On November 6, 2022, the long-awaited Black Clover chapter 343 came out, featuring the showdown between Asta and Ichika. Since each side was so vehemently defending its position on Yami Ichika’s brother, Captain Yami Sukehiro, the tension between them practically sprang off the page. Two possible characters from Black Clover Chapter 343 made a stunning comeback at the issue’s finish, and their group is presently lingering somewhere close to the Hino Country’s boundaries. This issue is going to be a special one for readers since there are a number of hints and surprises hidden inside the pages.
The battle between Asta and Ichika continues in Chapter 343 of Black Clover
Chapter 343 of Black Clover opens with Asta being sent back by Ichika’s onslaught, but she quickly draws him back in with her Dark Yojutsu. He blocks her katana blow by using Devil Union on himself. He continues to struggle with her, convinced that he can counteract her use of magic or yoryoku. Then, Ichika tries a far-range assault with Demon-Slasher after kicking Asta and sending him flying into a nearby waterfall. After she evades, he rushes for her, obviously convinced that he now has her. But she avoids them and uses a Black Star spell called Dark Yojutsu, which may exploit her opponent’s susceptibility to gravity.
She goes on to explain that she is using Black Star on herself to make it more difficult for Asta to figure out what she is doing and that Dark Yojutsu is most effective when combined with martial arts and sword combat. As a show of her confidence in Asta’s inability to catch her, she disperses many Black Stars around the battlefield. In contrast, all of Ichika’s Dark Yojutsu spells are rendered ineffective by Asta’s use of Demon-Destroyer in Chapter 343 of Black Clover. The two then reflect on how their yojutsu and magic skills are on par, with their Zetten prowess being the true deciding factor. Asta, sure he has Ichika in his grasp this time, charges forward.
Black Clover 343: The Ideal Zetten and Recent Arrivals
In Black Clover 343 however, Ichika blocks his strike and kicks him straight into the sea below. First, she scolds him for believing he could win a Zetten battle against her, and then she scolds Asta for wanting to be Wizard King. She says that he lacks the determination, conviction, and genuine talent necessary to become Wizard King, the equal of a Shogun.
In response, Asta reveals that he can feel the anger of both he and Captain Yami in her ki. But he insists that she now possesses something greater in her heart. After a brief pause, Ichika tells him not to act familiar with her when talking to her.
As they charge at each other, Asta claims to have suddenly figured out the optimal form for his Zetten and that he will win the battle if he can do it perfectly. Before either of them can use their Zetten to harm the other, Ryudo Ryuya intervenes to put an end to the conflict. He gives them the command to cease, and an embarrassed Ichika tries to make amends by performing seppuku. While Ryuya comments on how bloodied Asta looks, the young Magic Knight is preoccupied with the fact that he failed to cast his better back then and so holds himself responsible for the defeat. Concern about Ryuya’s arm, which he used to deflect his Demon-Slasher blade, begins to surface, but he shrugs it off when Ryuya suggests they head to Fumito’s for some dinner.
But suddenly he senses something and exclaims, “They’re here,” as he stares into the distance. At the end of Black Clover Chapter 343, it is revealed that Sister Lily, a paladin, has arrived in the Hino Country, joined by two new paladins who seem to be previously deceased characters. The issue concludes with a major fight between Ichika, Asta, and Ryuya and Sister Lily and her two new Paladins, but there is no indication of a break next week.
Chapter 343 of Black Clover: Closing Considerations
Black Clover Chapter 343 is, without a doubt, the most thrilling chapter of the series so far, and certainly the most interesting chapter of the Hino Country subarc as a whole. Asta’s training with Zetten has apparently brought him to the limit, thus in the next few issues, he’ll be able to perfectly perform his ideal Zetten against Sister Lily and her Paladins. This issue also revealed that Ichika’s issues extended beyond her sibling rivalry with Sukehiro. That Ryuya was able to halt their swords in this issue suggests he possesses abilities beyond Clairvoyance.
In subsequent issues, readers will likely learn about Ryuya’s secret ability, though it may be some time before the first indication is properly revealed. The narrative is wonderfully wrapped up by Sister Lily’s unexpected arrival in the Land of the Sun with two new Paladins. The identities of the two new Paladins have been widely speculated about, as have the reasons for the tiny differences between their designs and Sister Lily’s.