Ch. 121The Strongest in the Ninja World, Sū Bai of the Moonlight Clan
Summary of Chapter
1. Key Plot Points & Events
- Su Bai’s Zanpakuto effortlessly shatters Uchiha Madara’s Susanoo blade, shocking Madara.
- Using a vastly accelerated Flash Step (5x faster than before), Su Bai slices Susanoo in half, vaporizing the chakra construct entirely.
- The Five Kage witness this and conclude Su Bai is the strongest combatant in the Allied Forces, surpassing even Madara.
- Su Bai’s Bankai, Rising Sun Blade, begins catastrophically altering the environment: forests wither, water evaporates, and even the daimyo’s tea vanishes. The entire ninja world’s ecosystem is threatened.
- Su Bai realizes he must end the fight quickly but also sees Madara’s immortal Impure World Reincarnation body as a perfect source to “farm” experience.
- His system fusion rate is at 41%; he aims to raise it to 50% to unlock a stronger Bankai.
- A personal desire emerges: Su Bai is fond of Kaguya Ōtsutsuki (her naive, love-struck personality) and envisions making Black Zetsu and the Sage of Six Paths call him “Dad.”
2. Character Developments
- Su Bai: Confirms he is now the strongest in the ninja world, yet remains composed. He shows strategic cunning, choosing to prolong the fight against Madara to gain experience rather than finish instantly. His personal, somewhat manipulative interest in Kaguya hints at ambition beyond mere survival.
- Madara: Experiences genuine shock and a flicker of fear when his Susanoo is broken. He questions whether the younger generation has truly surpassed him.
- Five Kage: Shift from despair to awe, realizing Konoha now holds overwhelming power—and all wonder whether Konoha might use this to dominate the world.
3. Significant Themes
- Power’s collateral damage: Even benevolent strength can ravage the world (the global drying effect).
- Immortality as resource: Madara’s unkillable body becomes a tool for Su Bai’s growth.
- Personal desire vs. duty: Su Bai’s affection for Kaguya complicates his role as a protector of Konoha.
- Ambitious manipulation: Using enemies (Madara) and potential allies (Kaguya) to achieve one’s own goals.
4. Character Interactions
- Su Bai vs. Madara: Combat and Madara’s disbelief; Su Bai’s calm analysis of the fight.
- Tsunade & Mizukage: Notice and comment on the unnatural dryness of the air.
- Daimyo scene: The Land of Fire daimyo discovers his tea evaporated and the pond water halved, symbolizing global impact.
- Su Bai’s internal monologue: Reflects on Kaguya, his plans for Madara, and the upcoming threats (Obito, Ten-Tails, Kaguya).