Ch. 381Taking Naruto and Sasuke as Disciples, Fighting the White Snake Sage
Chapter Summary
Key Plot Points and Events
- Kiyohara and Tsunade share an intimate encounter while Shizune is away. Shizune returns, realizes what happened, and becomes embarrassed, while Tsunade tries to act unaffected.
- Itachi tells his younger brother Sasuke that he has been assisting Kiyohara. Inspired by Itachi’s relationship with Kiyohara, Sasuke asks to become Kiyohara’s disciple.
- Sasuke visits Naruto and reveals the possibility of becoming Kiyohara’s student. Naruto immediately decides that he wants to become a disciple as well and drags Sasuke to find Kiyohara.
- Kiyohara encounters Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata in the street. Naruto loudly asks to be accepted as his disciple, while Sasuke makes the request more reservedly. Kiyohara accepts both boys.
- Kiyohara brings the three children—Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata—to a secluded location and summons Tagitsuhime. He takes them to Ryūchi Cave so they can obtain suitable summoning contracts.
- In Ryūchi Cave, Tagorihime agrees to help the children find summoning beasts. Naruto and Sasuke eagerly follow her, while Hinata initially remains timid but gains confidence after Kiyohara encourages her.
- Naruto introduces himself to Hinata, beginning their first meaningful interaction. Sasuke reprimands Naruto for bluntly questioning Hinata about her Byakugan.
- The White Snake Sage senses Kiyohara’s increasingly powerful chakra, which resembles the path toward “dragon transformation.” Coveting his Senjutsu and Tailed Beast chakra, she considers devouring his power to complete her own transformation.
- The White Snake Sage summons Kiyohara and offers to help him complete his transformation in exchange for a portion of his chakra, proposing that they become equally powerful “true dragons.”
- Kiyohara rejects the offer and openly declares that Tagitsuhime will replace the White Snake Sage as ruler of Ryūchi Cave. Tagitsuhime accepts the role, and the White Snake Sage responds with fury, preparing for battle.
Character Developments
- Kiyohara continues to act as a powerful mentor and protector. He formally accepts Naruto and Sasuke as disciples and demonstrates his intention to guide all three children, including the shy Hinata.
- Naruto remains energetic, outspoken, and ambitious. His dream of becoming Hokage drives him to seek Kiyohara’s discipleship immediately, and he begins reaching out to Hinata in his usual direct manner.
- Sasuke shows admiration for Itachi and a growing desire to develop his own strength. Though embarrassed by Naruto’s behavior, he is equally excited to become Kiyohara’s student.
- Hinata is timid around strangers and heavily dependent on Kiyohara for reassurance, but she shows gradual confidence by speaking more clearly, releasing his sleeve, and joining Naruto and Sasuke.
- Tagitsuhime shifts from hesitant subordinate to potential successor. Her loyalty to the White Snake Sage weakens when she recognizes Kiyohara’s strength and accepts his offer to make her ruler of Ryūchi Cave.
- The White Snake Sage is revealed to be ambitious, predatory, and unwilling to surrender her authority. Her desire to seize Kiyohara’s power turns her into his direct enemy.
Significant Themes
- Mentorship and legacy: Kiyohara begins shaping the future by taking in Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata, while Itachi helps Sasuke pursue his own path.
- Ambition and power: Naruto seeks strength to become Hokage, Sasuke wants to grow beyond admiration of Itachi, and the White Snake Sage seeks ultimate power through Kiyohara’s chakra.
- Loyalty and succession: Tagitsuhime must choose between her long-standing obedience to the White Snake Sage and her belief in Kiyohara’s vision for Ryūchi Cave.
- Overcoming fear: Hinata’s small but meaningful steps away from Kiyohara symbolize the beginning of her social and personal growth.
- Conflict between old and new authority: Kiyohara’s decision to replace the thousand-year-old White Snake Sage with Tagitsuhime sets up a confrontation between established power and a new order.
Character Interactions
- Kiyohara and Tsunade: Their intimate relationship is shown to be increasingly bold, with Shizune becoming an embarrassed witness to their closeness.
- Itachi and Sasuke: Itachi affectionately encourages Sasuke’s desire to become Kiyohara’s disciple, reinforcing their close brotherly bond.
- Naruto and Sasuke: Their contrasting personalities are highlighted—Naruto is loud and impulsive, while Sasuke is restrained and easily embarrassed—but they cooperate closely.
- Naruto and Hinata: Naruto introduces himself and begins forming a connection with her, though his blunt curiosity makes Sasuke intervene.
- Kiyohara and Hinata: Kiyohara patiently reassures Hinata and helps her take the first step toward independence.
- Kiyohara, Tagitsuhime, and the White Snake Sage: Their relationship transforms from uneasy alliance into open succession conflict when Kiyohara names Tagitsuhime as the future master of Ryūchi Cave.