Ch. 61Douluo's First World War!
Plot points and events
- To prepare Naruto, Sasuke, and the others for war, the alliance assigns four Titled Douluo to protect them. Naruto privately tells Ning Fengzhi that the Nine-Tails is sealed inside him; Ning warns him to keep the secret, especially because White Zetsu can infiltrate by changing form.
- Sky Curtain visions repeatedly show Akatsuki capturing Tailed Beasts. The revived forces succeed against Chōmei and Isobu, but the Evil Emperor and his clan overwhelm another group: their mental attacks destroy the souls of Hidan and several Impure World Reincarnations, demonstrating that spiritual attacks can counter them.
- Madara appears in a later vision and defeats the Evil Emperor despite his powerful space-time technique. His Complete Susanoo cuts the Evil Emperor apart and devastates the surrounding landscape. The alliance begins studying the limits of Madara’s power and Impure World Reincarnation.
- After more than half a year, Chakra has spread across Douluo Star, and every Tailed Beast on the Douluo Continent except Naruto’s Nine-Tails has been captured. Obito discovers Naruto’s location at the God Tree and plans to attack once the Eight-Tails is sealed.
- The alliance mobilizes near the God Tree, where fortresses have already been built. With half the continent’s Soul Masters of Soul Emperor rank or higher nearby, the coming conflict is declared Douluo’s first world war.
- Before the battle, Naruto and Sasuke test their strength. Naruto wins, but Sasuke’s frustration triggers the awakening of his Mangekyō Sharingan, and he gets back up to fight again.
Character developments and interactions
- Naruto is eager to prove himself after months of training. He trusts Ning Fengzhi with the Nine-Tails secret and celebrates his victory over Sasuke.
- Sasuke is competitive and initially dismissive, but Naruto’s win unsettles him. His anger and wounded pride awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan.
- Ning Fengzhi takes Naruto’s secret seriously and helps prepare the alliance for the impending attack.
- Di Tian encourages Naruto and Sasuke to test their abilities before war, while Qian Daoliu and the alliance organize the defenses.
- Madara is portrayed as overwhelmingly powerful; the Evil Emperor’s pride in his mental and spatial abilities proves insufficient against him.
Significant themes
- Preparation for war: training, fortifications, intelligence, and coordination become urgent as the threat closes in.
- Power and countermeasures: mental attacks can defeat Impure World Reincarnations, but Madara’s strength surpasses even the Evil Emperor’s best technique.
- Secrecy and vulnerability: Naruto’s identity as the Nine-Tails’ host makes him a prime target.
- Rivalry as motivation: Naruto and Sasuke’s contest pushes them to reveal their growth, with Sasuke’s defeat catalyzing a major awakening.