Naruto: Why Itachi Let Sasuke Kill Him -The Full Truth Explored

Daksh Chaudhary
Apr 8
3 min read

Updated: Apr 25

Why Itachi let Sasuke kill him in Naruto

The story of Itachi and Sasuke isn't just about two brothers, it’s about lies, love, and a sacrifice so brutal it changed the entire shinobi world. For years, fans thought Itachi Uchiha was a cold-blooded villain who slaughtered his clan for power. But the truth? Itachi was filled with so much love for Sasuke that he let him kill on purpose. But the big question is: Why would someone let their little brother stab them through the heart? Let’s rip off the bandage and dig into the full story.

Itachi wasn’t evil. He was a double agent, a traumatized kid forced to choose between his family and his village. Letting Sasuke kill him wasn’t a mistake; it was the final step in a plan that started the night he massacred the Uchiha. But to get why he did it, we need to rewind to the beginning.

UPDATE: This article was updated by Daksh Chaudhary on April 25th, 2025. We have added a YouTube Short based on this article for a better experience of our readers.

Check out our YouTube Short to see why Itachi let his brother kill him.

ALSO READ: Are Naruto Movies Canon: Everything Fans Need To Know

The Uchiha Massacre: Itachi’s Impossible Choice

Itachi sitting on pole after Uchiha massacre

Here’s the messed-up truth: Itachi didn’t want to kill his clan. The Uchiha were planning a coup against Konoha, and the village elders gave Itachi a sick ultimatum: wipe out his family, or let a war destroy everyone. He was 13. Imagine being told to murder your parents, your aunts, your cousins, or let thousands die.

Itachi chose Konoha. But he refused to kill Sasuke. Instead, he made himself the villain to give his brother a purpose: “Hate me. Get stronger. Survive.” He traumatized Sasuke on purpose, forcing him to focus on revenge instead of grief. Itachi knew Sasuke would chase power to kill him, and that power would keep Sasuke alive in a cruel world.

The Sick Plan: Itachi’s Death Was Always The Endgame

Itachi didn’t just let Sasuke kill him, he engineered it. After the massacre, he joined the Akatsuki to spy on them for Konoha. But he was dying from a terminal illness. His last move? Let Sasuke win their fight, die in his arms, and inherit his eyes to unlock the Mangekyo Sharingan.

Itachi planned every second of their final battle with incredible precision. He pushed Sasuke to his absolute limits, forcing him to rely on Orochimaru’s cursed mark, only to destroy Orochimaru’s soul within him and set him free. He even programmed his Mangekyo Sharingan to automatically unleash Amaterasu on Obito if he ever approached Sasuke. In the end, Itachi died with a smile, gently poking Sasuke’s forehead just like he did when they were kids. His death was a carefully crafted trap to protect his brother from the shadows.

Why Itachi Let Sasuke Kill Him: Because He Loved Him More Than Anything

This is the part that wrecks everyone. Itachi’s entire life was about Sasuke. Every lie, every murder, every tear, all to give his brother a future. He let Sasuke hate him because he believed love would make Sasuke weak. But in his final moments, he whispered the truth: “I will always love you.”

Itachi knew Sasuke would learn the truth eventually. He wanted Sasuke to live long enough to realize it. By dying, he forced Sasuke to confront the real enemies instead of rotting in revenge. Itachi’s death wasn’t just a sacrifice, it was a lesson. He trusted Sasuke to find his own path, even if it meant becoming a villain first.

Final Verdict: Itachi’s Death Was The Greatest Lie Of All

Itachi let Sasuke kill him because it was the only way to save him. He carried the weight of genocide so Sasuke wouldn’t have to. Was it messed up? Absolutely. But in a world where kids are turned into soldiers, Itachi did the best he could with no good options.

But unfortunately, Itachi failed initially. Sasuke still spiraled into darkness, vowing to destroy Konoha. But Itachi’s love eventually brought him back. In the end, Sasuke chose to protect the village his brother died for, proving Itachi’s sacrifice wasn’t in vain.