Naruto 557 (or: headdesking almost doesn't cut it anymore)

You know what, I'm not even annoyed anymore. (Mostly.) I'm actually amused. This is harmless WFTery, as opposed to the borderline infuriating WTFery that keeps popping up whenever Naruto himself is in the picture.

But really, even Gaara's awesomeness (and it is substantial) couldn't save this ultimately pointless-seeming battle. What was the importance of it? What new thing did we learn? Did the last handful of chapters move anything forward at all? Come on, Kishi, you were doing so well! Zombies showed up and the plot sped up for a little while. Itachi rejoined the good guys and things were practically going at Warp Speed. But now things seem to be crawling along. Even endless back-to-back battles can have their place if they mean something to plot progression, but when you can remove all involved chapters without really losing anything...THERE WAS NO POINT TO IT.

*sigh* So the little kid...blob...oil....water.....thingy......? What was that about? Did it make sense and I just missed the sense? Between that and the sudden, inexplicable pyramid (why?) I started to wonder if I hadn't accidentally wandered into a Bobobo-bo Bo-bobo scan. That is when you know things are messed up. And does anyone remember Gaara getting gold dust from his father? Clearly, I need to start taking notes...

Good for you, Gaara. You're a Golden Egg, whatever the hell that means. At least Gary Stu Naruto didn't have to come and save you too. Although, given a few more minutes, who knows?

*exhales* Am I being too harsh? What are your thoughts on the latest chapter?

P.S. That bizarre 'Jokey Boy' thing was never explained. What a surprise.