Was Obito Afraid of Itachi?

The relationship between Obito Uchiha and Itachi Uchiha is one of the most intricate in the realm of Naruto. Obito, focused on achieving his goal of the Infinite Tsukuyomi, often overshadowed his personal rivalries and fears. However, Itachi was a formidable opponent that Obito respected deeply as a powerful adversary.

Respect and Acknowledgment of Power

Obito acknowledged that Itachi could be a significant obstacle to his plans. Although Obito may not have been afraid of Itachi in a traditional sense, he certainly respected the Uchiha as a powerful foe. This recognition of the potential threat Itachi posed was significant, especially considering Obito's own ambitions. Obito's plan involved subjugating his own brother, Rin, after Itachi's death. In a hypothetical confrontation, Obito would emerge victorious, but the idea of removing his mask exposed vulnerability. The fear of itachi knowing the true identity behind his mask, and the potential for Itachi to manipulate the situation, was a serious concern for Obito.

Smart and Strategically Astute

Itachi was indeed a genius, and Obito respected his intelligence. The thought of Itachi potentially ruining his plans gave Obito pause. He recognized that if Itachi desired to do so, he could pose a formidable challenge. For example, Obito spoke about the potential of Itachi using the Uchiha Sharingan to manipulate or counter his plans. Obito also admitted to hiding a few secrets, notably Izanagi, and implied that if Itachi knew about it, the outcome would have been disastrous for Obito. The strategic and tactical superiority of Itachi was a significant factor in Obito's fearful respect.

Debunking Misconceptions

While it is often suggested that Obito was not afraid of Itachi, this assumption is incorrect. Obito was acutely aware of the risks involved in confronting Itachi. Though Obito could physically defeat Itachi, the consequences of a match were severe and could destabilize his plans. Obito's strategy was to avoid unnecessary fights that would damage his goals and the organization he was part of, Akatsuki.

Three Common Misconceptions

Joke 1: 13-year-old Itachi as a Rival
Obito's defeat of a 13-year-old Itachi is a common misconception. Itachi was not merely a youth but already a formidable shinobi, capable of holding his own against Obito. The defeat was more a testament to Obito's determination than Itachi's weakness.

Joke 2: Obito Fearing to Attack the Leaf Village Because of Itachi
Obito's decision to refrain from attacking the leaf village did not stem from fear of Itachi but from other strategic reasons. Kishimoto's narrative choices made it so that Obito felt a sense of pity towards Kakashi, a critical ninja. This narrative purpose was to create a conflict rather than reflect Obito's true intentions.

Joke 3: Itachi Beats Obito
Obito's abilities, such as Kamui, easily overpowered other significant characters like KCM2 Naruto and Bee. Obito did not need to use his left eye to handle these opponents, demonstrating his superior power without such reliance. Itachi, while strong, was not innately superior to Obito; Obito's power was more nuanced and adaptable.

Conclusion

Obito's fear of Itachi was rooted in strategic and tactical recognition. While Obito could physically defeat Itachi, the potential for a destabilizing confrontation was a serious concern. This fear, born of respect and strategic calculation, was a critical aspect of their complex relationship. Obito's plans and goals were heavily influenced by his awareness of Itachi's formidable capabilities, ensuring that their interactions remained marked by mutual respect and a healthy dose of fear.