Chapter 210, " Sweet Lies ," is a masterful psychological turn for two of the series' most complex side characters: and Sergeant Tsukishima . As the journey through Karafuto nears its end, the "sweet lies" Tsurumi has woven around his soldiers begin to taste bitter. 1. Koito’s Confrontation and the "Mantetsu" Plan
When Koito asks Tsukishima if everything was a lie, Tsukishima’s reaction is chilling. He doesn't deny the manipulation. He explains that even if Tsurumi’s affection was a lie, it was a "sweet lie" that gave him a reason to live when he had nothing left. Chapter 210, " Sweet Lies ," is a
This is the first time Koito openly doubts Tsurumi’s divinity, setting the stage for his eventual growth into a leader who acts on his own terms. Koito’s Confrontation and the "Mantetsu" Plan When Koito
It solidifies Tsukishima as a tragic figure who chooses to live within the lie because the truth offers him no home to return to. This is the first time Koito openly doubts
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
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"
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