Sasuke

[Rague]

Long story short: Sasuke's characterization?

So, what do you guys think of him? Is it accurate, is it bashing, is it sympathetic or apathetic?

[Vael]

Simply put?

Months of near constant training to be close quarter combatant for his team + Bonds created with his team + Rage from previous match + Rage at Sasuke for digging at it + Brief flair of the Kyuubi no Kitsune's Chakra + Removed weights = A Naruto who clearly out-classes a Sasuke who, all things considered, never really did that much training compared to Naruto.

Not bashing, just in IC wake up call to Team 7 and Sasuke especially that they have been slacking, also to Kakashi that he has been far, far too lax with training his genin, that they're not him in that they immediately start training themselves. It also serves as a warning to the rest of the 12 that they can no longer depend on the Academy's standards to measure each other any more, Neji didn't quite learn that lesson until it was too late.

The match-up's result wasn't bashing, it was showcasing the reality of things. Naruto was just plain better during the match-up.

[jgkitarel]

Indeed. It also showed that the undisciplined and poorly self-controlled Naruto is a thing of the past. He's not a paragon of either trait, even now, but his brutal training regimen, along with his team and Kurenai's efforts, have given him that modicum of control that means that even when he lashes out, he can do so in a more controlled manner.

[MrRigger2]

To clarify further, Sasuke wasn't expecting that sort of reaction or ability from Naruto. If he had, he would likely have been able to make a better showing than he did.

MrRigger

[WarriorDrgnMage]

Or maybe not, Sasuke constantly under estimates Naruto in the anime and manga, it's that little arrogant streak that he carries around.