Madara Uchiha, one of the most influential and powerful characters in the Naruto series, has a complicated relationship with the younger generation of Uchiha, particularly Sasuke Uchiha. As one of the founding members of the Uchiha clan, Madara’s views on Sasuke are shaped by a mixture of admiration, manipulation, and a certain degree of disillusionment. Understanding Madara’s opinion of Sasuke helps reveal deeper themes in the Naruto series, such as legacy, power, and the cyclical nature of hatred. Let us look at the various facets of Madara’s opinion of Sasuke and how their relationship evolves throughout the series.
Initial Impressions: Recognizing a Kindred Spirit
Madara’s first real interaction with Sasuke occurs after the young Uchiha becomes one of the central figures in the Fourth Great Ninja War. When Sasuke learns of his own legacy as a Uchiha and the complex history of his clan, Madara takes a particular interest in him. Madara sees Sasuke as a potential successor who could carry on his vision for the world, especially as Sasuke’s goals align somewhat with his own.
Madara is impressed by Sasuke’s strength and determination, recognizing him as a powerful and capable individual. Sasuke’s resolve to avenge his clan and seek power mirrors Madara’s own earlier goals in life, making Sasuke a figure that Madara respects, albeit in a very self-serving way.
Manipulation and the Temptation of Power
Throughout the series, Madara’s interactions with Sasuke are characterized by manipulation. Madara seeks to control Sasuke, using him as a pawn in his grand plan for the Infinite Tsukuyomi and the creation of the ideal world. This is most evident when Madara, knowing Sasuke’s vulnerable state following his defeat by Itachi, offers him guidance and power in exchange for loyalty.
Madara essentially tempts Sasuke with the promise of greater power, drawing parallels between their shared experiences of loss and betrayal. He exploits Sasuke’s anger toward the Hidden Leaf Village and his feelings of inadequacy, convincing him that the path of destruction and vengeance will bring him the peace he so desperately seeks. At this point, Madara sees Sasuke not only as a worthy successor but also as a means to fulfill his ultimate goal.
However, it is important to note that Madara’s view of Sasuke is not one of pure admiration or trust. He views Sasuke primarily as a tool to carry out his own desires. Madara does not believe that Sasuke will necessarily surpass him or accomplish greater things than him—he is simply using Sasuke to achieve his ends.
A Shared Legacy and Ideals
Despite Madara’s manipulative tendencies, there are moments in the series where he genuinely believes that Sasuke shares his ideals. Both Madara and Sasuke are driven by the desire to reshape the world, and they both carry the weight of their respective clans’ histories. Madara sees Sasuke as a reflection of his younger self, someone who is driven by pain, loss, and a desire for power in a broken world. This connection between them is reinforced by Madara’s words to Sasuke, where he describes them as “brothers in arms,” both survivors of tragedy and architects of their own futures.
In many ways, Madara’s opinion of Sasuke is shaped by the belief that Sasuke is capable of understanding the nature of the world and the limitations of the current system. Madara wants Sasuke to inherit his philosophy and carry out the same vision of an eternal, peaceful world under the Infinite Tsukuyomi—a dream Madara himself sought, though one that ultimately led to his downfall. For Madara, Sasuke’s potential is both a tool and an extension of his own ideals.
The Shift in Perspective: Respecting Sasuke’s Resolve
As Sasuke’s journey progresses, Madara’s opinion of him begins to shift. Although Madara initially manipulates Sasuke, he starts to view him as a more significant force than just a means to an end. Sasuke’s willingness to defy his mentors, challenge his destiny, and ultimately question the idea of creating an ideal world through force begins to earn Madara’s respect.
One pivotal moment in their relationship occurs when Sasuke refuses to follow Madara’s orders and decides to forge his own path. Madara, who has always believed that his vision was the only way to bring peace, is impressed by Sasuke’s ability to think for himself. Though Madara does not agree with Sasuke’s decision to reject his ideology, he acknowledges Sasuke’s strength and resolve, marking a moment of mutual respect.
In the final stages of the Fourth Great Ninja War, as Madara nears the end of his life, he reflects on Sasuke’s determination. While Madara continues to believe in his own vision, he can see that Sasuke, despite his misguided sense of justice, is a formidable opponent—one who refuses to be controlled by anyone, even Madara himself.
