uchihajaime
Active member
So, I made the mistake of reading YouTube comments, claiming Sasuke isn’t going thru redemption, will die a villain, etc. So I wrote this admittedly overlong post. It will argue two things. One, Sasuke is on his way to redemption. (This is covered in the first section.) Two, Sasuke will survive this story because the themes of Naruto and actions of the characters.
Sasuke is on his way to redemption
Sasuke should be the yin advisor since Naruto will be a yang Hokage, so they can make balanced decisions.
By doing this, Naruto and Sasuke will have surpassed the previous generations
Naruto is too idealistic a story to end with Naruto killing his first bond.
Sasuke must restore the Uchiha Clan
If he does not do that, Itachi’s character was entirely pointless.
Sasuke is on his way to redemption
Lots of people argue that Sasuke has not gone through redemption. This is not the case. Sasuke is on his way to redemption. He is still a dark character, as evidenced in his “burn” comment to the Juubi and his will to “delete the past.” However, Sasuke is in the middle of this redemption but he has not been completely redeemed. I have two points to prove this.
First, you have to understand that Sasuke’s redemption has been told in stages. A lot of Naruto’s redemption stories are more or less based on one incident that completely changes a character. Zabuza gloats over Haku’s corpse and is then reduced to tears by Naruto’s speech. Pain is changed after finding out Jiraiya wrote a book. These are all based on one incident. Sasuke’s redemption, however, is told in stages. He talks to Itachi and questions what he has done. He brings back Orochimaru and tells him he’s given up revenge. He seeks out the Four Hokage and goes to the battlefield.
Second, Sasuke has changed from what he was in the Five Kage Summit Arc. Then he didn't care about his comrades. He left Suigetsu and Juugo to be captured by the samurai. He stabbed Karin and was going to finish her off. Now, he saves his comrades. For example, he saved Sakura with help from Naruto, though that couldn't further any ulterior plan Sasuke has. He even showed concern when Sai was falling. Moreover, he has given up his revenge. He told Orochimaru this, and he had no reason to lie to Orochimaru. Indeed, Sasuke’s goals are now set in the future. He wants to be Hokage to change the system. His goals are no longer in the past, as they had been since the Massacre. He even said he would “delete the past.” This is huge development. Next, Sasuke also smiles more frequently. He smiled during Sakura’s attack. Then there’s the big smile that was enough to warrant dialogue in the latest chapter. He is smiling with Naruto. He seems genuinely happy, which is a big change. Most importantly, he apologized to Karin. Sasuke admitted he was in the wrong, and that his one huge step towards his redemption. You must first admit you made a mistake before you can correct it.
Yes, Sasuke hasn't admitted to Naruto and the Alliance he was wrong. However, it’s called gradual character development. For Sasuke to enter the last stage of his development, he must admit that everything he has done of the last three years was wrong. That’s way too much progress to show after just story time from Hashirama. This development will come later, preferably during Naruto’s inevitable tnj during Naruto vs. Sasuke. Naruto has to be the last one to save Sasuke. There was been too much build-up for that not to happen. In conclusion, Sasuke is on his way towards redemption. After all this development, why would Kishimoto have him revert back to being evil?
First, you have to understand that Sasuke’s redemption has been told in stages. A lot of Naruto’s redemption stories are more or less based on one incident that completely changes a character. Zabuza gloats over Haku’s corpse and is then reduced to tears by Naruto’s speech. Pain is changed after finding out Jiraiya wrote a book. These are all based on one incident. Sasuke’s redemption, however, is told in stages. He talks to Itachi and questions what he has done. He brings back Orochimaru and tells him he’s given up revenge. He seeks out the Four Hokage and goes to the battlefield.
