Itachi Uchiha finally undoes the Reanimation Jutsu, also known as Edo Tensei, in Naruto Shippuden episode 339, titled “I Will Always Love You.” This pivotal moment marks a significant turning point in the Fourth Great Ninja War, showcasing Itachi’s enduring genius and unwavering commitment to protecting Konoha, even in death.
The Significance of Itachi’s Actions
Itachi’s undoing of the Reanimation Jutsu isn’t simply a technical feat; it’s a deeply symbolic act of redemption. Forced into the role of a villain to protect his village and younger brother, Sasuke, Itachi’s true intentions are gradually revealed throughout the series. Undoing the Edo Tensei allows him to finally exert his will and influence on the war, directly countering Kabuto Yakushi’s manipulation and preventing further destruction.
His actions contribute significantly to the Allied Shinobi Forces’ chances of victory. By breaking Kabuto’s control over the reanimated shinobi, Itachi frees countless souls from forced servitude and weakens the enemy’s strategic advantage. Furthermore, this moment serves as a powerful testament to Itachi’s character, showcasing his intelligence, resilience, and unwavering love for his village and brother.
How Itachi Undid the Reanimation Jutsu: A Technical Breakdown
Itachi’s approach to stopping the Edo Tensei is characteristically ingenious, leveraging his possession of the Sharingan and his understanding of forbidden jutsu. He doesn’t simply overpower Kabuto; he utilizes a technique called Izanami.
Understanding Izanami: The Jutsu That Decided Fate
Izanami is a forbidden jutsu created by the Uchiha clan as a countermeasure to Izanagi. Unlike Izanagi, which allows the user to rewrite reality at the cost of their Sharingan’s light, Izanami sacrifices the eye to trap the target in an infinite loop of their own making. It works by the user recording two identical sensations. The first recording serves as the beginning of the loop, and the second serves as the end. The target is then forced to relive the events between those two recordings, endlessly.
Itachi’s Strategic Application of Izanami
Itachi uses Izanami against Kabuto by first initiating a seemingly insignificant attack on him. He then allows Kabuto to strike him in the same manner. These two identical sensations, the attack and the counterattack, form the beginning and end points of the infinite loop.
Within this loop, Kabuto is forced to repeatedly confront his actions and their consequences. Over time, he begins to question his motivations and the validity of his ambition. The key to escaping Izanami lies in accepting one’s fate and recognizing the error of one’s ways. Only then can the loop be broken, and the user can regain their freedom.
Kabuto, initially resistant, eventually accepts his past mistakes and the true nature of his identity. This acceptance allows Itachi to release the Edo Tensei, sending the reanimated shinobi back to the Pure Land and significantly shifting the tide of the war.
Impact on the Fourth Great Ninja War
The ramifications of Itachi’s actions are far-reaching. The release of the Edo Tensei has several significant impacts:
- Weakens the Enemy: The Allied Shinobi Forces face a considerably diminished threat without the resurrected legendary shinobi and former Akatsuki members.
- Moral Boost: The release of the reanimated shinobi provides a significant moral boost to the Allied Forces, who are no longer fighting against their deceased loved ones and heroes.
- Changes the Strategic Landscape: With the loss of the Edo Tensei army, the enemy’s strategic plans are significantly disrupted, forcing them to adapt and improvise.
- Itachi’s Redemption Completed: Itachi finally achieves a measure of peace and fulfills his long-held desire to protect Konoha and guide his brother, Sasuke, towards the right path.
Itachi’s intervention becomes a turning point in the war, demonstrating the power of self-sacrifice and the importance of upholding one’s values, even in the face of adversity. His actions resonate deeply within the narrative and solidify his legacy as one of the most complex and beloved characters in the Naruto series.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
FAQ 1: Did Itachi plan to undo the Reanimation Jutsu from the beginning?
While Itachi always possessed a strong desire to protect Konoha, his specific plan to undo the Reanimation Jutsu wasn’t explicitly formulated from the moment he was reanimated. He initially prioritized finding Kabuto and understanding his motives. Upon recognizing the threat posed by the Edo Tensei and discovering that Kabuto was the one controlling it, Itachi devised the plan to use Izanami as a means to force Kabuto’s surrender and release the jutsu.
FAQ 2: Could anyone else have used Izanami to stop the Reanimation Jutsu?
