Ch. 281Sage Slug
Chapter Summary: “Sage Slug”
Key Plot Points and Events
- Half a month after Sakumo leaves to become the Fourth Kazekage, the ninja world begins recovering from the war and returning to peacetime.
- Chiri uses war reparations from Kumogakure and Iwagakure to improve Konoha, raising the village’s living standards above their prewar condition.
- Amegakure and Sunagakure submit peacefully to Konoha under the leadership of Hyuga Mirai and Sakumo.
- With the war over, the Anbu become largely inactive, spending most of their time patrolling and assisting the Police Force.
- Watanabe continues serving as Chiri’s personal bodyguard during the day and returns to Tsunade’s home each evening. He and Tsunade openly acknowledge their relationship, though Tsunade remains embarrassed and maintains the appearance of keeping separate bedrooms.
- Tsunade discovers a summoning scroll left to her by her grandfather, Hashirama Senju. She explains that Hashirama’s summoned creature was a powerful sage who taught him Senjutsu.
- Tsunade and Watanabe travel to a deserted forest so she can safely attempt the summoning. The scroll identifies the creature as the “Sage Slug.”
- Tsunade signs the contract and uses the Nine-Tails’ chakra to maximize her chances of success.
- She successfully summons an enormous blue-and-white slug—so massive that it is revealed to be the creature’s true body. The Sage Slug is confused, since this is the first time it has ever been summoned in its complete form.
Character Developments
- Watanabe is shown balancing political responsibility, personal protection duties, and his relationship with Tsunade. He is curious about Hashirama’s sage and envious that Tsunade can use a summoning contract, since his incredible physical durability makes drawing blood nearly impossible.
- Tsunade demonstrates greater strength and caution than she usually admits. Although she had technically reached jonin-level power long ago, she waited until she felt sufficiently strong before attempting the contract. Her earlier failure to use the scroll was actually because she had forgotten about it while caught up in her romance with Watanabe.
- Chiri appears as a capable leader whose postwar reforms significantly improve Konoha.
- Sakumo and Hyuga Mirai successfully extend Konoha’s influence by bringing Sunagakure and Amegakure under its control.
- The Sage Slug is introduced as a legendary being connected to Hashirama’s Senjutsu. Its bewilderment at being summoned in full size establishes its unusual power and scale.
Significant Themes
- Postwar reconstruction and stability: Konoha benefits from victory and reparations, while former enemies are incorporated into its sphere of influence.
- Power and legacy: Hashirama’s hidden connection to a sage expands the story’s mythology and suggests that Senjutsu may represent a higher level of development in the ninja world.
- Romance and domestic intimacy: Watanabe and Tsunade’s relationship is portrayed through teasing, household life, and Tsunade’s lingering shyness.
- Potential versus restraint: Tsunade’s decision to wait before summoning the Sage Slug reflects her caution and desire to be worthy of the contract.
- The scale of hidden power: The Sage Slug’s gigantic true form hints that the legendary sage is far more formidable than an ordinary summoned beast.
Character Interactions
- Watanabe and Tsunade share playful, flirtatious interactions at home, with Watanabe teasing her and Tsunade responding defensively despite her affection.
- Tsunade explains Hashirama’s summoning legacy to Watanabe, deepening his understanding of the First Hokage and the origins of Senjutsu.
- The pair cooperate in preparing for the summoning, traveling together to a remote forest and witnessing the Sage Slug’s appearance.
- The chapter ends with both Watanabe and Tsunade stunned by the Sage Slug’s immense size, while the creature itself is equally confused by the unfamiliar situation.