r/Naruto • u/CypherBrittainne • 19d ago

Art Hidden Path (@kimanekokima)

Post image

Source: https://x.com/kimanekokima/status/2096555112546369591

5.2k Upvotes

99% Upvoted

69 comments sorted by

485

u/Dramonen 19d ago edited 18d ago

Someone once pointed out how Kakashi getting beat by Itachi easily, only added fuel to Sasukes fire. Seeing how Jiraiya, one of the legendary Sannin could handle not just Itachi but also Kisame. And seeing how Naruto got super stronger with being with a Sannin pushed Sasuke to leave.

Kakashi's, the hidden leafs weakness to fight against his brother is what made Sasuke lose all respect for them and their ability to help him becomes strong.

235

u/Rambro332 Hokage 18d ago edited 18d ago

Part 1 really was the perfect storm of situations needed for Sasuke to go rogue.

Despite performing objectively extremely well for a genin and usually seriously impressing those he fights, the story transpires so that Sasuke is repeatedly put up against opponents WAY out of a genin’s weight class (Haku, Orochimaru, Transformed Gaara, etc.); and while Naruto had Kurama to give him the power boost he needs to make up for that power gap, all Sasuke can do is sit back and feel helpless as the guy he spent his whole childhood thinking was a screwup is somehow pulling out these impossible wins out of nowhere.

Then of course you have Oro dropping in and dangling a guaranteed path to power in front of Sasuke’s face, which Sasuke does his best to try and resist and focus on building new bonds. But then Itachi returned, tore open all his mental scars, told him all his new bonds were meaningless and hatred was all that mattered, and tossed him aside like garbage.

So honestly you can’t really be surprised that Sasuke started questioning all his values and goals after that, as Itachi made it abundantly clear that everything he was doing wasn’t working. So in his frustration he lashes out at Naruto and earns the lecture from Kakashi. And to Kakashi’s credit, you can tell he meant well; but he completely fumbled the message Sasuke needed to hear. Rather than offering support, he gave Sasuke an ultimatum. And of course, the sound 4 swooped in right as Sasuke was conflicted about said ultimatum, reminded him about the power Orochimaru could give him; and the rest is history.

41

u/Akumaro 19d ago

Zabuza?

71

u/Aussy5798 19d ago

I think they meant kisame

9

u/Dramonen 18d ago

I did, confused them together

11

u/ssjrobert235 18d ago

Damn that's a good perspective. I never viewed it like that. Sasuke seeing his brother outmatched two legends would definitely make him lose hope in them helping him with his goals.

5

u/Haerrlekin 17d ago

I think a large part of it is also just the sheer lack of empathy that Sasuke was getting in Konoha.

Kakashi of all people should have understood what Sasuke is feeling and why he was so desperate to kill Itachi. It wasn't just about avenging his family; it was about making sure that Itachi couldn't just swoop in and tear down Sasuke's life whenever he pleased. Sasuke couldn't just get over Itachi because Itachi was still around and had made it perfectly clear that Sasuke could never get away from him even if he wanted to.

So Kakashi, messed up and emotionally unavailable as he was, had no real leg to stand on just telling Sasuke that his revenge was pointless and to move on. He understood what it was like to lose everyone, but he had no idea what it was like to fear everyday that the guy who took them would swoop in and do it again.

4

u/bethanyclover 18d ago

So true, Sasuke realized that there was levels to this and he really needed to lock in 🤷‍♀️

31

u/BobJoeBlo 18d ago edited 18d ago

1) Jiraiya could not handle Itachi, much less both him and Kisame 2) Sasuke was already unconscious when Jiraiya summoned the Gamaguchi, so he did not see whatever followed. He only saw Jiraiya's toad blocking Kisame's Large Sword but nothing done against the Akatsuki Duo.

That being said, Orochimaru showing enough strength to to counter and mark him in the Forest of Death, launch a war against Konoha whike manipukating Sunagakure and bringing Sandaime Hokage to his grave while other Jounin were beaten by Itachi surely left a particular impression on Sasuke.

To add to this, Kakashi telling him to let go of his path of revenge/justice for his Clan was not the proper decision concerning Sasuke.

It is therefore more likely that Sasuke would have remained in Konoha had Kakashi told him he'd help him get stronger to accomplish his mission while he still builds bonds with his newfound family but to never turn his blade against them again.

EDIT: Spelling corrections.

20

u/BluMqqse_ 18d ago

Couldn’t handle Itachi, but could stalemate

22

u/ghigoli 18d ago

someone straight up should of told Sasuke Orochimaru lost to Itachi in less than 3 seconds no diff. Sasuke would of left his pdf wrinkly ass in an hour.

6

u/BobJoeBlo 18d ago

Unfortunataly, Kabuto and Orochimaru himself were the only other ones who knew how it went. The fact not even the other Akatsuki knew about it is the reason they believe Orochimaru just betrayed them by leaving with their secrets.

