Chapter 20 Discussion

[Nitramy]

For one thing, the Third is still alive.

And how would getting "Boom, headshot!"-ed by a chakra-laced kunai remove constraints, unless...

Unless...

*starts speculating*

[bookworm702]

Since when were you under the impression that the kunai was laced with chakra?

[Tempest Kitsune]

Well, it did punch through her forehead protector.

[Chuckg]

In this context, Dunkelzahn's Will is being referenced in that the wily old bastard deliberately arranged the terms of his will so that it either manipulated, instigated, or stopped about 50% of the total amount of megacorporate and international intrigue going on in the world for the next decade. You know... calculated reveals of hidden secrets, sudden infusions of capital to people who'd always wanted to act but never had the wherewithal to, large bequests waiting for 'the first person or corporation to achieve X scientific advancement', all calculated for maximum effect. Some of what he did ended up destroying one of the world's ten largest megacorporations, rearranging the boards of directors of two more, and creating another damn near out of whole cloth. Dunkelzahn's will was a late Shadowrun 2nd edition product, and the effects of it on the metaplot carried all the way across Third Edition, and only started dying down come the fourth.

Dunkelzahn may have been a benevolent old dragon, but he didn't live as long as he did without also being one twisty, manipulative, and downright genius son-of-a-bitch. Hell, even his death was on his own terms. :)

So yes, Kurenai might have arranged for her will to throw a few cats in among the pigeons, along the same principle (if not the same scale).

[Lilcross]

Team 8's Kurenai wasn't too likely to hook up with Asuma. He's a good shinobi, but his slacker nature would drive her up the wall. This is different from canon because this Kurenai is much more driven than her canon counterpart. She'd regard Team 10's lack of decent preparation as the worst sort of neglect. (Sort of how someone who has lost a loved one to a drunk driver views someone who casually drinks and drives - even if they have been lucky and never had an accident.)

If Itachi hadn't come along, she *might* have gotten more interested in Umino Iruka, as he struck her as more of an adult. But that's still questionable, because she was scarred by Mattai's death when she was a genin. (Something that didn't happen in canon.)

Yes, the mentor dying is a trope, but anyone in Konoha thinking this will interfere with her goals isn't thinking things through. In fact, if you think back, this has likely... removed... some of the constraints on her. And no, I'm not implying anything of a supernatural nature.

Oh, no...don't make me re-read it again. But now I'm curious. Crap...

[viridian]

I find that comparison to be... rather apt. Bravo!

[SLAMU]

Let's all take a moment to read through the quotes the Mighty Authorlord keeps on his sig, shall we?

...

Alright, enough with that. Who wanted the bannana?

[jgkitarel]

ME! ME!