Ch. 21Art is an Explosion
Key plot points and events
- Dave follows four Genin from the Land of Lightning, who have stolen phones from Konoha. They believe the village’s daily dance battles have left its defenses inattentive.
- Confident that the exhausted Genin are no match for him, Dave confronts them alone. They attack, but his Wood Release Wall-nuts block their weapons without taking damage.
- Dave summons a Chomper, which devours one of the attackers. The killing horrifies Dave, who feels sick at the sight of the blood, but the surviving ninjas flee.
- Angry that they are trying to escape after making him vomit up the food Yue Mei fed him, Dave launches a Jalapeno attack, which begins to explode as the chapter ends.
- Yue Mei alerts Madara, who rushes after Dave. Hashirama also learns what happened and ends the village dance party.
Character developments and interactions
- Dave displays confidence, resourcefulness, and powerful Wood Release abilities, but his reaction to the Chomper’s killing reveals that he is still shaken by taking a life. He then channels his anger into pursuing the fleeing ninjas.
- Yue Mei acts quickly to warn Madara and Hashirama.
- Madara responds to the news with controlled fury and immediately leaves to find Dave; Hashirama follows after informing the villagers.
- The Lightning Genin underestimate Dave because of his age, then panic when his defenses and Wood Release prove far beyond their abilities.
Significant themes
- Appearance versus strength: Dave’s youth leads the ninjas to underestimate him, while their own confidence in Konoha’s distracted defenses proves misplaced.
- The cost of violence: Dave’s disgust after the Chomper kills a man contrasts with the attackers’ casual attempt to kill him.
- Comedy alongside danger: The village’s dance battles, Dave’s game-inspired plant techniques, and his taunts sit alongside a brutal death and an impending explosion.