Second, Sasuke has changed from what he was in the Five Kage Summit Arc. Then he didn't care about his comrades. He left Suigetsu and Juugo to be captured by the samurai. He stabbed Karin and was going to finish her off. Now, he saves his comrades. For example, he saved Sakura with help from Naruto, though that couldn't further any ulterior plan Sasuke has. He even showed concern when Sai was falling. Moreover, he has given up his revenge. He told Orochimaru this, and he had no reason to lie to Orochimaru. Indeed, Sasuke’s goals are now set in the future. He wants to be Hokage to change the system. His goals are no longer in the past, as they had been since the Massacre. He even said he would “delete the past.” This is huge development. Next, Sasuke also smiles more frequently. He smiled during Sakura’s attack. Then there’s the big smile that was enough to warrant dialogue in the latest chapter. He is smiling with Naruto. He seems genuinely happy, which is a big change. Most importantly, he apologized to Karin. Sasuke admitted he was in the wrong, and that his one huge step towards his redemption. You must first admit you made a mistake before you can correct it.
Yes, Sasuke hasn't admitted to Naruto and the Alliance he was wrong. However, it’s called gradual character development. For Sasuke to enter the last stage of his development, he must admit that everything he has done of the last three years was wrong. That’s way too much progress to show after just story time from Hashirama. This development will come later, preferably during Naruto’s inevitable tnj during Naruto vs. Sasuke. Naruto has to be the last one to save Sasuke. There was been too much build-up for that not to happen. In conclusion, Sasuke is on his way towards redemption. After all this development, why would Kishimoto have him revert back to being evil?
Sasuke should be the yin advisor since Naruto will be a yang Hokage, so they can make balanced decisions.
To clarify, I’m not talking about yin and yang nature transformations here. I’m talking about their life philosophies.
Yin and Yang is different from good vs. evil. They are not opposing forces. They are complimentary forces. Yin can’t exist without yang and vice versa. (In the western world, people see them as good vs. evil but this is not the case. I’ll use Star Wars as an example. The empire is evil. The Rebel Alliance is good. Good triumphs over and destroys evil, and have a happily ever after … until the sequel trilogy.) This is not the case with yin and yang. You need both yin and yang to have balanced decisions.
Naruto has very yang philosophy, while Sasuke has very yin philosophy. Together, they should make the perfect team, able to come to balanced decisions. If a certain weakness in Naruto prevents him from being the best Hokage, Sasuke advises him of that and vice versa. Problem solved. Naruto runs off to save people but Sasuke stops him and reminds that he is Hokage and must stay with the village. Sasuke gives "burn them all" advice, and Naruto says no and argues against it. Naruto wants to win a conflict by using talk no jutsu on everybody and their mother. Sasuke rolls his eyes, says that is unrealistic and can never happen. Each weakness in one is a strength in the other. In conclusion, Naruto should become Hokage with Sasuke as an adviser. They are opposites, and that makes them the perfect team.
Yin and Yang is different from good vs. evil. They are not opposing forces. They are complimentary forces. Yin can’t exist without yang and vice versa. (In the western world, people see them as good vs. evil but this is not the case. I’ll use Star Wars as an example. The empire is evil. The Rebel Alliance is good. Good triumphs over and destroys evil, and have a happily ever after … until the sequel trilogy.) This is not the case with yin and yang. You need both yin and yang to have balanced decisions.
Naruto has very yang philosophy, while Sasuke has very yin philosophy. Together, they should make the perfect team, able to come to balanced decisions. If a certain weakness in Naruto prevents him from being the best Hokage, Sasuke advises him of that and vice versa. Problem solved. Naruto runs off to save people but Sasuke stops him and reminds that he is Hokage and must stay with the village. Sasuke gives "burn them all" advice, and Naruto says no and argues against it. Naruto wants to win a conflict by using talk no jutsu on everybody and their mother. Sasuke rolls his eyes, says that is unrealistic and can never happen. Each weakness in one is a strength in the other. In conclusion, Naruto should become Hokage with Sasuke as an adviser. They are opposites, and that makes them the perfect team.
By doing this, Naruto and Sasuke will have surpassed the previous generations
This is not just about improving your skills in combat. It is also about correcting the mistakes of the past. Like I said before, I personally see it ending with Naruto as Hokage but Sasuke as adviser like Hashirama and Madara should have been.
First, Hashirama and Madara both surpassed their fathers by building the village system and ending the clan wars between the Uchiha and Senju. Yes, this isn’t a perfect system but it is a better system. In the same fashion, Naruto and Sasuke should build a system that is better still.