While technically possible, the successful application of Izanami requires specific conditions to be met. Firstly, the user must possess the Sharingan and a thorough understanding of the jutsu. Secondly, they need to be able to strategically orchestrate the two identical sensations necessary to initiate the infinite loop. Finally, the jutsu is most effective when used against individuals who are deeply conflicted and struggling with their identity, as was the case with Kabuto. Given these requirements, few individuals besides Itachi would have been capable of successfully utilizing Izanami to stop the Reanimation Jutsu.
FAQ 3: Why didn’t Itachi just kill Kabuto?
Itachi’s primary objective was not merely to eliminate Kabuto but to stop the Reanimation Jutsu. Killing Kabuto would have likely resulted in the Edo Tensei remaining active, potentially causing even greater chaos and destruction. By using Izanami, Itachi aimed to force Kabuto to relinquish control over the reanimated shinobi, thereby resolving the core problem rather than simply eliminating its source.
FAQ 4: What happens to the reanimated shinobi after the Edo Tensei is undone?
After the Reanimation Jutsu is undone, the reanimated shinobi are released from their forced servitude and their souls return to the Pure Land. This provides them with a measure of peace and allows them to finally rest. It also removes them from the battlefield, preventing them from being further manipulated as weapons of war.
FAQ 5: How does Itachi know about Izanami?
Izanami is a forbidden jutsu of the Uchiha clan, passed down through generations. Itachi, being a prodigious Uchiha, would have had access to the clan’s secret techniques and scrolls, allowing him to learn about Izanami and its purpose. His exceptional intellect and understanding of jutsu would have enabled him to grasp the intricacies of Izanami and effectively utilize it in battle.
FAQ 6: Is Izanami a genjutsu?
Yes, Izanami is a genjutsu. However, it’s unlike ordinary genjutsu that manipulate the victim’s senses. Izanami manipulates the victim’s perception of time and reality, trapping them in an infinite loop of their own making. The victim is not simply seeing illusions; they are reliving specific moments repeatedly, creating a profound psychological impact that forces them to confront their choices and ultimately change their path.
FAQ 7: Does Itachi permanently lose his Sharingan after using Izanami?
Yes, using Izanami results in the permanent loss of the Sharingan in the eye used to cast the jutsu. This sacrifice is a significant price to pay, highlighting the gravity of the situation and the importance of stopping the Reanimation Jutsu. Itachi is aware of this consequence but willingly accepts it, demonstrating his unwavering commitment to protecting Konoha.
FAQ 8: How does Sasuke react to Itachi stopping the Reanimation Jutsu?
Sasuke is initially skeptical of Itachi’s actions, still harboring resentment towards him for the events of their past. However, as he witnesses Itachi’s genuine concern for Konoha and his unwavering commitment to protecting him, Sasuke begins to understand the truth behind Itachi’s decisions. This realization marks a significant turning point in Sasuke’s character development, leading him to question his own path of revenge and eventually join the Allied Shinobi Forces in their fight against Madara Uchiha.
FAQ 9: Why did Kabuto reanimate Itachi in the first place?
Kabuto reanimated Itachi, along with other powerful shinobi, to serve as a weapon in the Fourth Great Ninja War. He sought to exploit Itachi’s immense power and knowledge for his own strategic advantage. He believed that by controlling Itachi, he could significantly weaken the Allied Shinobi Forces and contribute to his ultimate goal of achieving power and recognition.
FAQ 10: Could the other reanimated individuals have broken free from Kabuto’s control?
While some reanimated individuals, like Nagato, managed to briefly overcome Kabuto’s control, they were ultimately unable to break free completely on their own. This was due to Kabuto’s advanced control techniques and the inherent nature of the Reanimation Jutsu, which bound the souls of the resurrected to his will. Itachi’s unique Sharingan abilities and his profound understanding of jutsu were essential in creating the opportunity for Kabuto to relinquish control.
FAQ 11: What other effects did Itachi’s actions have on the war?
Beyond weakening the enemy and boosting morale, Itachi’s actions also had a profound impact on the overall narrative of the war. His intervention served as a catalyst for Sasuke’s change of heart, ultimately leading him to become a crucial ally in the fight against Madara. Furthermore, Itachi’s sacrifice and his unwavering dedication to protecting Konoha inspired others to fight with renewed determination, contributing to the Allied Shinobi Forces’ eventual victory.
FAQ 12: Where can I rewatch the episode where Itachi undoes the Reanimation Jutsu?
Episode 339, “I Will Always Love You,” can be found on various streaming platforms that offer the Naruto Shippuden anime, such as Crunchyroll, Hulu, and Funimation. You can also purchase the episode digitally through platforms like Amazon Prime Video and Google Play Movies & TV. Remember to ensure you are using legitimate sources to support the creators of the series.