Black Zetsu's recounting of Kaguya's saga turns to her twin sons, Hagoromo and Hamura, who befriend the aged toad Gamamaru and begin to uncover the dark truth about the God Tree and their mother's tyranny. This 461st Shippuden episode falls within the Kaguya Ōtsutsuki Strikes arc.
Summary
Black Zetsu carries on with the tale of Kaguya, describing how she often stared up at the sky while her sons puzzled over her thoughts. From a nearby stream the toad Gamamaru watches them. Summoned to settle a farmers' dispute over dwindling water, Hagoromo and Hamura investigate; using his Byakugan, Hamura spots a huge boulder choking the flow. Gamamaru admits he placed it, then casually chases off a threatening bear, earning the brothers' admiration.
Key Events
After Hagoromo shatters the boulder, Gamamaru directs the pair toward the mountains ringing the God Tree, which they know as the Peak of Demise, a place their mother forbids them to cross. He tells them the land is withering because the God Tree drains its power, contradicting the belief that the tree sustains the region, and urges them to see the truth for themselves. Back home the brothers expose a traveling medicine peddler as a fraud, though Hagoromo later heals the man's back and quietly questions him about the wider world; the salesman reveals that many regard Kaguya as a tyrant who wipes out any who defy her.
When Haori leaves to take part in a God Tree ritual and never returns, the brothers press Kaguya to end the practice, but she refuses, hinting the rite will persist until certain outsiders arrive. Crossing the peak at last, they discover multitudes bound within the tree's roots and Haori's corpse, a shock so severe that Hagoromo's eyes awaken into the Sharingan. Gamamaru guides them to Mount Myōboku and, through the Memory Stone, reveals the God Tree's origins and how Kaguya seized its power and erased memories of those she placed under the Infinite Tsukuyomi. Resolving to confront her, Hagoromo asks to be taught Sage power and takes to it swiftly. Kaguya, meanwhile, returns to demand Hagoromo's whereabouts from Hamura, sees through his lie, and flaunts her strength to cow him.
Notes
The episode adapts chapter 681 of the manga and belongs to the Kaguya Ōtsutsuki Strikes arc. It debuted in Japan on May 19, 2016, aired in English on December 4, 2018, and pairs the opening Blood Circulator with the ending Blue Lullaby.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the relationship between Hagoromo and Hamura?
Hagoromo and Hamura are twin brothers and the sons of Kaguya Ōtsutsuki. In this episode they investigate a water dispute together and grow suspicious of their mother's rule after the toad Gamamaru urges them to see the God Tree's mountains for themselves.
What is the difference between Hagoromo and Hamura?
In this episode, Hamura relies on his Byakugan to size up problems, such as spotting the boulder choking a village's water supply, while Hagoromo takes more direct physical action, shattering that same boulder. Hagoromo later develops further, awakening the Sharingan after finding Haori's corpse and beginning to train in Sage power.
Was Hamura Ōtsutsuki evil?
No, in this episode Hamura is shown alongside Hagoromo investigating the truth behind their mother Kaguya's rule and the God Tree, and he lies to Kaguya to protect his brother rather than acting against him.
Who is Gamamaru in this episode?
Gamamaru is an elderly toad who secretly watches Hagoromo and Hamura, later admitting he placed the boulder blocking a village's water supply and guiding the brothers toward the truth about the God Tree and Mount Myōboku's Memory Stone.
What truth do Hagoromo and Hamura uncover about the God Tree?
Hagoromo and Hamura learn that the God Tree drains the land's power rather than sustaining it, and after crossing the forbidden Peak of Demise, they find countless people bound within its roots along with the corpse of their friend Haori.
Sources & Information
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View on FandomThis content is original writing by Daddy Jim Headquarters based on the Naruto anime series, manga, and official materials. Episode and chapter references are cited where applicable.
Character and scene imagery on this site is original artwork by Daddy Jim Headquarters, not screenshots or licensed imagery. Official cover art is used on three types of pages for editorial commentary:
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- Manga chapter pages: Jump Comics volume covers, credited to Shueisha and Masashi Kishimoto.
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