Ch. 121The Buster Call Begins! Bell-mère's Faith Collapses!
Chapter Summary: The Buster Call Begins! Bell-mère’s Faith Collapses!
Key Plot Points and Events
- Ten Marine warships arrive off the coast of Cocoyasi Village to capture Tobirama Uchiha, threatening the entire island with a Buster Call.
- Bell-mère initially believes the Marines, especially Admiral Akainu, will protect innocent civilians if Tobirama is surrendered.
- On the flagship, Akainu refuses to evacuate the villagers or attempt a targeted capture. He labels Tobirama an unprecedented threat and orders an indiscriminate bombardment to erase the island.
- The Buster Call begins, destroying homes and killing civilians. The village is transformed into a scene of fire, smoke, and panic.
- A second barrage targets the hill and orange grove, placing Bell-mère, Nami, and Nojiko directly in danger.
- Bell-mère’s faith in Marine “justice” completely collapses. Desperate to save her daughters, she begs Tobirama for help, even offering her own life and service in exchange.
- Tobirama creates a massive Uchiha Flame Formation, a crimson hemispherical barrier that shields the village and grove.
- Every shell striking the barrier is instantly vaporized, leaving the Marines and villagers stunned.
- Tobirama uses the miracle to force Bell-mère to recognize the contradiction between Marine justice and the protection offered by the pirate she once viewed as an enemy.
Character Developments
- Bell-mère: Her belief in the Marines is shattered when they deliberately massacre civilians. Her pride and hostility toward Tobirama disappear as she humbles herself to protect Nami and Nojiko. She begins to see Tobirama not as a devil, but as their savior.
- Tobirama: He remains calm and confident throughout the bombardment. Rather than simply defending the village, he exposes the hypocrisy of the Marines and deliberately makes Bell-mère confront the truth about their so-called justice.
- Akainu: He is portrayed as ruthlessly absolutist. He values “order” over innocent lives and considers the deaths of civilians acceptable if they might prevent Tobirama’s escape.
- Nami and Nojiko: Initially terrified and clinging to Bell-mère, they become awestruck by Tobirama after witnessing him stop an entire Buster Call.
- Hancock, Robin, Kaya, and the others: Their complete confidence in Tobirama is reinforced as they calmly step back, certain that he can protect them.
Significant Themes
- The hypocrisy of justice: The Marines claim to defend civilians but willingly destroy an entire village to eliminate one enemy.
- Ideology versus reality: Bell-mère’s idealized faith in the Marines collapses when confronted with their actions.
- Power and helplessness: Ordinary people have no control over their fate when powerful institutions decide they are expendable.
- Protection transcending labels: Although Tobirama is a pirate and former enemy in Bell-mère’s eyes, he becomes the actual protector of the village.
- Maternal sacrifice: Bell-mère’s willingness to surrender her dignity and life for Nami and Nojiko highlights the depth of her devotion as a mother.
Character Interactions
- Bell-mère confronts Tobirama, blaming him for attracting the Marines and insisting that surrendering him will save the village.
- Akainu dismisses a rear admiral’s concerns about civilian casualties and orders the bombardment, demonstrating his contempt for compassion and caution.
- Bell-mère shields her daughters during the attack before pleading with Tobirama to save them.
- Tobirama mocks the irony of a former Marine begging a pirate for protection, then fulfills her request by shielding the entire village.
- After the barrier appears, Tobirama challenges Bell-mère to acknowledge who has truly acted as her ally.