[DreamSword]

Something fun to note about the two-parters focused on Sun Ce and Cao Cao is that the title card background changes from Dowan-Kwan to Sun Ce's' Dojo and Cao Cao's' base, respectively.

Sun Ce continues to be a character that I have really mixed feelings on. The Butterfly two-parter seemed focused on highlighting his more positive traits, to the point that he develops past his trend of being gullible. But then come the latest episode he's back to being a dope who gets "tricked" by Liu Bei.

Him denouncing Liu Bei during that scene didn't really jive with me either, considering up until this point he was very gung ho about how Martial Arts shouldn't just be considered a business and be serious training. Like, I get wanting to defend your sister, but acting as if Liu Bei wasn't saying anything he agreed with at all? It felt out of character to me.

Meanwhile with Cao Cao; Man, I never expected him to be the lead in a comedic two-parter about how you shouldn't be a simp, but boy did it turn out great!

Now, initial reactions to the premise: Putting a serious character into comedic episodes filled with fart jokes might not sound good to people on paper, but it's because of the type of character that Cao Cao is that make the comedy of these episodes work great. Like, imagine if, say, Batman fell for the old "rake on the floor" gag. The effect? Absolutely hilarious. And like you said, it did help to highlight his softer side with everything else going on in the story.

I have my own theory concerning Hua Tuo though. I think that Liu Bei's' master is actually an Angel, and his clone spell is why he was able to be in two places at once in the early episodes.

But yeah, seeing all of the Five Tiger Generals being able to fight at once? Fantastic. Keep doing it.