Ch. 401Tengai Shinsei
Chapter Summary
Key plot points and events
- Madara, having recovered one Rinnegan, overwhelms Hashirama’s Wooden Human and defeats him in close combat, then engulfs him in a massive fire technique.
- Minato attacks Madara with a Rasengan, but Madara uses a newly revealed blue barrier to absorb the chakra. Minato retreats after Hashirama warns him.
- Hiruzen, Minato, and Hashirama regroup. Hiruzen and Minato report that they have sealed the Reanimated Four Kage, while Jiraiya and Tsunade have gone to aid Naruto’s group.
- The three Hokage attack Madara together, but Hiruzen’s combined five-nature assault has no visible effect. They infer that the absorption technique comes from Madara’s changed eye.
- Madara unleashes Tengai Shinsei, summoning an enormous meteor over the battlefield. The Allied Shinobi Forces are overwhelmed by fear and despair.
- Hiruzen and Minato try to stop the meteor, but Madara’s Susanoo blocks their attacks. Hashirama creates a vast forest and joins its trees into a towering pillar, slowing the meteor—but it continues to descend as the chapter ends.
Character developments
- Madara grows more confident and impatient, dismissing Hashirama and challenging all three Hokage at once. His Rinnegan grants a powerful chakra-absorption ability, and his meteor technique reveals the scale of his threat.
- Hashirama recognizes that his reanimated form is far weaker than his living self, yet remains determined to protect the others and confront Madara.
- Minato quickly identifies that Madara can absorb chakra-based attacks and uses his Flying Thunder God technique to evade danger.
- Hiruzen contributes his strongest five-nature attack and takes command when the meteor appears, but is forced to confront the limits of his power.
- The Allied Shinobi Forces shift from fighting to despair when faced with Madara’s seemingly unstoppable attack.
Significant themes
- Overwhelming power and its cost: Madara’s abilities make ordinary attacks seem futile and expose the immense gap between him and the allied shinobi.
- Cooperation in the face of danger: The Hokage combine their distinct skills, even as Madara’s power tests the value of working together.
- Resolve versus despair: The army loses hope, while Hashirama continues resisting the meteor despite its apparent inevitability.
Character interactions
- Madara taunts Hashirama, defeats him, and then invites the three Hokage to attack together.
- Minato shares his discovery about Madara’s absorption barrier with Hashirama and Hiruzen; Hashirama points out Madara’s changed eye.
- Hashirama encourages Hiruzen and Minato to fight alongside him, and they charge Madara as a united force.
- As the meteor falls, Hiruzen and Minato attack Madara while Hashirama focuses on slowing the impact.