Thanks for reply. :) I never said Sasuke was particularly noble. I wouldn't describe him as such, nor would I agree with all his actions. Understanding him however is different. As Naruto stated he could have very easily been on the same path if not for the guidance he was receiving. Think about the trauma that sasuke has suffered, surrounded by nothing but death and blood throughout his home only to find that it was his beloved brother who carried out the act. I couldn't even begin to fathom the rage and pain he went through and only at age 7. Then discovering that it was all a lie and the so called home he grew up in was responsible for it all. It's a sick joke and a cruel one. To call him selfish I think is just wrong. He's not doing whatever the hell he wants, he has to. His soul wouldn't allow him any peace, the nightmares and thoughts plagued him day in and day out. As far as his crimes go, Naruto came after him. If Naruto had respected his decision to leave they would have never fought at Valley of the End. Kidnapping Bee, eh I mean Sasuke wasn't affiliated with Konoha, at least to his understanding. He knew it would be a death sentence but that was his decision and a sacrifice he was willing to make in order to enact out his revenge. That Kumo Nin would have killed Sasuke with no hesitation. I'm not saying it's right I'm saying not everything is black and white. All those samurai once again were in his way. I refuse to believe anyone is innocent, as Pain said Konoha has done their fair share of dirty deeds. Tsuchikage kept employing akatsuki fully aware of all the damage they have done. War after war. Nin killing Nin, samurai killing Nin. When you walk the path of a warrior it's killed or be killed. Sasuke was defending himself at that point. And same with the Raikage. Attacking Sasuke and his team to avenge his brothers capture. Same thing. Exact same thing. With Danzo, he deserved his justice against fully. I do disagree with Stabbing Karin and I thought it was quite the turning point. I won't really defend it to much other than he finally let his rage get the better of him and allowing Obito to manipulate his clans curse. Sasuke did go off the deep end for a moment there, laughing maniacally and enjoying the death he caused. However that is only thing I can't really defend. But he has finally gotten rid of all the manipulation in his life. He has become his own person now. He is doing the right thing. I'm upset we didn't get to see his conversation with Hagaromo as I'm sure that would have should some light on his current mindset. The most important being that the Sage of the Six Paths deemed Sasuke s answer worthy of his power and trust. Even when Sasuke was dying we saw in his last moments he wanted to protect his brothers dream and fulfill his expectations of him. I just think the story will be so much better if you can convey these things. But of course you are entitled to your story and I am still a big fan.
Author's response
Again I have to disagree with you. Having a crappy childhood doesn't free you from the consequences of your actions. Naruto's statement that he could have turned out like Sasuke was merely to say he understood where Sasuke was coming from, but it wasn't giving permission for his actions or agreeing with them. My Point is that Sasuke doesn't care what happens to others so long as his goals are accomplished, and I'm not convinced that has changed. Furthermore, he has no choice but to do the right thing now because the alternative is to esstential become a White Zetsu like Zombie.
As to your responses to Sasuke's crimes it seems you let him have it both ways, again because he had a crappy childhood. For example saying that Naruto should have respected Sasuke's decision to leave the village is kind of a reach. Sasuke at that point was a traitor, and was joining a village that had just tried to raze Konoha to the ground. He was also trying to stop him from becoming a sacrifice to Orochimaru. Sasuke no matter how you look at it here was in the wrong, it also doesn't change the fact that he used lethal force against someone, who was fighting merely to stop him.
None of what you said about his kidnapping Killer Bee doesn't show an extremely selfish mindset. After all it sounds like you are saying is this man can die so long as I come out ahead. His not being associated with Konoha doesn't make his choice right. It doesn't change the fact that he was willing to trade a man who had nothing to do with the massacre for the power to destroy Konoha. Plus, what exactly is the sacrifice that he's willing to make in this sitution. To me it looks like Bee is the one ending up with the short end of the stick. Plus the reason that Kumo-nin would try to kill him was because he was trying to rescue a person Sasuke had essentially kidnapped. The situtuation is the very definition of being black and white. Blaming J for trying to stop Sasuke is like blaming a cop that gets killed trying to stop a murder.
The same could be said for the Samurai he killed. Sasuke invaded their territory with the intention of murdering a man currently under their protection. They had to defend Danzou as that was what honor demand. Sasuke doesn't get a pass here since he put himself in the situation. Those people he killed were doing their jobs, their guilt or innocence is irrelevant.
Now Danzou would be a grey area in my book even though I don't have a problem with what Sasuke did. Danzou was trying to prevent a civil war from breaking out in the village. The Uchiha were planning to rebel and install themselves as the leaders of Konoha. Danzou ordering Itachi to stop them is no different then any goverment moving against terroists before they can impliment a plot. Does it create a lot of grey area especially for the innocents caught up in the plot, yes, does it give those innocents free rain to rampage to their hearts content. Not so much.
Also, this is likely why it didn't matter what Sasuke said to the Sage as if he doens't give them the power to stop Kaguya the world ends and since he already stopped her once likely isn't willing to let her rampage as she wishes. It could also be that Naruto's answer was enough to convince the Sage in both their cases as he needed to empower both of them to seal Kaguya.
Which brings me to my final point, none of Sasuke's actions now are indicitive of some great change of heart. A statement is not action, nor does it show the consequences of the actions he will take in order to fulfil his goals which as you can see above in the past has resulted in the deaths of a lot of people. Just because Sasuke was easy to manipulate doesn't mean he is absolved of the deaths he is directly responsible for. He choose to do these things all for the sake of his revenge. Itachi for example likely didn't want his brother to join with Orochimaru, but he did despite being manipulated by his brother.
At the end of the day, a person can choose who they are as a person. Sasuke has choosen poorly repeatedly and has put his needs above those of his team, both Team Kakashi and Taka repeatedly. By Kakashi's standards he is the very definition of trash. He's a victim true, but he has choosen to be a victimizer as well. Nothing that has been revealed this far changes that.