MAOKEI News

If there’s one death that still wrecks the Naruto fandom emotionally, it’s the fall of Itachi Uchiha. The mysterious prodigy of the Uchiha clan, whose real story unraveled only after he was gone, left behind a legacy of sacrifice, complexity, and pure badassery. But imagine for a second: What if Itachi never died?

That single twist would change everything—from Sasuke's path of vengeance to the fate of the Akatsuki, even the Fourth Great Ninja War might've played out differently. Buckle up, because we’re diving into the ultimate what-if scenario, breaking down how the entire Naruto timeline could've shifted if he had survived.

If Itachi had lived, the emotional and psychological foundation of Sasuke's story would have cracked in a big way. A huge part of his rage, pain, and spiral into darkness was based on his betrayal and eventual death. Learning the truth after he was gone only fueled his grief and rage.

But what if Sasuke had learned the truth while Itachi was still alive?

That would've changed everything. Instead of hunting down Konoha elders and joining forces with dark powers like Orochimaru, Sasuke might've had the chance to fight for something instead of against it. The two brothers could have teamed up, healing and fighting side-by-side. The emotional weight of a Uchiha duo comeback? Instant chills.

Imagine this: a fully healed Itachi, no terminal illness, no regrets, no secret mission to die at his brother's hands. Just a powerhouse with Mangekyou Sharingan and a renewed sense of purpose. The Akatsuki wouldn't know what hit them.

Why Itachi Would’ve Been Their Downfall:

• With insider knowledge, Itachi could have exposed Akatsuki's plans from the inside out.
• His strategic mind was legendary. Think how he played multiple sides while keeping his true mission hidden.
• Paired with Sasuke, the two could have gone on a revenge mission that actually had a purpose.

Konan and Nagato might have reconsidered their views if Itachi exposed the true manipulation from Madara (or Obito). Plus, there’s the wild possibility of Itachi facing off against Tobi long before the Fourth War even began. That’s the kind of anime fight that breaks the internet.

Now let’s break it down list-style. Here are five major ripple effects if he survived:

1. Team Itachi x Sasuke vs Akatsuki Instead of Sasuke forming Taka with former Sound Ninja, imagine him teaming up with Itachi. The trust, the skill, the shared pain—they'd be the ultimate anti-Akatsuki force.

2. Konoha Would've Had a Power Boost Itachi returning to the village (and being forgiven) means Konoha gains a strategic war asset. Imagine Shikamaru's brain and Itachi's intelligence working together!

3. Naruto and Sasuke's Rivalry Might've Shifted With Itachi guiding Sasuke, the deep-rooted rage between Naruto and Sasuke might have been more friendly rivalry and less "I'm-gonna-kill-you" energy. Their dynamic would've changed.

4. Obito's Plans Would Be Delayed Obito's control over Akatsuki and his manipulation of events depended on secrets. With Itachi alive, a lot of those secrets wouldn't stay buried.

5. The Fourth Great Ninja War Could've Ended Faster Itachi’s intellect and battle experience would have been game-changing during the war. Edo Tensei? Maybe even avoided or countered faster.

Let’s talk about our boy Naruto.

Naruto and Itachi always had this unspoken respect. In a reality where he survived, Naruto might've gained another mentor figure—one who knew firsthand what sacrifice for the village looked like. Naruto's growth could've been even more balanced with someone like Itachi guiding him outside of Jiraiya or Kakashi.

Plus, with Sasuke not going full rogue, Naruto wouldn't have spent years chasing him down. That time could've gone into more intense training, preparing for threats beyond the Akatsuki even sooner. And honestly? Seeing Naruto, Sasuke, and Itachi on the same team... that would be peak Shinobi content.

Yup. We’re calling it now.

If he were around, a Naruto + Itachi combo would be inevitable. Both are self-sacrificing, both understand the burdens of expectations, and both are willing to carry the pain for others.

Picture this: Naruto in Kurama mode, Itachi in full Sharingan flow, syncing up attacks and mind games. Forget the Shinobi Alliance—just send these two into battle and you’ve got a whole fanfic.

So, what if Itachi never died?

The Naruto universe would've been a very different place. Less heartbreak, maybe, but also a lot more hope. His survival could've prevented wars, saved lives, and given us a version of Sasuke we never got to fully see.

But at the end of the day, his death gave meaning to his life. It made us cry, question loyalty, and fall in love with the grey areas of ninja life. Still... It’s fun to wonder. Because somewhere out there, in an alternate anime universe, the Uchiha brothers are alive, unstoppable, and fighting side-by-side.

And honestly? We'd pay good money to watch that.