Ch. 221All-Out Assault
Chapter Summary: “All-Out Assault”
Key Plot Points and Events
- Madara speculates that Uchiha Kyu may have revived him to help use the Tailed Beasts and cast the Infinite Tsukuyomi. However, the truth is less significant: Kyu revived Madara merely for amusement and no longer considers him a serious threat.
- Madara admits to Izuna that he once fought Kyu after being revived and lost. Izuna is pleased that his brother has finally acknowledged someone’s superiority.
- After spending half a month enjoying himself, Kyu turns his attention to the Divine Tree. The Land of Fire has been devastated and cleared, leaving only the tree’s planting and the arrival of the Tailed Beasts.
- Kaguya, residing inside Kyu, impatiently demands that he find her a body. Kyu assures her that he is working on it, though he mocks the possibility of placing her in a child’s body.
- Konan brings Kyu kelp bone soup, and his simple praise makes her extremely happy. She chooses to remain with him while he stays near the Divine Tree for another year.
- Fugaku reports that Madara, Izuna, and other Uchiha have returned, while Senju Tobirama appears to have integrated the Allied Shinobi Forces. Kyu concludes that Hashirama and Tobirama may be helping the alliance resist the Empire.
- Kyu orders Fugaku to stop holding back and protect the Divine Tree at all costs. Fugaku consequently announces the beginning of an all-out war and orders the Empire shinobi to massacre the Allied Shinobi Forces without leaving survivors.
- On the Allied side, Hashirama and Tobirama discover that their Impure World Reincarnation bodies have been tampered with and are collapsing. Their attempt to break free fails, and Hashirama accepts that they have been defeated.
- Hagoromo Otsutsuki appears using the remaining power of Asura’s soul. He forcibly revives Hashirama and Tobirama with Yang Release, restoring them to living bodies. However, Hagoromo is extremely weak and cannot fully manifest because he also needs Yin Release, which is connected to Madara.
Character Developments
- Uchiha Kyu: Reveals his overwhelming confidence and growing impatience. He abandons his earlier amusement and prioritizes the Divine Tree Fruit, ordering a full-scale assault to ensure nothing interferes with its creation.
- Madara Uchiha: Shows rare humility by admitting that Kyu defeated him. His defeat confirms Kyu’s exceptional strength and changes Madara’s perception of him.
- Izuna Uchiha: Responds approvingly to Madara’s admission, recognizing that Kyu has earned Madara’s respect.
- Konan: Demonstrates her deep devotion to Kyu. Her happiness comes from receiving even minor praise from him, and she willingly chooses to remain at his side.
- Fugaku Uchiha: Transitions from a subordinate carrying out limited operations into a decisive wartime commander. Once Kyu gives permission to use his full strength, Fugaku orders the Empire’s forces to begin a merciless war.
- Hashirama and Tobirama: Their confidence collapses when they learn their bodies have been sabotaged. They accept their apparent defeat, though Hagoromo’s intervention gives them another chance to fight.
- Hagoromo Otsutsuki: Becomes more desperate and physically weakened. He sacrifices much of his remaining power to intervene, revealing that his ability to act in the living world is severely limited.
Significant Themes
- Overwhelming power and submission: Madara’s admission of defeat emphasizes the immense gap between Kyu and other legendary figures.
- Amusement versus genuine purpose: Kyu’s revival of Madara has no grand strategic meaning; it reflects his detachment and tendency to treat powerful individuals as toys.
- The cost of obsession: Kyu’s fixation on the Divine Tree Fruit drives him to escalate the conflict into total war and sacrifice the entire world for his objective.
- Loyalty and affection: Konan’s devotion contrasts with the brutal political and military developments surrounding them.
- Desperation and sacrifice: Hagoromo’s weakened appearance and use of Asura’s remaining power show the extreme measures required to resist Kyu.
- Inevitable escalation: Once the Divine Tree becomes Kyu’s priority, diplomacy and restraint disappear, turning the conflict into a battle for survival.
Important Character Interactions
- Madara and Izuna: Madara confesses his defeat by Kyu, and Izuna teasingly interprets this as genuine acknowledgment.
- Kyu and Kaguya: Kaguya pressures Kyu for a body, while Kyu dismisses her impatience and jokes about making her a child.
- Kyu and Konan: Konan serves Kyu soup, receives his praise, and confirms that she will remain beside him.
- Kyu and Fugaku: Kyu instructs Fugaku to begin using the Empire’s full strength and protect the Divine Tree, prompting Fugaku to declare total war.
- Hashirama and Tobirama: The brothers realize that their bodies have been sabotaged and that they cannot escape their control.
- Hagoromo and the Senju brothers: Hagoromo intervenes at the last moment, reviving Hashirama and Tobirama with Yang Release, though his weak state prevents him from fully returning to the world.