For Naruto fans, Itachi’s genjutsu skills aren’t a newsflash. He awakened his Sharingan at the age of 8 and became an ANBU captain at the age of 12. What followed was his mastery of clan techniques, as well as kekkei genkai. These also included the dojutsu’s signature abilities.
From Amaterasu to Tsukuyomi, he outdid himself through his visual chakra prowess. It is a big feat in itself that came at a great cost. This involved chakra drainage and sickness. His proficiency in Totsuka Blade, on the other hand, is a masterstroke. But it might be tied to yet another lethal jutsu.
A theory suggests that it is a rather advanced form of the Reaper Death Seal. This makes sense since both share similarities in terms of their components. They also have certain differences in terms of their origins, both known, unknown, and uncharted.
Totsuka Blade’s connection to the Reaper Death Seal in Naruto
We cannot thank Itachi enough for sealing Orochimaru. This was probably one of the most satisfactory moments in the anime. He fights against the Snake Sannin using both offensive and defensive abilities. It worked in the Uchiha’s favor as the foe was incapacitated.
Interestingly, this story is an allusion to the age-old legend of Orochi versus Susanoo. This is something Kishimoto recreated brilliantly in his manga. Orochimaru, here, goes full throttle in his modified form. But Itachi isn’t the one to hold back either, especially with his Totsuka Blade.
Totsuka Blade is, hands down, one of the greatest techniques in Naruto. Like Amaterasu and Magatama, it has its origins in Japanese history. Unlike the three Imperial Regalia of Japan, however, Totsuka was a blade that Susanoo used to slay Orochi with. But how does it work exactly?
The blade emerges out of a sake jar and traps the enemy in a genjutsu. Ultimately, the target is sealed away in an altered state. Indeed, it is a rarity, but it also has semblances with yet another powerful technique. This is true for it being an advanced version of Reaper Death Seal, as this theory suggests.
According to this theory, the Totsuka Blade is strikingly similar to the Reaper Death Seal for a key reason. Both techniques constrict the target to a prison; one being a jar while the other being the Death God’s belly. The advancement lies in the Sharingan user being exempt from sacrificing their soul.
However, the modification is attributed to a sect sealing jutsu specialists or even highly skilled Uchihas. The user being spared from sacrifice points to its possible connection with the God of Death. It also expands on the deity’s power that remains both unknown and uncharted in the series.
The known, unknown, and uncharted in Masashi Kishimoto’s series
So far, the theory highlights a connection between both jutsu. It also expands on the Death God’s power being infused in the technique. This also explains why the Totsuka blade wielder can seamlessly bind the enemy. It also cuts through normal objects with ease despite being a divine sword.
The soul-consuming nature is also mimicked in this skill, where the target falls into a stupor. It all pieces in well, especially with how it was truly created. There’s also Kohaku-no-Johei, which was used to seal the Eight Tails, and these weapons are symbolized as containers and vessels.
All things considered, some methods are explored and expanded on. Others, however, are yet to be fleshed out. The theory does fit in well with the similarities between both techniques.
Naruto: Shippuden is available for streaming on Crunchyroll. The manga is available for reading on Shueisha’s Manga Plus app.
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