto Sasuke.

And according to the person who interviewed Kishimoto for Aera Magazine, Kishimoto and his first editor conceptualized the plot as Naruto and Sasuke being attracted/drawn to each other and then fighting in the end.

sasuke, who asks what makes naruto so sure of that, just starts crying when naruto talks about how sasuke still isn’t getting it.

sasuke, who barely ever cried in all of the 700 chapters, was moved to tears by naruto’s love for him and the length he was willing to go for him. because of the absolute trust naruto had in him.

「Commission」 This piece is a scene from my client's fanfic！It was a pleasure working on it. Thank you for your trust and commissioning me！！

ac: aransmind