A character as complex and well-developed as Itachi Uchiha has seldom been seen in the world of anime and manga. Yet, Masashi Kishimoto did the impossible in Naruto and created a character who can bring down even the toughest fans to their knees.
Itachi was familiar with sacrifices as his life was filled with them, with the ultimate sacrifice being that of his life. On paper, Itachi died while battling Sasuke, but the reality is that he succumbed to the deadly disease that has been plaguing him for years. But how would the series of events have turned out had Itachi lived?
Masashi Kishimoto Could Have Cured Sasuke in Naruto
Naruto fans have spent over a decade trying to figure out what exactly Itachi was suffering from. But Masashi Kishimoto has guarded the secret well and has only drawn the symptoms shown by Itachi. Some theories suggest it was caused by Itachi’s over-usage of Mangekyo Sharingan. But the one thing that is confirmed is that Itachi suffered due to the disease for a long time, suppressing it to the best of his abilities, but it affected his power.
This is where the power of Hashirama’s Cells comes into play. Hashirama’s cells possess extraordinary regenerative abilities and were created from Hashirama’s DNA to give birth to powerful beings. Both Madara and Obito utilized the Cells to extend their life forces considerably. Obito’s body which was half crushed by a bolder, could recover due to this magical cure.
So, it is not a stretch to think that the Cells could have been able to cure Itachi’s mysterious illness as well. Not only would it have increased his lifespan, maybe it could have reversed the damage done to his body by his continuous usage of Sharingan and jutsu. Not to mention, he would also inherit some of Hashirama’s powers, like Wood Release. This way, Itachi wouldn’t need to say a painful and rushed goodbye to Sasuke.
How Itachi Being Cured Would Have Changed Naruto‘s Course of Events
Itachi’s confrontation with Sasuke would have played out much differently had he been treated with the Senju Cells beforehand. With an extended lifespan, he wouldn’t have had to leave immediately after revealing his true intentions to Sasuke. Instead, he could have stayed and taken the opportunity to mend his relationship with his little brother and give him proper guidance.
Of course, Itachi’s presence would also change many world events in Naruto, especially due to Itachi’s high intelligence and understanding of the consequences of war. He would have become a crucial figure in the 4th Shinobi World War, and his presence would have shifted the dynamics to the favor of Konohagakure. He could have served as a mediator or helped Naruto and the others during the war.
Itachi was always a prodigy, and the full extent of his powers could have been explored in Naruto‘s Shinobi World War. He might have even worked from the shadows and negotiated to stop the war before it even began. But even so, if the war was inevitable, his expertise in combat and immense powers would have definitely helped to end the war long before it actually did.
Naruto manga is available to read on Viz Media, and the anime is currently streaming on Crunchyroll.
