Did Itachi Let Sasuke Win Intentionally?

r r

Is it true that Itachi Uchiha let his brother Sasuke win their final fight intentionally? The dynamics between the two brothers, driven by shared desires and complex motivations, offer a nuanced understanding.

r r

Objectives and Manipulation

r r

Itachi and Sasuke share the same ultimate goal of overcoming the curse of hatred. To achieve this, Itachi intentionally provoked Sasuke into hating him singularly. By doing so, he aimed to create a conflict that would ensure Sasuke would gather the strength needed to combat the Curse of Hatred. Despite his initial plan faltering due to unforeseen circumstances, Itachi managed to succeed through sheer luck. His strategy involved having Kabuto usage of Edo Tensei to give Sasuke a second chance and enable them to converse after Sasuke fulfilled his part of the plan.

r r

Strength and Techniques

r r

Sasuke emerged victorious in their final battle not due to any merciful intentions from Itachi, but rather because Sasuke was genuinely stronger. By the time they fought, Sasuke was generally stronger than Itachi, and the sole advantage Itachi had was his Susano'o. Sasuke's preparation through Orochimaru's training allowed him to overcome Mangekyo Sharingan and Amaterasu. The key to Sasuke's victory lay in his readiness, readiness that was a result of Itachi's earlier manipulation and the crucial role played by Orochimaru.

r r

Manipulation and Sacrifice

r r

Itachi's actions were driven by a desire for redemption. By manipulating Sasuke and setting him on a path of vengeance, Itachi hoped to redeem himself for his past actions. However, he ultimately realized the detrimental impact his manipulations had on Sasuke. Itachi resorted to using Kotoamatsukami to force Sasuke into Konoha's service, a grave mistake that further burdened Sasuke. In his final moments, Itachi admitted that he should have told Sasuke the truth much earlier and accepted responsibility for Sasuke's miserable life up until that point.

r r

Past Events and Intentions

r r

Itachi's intentions were not always clear, and throughout the series, he employed various deceptive tactics to manipulate Sasuke. For example, Itachi could have easily killed Sasuke at several critical junctures:

r r r If Itachi allowed the coup to proceed without intervention, Sasuke would have been caught in the crossfire.r Sasuke's first meeting with Itachi after the Uchiha massacre, where Itachi could have used Tsukuyomi to incapacitate Sasuke, leading to his death.r During a second meeting after around 4-5 years, where Itachi could have used Tsukuyomi to send Sasuke to the hospital.r r r

However, Itachi's ultimate hope was that Sasuke would eventually overcome his hatred through the power of the Sharingan and his mark from the Uchiha massacre. In his final moments, Itachi acknowledged his guilt and regretted his actions, ultimately prioritizing redemption in his last moments over any planned maneuver.

r r

Conclusion

r r

Itachi's decisions and actions were multifaceted, driven by a desire for redemption and a complex understanding of the nature of their shared curse. While he did not let Sasuke win intentionally, his past manipulations and the eventual realization of their impact on Sasuke paint a picture of a deeply conflicted individual.

r