The Motivation Behind Obito’s Bid to Kill Kushina in Naruto

In the Naruto universe, the motivations of characters often intertwine with broader plot arcs and grand plans. One such character is Obito Uchiha, who played a pivotal role in the series. Specifically, Obito's intention to kill Kushina Uzumaki was driven by his overarching objective to capture the Nine-Tails, Kurama, and use it to further his goals. This article delves into the multi-layered reasoning behind Obito's actions and the consequences of his decisions.

Obito's Broader Plan

Obito Uchiha, after his transformation into a villain, embarked on a mission to create chaos and ultimately realize the Infinite Tsukuyomi. This plan involved harnessing the power of the tailed beasts, including the Nine-Tails, to cast a powerful illusion over the world. The key to his plan was obtaining the Nine-Tails, which situated itself within Kushina Uzumaki.

Targeting Kushina

Kushina Uzumaki was a Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails. As a host of the powerful tailed beast, she presented Obito with a perfect opportunity to extract Kurama. For Obito, this extraction was not just a means to an end but a critical step in his larger plan. It was clear that capturing the Nine-Tails would require the death of Kushina, and the devastating consequences of this action would also mean unleashing the Nine-Tails on the village, leading to widespread destruction.

The Context of Obito's Intentions

It is essential to understand that Obito did not act out of personal enmity towards Kushina. His intentions were more strategic and tied to his vision of the future. He believed that a sacrifice, such as Kushina's, was necessary for the success of his Eye of the Moon Plan. This plan, which entailed using the tailed beasts to cast a powerful illusion over the world, required the acquisition of the Nine-Tails to achieve its full potential.

Obito's lack of personal grudge towards Kushina underscores his pragmatic approach. However, he did hold a grudge against Minato Namikaze for not saving Rin. This grudge stemmed from Minato's failure to prevent Rin's death, despite being the most skilled shinobi in existence. Despite this, Obito had a hope that Minato would recognize him during their first battle, adding an element of personal vendetta to his otherwise strategic actions.

Extraction of the Nine-Tails

The process of extracting the Nine-Tails from a Jinchuriki, such as Kushina, typically results in the Jinchuriki's death. However, there are instances where characters with strong Uzumaki heredity or a resilient body might survive the extraction. For example, the character may survive the initial extraction only to succumb to the aftermath, as seen in a hypothetical case of another Jinchuriki who did not fully recover from the extraction process.

These survival cases are rare and highlight the immense toll that the extraction process can have on a person. The extraction, while necessary for Obito's broader plan, exacts a high price, both in terms of the immediate sacrifice of the Jinchuriki and the long-term impacts on the world.

Conclusion

Obito's decision to kill Kushina was driven by the strategic necessity to capture the Nine-Tails for his grand plan to reshape the world with the Infinite Tsukuyomi. This act had profound consequences, not just for Kushina but for the trajectory of the series and the life of Naruto Uzumaki. Understanding Obito's motivations provides deeper insights into the complex characters and plotlines of the Naruto universe.