Exploring Kakashi's Father in Naruto: Sakumo's Impact on the Plot
In the world of Naruto, the complex and multifaceted nature of characters is often woven through their family histories, Kakashi Hatake's father, Sakumo Hatake, is no exception. Yet, his character sometimes feels like a shadowy figure, barely remembered. This article delves into the reasoning behind the limited depictions of Sakumo and the significant influence his absence has on Kakashi's development and the overall story of Naruto.
The Rationale Behind Sakumo's Backstory
One of the primary reasons for the concise depiction of Sakumo is to streamline the narrative flow. While Sakumo's legacy foretells the skills and mindset of Kakashi from a young age, his storyline is depictively brief and focuses mainly on his suicide and how it impacts his son. This choice aims to highlight the thematic contrasts between duty and personal sacrifice, providing valuable insight into the mindset of both characters.
Why Sakumo's Story Is Paired with Kakashi's
The connection between Kakashi and Sakumo is a crucial narrative tie. Sakumo's tale is integral to understanding Kakashi's loathing for breaking rules and abandonment, displayed in his reluctance to follow orders without fully understanding their context. The limited backstory is effectively utilized to:
Illustrate the consequences of prioritizing missions over personal values, a prominent theme throughout the series.
Highlight Kakashi's transformation from a cold and rigid character to a more empathetic and understanding one due to the influence of his friends, particularly Obito.
Inform the core beliefs of Kakashi, such as his famous quote, “If those who break the rules are trash, then those who abandon their comrades are even worse than trash.”
Sakumo's actions, while impactful, are underlined by his tragic sacrifice, which underscores the narrative's overarching themes of sacrifice and duty.
Other Examples of Minimal Backstories
Much like Sakumo, the character of Third Raikage demonstrates similar narrative principles. His considerable strength, such as withstanding a powerful jutsu and ambushing 10,000 shinobi, captivates the audience but necessitates limited background for plot purposes. His minimal story surrounding why he fought to the death alone is solely relevant to the battles he directly participates in.
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
The brief noodth of Sakumo's storyline, as well as other similar characters, serves a dual purpose. It keeps the narrative focused and streamlined, while still providing depth to the main characters, like Kakashi. This narrative choice ensures that the thematic elements and character development remain the central focus, rather than deviating into unnecessary tangents about historical figures absent from the core plot.