Here's this week's manga update from my reading list.
Bleach is back after a weeks long hiatus. The new chapter marks the beginning of the end of the series by Tite Kubo. I have to admit, it was a pretty exciting moment when I got to the full page color spread with the words "The End Approaches. The Final Holy War.". You know it's big when the chapter is 22 pages long and have more than one colored page. And the start of the final arc? Foreboding. I don't know what the hell will happen, but I'm all hyped up.
As for other relevant manga plot points this week.... Naruto inspires all the members of the joint shinobi army, and Sasuke makes an appearance in the last panel. After 335 chapters, Gon and Ging finally meet in Hunter X Hunter. Xanxus finally joins the representative battle in Katekyo Hitman Reborn, pitting Team Marmon versus Team Fon. Miu finally remembers Kenichi in History's Strongest Disciple Kenichi. It is revealed that Vintage intends to use the human world to recreate Old Hell in The World God Only Knows.
Spoilers ahead! This post contains detailed summaries. So if you would prefer to read them yourself, please
visit your favorite scanlation sites, or buy the manga to support the
mangakas.
Naruto Chapter 573: The Path Toward Radiance
Tobi is confused at Naruto's announcement that he had just learned a bunch of difficult names. As the rain falls, Tobi tries to deny Naruto's effect on him, calling him irrelevant to his plans. The Shinobi army headquarters are abuzz with the announcement at the appearance of Kurama's full powers. Nara receives reports that Naruto, with the help of Killer Bee, Kakashi and Gai, is keeping Tobi at bay. He tells everyone to spread the word of Naruto's status to the rest of the shinobi army to boost morale. Inoichi, despite great effort, manages to inform all of the members of the Shinobi's army, rallying them to fight harder. From different parts of the battlefield, Hinata, Kiba, Shino, Shikamaru, Ino, Chouji, Sai, Rock Lee and Sakura are all thinking about Naruto's fight, willing him to win and silently promising that they will fight beside him. Elsewhere, Sasuke walks alone.
Bleach Chapter 480: The Thousand-Year Blood War
Captain Kurotsuchi of the 12th division receives reports on an unusually high number of hollows suddenly disappearing. He and his men discuss the effect of erasing so many hollows out of existence and the only group capable of making it happen. Meanwhile, Ryuunosuke nods off during a mission briefing, earning him reprimands from Madani and Shino. He expresses to mission partner Shino about his apprehension on being assigned to Karakura town, where there's a high number of hollow activity and where an already high level shinigami representative resides in. A lone figure stands on top of a building in Karakura, as Madani sees Ryuunosuke and Shino through the gateway from Soul Society. Shino goes off to begin their separated rounds, leaving Ryuunosuke, who is immediately confronted by a hollow. He runs away and calls for Shino, and finds her already in the hands of three other hollows. Before he can make a move to save her, the hollow attacks Ryuunosuke from behind. As Ryuunosuke lay bleeding and wondering why Shino isn't moving, one of the hollows is attacked. The attacker tells Ryuunosuke to be more ready in the future and introduces himself as shinigami representative Kurosaki Ichigo. A figure watches the exchange from the shadows.
One Piece Chapter 656: Adventure on the Burning Island
Luffy, Zoro, Robin and Usopp are on Punk Hazard and encounter a dragon, which immediately spews fire at them in greeting. Luffy and Zoro attack the creature, which proves to be hard and strong. They all realize that the dragon can speak, as it demands to know if they were allied with the Shichibukai. During one attempt to knock down the dragon, Luffy ends up latching on its body, where he sees another figure on the dragon's head. Luffy tricks the dragon into biting its own wing, which distracts it long enough for Zoro to knock it down. On the Thousand Sunny, Sanji exits the kitchen to find the rest of the crew unconscious because of some gas. He falls unconscious himself before he can reach the den den mushi to call Luffy and the others. Strangely clad figures appear, talking about taking the crew to "M". Meanwhile, Luffy, Zoro, Usopp and Zoro attempt to remove the figure from the dragon's head and ended up extracting only the bottom half of the body. Much to their shock, it suddenly stood up, announcing that it got separated. It suddenly ran off, shouting that his prey, a foolish Shichibukai, will not get away from it. Luffy shouts after it to join his crew.
