Ch. 381Ōnoki of Both Scales Steps In to Stop Everyone
Chapter Summary: “Tianqi Intervenes”
Key Plot Points and Events
- The Five Kage and their forces prepare to pursue Sasuke after Hee, using his sensory abilities, locates him.
- The Raikage, Ei, intends to break through the wall and personally capture Sasuke. Terumi Mei suggests interrogating Sasuke for information about Akatsuki, while Gaara argues that Akatsuki members are unlikely to surrender.
- Tianqi suddenly appears and catches Ei’s punch with one hand, preventing him from immediately leaving.
- Tianqi explains that he is not defending Akatsuki or opposing the Kage’s pursuit, but wants to speak on behalf of Sasuke, whom he identifies as his grandson.
- Ōnoki accuses Tianqi of secretly cooperating with Akatsuki and protecting Sasuke. Tianqi angrily dismisses him, but Ōnoki’s accusations cause the other Kage to become suspicious.
- Mifune recognizes Tianqi as the former “Asura of the Shinobi World.” He allows his samurai to continue searching for Sasuke and establish defenses because the summit is taking place in his neutral country.
- Tianqi argues that Akatsuki has been greatly weakened after the deaths of many members, including its publicly known leader, Zero Burial. Ōnoki counters that Akatsuki has collected eight Tailed Beasts and that Uchiha Madara may be the organization’s true leader.
- Ōnoki emphasizes that Madara is supposedly Tianqi’s father and suggests Tianqi may eventually side with him. The accusation gains credibility among the assembled leaders.
- Tianqi refuses to justify himself, calling Ōnoki an “ant,” but his silence makes him appear even more suspicious.
- Finally, Tianqi reveals that he can prove his loyalty in a simple way. He activates his Time Force, freezing the Five Kage, their escorts, and the surrounding personnel in place while leaving them conscious and able to move only their eyes and mouths.
Character Developments
- Tianqi: Takes a firm, confrontational stance to defend Sasuke, while insisting that he does not support Akatsuki. His anger toward Ōnoki reveals his pride and intolerance for disrespect, but his refusal to explain his connection to Madara undermines his credibility. His use of Time Force demonstrates an overwhelming level of power and shifts control of the situation entirely to him.
- Ei/Raikage: Remains aggressive and focused on capturing Sasuke, but shows enough respect for Tianqi’s status to hear his defense before acting.
- Ōnoki: Acts as Tianqi’s strongest critic, repeatedly questioning his motives and relationship with Madara. He successfully turns the other leaders against Tianqi, gaining a rare rhetorical advantage over him.
- Mifune: Behaves neutrally and pragmatically. He recognizes Tianqi’s identity, allows both sides to act within his territory, and continues organizing the samurai defenses.
- Terumi Mei and Gaara: Represent contrasting approaches to Sasuke: Mei favors capturing and interrogating him, while Gaara believes Akatsuki members are too determined to reveal information.
- Danzo: Quietly observes Tianqi and remains wary, attempting to determine whether Tianqi has hidden ties to Akatsuki.
Significant Themes
- Family loyalty versus political responsibility: Tianqi’s desire to protect Sasuke conflicts with the Five Kage’s duty to stop a dangerous criminal and Akatsuki member.
- Trust and suspicion: Tianqi’s connection to Madara makes the other leaders question whether his intervention is truly motivated by Sasuke or by loyalty to his father.
- Power and legitimacy: Although Tianqi claims to act according to personal principles, his immense power allows him to override the authority of the Kage and immobilize everyone.
- Words versus actions: Tianqi’s verbal defense fails to convince the leaders, while his final demonstration of Time Force becomes his method of asserting control and proving that he cannot be easily challenged.
- Political tension: The summit’s temporary cooperation begins to fracture as accusations and mistrust emerge among the leaders.
Important Character Interactions
- Tianqi and Ei: Tianqi physically stops Ei’s attack and then explains his intervention. Ei agrees to hear him out but remains suspicious.
- Tianqi and Ōnoki: Their exchange is openly hostile. Ōnoki accuses Tianqi of protecting Sasuke and potentially supporting Madara; Tianqi responds with contempt but cannot immediately refute the accusations.
- Tianqi and Mifune: Mifune treats Tianqi with respect while maintaining his authority as host, allowing the samurai to pursue Sasuke.
- Tianqi and the Five Kage: Tianqi attempts to defend Sasuke before them, but their suspicions deepen until he freezes all of them with his Time Force.
- Tianqi and Sasuke: Although Sasuke is not directly present, Tianqi’s identity as his grandfather motivates the entire confrontation and makes Sasuke’s capture a personal matter for him.