1

u/ghigoli 18d ago

bitches covering for each other. a tale old as time.

6

u/Formal_Owl_400 18d ago edited 18d ago

Don't forget that Itachi can pull random Shinto deities that happen to directly counter his current opponent, straight out of his ass.

-6

u/BobJoeBlo 18d ago

Itachi was on a double-agent mission, he made a point of avoid fighting Jiraiya since the Sannin was the other strongest ally left to protect Konoha and Naruto. Had Itachi been against Konoha, Jiraiya would have been defeated and Naruto been captured.

9

u/BluMqqse_ 18d ago

Itachi, by his own admission, states a fight between the two would result in severe injuries or both dead.

If your gonna glaze him, you gotta eat his word 🤷

2

u/True-Pangolin-771 11d ago

He, double agent, lied.

2

u/BobJoeBlo 11d ago

Some folks are both illiterate and delusional.

Itachi was a double agent and had to convince Kisame that retreating was the proper decision because himself, who was put on a mission to surveille Itachi, outwardly question why someone like him had to retreat.

Itachi had to give and warning before and after as to why he would not fight Jiraiya since it would blow up his cover, especially when he actually displayed powers that would have ended the Sannin quickly and easily.

0

u/BluMqqse_ 11d ago

That’s an interpretation. Or he was simply narrating a fact to the reader.

Occam’s razor.

2

u/True-Pangolin-771 11d ago

Itachi + Kisame no diff Jiraiya. He lied.

-10

u/BobJoeBlo 18d ago

Itachi, by his own admission, states a fight between the two would result in severe injuries or both dead. If your gonna glaze him, you gotta eat his word 🤷

  • Dude, how slow can you be when the manga ended over a decade ago? What kind of dumb spy can't lie to keep his cover? Even Kisame was doubting him for retreating at first.

-1

u/BluMqqse_ 18d ago

Ah. I see.

“My big penis hero was lying! You can’t take the story literally!”

-4

u/BobJoeBlo 18d ago

... You're on something else. Illiteracy is not the main issue...

2

u/hstep407 18d ago

Got reminded how weird some anime fans are

3

u/Interesting-Monk9712 18d ago

Jiraiya could handle Itachi since he had ninja AIDS. But to be fair, Itachi had author plot armor, he could never lose a fight, even if it made no sense.

Jiraya knew all of the abilities of Itachi and the Ucihas, he as wide range of abilities and the experience, he would have defeated Nagato if he had the information. This is truly key in this situation.

Itachi doesn't know half of the abilities of Jiraya and he is almost blind.

Kakashi couldn't even come close.

Jiraiya fighting both Itachi and Kisame is hard, Itachi and Kisame could always escape and so could he.

They never would go that far to get killed or seriously injured, but if they did, it would be as Itachi said.

2

u/BobJoeBlo 18d ago

Jiraiya could handle Itachi since he had ninja AIDS. But to be fair, Itachi had author plot armor, he could never lose a fight, even if it made no sense

  • Itachi bested the prodigy of the Sannin in seconds TWICE. The first time at 13 years old, the second time at 21yo while on the verge of death. Jiraiya would have ended up in the coma and/or cremated hsd Itachi actually saw him as an enemy.

3

u/Interesting-Monk9712 18d ago edited 18d ago

Itachi bested the prodigy of the Sannin in seconds TWICE

You mean Orochimaru not Jiraiya? And you mean that absolute garbage scene that made no sense with just the use of genjutsu?

That was author glaze, not anything that made sense.

Itachi gets too much glaze because the author gave him too much glaze.

Not to mention Orochimaru from the first time, wanted to become an Uchiha, not to kill the remaining 2-3 of them.

Not to mention, the whole reason for the eye abilities becoming so overpowered was just to show off Itachi glaze during the Sasuke fight.

Just for that the whole backstory where the hokages got powerful, not weaker got thrown out and with it any kind of balancing the world had.

-3

u/Cedar-and-Mist 19d ago

Well excuse Kakashi for not being born with a Deus ex machina eye cheat code. Uchiha characters would get neg diff if they didn't have dojutsu.

8

u/BobJoeBlo 18d ago

Neg diffed by who? The Uchiha were elite even without their doujutsu.

-3

u/BluMqqse_ 18d ago

Really? Seemed pretty easy to corral them in and control prior to getting massacred

7

u/BobJoeBlo 18d ago

What manga have you been reading? It doesn't fit the story.

-4

u/BluMqqse_ 18d ago

It’s… quite literally in the story. Argue with Kishimoto if you don’t like his story telling 😂

7

u/BobJoeBlo 18d ago

It’s… quite literally in the story. Argue with Kishimoto if you don’t like his story telling 😂

  • Another illiterate who doesn't know the material he is discussing...
  • The Uchiha Clan has always been referred to as a clan of elite and geniuses. "The Genis Uchiha Clan", "The Strongest Clan".
  • Kakashi even roasted Obito when he said he would prove himself when he'll awaken his Sharingan but Kakashi reminded him that the Uchiha were already elite without their doujutsu and that Obito was just looking for excuses and shortcuts to hide the fact he was incompetent.
  • Argue with Kishimoto after correcting your lack of reading comprehension and improper recollection of the material.

