Naruto Chapter 393

[Abdula]

Didn't like this.

It diminishes the sense of accomplishment Sasuke would have gotten from killing Itachi outright, and he had no other objective. I would feel like total shit. I would have been happier if Sasuke had killed Itachi but then died of his wounds shortly after.

When Itachi was first introduced and we learned what he'd done, we didn't understand his motives. Now, here at what appears to be the end, we don't understand his motives. We might never get closure on this, but a dumber outcome would be the discovery of some kind of suicide note written by Itachi. Even worse would be a monologue from Sasuke about "Now I understand." I think a letter to Sasuke would suuuuuuck and would be totally out of character for Itachi.

I agree Sasuke certainly can't have any sense of vindication after this victory much like his victories against Deidara and Oro.

Yeah the tap on the forehead was a nice tie in and everything but this battle has just been endlessly disappointing. After Sasuke defeated the other MS techniques Itachi pulls out his trump card and with victory in hand he just keels over, I mean of all the ways I thought Kishi would come up with for Sasuke to walk away from this battle I didn't think he would simply just make Itachi fall on his back. This explanation better be serious because for such an epic battle that has been setup since the beginning of the series this is an utter disappointment.

[Uchiha Barles]

Well, there's no in way in hell I'd be expecting Sasuke to have a decisive victory over Itachi. No way. This is as indicisive as it can get without there being no winner. What's bothering me here also, is that Sasuke has back to back victories over two akatsuki's, and in one day's bed time, he'll be up and running again at full force. These fights cost him next to nothing in the long run. And also, while there might be some doubt as to Itachi's motives, yet again, it just might be that, he knew he was dying and had lost, and that touch to the forehead is his way of telling Sasuke that he's proud of him. We still need some explanation as to just what killed him though.

[joker-kun]

Did Itachi say something to Sasuke before he poked him in the head? (something we won't find out till later obviously).
http://www.onemanga.com/Naruto/393/13/

Wonder what it was (if he said something).

[DB_Hunter]

If Oro returns from the snake then the story officially sucks. I mean come on! There has to be a limit to the number of times that guy can be resurrected.... if he is so damn tough to kill he might as well forget about the Sharingan and keep jumping from one "normal" body to another, until he learns all the jutsus he wants. Its not as if though somone is going to be able to stop him or anything is it?