Parallel to the drama in the 7th Division, the chapter shows reflecting on her identity. Her journey through Karafuto has forced her to grow from a girl protected by adults into a woman considering her role in the future of the Ainu people. This shift in her "ego" marks a major turning point as the group heads back toward Hokkaido. Why This Chapter Matters
It solidifies Tsukishima as a tragic figure who chooses to live within the lie because the truth offers him no home to return to. Parallel to the drama in the 7th Division,
In the volume release, the dialogue was slightly adjusted to emphasize Tsukishima’s metaphor of being "withered up" before Tsurumi poured in his own "affection" to rebuild him as a soldier. 3. Asirpa’s Evolving Resolve Why This Chapter Matters It solidifies Tsukishima as
Koito begins to piece together that Tsurumi might have been involved in Hanazawa’s death to move the (South Manchurian Railway) expansion plan forward. More importantly, Koito suspects that his own kidnapping in Hakodate—the event that made him Tsurumi’s most devoted follower—was a staged "play". 2. Tsukishima’s "Mindbreak" Asirpa’s Evolving Resolve Koito begins to piece together