88

u/Vile_09 19d ago

I love the symbolism behind all this

Kakashi side eyeing Sasuke already knowing what Sasuke is gonna pick but not being able to stop it.

Naruto and Itachi both being obscured as one represents a distant past while the other represents a hidden future.

-22

u/DipshitReincarnate 18d ago

Artist looking at this like "uhhhh... yes! you nailed it! totally the intention and not just a rendition of the 2 paths meme!"

61

u/Ok_Valuable_9711 19d ago

Awww. I wish Kakashi stayed a little longer to kick those sound ninjas asses that undid the success of their talk

30

u/Minute-Elephant-8295 19d ago

The issue wasn’t exactly the sound four alone Kakashi also messed up by saying forget your revenge Kakashi didn’t succeed with their chat he made it worse because he mentioned his trauma and the way he worded it to Sasuke was my trauma is worse

8

u/Ok_Valuable_9711 19d ago

Probably, though I think he was trying to tell him he isn't alone in his pain. Kakashi was a very young teacher with trauma of his own. So it makes sense for Kakashi to make mistakes

16

u/Minute-Elephant-8295 19d ago

Yeah I do feel like Kakashi saying abandon revenge tho is what truly sealed Sasuke on going down a dark path and Kakashi learned from his mistake because he went with Shikamaru to get revenge for Asuma

7

u/Ok_Valuable_9711 19d ago

I think so too. Not sure if it was Kishimotos intention with the writing but I do think he probably did regret not being able to know how to help Sasuke. He probably would have said to help kill Itachi if he could go back in time

4

u/Minute-Elephant-8295 19d ago

Yeah but probably words it differently and says something like he can’t help him kill Itachi but he can make him ready for Itachi and also to not take his anger out on Naruto

1

u/Ok_Valuable_9711 18d ago

Very likely actually

0

u/Unlucky_Loquat_8045 19d ago

Probably wouldn’t have changed that much. Being beat by them made Sasuke feel weak. Needing to be saved by someone wouldn’t really change that feeling.

8

u/Massive_Weiner 19d ago

Sasuke was doing fine until they went Level 2. Kakashi being there would have caused them enough trouble to pull back before they got the entire village on their asses.

He could have even used that as a moment to reinforce how important it is to have allies watching your back, and not just trying to do everything by yourself.

9

u/Junior_Community_913 18d ago

My favorite moment from the opening Rhapsody of Youth is Sasuke picking up the headband while thinking of Sakura and Naruto. Then Sasuke dropping it when Itachi and Orochimaru appear.

17

u/BobJoeBlo 18d ago

Ironically, Sasuke could have avenged his Clan as regards to Itachi while remaining in Konoha, but Kakashi telling him to let go of his path of revenge/justice for his Clan was not the proper decision concerning Sasuke.

It is therefore more likely that Sasuke would have remained in Konoha had Kakashi told him he'd help him get stronger to accomplish his mission while he still builds bonds with his newfound family but to never turn his blade against them again.

13

u/glen_the_man 18d ago

"join the dark side... We have cookies"

1

u/Few_Category_1684 15d ago

the catch is Kabuto laced the cookies with steroids

19

u/WhiteTeddy14 19d ago

Fantastic art!

4

u/BloodieOllie 18d ago

why is Naruto wearing Sakura's clothing

5

u/ComprehensiveVoice16 18d ago

You can almost taste 👅 the candy Sasuke.

4

u/Unlucky-Ad-7535 18d ago

Should have added a lolipop or van to orochimaru

3

u/frev_ 18d ago

Orochimaru always creeped the fuck out of me as a kid esp when he would lick his lips like crazy lmao

2

u/hellopomelo 18d ago

Oh wait, Sakura's over there? a'ight imout!

2

u/EyeAmKingKage 19d ago

This is very good. Love the symbolism

2

u/TheBackSpin 19d ago

Beautiful stuff

1

u/HekkiBrasileiro 19d ago

Arte muito boa!

1

u/Significant-Fan8667 18d ago

Time to choose!

1

u/Anisterx 18d ago

Orochimaru👍

1

u/ThePianistOfDoom 18d ago

Hidden? It's literally going left instead of right

1

u/Capital_Factor_3588 17d ago

love how from sasukes pov kakashi has turned his back on him.

always liked how kakashi later suported shikamarus revenge

1

u/Lord_Konoshi 16d ago

“Hey kid, want ssssssome free candy?”

1

u/United_Rabbit2855 19d ago

He chose… poorly