As Hokage, the First failed because he was too yang. He did not have balance. Madara's yin would have provided balance to the First's Yang but that didn't happen because Madara was too proud to accept a position like advisor. He wanted Hokage or nothing else.
The Third was probably more yang than even the First. He had to rely on Danzo to make the yin decisions for him, and Danzo was epic fail because he was too much yin. Almost all of his decisions came back to have dire consequences. Even they, however, are an improvement over the previous duo. Instead of just having the yang of the First, at least the Leaf had both yin and yang. However, though they did surpass the First and Madara in that aspect, in another they failed. They did not work together. They failed to bring peace and order because they were essentially two leaders of the Leaf, each with totally different outlooks on life. They failed because like Hashirama and Madara they didn’t work together. (I didn’t discuss the other Hokage because they didn’t have a yin advisor or (in Tobirama’s case) a yang advisor.)
If this pattern continues, Naruto and Sasuke need to overcome this past mistake by working together. This can already be seen in their incredible teamwork that even impressed the Second. Moreover, their fire and wind styles strengthen each other. They can surpass the previous generations in Naruto vs. Sasuke. There is too much buildup for this battle not to happen. Naruto fights Sasuke and wins but refuses to kill Sasuke and offers his hand in friendship. Thus, Naruto surpasses the First by refusing to literally stab Sasuke in the back. Sasuke accepts Naruto as Hokage, thereby breaking the Curse of Hatred. In order to break this curse Sasuke can’t become Hokage. He must accept another. Thus, Sasuke surpasses Madara and returns to the village. They became what the First and Madara should have been. Then, they surpass the previous generations by working together as yang Hokage and yin advisor where Hashirama and Madara and then Hiruzen and Danzo failed.
It’s also seen in the new Sannin parallel. Naruto surpasses Jiraiya by bringing Sasuke back. Sasuke surpasses Orochimaru by returning to the village and accepting they don’t want him as Hokage.
First, Hashirama and Madara both surpassed their fathers by building the village system and ending the clan wars between the Uchiha and Senju. Yes, this isn’t a perfect system but it is a better system. In the same fashion, Naruto and Sasuke should build a system that is better still.
As Hokage, the First failed because he was too yang. He did not have balance. Madara's yin would have provided balance to the First's Yang but that didn't happen because Madara was too proud to accept a position like advisor. He wanted Hokage or nothing else.
The Third was probably more yang than even the First. He had to rely on Danzo to make the yin decisions for him, and Danzo was epic fail because he was too much yin. Almost all of his decisions came back to have dire consequences. Even they, however, are an improvement over the previous duo. Instead of just having the yang of the First, at least the Leaf had both yin and yang. However, though they did surpass the First and Madara in that aspect, in another they failed. They did not work together. They failed to bring peace and order because they were essentially two leaders of the Leaf, each with totally different outlooks on life. They failed because like Hashirama and Madara they didn’t work together. (I didn’t discuss the other Hokage because they didn’t have a yin advisor or (in Tobirama’s case) a yang advisor.)
If this pattern continues, Naruto and Sasuke need to overcome this past mistake by working together. This can already be seen in their incredible teamwork that even impressed the Second. Moreover, their fire and wind styles strengthen each other. They can surpass the previous generations in Naruto vs. Sasuke. There is too much buildup for this battle not to happen. Naruto fights Sasuke and wins but refuses to kill Sasuke and offers his hand in friendship. Thus, Naruto surpasses the First by refusing to literally stab Sasuke in the back. Sasuke accepts Naruto as Hokage, thereby breaking the Curse of Hatred. In order to break this curse Sasuke can’t become Hokage. He must accept another. Thus, Sasuke surpasses Madara and returns to the village. They became what the First and Madara should have been. Then, they surpass the previous generations by working together as yang Hokage and yin advisor where Hashirama and Madara and then Hiruzen and Danzo failed.
It’s also seen in the new Sannin parallel. Naruto surpasses Jiraiya by bringing Sasuke back. Sasuke surpasses Orochimaru by returning to the village and accepting they don’t want him as Hokage.
