Ch. 21Slipping Away in Defeat, the Leaf Village Higher-Ups' Helpless Rage!
Key Plot Points and Events
- Leaf Village's Anbu flee with Kakashi after a failed mission to retrieve the Fourth Hokage, the Nine-Tails jinchuriki, and the Uchiha Clan from Hidden Stone Village.
- Hidden Stone Village's army is at Leaf Village's borders, protecting the refugees.
- Rumors spread in Leaf Village about the higher-ups' involvement in the Fourth Hokage's death and the Uchiha Clan's rebellion, damaging the higher-ups' credibility.
- Hiruzen Sarutobi orders the release of high-rank missions to maintain the illusion of Leaf Village's normal operation, putting lower-ranking ninja at risk.
- In Hidden Stone Village, the Uchiha Clan is welcomed and celebrated, with no signs of mistreatment or surveillance.
Character Developments
- Hiruzen Sarutobi: Struggles with the consequences of his decisions, faces criticism from Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane, and resorts to using lower-ranking ninja for missions to maintain appearances.
- Fugaku Uchiha: Experiences a sense of freedom and belonging in Hidden Stone Village, enjoying the open-handed warmth of the villagers.
- Yoru: Shows cunning and strategic thinking, suggesting that the Uchiha Clan snatch Leaf Village's clients' commissions at low prices to further weaken Leaf Village.
Significant Themes
- The consequences of poor leadership and decision-making.
- The divide between the higher-ups and lower-ranking ninja.
- The importance of open communication and trust between villagers.
Character Interactions
- Hiruzen Sarutobi, Homura Mitokado, and Koharu Utatane argue about the failed mission and its consequences.
- Fugaku Uchiha and Kitsuchi drink together, celebrating the Uchiha Clan's newfound freedom.
- Minato and Yoru discuss the situation in Leaf Village and the potential consequences of Yoru's plan to snatch Leaf Village's clients' commissions.