Ch. 561The battle between Kazemori Masaki and Katsuya Uchiha
Plot points
- Minato detects that Masaki’s Flying Thunder God markers have been activated and sends him alone to the battlefield.
- Masaki arrives just as Katsuya attacks Yuki and Ken. His new wind-and-natural-energy technique—provisionally named Pseudo-Shinra Tensei—shatters Susanoo’s arm and drives Katsuya back.
- Masaki orders Yuki and Ken to safety, then confronts Katsuya. Ken seals away Amaterasu before leaving.
- Katsuya admits he expected interference and accepts a direct fight. Masaki quickly finds a weakness in Susanoo’s armor, breaks through, and appears to kill Katsuya—but the body vanishes.
- After striking again and seeing a “shattering mirror” effect, Masaki identifies Katsuya’s Mangekyō Sharingan ability: Katsuya can swap his own soul with other people’s souls, using them as attacks or substitutes.
- Masaki realizes Katsuya’s war and the Chakra Samurai’s attacks were part of a scheme to collect souls. Katsuya reveals that the souls he uses are permanently destroyed, denied rebirth.
- Furious but determined not to be manipulated, Masaki vows to kill Katsuya and offer his soul in tribute to the victims.
Character developments and interactions
- Masaki displays greater mastery of Sage Mode, exceptional control, and swift tactical judgment. His anger at Katsuya’s treatment of the collected souls tests his composure, but he refuses to let Katsuya dictate his choices.
- Katsuya is exposed as calculating and cruel. He uses the victims’ souls not only as a combat resource but also to provoke Masaki, believing Masaki’s principles will restrain him.
- Minato supports Masaki’s mission by transporting him while respecting the order not to accompany him.
- Yuki and Ken trust Masaki’s protection and withdraw when ordered; Ken carefully removes Amaterasu so it will not interfere.
- The exchange between Masaki and Katsuya shifts from combat to a battle of understanding: Masaki analyzes Katsuya’s technique, while Katsuya tries to exploit Masaki’s morality.
Significant themes
- Power depends on the wielder: Masaki argues that possessing a powerful Sharingan does not make Katsuya equal to Madara; experience and skill matter.
- Moral responsibility and cruelty: Katsuya turns souls into weapons and threatens their chance at rebirth, forcing Masaki to confront the cost of defeating him.
- Strategy and perception: Masaki wins an early advantage by reading Susanoo’s weakness and identifying the true mechanism behind Katsuya’s apparent escapes.
- Restraint versus rage: Masaki’s immense power remains carefully controlled, even as Katsuya deliberately provokes his anger.