Sasuke Uchiha, one of the central characters in the Naruto and Boruto series, is known for his exceptional abilities, powerful techniques, and complex journey from a revenge-driven individual to a protector of peace. As a member of the legendary Uchiha clan, Sasuke is closely tied to the Sharingan, an ocular power that bestows its users with extraordinary abilities. One of the most feared techniques associated with the Uchiha clan is Tsukuyomi, a genjutsu that induces extreme psychological trauma in its victims. But can Sasuke use Tsukuyomi? Given his powers, knowledge, and the evolution of his abilities throughout the series, this question is more nuanced than one might initially think. In this article, we will explore the concept of Tsukuyomi, Sasuke’s relationship with this technique, and the reasons why he can or cannot use it.
Understanding Tsukuyomi: The Uchiha’s Ultimate Genjutsu
Before diving into Sasuke’s potential use of Tsukuyomi, it’s important to understand what Tsukuyomi is and how it works. Tsukuyomi is a unique genjutsu (illusionary technique) that was primarily associated with Itachi Uchiha, Sasuke’s older brother. The technique is activated when the user makes direct eye contact with their opponent, using the Mangekyō Sharingan, the advanced form of the Sharingan. Once the opponent is trapped in the genjutsu, Tsukuyomi allows the user to manipulate their perception of time, subjecting them to intense mental torture within a fraction of a second.
The effects of Tsukuyomi are devastating: victims experience hours, days, or even years of psychological torment within what is essentially a few moments in the real world. This technique is infamous for its ability to break the minds of its targets, causing physical and emotional damage that is nearly irreversible.
Given its destructive potential, Tsukuyomi is considered one of the most powerful genjutsu techniques in the Naruto universe. The ability to trap an opponent in a reality-bending illusion is a terrifying advantage, especially when used by an expert like Itachi.
Sasuke and Tsukuyomi: The Relationship with His Brother’s Power
Sasuke’s history with Tsukuyomi is complex and tied directly to his relationship with his older brother, Itachi Uchiha. For much of his life, Sasuke idolized Itachi, only to later discover that his brother was responsible for the massacre of their entire clan. This revelation set Sasuke on a path of revenge, which ultimately led him to gain significant power.
One of the key elements in Sasuke’s story is his desire to surpass Itachi, and throughout their battles, Sasuke faced the terrifying might of his brother’s Mangekyō Sharingan, including Tsukuyomi. Despite Itachi being a master of Tsukuyomi, Sasuke never fully experienced the technique’s devastating effects in the way others have. Sasuke’s unique resistance to genjutsu and his ability to break free from it after a relatively short period were integral to his survival and eventual defeat of Itachi.
However, it’s crucial to note that Sasuke did not inherit Tsukuyomi from Itachi directly. The Sharingan, in its Mangekyō form, grants the user a unique ability depending on their individual genetic makeup. Itachi’s Mangekyō Sharingan allowed him to use Tsukuyomi, while Sasuke’s Mangekyō Sharingan evolved in a different way.
The Evolution of Sasuke’s Mangekyō Sharingan
Sasuke’s Mangekyō Sharingan differs from Itachi’s in that it allows him to access a different set of abilities. While Itachi’s Mangekyō Sharingan grants him Tsukuyomi, Sasuke’s Mangekyō Sharingan allows him to utilize techniques like Amaterasu (the black flames) and the powerful Chidori-based attack, Kirin. Sasuke’s development of these techniques follows his desire to gain control over his own abilities, pushing himself further away from Itachi’s shadow.
After Itachi’s death, Sasuke’s eyes evolve into the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan after he takes Itachi’s eyes, allowing him to avoid the debilitating side effects of using the Mangekyō Sharingan, namely blindness. This form of the Mangekyō Sharingan is a more stable version, granting Sasuke enhanced versions of the techniques that he already mastered, such as the ability to manipulate Amaterasu more freely and use the powerful Susanoo.
