Sasuke, not Naruto, could have prevented Neji’s death

The Fourth Great Shinobi War in Naruto was marked by Neji’s death, which was a tragic moment. The true mastermind behind the Akatsuki, Tobi or Obito Uchiha, had assisted Kabuto in reviving Madara to fight against the Five Kage during the war.

The shinobi from the Five Great Shinobi Countries, along with the lone samurai nation of the Land of Iron, united to thwart Tobi’s malevolent plan. The conflict grew more intense as Tobi and Madara controlled the Ten-Tails and caused destruction.

How Sasuke Could Have Prevented the Tragic Death of Neji in Naruto: Shippuden

Sasuke with Rinnegan as seen in episode 424 (Image via Studio Pierrot)

The three-day war was marked by intense fighting, brave sacrifices, and tragic casualties. Among the fallen warriors was Neji Hyuga, who valiantly gave his life to protect Naruto from a barrage of wooden spikes on the battlefield.

The Rinnegan is considered one of the “Three Great Dōjutsu”in the Naruto series, along with the Sharingan and the Byakugan. It is distinguished by its concentric circles that encompass the user’s eyeball. It is believed that during times of turmoil, a Rinnegan user can become either a “God of Creation”or a “God of Destruction.”

Upon receiving half of Hagoromo Otsutsuki’s chakra during the final showdown with Kaguya, Sasuke’s Rinnegan was awakened. This granted him the power to utilize all Six Paths Techniques, including the ability to call upon the King of Hell through the Naraka Path.

The Naraka Path has the ability to extract a person’s soul using the Human Path and store their body and soul within the King of Hell. This enables the user to transport the individual to a different place and revive them at a later time.

King of Hell as seen in episode 163 of Naruto: Shippuden (Image via Studio Pierrot)

Despite the argument that Sasuke had the ability to prevent Neji’s death and save many other lives, there are valid explanations for why this was not a feasible option. No one, aside from Nagato, has been observed using all six paths of the Rinnegan. This is likely due to the complex and time-consuming nature of mastering the Rinnegan.

Despite awakening his Rinnegan during the war, Sasuke did not immediately gain full mastery over it. Additionally, utilizing the Naraka Path for resurrection or rejuvenation comes at a great cost for the user, as shown with the Rinne Rebirth technique where the price for revival is one’s own life.

Despite not witnessing Neji’s death firsthand, it is improbable for Sasuke to sacrifice his life for him. Their personal relationship was limited and Sasuke was not directly responsible for Neji’s death.

Despite Sasuke’s incredible powers granted by his Rinnegan, he was unable to alter the past or prevent the heavy sorrow that swept over the entire shinobi alliance upon learning of Neji’s death in the aftermath.

Final Thoughts

Despite being a powerful symbol of strength in Naruto, Sasuke’s Rinnegan was also a double-edged sword and a heavy burden to bear. Unfortunately, Neji’s death serves as a poignant reminder that even those with extraordinary abilities are not immune to tragedy.

Ultimately, despite the King of Hell and Rinne Rebirth possessing formidable abilities, characters such as Sasuke are still faced with making challenging choices that are shaped by their personal experiences, connections, and responsibilities.

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