Why Didn't Kabuto Reanimate the Third Mizukage and Third Kazekage During the Fourth Shinobi World War?

The Fourth Shinobi World War was a significant conflict in the Naruto storyline, and Kagura, one of the main antagonists, planned to reanimate several prominent shinobi from the Hidden Leaf, Hidden Cloud, and Hidden Sand villages. However, two critical figures, the Third Mizukage (Tsunahime) and the Third Kazekage, were notably absent from this list. This raises the question, why didn't Kabuto Yamato reanimate them? There are several plausible explanations for this omission, rooted in the lore and plot of the series.

Lack of Access to DNA

The most straightforward reason for the exclusion of these two figures is that Kabuto did not have their DNA. In Naruto, the Reanimation Technique (Edo Tensei) requires a portion of the target's DNA to function. Kabuto's primary goal was to gather the DNA of powerful shinobi who could help him in his meticulously planned scheme.

The Third Mizukage, Tsunahime, was a temporary ally positioned to exploit the Sand Siblings' vendetta and thus didn't have significant influence over the overall narrative concerning the war. However, the Third Kazekage, Kankuro's elder brother Gaara, was a prominent figure with strong ties to the Sand Village and its own internal politics. The absence of his DNA could be attributed to Kabuto's priorities and logistics.

Damage to the Third Kazekage's Body

Another aspect to consider is the state of the Third Kazekage's body. In Naruto: Shippuden, Gaara's body was manipulated by the Akatsuki member Sasori into becoming a puppet. The process of turning a living being into a puppet involves a delicate and invasive procedure, which likely resulted in significant damage to the body. For such deep-seated alterations, it's possible that the remaining tissue and DNA were no longer viable for use in the Reanimation Technique.

The anime further illustrates this point with the experiment conducted by Orochimaru. He managed to extract some DNA from the Third Kazekage, but the success of his experiment was limited. The Edo Tensei was used to create a puppet version of the Third Kazekage, which fought alongside other reanimated shinobi. However, the puppet version suffered a critical flaw: Sasori, the puppet master, regained control over the puppet, leading to it breaking free. This visual portrayal underscores the difficulty in obtaining and utilizing the Third Kazekage's DNA for reanimation.

Strategic and Narrative Considerations

Beyond the technical and logistical challenges, there were also strategic and narrative reasons for excluding the Third Mizukage and Third Kazekage. The Fourth Shinobi World War was a pivotal conflict where several key shinobi were reanimated to bolster Kagura's forces. The inclusion of the Mizukage and Kazekage would have shifted the balance of power too significantly, as both figures had the potential to disrupt the ongoing war or tip it in favor of their respective villages.

Kabuto had specific goals for reanimation, aiming to create a powerful force that would serve his ultimate plan. The absence of figures like the Mizukage and Kazekage likely enables a more controlled and achievable outcome. By focusing on shinobi who had a direct impact on the war and whose reanimation would provide immediate strategic advantages, Kabuto maintained a level of predictability and control over his forces.

Moreover, from a narrative perspective, leaving out these figures adds a layer of mystery and unpredictability. The reader is left wondering about the fate of these significant characters and how they would have played a role in the grand narrative, which can pique interest and engage fans further.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the absence of the Third Mizukage and Third Kazekage from the reanimation list is a multifaceted decision that aligns with both the in-story logistical challenges and the overall strategic and narrative goals of the story. Kabuto's choice to reanimate specific figures reflects the complexity and depth of the Naruto universe, making it a strategic and intriguing aspect of the storyline.

Through this analysis, we can gain a deeper understanding of the Reanimation Technique, the importance of DNA, and the strategic decisions made by characters like Kabuto, which shape the overall narrative of the Naruto universe.