One of the most powerful and mysterious abilities in the world ofNarutois Amaterasu, the black flame technique unique to certain Uchiha clan members who possess the Mangekyō Sharingan. When Sasuke Uchiha first displayed this power, many fans questioned how he obtained it. Specifically, there has been long-standing debate over whether Sasuke received Amaterasu directly from Itachi Uchiha during their final battle. This question ties deeply into the lore of the Uchiha clan, the nature of ocular powers, and the bond between the two brothers. Understanding the source of Sasuke’s Amaterasu requires exploring both his personal evolution and Itachi’s calculated decisions.
The Power of Amaterasu Explained
What Is Amaterasu?
Amaterasu is one of the signature abilities of the Mangekyō Sharingan, a dojutsu (eye technique) known for its black flames that can burn anything in their path. These flames are said to never extinguish until their target is reduced to ash, making them incredibly lethal in battle. Amaterasu is usually activated through the user’s eye and is almost unavoidable once the target is locked.
This ability is part of a trio of legendary techniques from Japanese mythology, including Tsukuyomi and Susanoo. In theNarutouniverse, Itachi Uchiha was the first character shown using Amaterasu, followed later by Sasuke.
Prerequisites for Unlocking Amaterasu
Amaterasu is not available to all Sharingan users. To unlock it, one must awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan, which typically requires experiencing intense emotional trauma often from the loss of a loved one. Once awakened, each Mangekyō grants the user unique abilities. For Itachi, it was Tsukuyomi and Amaterasu. For Sasuke, it included Amaterasu and Kagutsuchi, the ability to manipulate those flames.
Did Sasuke Get Amaterasu from Itachi?
The Final Battle Between Brothers
Sasuke and Itachi’s climactic battle is one of the most emotional and pivotal moments in the series. During the fight, Itachi appears to be aggressively trying to steal Sasuke’s eyes, but in reality, he is protecting him. Itachi uses Tsukuyomi, Susanoo, and even Amaterasu during the battle, pushing Sasuke to his limit. Eventually, Itachi reaches Sasuke and touches his forehead before collapsing a gesture he often used in their childhood.
After Itachi’s death, Sasuke begins to experience changes in his vision and powers. Not long afterward, he awakens the Mangekyō Sharingan and gains access to Amaterasu. This timing, combined with Itachi’s mysterious behavior, led many to speculate that Sasuke inherited Amaterasu directly from his brother.
Itachi’s Gift: A Protective Measure
In truth, Itachi did implant something into Sasuke during their final confrontation. This wasn’t the Amaterasu technique itself, but a specialized version triggered by the presence of Tobi (Obito Uchiha). When Tobi removed his mask to confront Sasuke, the implanted Amaterasu activated automatically, attacking him. It was a trap set by Itachi to protect Sasuke from Tobi’s manipulation.
This event clarified that while Itachi transferred a specific use of Amaterasu into Sasuke’s eye as a safeguard, he did not grant Sasuke the ability to use Amaterasu permanently. Instead, Sasuke developed his own version of Amaterasu upon awakening his Mangekyō Sharingan after processing Itachi’s death and learning the truth about his brother’s sacrifice.
Sasuke’s Mangekyō Sharingan Abilities
Independent Awakening
After the battle with Itachi and Tobi’s revelation of the truth, Sasuke is overwhelmed with emotion particularly grief, rage, and guilt. This emotional surge leads to the natural awakening of his Mangekyō Sharingan. With it, he gains two abilities:
- Amaterasu: The black flame attack Itachi also used.
- Blaze Release: Kagutsuchi: A unique ability to shape, extinguish, and control Amaterasu’s flames with precision.
These techniques reflect Sasuke’s personal development. While Itachi could only unleash Amaterasu in a straight line, Sasuke could manipulate it defensively and offensively, enhancing its utility and showing his evolution beyond what he inherited genetically.
The Difference Between Implant and Inheritance
There is a clear distinction inNarutobetween temporary abilities implanted by others and innate powers gained through one’s own Sharingan evolution. Itachi’s booby-trapped Amaterasu implant was a one-time effect stored in Sasuke’s eye to activate under specific circumstances. Sasuke’s own ability to use Amaterasu at will is the result of his Mangekyō Sharingan awakening, not an ability transferred by Itachi.
Therefore, while Itachi gave Sasuke a specific usage of Amaterasu to protect him, the full power of Amaterasu became Sasuke’s only after he unlocked it himself through emotional trauma and awakening his Mangekyō.
The Significance of Amaterasu in Sasuke’s Journey
A Symbol of Pain and Resolve
Amaterasu represents more than just fire in Sasuke’s journey. The unquenchable, all-consuming black flames are symbolic of his inner torment and unwavering determination to uncover the truth and seek justice. When he first uses Amaterasu consciously, it’s during his fight against Killer Bee, signaling his readiness to use deadly force in pursuit of his goals.
It also marks his descent into darkness both metaphorically and literally. As his use of Amaterasu and other powers grows, so does his willingness to walk a path of vengeance and extremism, distancing himself from his former self and allies.
Evolution Into the Eternal Mangekyō
Overuse of Mangekyō Sharingan leads to deteriorating eyesight, a weakness shared by both Itachi and Sasuke. To overcome this, Sasuke later transplants Itachi’s eyes into himself, evolving his Mangekyō into the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan. This upgrade enhances all of his visual powers, including Amaterasu and Kagutsuchi, without the risk of blindness.
With the Eternal Mangekyō, Sasuke achieves full mastery of his ocular abilities and solidifies his place as one of the most powerful Uchiha in history.
Sasuke did not receive the full power of Amaterasu directly from Itachi. Instead, Itachi implanted a one-time-use version as a trap within Sasuke’s eye to protect him from Tobi. Sasuke awakened the ability on his own after unlocking his Mangekyō Sharingan through emotional trauma following Itachi’s death. Thus, Amaterasu became part of his own unique set of Mangekyō techniques, alongside his powerful ability to control the flames with Kagutsuchi.
This distinction is important because it highlights Sasuke’s personal growth and struggle. While he was influenced and shaped by Itachi’s actions, his power was earned through his own journey. Amaterasu, as both a technique and a symbol, plays a vital role in defining Sasuke’s path from avenger to anti-hero to protector of the shinobi world. It stands as a reminder of the burning emotions that drive him and the legacy he carries as one of the last Uchiha.