Ch. 121Ten-Tails Wood Release
Chapter Summary: “Ten-Tails Wood Release”
Key Plot Points and Events
- Mikoto Uchiha escapes an uncomfortable situation with Tamura Hiroshi but is physically exhausted. Tamura brings her brown sugar water and later teasingly reminds her to sleep in his room as his “pillow,” provoking her anger.
- Uchiha Retsuyō takes Fugaku to the Uchiha shrine and reveals that his original eyes—two powerful Three-Tomoe Sharingan—were sealed inside his abdomen. He has Fugaku transplant them back into his eye sockets.
- Retsuyō explains his plan to raid Shimura Danzō’s hidden laboratory and obtain research related to Hashirama Senju’s physical power. He believes Hashirama’s Yang Release could reduce the life-draining burden of the Mangekyō Sharingan and allow the Uchiha to use their abilities at full strength during the coming war.
- Retsuyō and Fugaku secretly leave Konoha, intending to exploit Danzō’s temporary return during the Chūnin Exams.
- Meanwhile, Danzō has indeed returned to Konoha after noticing a significant Kumogakure participant, while Orochimaru has also secretly departed, leaving a substitute behind.
- Tamura enters the sealing space while sleeping beside Mikoto and discovers that the Little Ten-Tails has awakened Hashirama’s Wood Release after consuming Hashirama’s chakra crystal. Its abilities to consume and refine chakra have consequently improved.
- Tamura cannot yet use Wood Release himself because he lacks the necessary Water, Earth, and Yang chakra foundations. The chapter distinguishes ordinary Wood Release from Hashirama’s higher-level form, which incorporates powerful Yang Release.
- Black Zetsu enters the sealing space and discusses plans to expand it. The group intends to recover the Initial Sphere Space created by Kaguya, using the Little Ten-Tails, Kaguya, and Uchiha Retsuyō’s space-related Mangekyō ability.
- Black Zetsu reveals that Kaguya’s power could be restored by evolving the Little Ten-Tails into a stronger rabbit-like form with a Nine-Tomoe Rinne Sharingan.
- The group also discusses Madara’s transplanted Rinnegan, now in Nagato Uzumaki. They plan to manipulate Nagato’s development by having him receive Hashirama’s cells, making him a stronger vessel and possibly a future ruler of Amegakure.
- Tamura proposes exploiting Danzō, Hiruzen, Orochimaru, Nagato, and members of the Uchiha and Senju clans as future sacrifices or tools. He particularly wants Madara’s Limbo ability and Obito’s Kamui.
- The chapter ends with Black Zetsu asking how they should deal with the Senju clan, whose bloodline is one of the few capable of supporting the Rinnegan.
Character Developments
- Mikoto Uchiha: Remains embarrassed and furious at Tamura’s shameless behavior, but she is increasingly entangled in his personal schemes and relationship.
- Tamura Hiroshi: Becomes more ambitious and strategic. He is no longer merely observing events; he is actively planning to manipulate major figures, obtain powerful Dōjutsu, and reshape the future of the ninja world.
- Uchiha Retsuyō: Reveals his willingness to risk everything for the Uchiha clan’s survival and military dominance. His restoration of his original eyes signals that he is preparing for a dangerous battle.
- Fugaku Uchiha: Shows loyalty to Retsuyō and participates in both the eye transplantation and the planned raid. He also shares the desire to obtain Hashirama’s power.
- Black Zetsu: Acts as a knowledgeable strategist regarding Kaguya, the Ten-Tails, the Sage of Six Paths, and the hidden dimensions. His hatred of Hagoromo and Mount Myōboku becomes more apparent.
- The Little Ten-Tails: Achieves a major evolution by awakening Hashirama-style Wood Release, increasing its potential as a vessel and power source.
- Kaguya: Though only partially sentient, she remains central to the plan to reclaim the Initial Sphere Space and restore the full power of her Rinne Sharingan.
Significant Themes
- Power through genetic and chakra fusion: The chapter emphasizes combining Uchiha ocular power with Senju physical strength, especially through Hashirama’s Yang Release and cells.
- Manipulation and predetermined fate: Major figures such as Nagato, Madara, Danzō, Hiruzen, Orochimaru, and future Uchiha pawns are treated as pieces in Tamura and Black Zetsu’s larger plans.
- Evolution and transformation: The Little Ten-Tails’ Wood Release and the proposed Nine-Tomoe Rinne Sharingan represent successive stages of biological and spiritual evolution.
- The dangers of forbidden power: Mangekyō overuse, Rinnegan transplantation, sacrificial bodies, and dimensional fusion all demonstrate the physical and moral costs of seeking greater strength.
- Conflict beneath the political surface: While the Chūnin Exams and wartime truces occupy everyone’s attention, hidden factions are conducting experiments, infiltrating villages, and preparing for future upheaval.
Character Interactions
- Mikoto and Tamura exchange a teasing but hostile conversation, showing their intimate yet antagonistic relationship.
- Retsuyō explains the Uchiha’s history and his plan to Fugaku, who assists him with the eye transplant and agrees to join the raid.
- Tamura and Black Zetsu collaborate in the sealing space, combining Tamura’s strategic ambitions with Black Zetsu’s knowledge of Kaguya and the Sage of Six Paths.
- Their discussion expands into a conspiracy involving Madara, Nagato, Danzō, Hiruzen, Orochimaru, the Uchiha, and the Senju, establishing the groundwork for a large-scale struggle over bodies, Dōjutsu, and the Ten-Tails.