I've been thinking a lot about Sai (one of my favorite characters) and I kinda built up this concept where Sai is the embedded parallel of Sasuke for Naruto and Team Seven in general. Like he offers a new perspective for the team as a whole but also shares characteristics aside from the obvious physical similarities to Sasuke that build on the story. I feel like these characteristics and similarities are way too consistent and obvious to be coincidence. I feel like Sai was purposely created and shaped around Sasuke and the state he left Team Seven in. He also serves as a reflection for Naruto to keep Sasuke's image and memory alive and at the same time progress their relationship even from a distance.
My main points to support this concept are as follows:
We are introduced to Sai early on in Shippuden. This is after we establish the first meeting with Sasuke since he left the village. It's the following realization Naruto experiences when Sasuke won't simply return to the village with him.
Sai joins to complete the traditional three man team but also proves to be very different to Sasuke. Where both easily accepted Sasuke, Sai is a much more challenging personality for both to initially open up to. We also know Danzo specifically assigned Sai a private mission to learn of and pursue Sasuke on his own. In other words, Sai and Sasuke were already tied to each other.
Even though Sai works towards the mission Danzo assigned him he eventually gains his own interest in Naruto and Sasuke's bond. He who struggles with emotions and relationships due to his upbringing latches on to their example and comes to the conclusion that it's something to treasure. Where Sai helps Naruto to continue his search and struggle towards Sasuke, Naruto helps Sai open his mind and break away from the trauma he has internalized.
On the topic of trauma. Sai's can be said to be similar to both Naruto and Sasuke in the sense that he was left alone at a very young age. He was also negatively influenced by the Leaf village that left him under Danzo's abuse. We know Naruto was allowed to be shunned while Sasuke's whole clan was premeditatedly commited genocide against. Similar to the boys, Sai also then forms a bond that unfortunately is broken as I'll mention in a second.
Compared more Directly to Sasuke
Sai was trained to conquer his emotions to the point where he is traumatized and struggles to regain a sense of individuality by the time we meet him in Shippuden. On the contrast Sasuke's clan thrives off of emotion which is what triggers their most renowned power. Itachi constantly instigated highly stressful and emotional experiences for Sasuke for the same reason
Sai shared a very strong bond with his "brother" who he grew up with in the anbu suborganization 'Root'. This one and only bond was shattered when he lost Shin. This relationship can be seen to mirror the worst case scenario that Naruto fought to avoid until the moment he finally fought Sasuke.
IN SUMMARY Sasuke and Sai can be considered parallels to a certain point. The inclusion of Sai to the team and series as a whole can be said to have been in order to move the story along in a way that keeps Sasuke in mind by contrasting their situations. Additionally, we know Sai takes particular interest in Naruto and his bond with Sasuke that he so seriously tries to understand.
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