1.7 Million Words Already

Bad news, the word count is estimated to reach two million.

The good news is that the Second Ninja World War is almost over.

Actually, I dislike Naruto—not for anything else, but mainly because of its themes.

They're too fake, and it keeps going on about empty platitudes. If you want to talk about love and friendship, then talk about love and friendship properly. Why force it into some grand, sweeping tale of love and peace, only to predictably write itself into a corner?

It has what appears to be a beautiful ending, but the ending leaves much to be desired.

What is Naruto really about? Leaving aside the heavier matters, one word sums it up: Bonds.

Those who sever all their Bonds and shoulder everything alone are the villains.

Those who protect their companions and cherish their Bonds are the heroes.

A classic black-and-white dichotomy.

The weight of its themes and the naivety of its solutions are bound to make it seem somewhat laughable.

It is always talking in empty platitudes, never mentioning any practical solutions. It is always a barrage of speeches about how understanding is everything, only to ultimately rely on force to supplement the persuasion.

Put simply, it is the story of a bloodline freak who thinks he is an ordinary person, constantly reforming his opponents until he finally reaches the peak of life.

Very realistic.

But on a more fundamental level, it is a story about how to see oneself clearly, find oneself again, and accept oneself.

Fanfiction has its limitations. If you change nothing, you cannot write a good story within that limited framework. Dancing in shackles—that is probably what it is. But if you completely break free of the shackles and never touch on Naruto's thematic core, then it loses the flavor of