Itachi Uchiha masterfully breaks free from Kabuto Yakushi’s control and, critically, releases the Impure World Reincarnation (Edo Tensei) jutsu in episode 338 of the Naruto Shippuden anime series. This pivotal moment, titled “Izanami Activated,” marks a turning point in the Fourth Shinobi World War, effectively neutralizing a significant portion of the Akatsuki’s undead forces.
The Reanimation Jutsu: A Powerhouse Unleashed
The Reanimation Jutsu (Edo Tensei), a forbidden technique developed by Tobirama Senju and later perfected by Orochimaru and Kabuto, is central to understanding Itachi’s actions. This powerful ninjutsu allows the caster to resurrect deceased individuals, binding their souls to a physical form made of dust and chakra. These reanimated shinobi retain their abilities, memories, and even certain personality traits, making them formidable weapons in battle. Kabuto’s skillful manipulation of this jutsu turned the tide of the Fourth Shinobi World War, unleashing a wave of legendary warriors and formidable opponents against the Allied Shinobi Forces.
The Limitations of Control
While the caster maintains control over the reanimated shinobi through command tags and seals, there are ways to break free. One method, employed by Madara Uchiha, involves breaking the contract with the caster entirely through sheer willpower and knowledge of the technique’s workings. Another, more subtle approach, utilized by Itachi, exploits a psychological vulnerability inherent in the reanimated state.
Itachi’s Masterstroke: Izanami and Redemption
Itachi’s release of the Reanimation Jutsu isn’t a brute force attack; it’s a carefully orchestrated plan that relies on the power of the Izanami jutsu. This powerful genjutsu, also of Uchiha origin, is designed to trap the target in an infinite loop, forcing them to confront their mistakes and ultimately accept their fate. Itachi activated Izanami on Kabuto after being freed from Kabuto’s control.
Understanding Izanami
Izanami works by recording the sensations of the user and their opponent during two specific moments in time. The genjutsu then creates a loop, forcing the opponent to relive the time between those two moments repeatedly until they acknowledge their flaws and accept a predetermined outcome. It’s crucial to understand that Izanami doesn’t magically free the reanimated; it forces the caster, in this case Kabuto, to accept his actions and, as a result, consciously release the Edo Tensei jutsu.
The Ripple Effect: Ending the Reanimation
Once Kabuto accepts his fate and acknowledges the error of his ways within the Izanami loop, he willingly releases the Reanimation Jutsu. This act of repentance dismantles the chakra bonds holding the reanimated shinobi to the mortal realm, allowing their souls to return to the Pure Land. This monumental event significantly weakened the Akatsuki’s forces and shifted the momentum of the war in favor of the Allied Shinobi Forces. It also allows for the spirits of those reanimated, including many important figures, to finally find peace.
The Impact on the Fourth Shinobi World War
Itachi’s selfless act had a profound impact on the outcome of the Fourth Shinobi World War. By releasing the Reanimation Jutsu, he:
- Neutralized countless powerful enemies: This significantly reduced the number of skilled and experienced shinobi fighting for the Akatsuki.
- Boosted morale within the Allied Shinobi Forces: Seeing their fallen comrades return to the Pure Land inspired hope and renewed determination.
- Allowed for crucial alliances: The release of the Edo Tensei permitted key figures like the previous Kage to communicate with the living and offer guidance and support.
- Provided a path to resolution: Itachi’s actions ultimately paved the way for Naruto and Sasuke to confront and defeat Madara and Kaguya.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions about Itachi’s release of the Reanimation Jutsu:
FAQ 1: Why couldn’t Kabuto simply resist Izanami?
Izanami is not about overpowering the target through force; it’s about psychological manipulation. It exploits the target’s internal conflicts and forces them to confront their flaws. Even someone as powerful as Kabuto was vulnerable to its effects because it targeted his state of mind. Trying to brute force your way out of Izanami is impossible; the only escape is through acceptance.
FAQ 2: How did Itachi learn Izanami?
Izanami is a forbidden technique of the Uchiha clan, similar to Izanagi. Itachi learned it as a last resort, knowing its potential consequences and its devastating effect on the user’s eyesight, rendering it unusable afterward. He understood the immense risk but believed it was the only way to stop Kabuto and end the Reanimation Jutsu.
FAQ 3: Did Itachi release all the reanimated shinobi or just some?
Itachi’s release, specifically Kabuto’s voluntary release induced by Izanami, affected all shinobi reanimated by Kabuto. The jutsu, once undone at the source, collapsed the entire system. However, individuals like Madara Uchiha, who had broken the caster’s control entirely, were unaffected.
FAQ 4: What happens to the souls of the reanimated after the jutsu is released?
Upon the release of the Reanimation Jutsu, the souls of the reanimated shinobi are finally freed from their forced imprisonment and return to the Pure Land, allowing them to find peace and rest.
FAQ 5: Was Itachi’s release the only way to stop the Reanimation Jutsu?
While other characters possessed the strength to break the caster’s control directly (like Madara), Itachi’s method was the most effective way to stop the jutsu at its source. A direct break only affects the individual, whereas Kabuto’s release ended the reanimation for everyone he controlled.
FAQ 6: Why didn’t someone just kill Kabuto earlier?
Killing Kabuto would have severed the connection between him and the reanimated bodies. However, that would not necessarily send the reanimated souls back to the Pure Land. They would continue to fight as mindless puppets until their chakra ran out or they were sealed. Itachi’s plan was designed to ensure the souls were released, not just incapacitate the bodies.
FAQ 7: Why didn’t Orochimaru use Izanami?
Izanami is a technique that requires the Sharingan, specifically a Mangekyo Sharingan, to be used effectively. Orochimaru, while possessing Sharingan eyes implanted in his body, never awakened the Mangekyo Sharingan and, therefore, couldn’t utilize Izanami. Furthermore, his personality was not suited to the self-sacrificing nature of the technique.
FAQ 8: What are the drawbacks of using Izanami?
The primary drawback of using Izanami is that it permanently seals the eyesight of the eye used to cast the jutsu. This makes it a technique only to be used as a last resort, as the user sacrifices their vision for the sake of achieving a specific outcome.
FAQ 9: How did Sasuke help Itachi release the Reanimation Jutsu?
Sasuke played a crucial role by defeating Kabuto in combat. While he didn’t directly release the jutsu, his victory allowed Itachi to then utilize Izanami on a weakened and vulnerable Kabuto. Without Sasuke’s assistance, Itachi would not have been able to reach Kabuto and implement his plan.
FAQ 10: Did the release affect Edo Tensei characters who were already sealed?
No. The release of the Edo Tensei primarily affected those who were still active. Characters who were already sealed remained sealed, preventing them from reforming, which was a massive win for the Allied Shinobi forces.
FAQ 11: Would Itachi have released the Reanimation even if Kabuto wasn’t contrite?
No. Izanami forces acceptance. If Kabuto had not changed his outlook and chosen to undo the Reanimation Jutsu, he would have remained stuck in the Izanami loop indefinitely, and those he reanimated would have remained reanimated.
FAQ 12: How did Itachi know Kabuto would actually release the jutsu after being trapped in Izanami?
Itachi understood Kabuto’s desire for validation and recognition. He believed that even with his twisted methods, Kabuto ultimately sought acceptance and a sense of belonging. Itachi gambled that Izanami would force Kabuto to confront his actions and realize the futility of his path, leading him to seek redemption through releasing the Reanimation Jutsu.