However, despite this evolution, Sasuke’s eyes do not grant him Tsukuyomi, as Itachi’s Mangekyō Sharingan did. Sasuke’s abilities are still powerful but do not include the devastating genjutsu that Tsukuyomi represents. His lack of Tsukuyomi is largely due to the differences in his own Mangekyō Sharingan abilities compared to his brother’s.
Why Can’t Sasuke Use Tsukuyomi?
While Sasuke possesses the potential to use various powerful abilities, Tsukuyomi is not one of them. The primary reason for this is the nature of the Mangekyō Sharingan, which grants unique abilities based on the individual user’s talents and experiences. Each Uchiha’s Mangekyō Sharingan unlocks a different set of abilities, and while Itachi’s Mangekyō Sharingan unlocked Tsukuyomi, Sasuke’s Mangekyō Sharingan did not.
Several factors explain why Sasuke cannot use Tsukuyomi:
Genetic Variation: The Sharingan evolves differently for each Uchiha based on their personal experiences and desires. Sasuke’s path diverged from Itachi’s, leading his Mangekyō Sharingan to unlock techniques like Amaterasu and Susanoo, rather than Tsukuyomi.
Lack of Emotional Affinity: Tsukuyomi’s use is heavily tied to the emotional and psychological manipulation of the target. Itachi, as a master of this ability, used it to inflict suffering on his targets. Sasuke’s focus on other abilities, such as the Chidori and Kirin, led him to develop a different set of techniques that did not include Tsukuyomi. Additionally, Sasuke’s emotional state, particularly his quest for revenge and later his desire for redemption, steered him away from learning a technique that manipulates the mind in such a profound and devastating manner.
Focus on Other Techniques: Sasuke’s Mangekyō Sharingan abilities were tailored to his unique fighting style. He was more focused on offensive techniques, such as Amaterasu, Kirin, and Chidori, rather than the more psychological manipulation-oriented genjutsu like Tsukuyomi. As a result, Sasuke did not develop Tsukuyomi because his natural inclination was toward combat-oriented abilities rather than illusionary techniques.
Itachi’s Legacy: Itachi’s use of Tsukuyomi was highly personal, stemming from his own desires and experiences. Tsukuyomi was symbolic of Itachi’s complex personality and moral struggles, and Sasuke’s path was, in many ways, a rejection of the way Itachi used his powers. Sasuke’s journey was focused on forging his own path, not emulating Itachi, and this choice meant that he never inherited the exact same abilities.
Sasuke’s Use of Genjutsu
While Sasuke cannot use Tsukuyomi, this does not mean that he is incapable of using genjutsu. Sasuke has demonstrated considerable skill in genjutsu throughout the series, using other techniques to manipulate his opponents’ perceptions. For instance, he has been seen using basic Sharingan genjutsu to temporarily trap enemies, a skill that all Uchiha possess to some degree. Additionally, Sasuke’s Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan allows him to use powerful jutsu, including his control over Amaterasu and his ultimate form, the Susanoo.
While Sasuke’s skill in genjutsu is impressive, it is clear that Tsukuyomi, with its psychological and time-altering effects, is a technique that was meant for Itachi and not Sasuke. Sasuke’s focus has always been on refining his combat techniques, and Tsukuyomi simply does not fit into his fighting style.
Conclusion
The question of whether Sasuke can use Tsukuyomi is rooted in the unique nature of the Mangekyō Sharingan and the specific abilities granted to each Uchiha member. While Sasuke possesses incredible power through his Mangekyō Sharingan, Tsukuyomi is not one of his abilities. This is due to the genetic variations in the Uchiha bloodline, as well as Sasuke’s personal journey, which led him to develop techniques like Amaterasu and Susanoo, rather than the mind-altering genjutsu that Tsukuyomi represents.
Ultimately, Sasuke’s abilities reflect his desire to forge his own path and to become stronger in ways that differ from his brother, Itachi. While he may never wield Tsukuyomi, Sasuke remains one of the most powerful characters in the Naruto and Boruto series, with abilities that continue to evolve as the story progresses.
Related topics: