Naruto Chapter 393: My Eyes

Summary: Itachi's Susano'o deflects all of Sasuke's last-ditch attacks and backs Sasuke into a corner. In great pain, Itachi approaches to take Sasuke's eyes, but pokes him on the forehead instead and collapses. (Read 393 here)

Serenphoria*(a.k.a SnowyOwl) Says:

Still in a bit of euphoria over this chapter. It's narrative and drama pushed to the limit: Our boy Sasuke backed so far into a corner, his chakra spent such that he has to resort to throwing things in a desperate attempt to just get Itachi the *bleep* away from him, scared but probably resigned that he's lost, and then...

Completely and utterly DENIED!

In every way, whether or not Itachi is dead, Sasuke has been denied his vengeance, purpose, identity and hope of peace.

If Itachi is dead: Though Sasuke pushed Itachi to the limit, he did not kill Itachi. It was the side-effects of the techniques Itachi used (to great effect, I might add) that killed him. Sasuke was not on the offensive when Itachi collapsed. This is not vengeance.

If Itachi is not dead: Itachi is still in a state in which he can not defend himself. What will Sasuke do now? Kill him in cold blood? This is just murder and will not taste of vengeance at all.

Not unless Sasuke pulls a Grimmjow** and bring his opponent back to life/health to fight again will it feel like vengeance. This is unlikely.

What of Sasuke's identity? He's defined himself as an avenger, and now that has been denied. He has worked and convinced himself that he's the strongest (with a string of high profile victories to substantiate this self-view) and Itachi came out clearly the stronger of the two. Sauske's surprise and resistance to the cursed seal and Orochimaru manifesting tells me he wanted to win by his own power. The fact that they did manifest is a clear sign that Sasuke, by himself, was out of the game long before it was over.

And realizing his limitations, what is his purpose now? His resolve to go after Madara next would be futile at his current level. His options for new mentors are next to nil. Aside from team Hebi, he's estranged himself from his allies (at least, he'd never ask the Leaf for help). What now?

Throw in a parting gesture from Itachi that is reminiscent of a time when Sasuke viewed it as affection, and you've got one stunned and confused Sasuke.

As much as I want to read it as Itachi admitting a little regret and affection, it really can't be anything more than him being a royal jerk and messing with Sasuke's head for life. There's no doubt Itachi really did want those eyes; it would hardly make sense for him to risk so much self-injury for anything else, but he knew the moment before he smiled that he wasn't going to live and made a deliberate decision to poke Sasuke's forehead.
He's proved that he's not a caring brother, but a gesture that has such a powerful association with botherly love for Sasuke, it's going to pit Sasuke's heart against his head and drive him batty.

So the future? Hard to say what Sasuke's next step is going to be now that probably every outcome he's envisioned has been upturned. Hebi could help him clear his head, but I hope not before we see what goes on between Suigetsu and Kisame. And there's still Team Konoha vs. Madara. I see that battle as a quickie with Madara testing them out and then leaving. That scenario doesn't lend itself to another long, drawn out battle worthy of following the Uchiha confrontation because it doesn't have the emotional drive behind it. Unless, of course, there is a reunion. You know of what I speak.

This post is getting long. The last thing I want to say is, what's up with that snake? I'm hoping that the white snake is a metaphor for healing and not Orochimaru escaping. (The markings on the eyes make me think the latter.)

*this is SnowyOwl's moniker for other fandom related things. I'll be using serenphoria here starting now to keep some consistency. Feedback on the change is welcomed. **From BLEACH. Sorry for the spoiler.