Madara Uchiha, a legendary figure in the Naruto universe, is known for his immense power and complex, often tragic, history. A common point of confusion for many fans, however, revolves around his various “deaths” and the intricate plot devices he employed to manipulate events, even beyond the grave. Understanding the full story can be tricky, requiring a deep dive into his motivations, his rivalry with Hashirama Senju, and his mastery of forbidden techniques.
The initial demise of Madara Uchiha occurred at the Valley of the End during a legendary confrontation against Hashirama Senju, where Hashirama delivered a seemingly fatal blow. However, Madara used the Izanagi to rewrite reality, faking his death and setting in motion a long-term plan.
This article will unravel the mystery behind Madara’s first “death,” exploring the events leading up to his battle with Hashirama, the battle itself, the secret of his survival, and his subsequent actions. We will uncover the true facts and address trending questions related to this pivotal event, as we break down the chronological sequence of events from Madara’s initial confrontation with Hashirama, to his true death of old age, and beyond.
Key Facts:
* Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju co-founded Konohagakure: [➊] This partnership was born out of a childhood friendship, but ultimately crumbled due to ideological differences.
* Madara’s conflict with Hashirama stemmed from a power struggle over the village’s leadership and a long-standing feud between their clans: [➊] This conflict culminated in a legendary battle at the Valley of the End.
* Madara Uchiha used the forbidden technique Izanagi to survive his apparent death: This technique allows the user to rewrite reality at the cost of their eyesight in one eye.
* After faking his death, Madara went into hiding to cultivate Hashirama’s cells: He ultimately awakened the Rinnegan due to the combination of Uchiha and Senju DNA.
* Madara Uchiha’s ultimate goal was Project Tsuki no Me (The Eye of the Moon Plan): This involved casting an infinite genjutsu on the entire world.
What Led to Madara Uchiha’s Initial Confrontation with Hashirama?
Madara Uchiha’s initial confrontation with Hashirama Senju was the culmination of years of conflict, fueled by a fundamental disagreement over how to achieve peace and Madara’s growing distrust of the Senju clan, particularly Hashirama’s brother, Tobirama. The escalating tensions ultimately led Madara to abandon Konohagakure and later return with the Nine-Tailed Fox (Kurama) to challenge Hashirama’s authority.
Madara’s Growing Distrust and Departure
Madara’s disillusionment with Konohagakure stemmed from several key factors:
- Leadership Disputes: Madara believed his clan, the Uchiha, deserved a more prominent role in the village’s leadership, feeling marginalized by Hashirama’s decisions.
- Tobirama’s Influence: Madara deeply distrusted Tobirama Senju, Hashirama’s brother, perceiving him as prejudiced against the Uchiha.
- Loss of Power: The Uchiha clan’s power was gradually diminishing within the village structure, leading to resentment and fear of further marginalization.
- Ideological Differences: Madara’s approach to peace differed significantly from Hashirama’s. He favored a more forceful, controlling method, while Hashirama advocated for cooperation and understanding.
These accumulating grievances ultimately led Madara to believe that his vision for peace could not be realized within Konohagakure.
The Return with the Nine-Tails
Madara’s departure wasn’t his final act. Driven by his belief in a “true” peace achieved through absolute control, he returned to Konohagakure with a devastating weapon: the Nine-Tailed Fox, Kurama.
Here’s a breakdown of his plan:
- Control Kurama: Using his Mangekyō Sharingan, Madara gained control over the immensely powerful Nine-Tailed Fox. [internal link to a page about the Mangekyō Sharingan and its abilities, if such a page exists – NOT PROVIDED, SO OMITTED]
- Attack Konoha: Madara unleashed Kurama on Konohagakure, intending to destroy the village and force a confrontation with Hashirama.
- Force a Confrontation: By attacking the village, Madara aimed to draw out Hashirama and defeat him, thereby proving the superiority of his methods.
This act of aggression set the stage for the legendary battle at the Valley of the End.
How Did Madara Die the First Time?
Madara Uchiha appeared to die for the first time during his epic battle with Hashirama Senju at the Valley of the End. Hashirama, after a long and grueling fight, seemingly landed a fatal blow, piercing Madara through the chest with his sword. [According to Quora, the first time Madara died was after his battle with Hashirama Senju at the Valley of the End. ➋]
The Climactic Battle at the Valley of the End
The battle between Madara and Hashirama was a clash of titans, showcasing the pinnacle of ninja abilities. Both combatants unleashed their most powerful techniques:
- Madara: Utilized his Mangekyō Sharingan, Susanoo (a gigantic, humanoid avatar of chakra), and control over the Nine-Tails.
- Hashirama: Employed his Sage Mode, Wood Release techniques (including the massive Wood Human Technique), and his mastery of ninja arts.
The battle raged across the landscape, reshaping the very terrain and leaving a lasting mark on the world, forever known as the Valley of the End.
