Ch. 261Opening Treasure Chests and Inheritance
Set in the aftermath of Hyuga Iwa’s battle with Isshiki Otsutsuki in an alternate dimension.
1. Key Plot Points and Events
- Hyuga Iwa recovers nearly half his strength and claims the wild Ten-Tails, using his Starry Eye to subdue it.
- He explores the sealing platform where the Ten-Tails was kept and discovers six circular patterns on rock walls; four are functional, one is damaged.
- Activating the patterns summons projections of Otsutsuki clan members, including Kaguya Otsutsuki, each bearing a personal symbol.
- Hyuga Iwa memorizes the symbols and appearances, suspecting that other Otsutsuki have visited Earth and hoping to track them later.
- Code appears, having inherited Isshiki’s final message and power via White Karma. He intends to kill Hyuga Iwa and retake the Ten-Tails but hesitates, realizing Hyuga Iwa has already recovered.
- The chapter ends with Code still determined to try, despite the nearly impossible odds.
2. Character Developments
- Hyuga Iwa: Shows ruthlessness and cunning—he immediately seizes the Ten-Tails without caring about Kara’s opinion, and demonstrates strategic thinking by investigating the Otsutsuki projections and planning future countermeasures.
- Code: Transformed by Isshiki’s inheritance—he now knows the truth and is driven by revenge, but is still realistically aware of his own weakness. His growth into a true Otsutsuki will be slow without the Ten-Tails.
3. Significant Themes
- Power and Ownership: Hyuga Iwa’s forceful claiming of the Ten-Tails and his control over it highlights dominance through strength.
- Inheritance and Legacy: Isshiki passes his will and Karma to Code; Hyuga Iwa takes over Isshiki’s assets, turning the enemy’s possessions into his own.
- The Otsutsuki Threat: The symbols and projections hint at a larger clan network, suggesting future enemies and the need for investigation.
- Recovery and Resilience: Hyuga Iwa’s accelerated healing and swift return to fighting condition emphasize his survival instincts.
4. Character Interactions
- Hyuga Iwa and the Ten-Tails: He tames it with his Starry Eye, reducing the wild beast to obedience.
- Hyuga Iwa and Code: A tense standoff—Code’s rage meets Hyuga Iwa’s confidence. Hyuga Iwa briefly notes the need to secure the dimension against intruders.
- Code’s internal reflections: He curses the late Boro, recalling Isshiki’s memories of Hyuga Iwa’s earlier near-fatal injuries, and grapples with his own inadequacy before deciding to attempt the impossible.