Katekyo Hitman Reborn! Chapter 372: Fon's Power
Squalo challenges Hibari and Fon to attack him at the same time. Before Hibari and Fon can decide what to do, Xanxus and Marmon arrive. Marmon, who was able to lead Xanxus to the battle, is relieved that they have a better chance at winning. Hibari, Fon, Xanxus and Squalo start to engage in a high speed battle, dealing heavy damage to the hotel. They are observed by a figure from one of the doorways, who make a report to Reborn. During a pause in battle, Marmon realizes that Fon had sustained damage. Fon tells Hibari that he needed to get used to his old body again. He prepares to use his signature martial art Exploding Gale Fist, and the other also prepare to attack by activating their rings. Fon unleashes the Exploding Dragon Fire Dance, which immediately destroys Squalo's battle watch. Before Fon could touch Xanxus, his suddenly suffers an attack. Marmon had released himself from the cursed state and used Hyper Mirage R, a genjutsu that plants rules in the opponents brain, which become physical pain when the rules are met. He planted a rule in Fon, Hibari and Xanxus that states that anyone who doubts their victory will self destruct.
Hunter X Hunter Chapter 335: Decision
Gon notices Ging in the crowd, with the latter waving nonchalantly in return. Instead of the usual father and son reunion, Gon immediately apologizes about Kaito and saying that it was his fault Kaito turned into a girl. Gon tells his father everything that happened with machine gun rapidity, becoming more emotional with every sentence. Ging is flustered by his son's emotion, which surprises the crowd. When Gon states that it was all his fault, Ging tells him that he's wrong. He tells Gon that Kaito was the one who made the choice to bring him along, believing in his abilities, and that if Gon should apologize to Kaito instead of him. He sends Gon off to do as he says. Gon asks if they can talk more later and Ging answers that he's not sure because he's a busy man, causing the entire audience to shout at him. Ging concedes to wait for Gon, earning him more shouts from the audience telling him to go with Gon. Cheadle tells everyone that the elections aren't over, but Pariston cuts in, asking Gon to announce his vote so he can leave. Cheadle expects Gon to choose Leorio, but Gon votes for Pariston and tells them that Leorio wants to become a doctor, not a chairman. Cheadle silently concedes her loss. Leorio also votes for Pariston and leaves with Gon, who tells Ging that he will be back. Ging tells Gon that Kaito had a nen ability called "How could I die like this?" and surmises it's the reason why he's alive. Pariston wins the election and announces that Cheadle will be his vice chairman. Then he announces that he is stepping down from his position as Chairman. Ging just says that he wasn't expecting the turn of events, as Cheadle confronts Pariston. Pariston tells her that he became Vice Chairman because he just wanted to get in Netero's way and play with him. He looks at her with tears in his eyes and tells her to reform the commandments and Hunter exam. He tells her that if the organization becomes boring, he'll come back to play again and walks away. Gon asks Leorio about Killua, who he wants to apologize to. Leorio apologizes for not being there for Gon and Killua. Meanwhile, Killua, with Aluka in his arms, wait for Illumi.
