Ch. 521The First Battlefield
Chapter Summary: “The First Battlefield”
1. Key Plot Points and Events
- Sai makes an insensitive comment suggesting that Naruto likes Sasuke. Naruto becomes furious and begins forming an enormous Rasengan.
- Choji restrains Sai, Shikamaru immobilizes him with the Shadow Imitation Technique, and Ino takes control of his body to apologize.
- Neji intervenes before Naruto can attack, explaining that Sai’s lack of social awareness stems from his conditioning under Root. Naruto calms down and lets the matter go.
- Hours later, enemy forces consisting of White Zetsu and Impure World Reincarnation ninja attack the Allied camp.
- Nagato commands the camp’s firearms and artillery units to bombard the advancing enemy while sealing squads capture and seal defeated reincarnated ninja.
- As the enemy closes in, Nagato orders Naruto and the other jinchūriki to transfer their chakra into him.
- Using the combined chakra, Nagato summons the King of Hell, whose tongues drag the souls of the White Zetsu and reincarnated ninja into its mouth. The technique destroys or neutralizes roughly ten thousand enemies.
- The massive chakra expenditure leaves Nagato physically weakened, forcing him to withdraw from the front line.
- Naruto’s jinchūriki squad and Sasuke’s First Vanguard Squad then launch a coordinated counterattack, supported by more than a thousand Allied ninja.
2. Character Developments
- Naruto displays his explosive temper but also shows maturity by accepting Neji’s explanation and choosing not to retaliate against Sai.
- Sai remains socially blunt and tactless, but he recognizes his mistake and apologizes.
- Neji acts as a calming and understanding mediator, recognizing the effects of Sai’s Root conditioning.
- Nagato demonstrates overwhelming battlefield power and effective leadership, but the strain of using the King of Hell reveals the physical limits of his body.
- Sasuke is deeply impressed and excited by Nagato’s Rinnegan, viewing it as the next level beyond his own Mangekyō Sharingan. His ambition and desire for greater power are emphasized.
- Naruto gains renewed admiration for Nagato and confidently takes command of the offensive after Nagato’s attack.
- The jinchūriki and Allied ninja show strong trust in Nagato’s leadership and eagerness to fight as a unified force.
3. Significant Themes
- Teamwork and trust: The Allied forces combine artillery, sealing techniques, chakra transfer, and direct combat to resist the invasion.
- The consequences of trauma and conditioning: Sai’s inappropriate behavior is linked to his past indoctrination under Root, encouraging the others to respond with understanding rather than simple punishment.
- Power and its cost: Nagato’s spectacular technique turns the battle, but the immense chakra consumption leaves him exhausted and vulnerable.
- Ambition and progression: Sasuke’s fascination with the Rinnegan reflects his desire to surpass his current abilities.
- Leadership and succession: Nagato creates an opening through his sacrifice, after which Naruto, Sasuke, and the younger forces carry the battle forward.
4. Character Interactions
- Choji, Shikamaru, and Ino work together to restrain Sai and prevent Naruto from attacking him.
- Neji speaks directly to Naruto, using empathy and knowledge of Sai’s past to defuse the conflict.
- Nagato coordinates with the jinchūriki, asking them to trust him with their chakra.
- Killer B and Gyūki discuss Nagato’s mysterious Rinnegan, highlighting its legendary significance.
- Naruto and Shikamaru openly praise Nagato’s strength.
- Sasuke watches Nagato’s technique with awe, contrasting his own current limitations with the power he hopes to attain.
- Naruto’s squad and Sasuke’s vanguard challenge each other competitively while charging into battle, turning their rivalry into motivation for the broader Allied advance.