Analyzing Kishimoto's Reasons Behind Asuma Sarutobi's Premature Death in Naruto

Asuma Sarutobi's death in Naruto was a significant event that had a profound impact. As the relaxed mentor and leader of Team 10, his demise occurred during the intense battle against Hidan and Kakuzu, clearly establishing them as formidable adversaries for the main characters.

Interestingly, Asuma's death took place relatively early in the manga, specifically in chapter 300 out of the total 700 chapters. This raises the question of why the author, Masashi Kishimoto, chose to end Asuma's life at this point. There are multiple reasons behind this decision, and now it is time to explore the various possible motives that led Kishimoto to kill off this beloved and iconic smoking jōnin.

Asuma Sarutobi's death in Naruto: Why so early?

Asuma among the allies, on his final mission against the Akatsuki. (Image via Pierrot Co.)

One possible reason for Kishimoto's decision to kill off Asuma early in the Naruto series is to maintain believability in the narrative. It would be unrealistic for there to be no casualties during the intense conflict against the merciless Akatsuki.

Although Sarutobi was not a central character, his demise was a heart-wrenching event. Fans eagerly continued reading in hopes of witnessing his avenging, but his death also served as a compelling shock to keep readers engaged.

Shikamaru, continuing Asuma's legacy

The death of Mirai Sarutobi's father before her birth serves as a crucial catalyst for the development of Shikamaru's character. In his final moments, Asuma conveyed to his apprentice the responsibility of training his daughter to become a skilled shinobi, leaving Shikamaru to step into the role of his beloved mentor.

Shikamaru exacts his vengeance on Hidan in this image from Pierrot Co.

Shikamaru's character development is intricately intertwined with the death of Asuma. As mentioned earlier, Asuma entrusted him with the training of his daughter, which solidified their bond. This tragic event also fueled Shikamaru and Team 10 with a singular purpose: to seek revenge by defeating Hidan, the ruthless killer from the Akatsuki.

Shikamaru accomplished this feat and received praise from his mentor's guiding spirit, who imparted the Will of Fire to his apprentice. This prepared Shikamaru to provide aid to Naruto in the future, assuming the role of his trusted confidant once the main character becomes the Hokage. This progression was apt for an individual who had trained under the offspring of a previous Hokage.

Fascinating fan explanation

Nonetheless, Asuma's resurrection after his tragic demise only intensified the bitterness. During the Fourth Shinobi World War, Asuma encountered Team 10 and witnessed their growth firsthand. The clash between Team 10 and Asuma serves as another poignant justification for his untimely demise.

Asuma can be seen smoking in this image. (Image via Pierrot Co.)

There are fans who speculate that Asuma's death may have been due to a deeper reason. As the Naruto story progressed, the significance of the Sharingan Eyes in the plot became more pronounced. It is known that cigarette smoke can irritate the eyes, and fans are aware that Asuma even smokes during battles.

Could it be that Kishimoto killed off Asuma to put an end to his smoking habit and prevent it from providing a convenient solution for the Sharingan eyes? While this theory may not hold true, it does offer a humorous perspective. It is worth noting that Asuma's demise coincidentally aligned with the eyes becoming a more significant plot point, which happened to coincide with the heightened intensity brought about by the presence of the Akatsuki.

In summary, Asuma's death in Naruto has multiple implications for the storyline, character growth, and potential plot complications. It is a tragic event, but an essential element for any narrative to include moments of sorrow.

Although the exact motive behind Kishimoto's decision to kill off Asuma at such an early stage in Naruto may never be explicitly revealed, these speculations provide the closest insight we can hope to attain.

Editor's P/S

Asuma Sarutobi's death in Naruto was a significant event that had a profound impact on the series. His demise occurred during the intense battle against Hidan and Kakuzu, clearly establishing them as formidable adversaries for the main characters.

Asuma's death also served as a compelling shock to keep readers engaged. The death of Mirai Sarutobi's father before her birth serves as a crucial catalyst for the development of Shikamaru's character. In his final moments, Asuma conveyed to his apprentice the responsibility of training his daughter to become a skilled shinobi, leaving Shikamaru to step into the role of his beloved mentor. Shikamaru's character development is intricately intertwined with the death of Asuma.