Fairy Tail Chapter 270: Into a Night of Falling Stars
There are 27 minutes left in the game "Hidden" and Gray is already down 2 points. Beth from Mermaid Heel tries to attack Gray but misses, and is in turn attacked by Yeager from Quattro Cerberus, who is then attacked by Leon. As Gray and Leon face off, Juvia drops from the sky on top of Leon. Juvia tells Gray that she will defeat, revealing that Makarov informed the Fairy Tail B team that the losing team will have to do what the winning team wants for a day. As Gray and Juvia begin their confrontation, Narpudding takes a point from each of them. Suddenly, snow falls in the game area caused by Eve from Blue Pegasus, which will reveal players when they shiver or breathe out. Eve quickly takes 3 points, while the rest take points from each other. Only Rufus has yet to gain or lose a point. Rufus reveals himself at a high vantage point of the game area after familiarizing himself with the competitors' movements and magical presence. Rufus activates his magic "Memory Make", which unleashes a simultaneous attack to all of the other competitors. Narpudding is the only one to dodge and heads off to attack Rufus directly, but instead hits a memory copy and gets hit directly, earning Rufus the most number of points in the game in a short time. Narpudding continue his focus on Gray and gets another point. The game "Hidden" ends. Sabertooth gets 10 points, Raven Tail gets 8 points, Lamia Scale gets 6 points, Blue Pegasus gets 4 points, Mermaid Heel gets 3 points, Quattro Cerberus gets 2 points, Fairy Tail B gets 1 point and Fairy Tail A gets none. The crowd jeer at both Fairy Tail teams' standings. Gray walks off for a minute and when finally alone, swears that he will come back from the defeat. The battle round is explained and the first match is announced. The first battle is between Fairy Tail A's Lucy and Raven Tail's Flare Corona.
History's Strongest Disciple Kenichi Chapter 464: Promise
Menang watches in disbelief as Kenichi still continue to fight Pengulu Sankan, despite his physical injuries. Menang realizes that Kenichi is no longer fighting for himself and is exhibiting himself as Ryozanpaku's disciple, even if he is severely outmatched. Miu watches the fight and joins in after Kenichi receives a blow, but is also overwhelmed by the giant's attacks. Kenichi rushes in and uses his own body to stop Pengulu Sankan's sword and calls out to Miu to strike. Menang, who is starting to be reminded about the true meaning of martial arts, and Hartini watch in horror as Miu attack Kenichi as well, intending to take out the weakest opponent first. Kenichi receives another blow from Pengulu Sankan and Miu gets flashes of memories again, causing her to slow down and receive a blow from Pengulu Sankan. Miu stands up but doesn't move as Pengulu Sankan raises his weapon to strike a blow at her, while Kenichi struggle to stand up. Kenichi then sees Shou Kanou, who reminds him that he promised he would protect Miu. Kenichi stretches out his fist and connects with Miu, shattering her mask as his tenkou blocks Pengulu Sankan's strike. Miu finally recognize Kenichi.
The World God Only Knows Chapter 177: Evil Flowers
Katsuragi can't reach Yui, Tsukiyo and Shiori. Haqua surmises that Vintage is still unsure which girls have goddesses in them, which means that they will target all of the girls that Katsuragi conquered. Meanwhile, Lune surmises all of the captured girls and comments that she will just kill them all to save them from the effort of having to find out which ones have goddesses in them. Katsuragi and Haqua decide what to do about Ayumi and Chihiro, who are standing nearby. Ayumi decides to run off. Katsuragi decides to stick to the conquest and tell Haqua to just follow Ayumi. Haqua argues that Katsuragi will be left with no protection. Chihiro also decides to leave. Nora arrives and tells them that she will take care of Ayumi, which Katsuragi agrees to. He follows Chihiro and tells her that they will go home together, despite her protests. Katsuragi brings Chihiro to his home under the pretense that Elsie needed her for something. Katsuragi also discovers that Kanon was also taken. Diana appears, telling them that she saw suspicious activities and laid low. They realize that Tenri/Diana was never targeted in the first place because she was not Katsuragi's conquest. They also realize that Elsie might be in danger, since she is posing as Kanon. But a phone call reveals that Vintage saw through Elsie's disguise and didn't bother taking her. Haqua tells Katsuragi about Vintage's plan. Aside from trying to recreate old hell, they are using the rock in the Maijima ocean as a gate to create hell in a new space. Haqua confirms that Vintage wants to turn the human world into the new hell, which will wipe out the humans. Chihiro overhears the conversation from outside the door.
All images courtesy of Manga Stream and Manga Fox.
You can also check out last week's manga update.
Happy Reading!!Labels: Bleach, Fairy Tail, HSDK, Hunter X Hunter, Manga, Naruto, One Piece, Reborn, TWGOK