Naruto is too idealistic a story to end with Naruto killing his first bond.
Naruto is a very idealistic story. I don’t see it having a downer or even a bittersweet ending. How is Naruto idealistic? Naruto believes he, one person, can change the world. Naruto isn’t being very naïve here, according the story. He has convinced many wise and rational adults to believe in him, like Tsunade and Kakashi. Jiraiya also believed in this philosophy. Most importantly, Naruto has never killed anyone. He always tnj’s them. In Naruto vs. Sasuke, Naruto will not kill Sasuke. Naruto couldn’t kill the man who killed Jiraiya and destroyed his village. Why do you think Naruto’s first kill will be his first bond? He couldn’t kill Sasuke in the Five Kage Summit arc, and Sasuke has improved since then. Moreover, if he does, that would be horrible for Naruto. I don’t want to see him go through that.
Sasuke must restore the Uchiha Clan
And he obviously can’t do that if he is dead. Currently, there are only two Uchiha alive, Obito and Sasuke. Obito has committed crimes far worse than Sasuke, such as the Nine-Tails Attack, Uchiha Massacre, Bloody Mist, and masterminded the Fourth Shinobi World War. The only hope for redemption that he has is to die. Also, Obito only loves Rin. Obito, thus, can’t restore the clan. This leaves only Sasuke left. Sasuke can’t die because he has to restore his clan.
If this story ends with all the Uchiha dead, then quite frankly the story would have condoned genocide. It would say the Uchiha were killed because there were evil. Do I even need to argue why this is wrong? Yes, there a lot of Uchiha villains and Uchiha tend to be emotional but you can’t say Uchiha are born evil. This is wrong on so many levels.
No one group is born more evil than another group. Period. The curse of hatred is not genetic. Sasuke was not evil because he is an Uchiha. He was evil because he watched his brother massacre everyone he loved, realized he had just killed the man who loved him the most and has an inferiority complex but is always getting surpassed. Obito is not evil because he is an Uchiha. He is evil because his idealism was shattered by his best friend killing his crush. Madara is not evil because he is an Uchiha. He is evil because he felt betrayed when Hashirama said he couldn’t become Hokage after promising him the position. (This was a wise decision but Madara still felt betrayed.) Fugaku was not evil because he was an Uchiha. He was evil because he felt shortchanged and planned a coup. In conclusion, Sasuke needs to restore the clan’s honor and prove to the world that the Uchiha are not evil.
If this story ends with all the Uchiha dead, then quite frankly the story would have condoned genocide. It would say the Uchiha were killed because there were evil. Do I even need to argue why this is wrong? Yes, there a lot of Uchiha villains and Uchiha tend to be emotional but you can’t say Uchiha are born evil. This is wrong on so many levels.
No one group is born more evil than another group. Period. The curse of hatred is not genetic. Sasuke was not evil because he is an Uchiha. He was evil because he watched his brother massacre everyone he loved, realized he had just killed the man who loved him the most and has an inferiority complex but is always getting surpassed. Obito is not evil because he is an Uchiha. He is evil because his idealism was shattered by his best friend killing his crush. Madara is not evil because he is an Uchiha. He is evil because he felt betrayed when Hashirama said he couldn’t become Hokage after promising him the position. (This was a wise decision but Madara still felt betrayed.) Fugaku was not evil because he was an Uchiha. He was evil because he felt shortchanged and planned a coup. In conclusion, Sasuke needs to restore the clan’s honor and prove to the world that the Uchiha are not evil.
If he does not do that, Itachi’s character was entirely pointless.
Itachi planned the Massacre out, so the coup would never become public knowledge. Thus, the Uchiha Clan could escape with its honor intact. Itachi would be the villain, so his clan would escape blame. Meanwhile, Sasuke would stay loyal to the Leaf. If Sasuke goes back to being a villain and is unable to restore the clan’s honor, than the coup might as well as become common knowledge. Everyone will hate the Uchiha because Itachi, Madara, Obito, and Sasuke. Sasuke must live and restore his clan’s honor. He must show the world that Uchiha are a clan based on love, not hate. If he doesn't, Itachi’s sacrifice was in vain.
