I'm tired of saying this, but rogue Sasuke was the biggest fraud in Naruto (and this incident proves it)

The initial encounter between Team 7 and the rogue Uchiha stands as one of Naruto Shippuden's most misinterpreted sequences. Observers believed Orochimaru's timely interference protected Team 7 from destruction during Sasuke's apparent Kirin technique execution.

However, a closer examination reveals something more telling about Sasuke's character. The situation revealed not a divine rescue but the unmasking of Sasuke's critical shinobi weakness, which shows his preference for bluffing with intimidation instead of actual power when faced with danger.

Disclaimer: This article reflects the opinions of the writer.

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The Kirin bluff in Naruto: Exposing Sasuke’s illusion of power and tactical immaturity

Sasuke executes Kirin's intricate hand seals before the reformed Team 7. The tension escalates because viewers are aware of the destructive power that nearly destroyed Itachi's Susanoo. Sakura and the team of Naruto, Sai, and Yamato cannot withstand this overpowering ability.

The moment Orochimaru captures Sasuke's wrist becomes a pivotal point, which helps save the protagonists from certain defeat. But here's where the analysis gets interesting. The Kirin jutsu depends on existing atmospheric lightning to execute its power. Sasuke generates storm conditions by directing Amaterasu toward the sky, creating heat and atmospheric disturbance required to form lightning.

In this particular encounter, however, two critical factors make Kirin impossible: Sasuke lacks the Amaterasu ability because he only gained it after taking in Itachi's powers, while the sky remained cloudless. This discovery fundamentally changes our interpretation of the entire interaction.

Team 7 was shielded from the sight of Sasuke's failed impossible technique by Orochimaru's purposeful intervention. The veteran Sannin realized his student Sasuke was bluffing with threats that would have exposed his tactical weaknesses and desperation to his previous teammates. This scene serves as an ideal representation of Sasuke's character defects throughout his rogue period.

He relies on mental manipulation and fear tactics over fair fighting or thoughtful strategy. It's a pattern we see repeatedly: Sasuke frequently depends on his intimidating reputation instead of showing true tactical skill. He uses a facade of power he lacks in real time to manipulate others' perceptions of his abilities.

The Kirin bluff demonstrates that Sasuke tends to act on impulse rather than execute strategic moves. Before selecting a technique, a skilled shinobi would always evaluate all available resources thoroughly. Sasuke's initiation of hand seals for a jutsu he could not perform indicates he either made a poor choice or attempted to deceive others, which suggests he needed further development as a ninja.

Throughout his series journey, Sasuke showed the gap between his perceived strength and his actual abilities in this incident. His implementation fell short of his ambitious goals, even though he had significant potential.

The moment serves as a microcosm of his entire character arc during the early Shippuden era: At first glance, his abilities looked remarkable, yet they lacked the real depth and strength he would develop later.

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Conclusion

The Kirin incident perfectly illustrates why Sasuke reached his lowest point as a fighter and a person during his rogue days. His fearsome reputation was overshadowed by these moments, which showed him as a shinobi who depended more on bluster than brilliance.

True power in Naruto's world emerges from understanding personal limits, as shown by Sasuke's hollow threat. The scene reveals a blunder in Sasuke's tactics together with the main insecurity driving him towards darkness.

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