Kakashi’s Wisdom Leads to Sasuke’s Demise in Naruto

Indeed, even in present-day fandom, the rise to power of Sasuke Uchiha in Naruto continues to captivate audiences. The story of a young prodigy who veers down a treacherous path in pursuit of surpassing his “rival”is a compelling one. Undoubtedly, Masashi Kishimoto has crafted a character that will be remembered for generations to come.

When it comes to Sasuke, it is important to note that his signature technique, the Chidori, was only possible because of his sensei, Kakashi Hatake. Kakashi, known as the Leaf’s Copy Ninja, is undoubtedly one of the top teachers in all of anime/manga due to his unwavering care and protection towards his students.

Despite being human, everyone has their flaws and shortcomings which can result in misunderstandings. In retrospect, it is possible that Sasuke was influenced by a certain piece of advice from Kakashi in his actions.

Naruto: Did Kakashi’s words contribute to Sasuke’s downfall?

In episode 108 of Naruto, titled “Bitter Rivals and Broken Bonds”, Kakashi intervenes in a confrontation between Naruto’s Rasengan and Sasuke’s Chidori. Later in the episode, Kakashi restrains the young Uchiha to a tree and advises him against harming his fellow comrades and giving up on seeking revenge against Itachi.

Sasuke responds to Kakashi’s remarks by stating that the Jonin will not be able to understand until he experiences loss himself. In return, Kakashi reveals to Sasuke that all of his loved ones are already deceased.

After their conversation, Kakashi reminds Sasuke that Chidori should never be used against a friend. Despite the pain of their losses, they both feel grateful for the friendships they have formed. Kakashi leaves Sasuke to reflect on the situation and make his own decision.

It is probable that this was the turning point for the situation. Sasuke may have misinterpreted the advice that Kakashi was trying to give. Kakashi himself had to face many hardships as he grew older, including the death of his father by suicide, losing his teammate Obito Uchiha during a mission, having to kill his friend Rin Nohara, and the loss of his mentor Minato Namikaze in the Nine Tails attack. Despite these challenges, he persevered and continued on.

Kakashi Hatake (kid) in Naruto (Image via Pierrot)

Despite allowing himself to succumb to grief, sadness, and despair, Kakashi’s experiences undoubtedly changed him as a person. However, they also had a positive impact on his core values, teaching him the importance of camaraderie and the lesson of never abandoning one’s team.

Despite experiencing a heavy loss, Sasuke’s emotions seemed to have been impacted in the opposite way. After witnessing the massacre of his clan and being subjected to watching the death of his parents 518,400 times through Tsukuyomi, he was deeply affected. As a result, he grew up filled with hatred and isolation, with a singular goal of seeking revenge against his brother.

In Sasuke’s eyes, mastering the Chidori seemed like a significant step towards achieving his ultimate goal of revenge. However, when Kakashi tried to dissuade him from pursuing this path, it may have had the opposite effect. Sasuke saw it as an opportunity to become even more formidable by discarding any attachments and emotions and focusing solely on gaining power. This intense desire for power ultimately led him to seek training under Orochimaru.

Concluding Remarks

Sasuke Uchiha (curse mark manifesting) in Naruto (Image via Pierrot)

Despite some questioning whether Kakashi could have done more to prevent Sasuke’s departure from the village, it is important to note that he cannot be solely blamed for Sasuke’s downfall. The message he attempted to convey was interpreted differently by Sasuke, making it a point of disagreement.

Despite Sasuke’s desire to leave and the involvement of emotional and psychological factors, physically restraining him may have been one of the ways to address the issue due to his strength being inferior to Kakashi’s. So, while it is both a yes and no answer, it ultimately depends on the specific circumstances.

Therefore, Sasuke’s choice was heavily influenced by his personal past and feelings, rendering it intricate and unable to be resolved solely through physical means.