Naruto Chapter 542

[MFauli]

Yeah, that scene felt extremely contrieved. Talking to deadly enemies like that, ugh.

Also, elaborating on why i think the flashback sucks: There are TWO reasons to have flashbacks. One, to flesh out popular and important characters. Two, to reveal some important plot-point. Sure, the flashback isnt over, but so far, there certainly wasnt anything of plot-relevance. And as for #1, maybe I see that wrongly, but Raikage and Killerbee are nowhere near the importance of justifying a flashback exclusively for their own fleshing out. When I get flashbacks about Naruto´s or Sasuke´s past, it´s obvious why it is relevant. When Gaara got a flashback, it was relevant, too, because he was the main villain at that time, so it had plot relevancy. When Neji got a flashback, it was relevant because he was fighting Naruto, made even more relevant due to the fact that Hinata was his friend.
Raikage and Killerbee arent relevant. Bee taught Naruto a bit, but that was so shallow that it didnt have any impact on the reader. Raikage is a hot-headed nation-leader who got pwned by Sasuke, not an interesting person at all. Or, to be more specific, both Raikage and Bee are plot-elements, rather than likeable characters. That´s why *I* dont care about this flashback.

[SilentSnake]

Yeah, that scene felt extremely contrieved. Talking to deadly enemies like that, ugh.

Also, elaborating on why i think the flashback sucks: There are TWO reasons to have flashbacks. One, to flesh out popular and important characters. Two, to reveal some important plot-point. Sure, the flashback isnt over, but so far, there certainly wasnt anything of plot-relevance. And as for #1, maybe I see that wrongly, but Raikage and Killerbee are nowhere near the importance of justifying a flashback exclusively for their own fleshing out. When I get flashbacks about Naruto´s or Sasuke´s past, it´s obvious why it is relevant. When Gaara got a flashback, it was relevant, too, because he was the main villain at that time, so it had plot relevancy. When Neji got a flashback, it was relevant because he was fighting Naruto, made even more relevant due to the fact that Hinata was his friend.
Raikage and Killerbee arent relevant. Bee taught Naruto a bit, but that was so shallow that it didnt have any impact on the reader. Raikage is a hot-headed nation-leader who got pwned by Sasuke, not an interesting person at all. Or, to be more specific, both Raikage and Bee are plot-elements, rather than likeable characters. That´s why *I* dont care about this flashback.

The way I see it the purpose of this flashback is to make Bee convincing Raikage to let Naruto through believable.

Except that nobody really cares since Naruto could just push through, so basically it's just an unnecessary delay opting for peaceful solution :P