#ep 178

Hello, I’m back and ready to scream about the Naras again. Omg where do I even begin with this. I am an emotional mess. I’ve been preparing my heart since last week, but clearly I wasn’t ready considering the breakdown I went through while watching this.

This episode was so meaningful because it not only brought us back to the sentimental Naruto days, but also shows us the feelings and inner turmoil of those who were left behind even after many years. SP proves just how much they understand Shikamaru’s character by having him overthink the true thoughts behind Shikaku’s final strategy. And Ao‘s overdue appearance finally brings light to how he survived the explosion and serves as closure for Shikamaru’s gnawing doubts.

I love how they tied the events in this episode so perfectly. Even the flashback to how Shikamaru “grew while staring at Shikaku’s back” during the war arc was used as reference to this scene towards the end, where Shikamaru wonders if Shikadai is also learning anything by watching him. This scene also scares me because it hints a foreshadowing of a future where Shikamaru may follow his father’s footsteps and leave everything to Shikadai. God forbid anything bad happens to Shikamaru, or I will riot🤬

“Here’s a fear of being cut up.”

“-And the fear of not being useful.”