Ch. 521Then Tell Me, What Is This?
Key events
- Hikari reacts quietly to Naruto’s arrangements, while Otohime observes the women around him and is disappointed that they are getting along rather than competing.
- Naruto notices that Big Yellow is missing. Karin explains that Hana Inuzuka took him to the Inuzuka Clan grounds to stay with his father, Yellow Maru.
- Naruto wonders why Yellow Maru wanted Big Yellow back, then decides to visit later and continues showing Hinata, Hanabi, and Otohime their guest rooms.
- At the Inuzuka grounds, Yellow Maru has brought Big Yellow back to teach him human speech. He tries to teach by showing him fruit and demanding that he name it in human language.
- Big Yellow identifies the peach with a bark, but cannot imitate human speech. Yellow Maru concludes that teaching him will be difficult and considers involving Tsume or Hana.
Character developments and interactions
- Otohime enjoys watching Naruto’s companions but is frustrated by their lack of jealousy or conflict.
- Naruto shows affection and concern for Big Yellow, though he accepts that the dog is safe with the Inuzuka Clan.
- Yellow Maru sees Big Yellow’s education as a parental duty and hopes it might also strengthen the Inuzuka Clan’s ties to Naruto. His earnest, ineffective teaching contrasts with his authority as a fighter.
- Big Yellow is confused and resigned during his father’s lesson, which reveals his distinctively innocent, expressive personality.
- Hana has a friendly connection with Naruto and may be better suited than Yellow Maru to build that relationship.
Significant themes
- Family responsibility: Yellow Maru takes charge of his son’s education, even if his methods are questionable.
- Communication and learning: Understanding human language is not the same as being able to speak it; Big Yellow’s struggle highlights the difficulty of bridging that gap.
- Harmony over rivalry: The women around Naruto remain friendly, disappointing Otohime’s appetite for drama.
- Humor: The chapter’s comedy comes chiefly from Yellow Maru’s confident but misguided teaching and Big Yellow’s silent disbelief.