Hashirama’s Decisive Strike
After a protracted and destructive exchange, Hashirama managed to gain the upper hand. Exploiting a moment of vulnerability, he delivered what appeared to be the final blow. Hashirama, with a swift and precise movement, thrust his sword through Madara’s chest, seemingly ending the Uchiha’s life. This moment cemented Hashirama’s victory and seemingly brought an end to Madara’s threat.
How Did Madara Survive His “Death?”
Madara Uchiha’s survival hinged on his pre-emptive use of the forbidden Uchiha clan technique, Izanagi. This powerful genjutsu allowed him to alter reality itself, transforming his fatal injury into a mere illusion, although at a significant cost: the loss of sight in one of his Sharingan eyes.
The Use of Izanagi
Izanagi is a forbidden technique of the Uchiha clan, granting the user the power to warp reality for a short time. Here’s how Madara employed it:
- Pre-Planning: Before the battle, Madara programmed one of his Sharingan eyes to activate Izanagi upon his “death.”
- Activation: After receiving the fatal blow from Hashirama, the pre-programmed Izanagi automatically activated.
- Reality Rewritten: Izanagi rewrote reality, turning Madara’s death into an illusion. The fatal wound was negated, and he was restored to life, though his activated Sharingan was rendered permanently blind.
- Cost: The price of using Izanagi is the loss of sight in the eye used to cast the genjutsu. Madara sacrificed one of his Sharingan to ensure his survival. More can be found on the Narutopedia page about Izanagi.
The Deception: Shadow Clone and Retreat
To complete the illusion of his death, Madara used a shadow clone:
- Substitution: Before the final blow, Madara subtly replaced himself with a shadow clone.
- Corpse Substitute: The shadow clone took the fatal blow, creating the appearance of Madara’s death.
- Escape: While everyone believed him dead, the real Madara retreated into hiding. This allowed him to pursue his long-term plans without interference.
- Secrecy: Madara remained hidden for many years, working in the shadows to achieve his ultimate goal.
This carefully orchestrated deception was crucial to Madara’s long-term strategy.
What Happened to Madara After Faking His Death?
Following his staged death, Madara went into hiding, dedicating himself to the realization of his ultimate ambition: Project Tsuki no Me (The Eye of the Moon Plan). A critical step in this plan involved integrating Hashirama’s cells into his own body, which, after a considerable period, led to the awakening of the Rinnegan.
Perfecting Project Tsuki no Me
Madara’s ultimate objective was to cast the Infinite Tsukuyomi, a genjutsu powerful enough to trap the entire world in an illusionary dream. This, he believed, was the only way to achieve true peace, albeit a peace based on control and the suppression of free will. He envisioned a world free from conflict and suffering, but achieved through forced subjugation.
Awakening the Rinnegan
The Rinnegan, a legendary dojutsu (eye technique), was crucial to Madara’s plan. He achieved this by:
- Obtaining Hashirama’s Cells: Madara acquired Hashirama’s cells, likely from a piece of flesh he bit off during their battle.
- Integration: He integrated these cells into his own body.
- Delayed Awakening: The Rinnegan did not awaken immediately. It took many years, near the end of Madara’s natural lifespan, for the combination of Uchiha and Senju DNA to manifest the Rinnegan. Learn more about how Madara got the Rinnegan.
- Power Amplification: The Rinnegan granted Madara access to a vast array of powerful abilities, essential for enacting the Infinite Tsukuyomi.
Entrusting Obito Uchiha
Knowing he would not live to see his plan through, Madara entrusted his will and the continuation of his plan to a young Uchiha named Obito:
- Manipulation: Madara manipulated Obito, who had been severely injured, saving his life and twisting his ideals.
- Succession: He instilled in Obito his vision of the world and the necessity of Project Tsuki no Me.
- Future Revival: Madara planned for Obito to eventually revive him using the Rinnegan’s Outer Path — Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique. Learn more about Obito’s survival.
This act of passing on his will ensured the continuation of his plan, even after his true, eventual death.
The following video demonstrates the complete timeline, from his fight with Hashirama to his death, and the events after:
This video covers the events of the battle with Hashirama, the use of Izanagi and the eventual reawakening by Kabuto Yakushi as part of the Edo Tensei (Reanimation Jutsu) during the Fourth Shinobi War.
FAQs About How Did Madara Die the First Time:
Who killed Madara the first time?
Hashirama Senju delivered the seemingly fatal blow that “killed” Madara the first time, but Madara used Izanagi to survive.
How did Madara get the Rinnegan before he died?
Madara awakened the Rinnegan years after his battle with Hashirama, by integrating Hashirama’s cells into his body.
What did Madara say before he died the first time?
There’s no widely recorded specific quote attributed to Madara before his feigned death at the Valley of the End. His dialogue during the battle reflects his belief in his own power and his vision for peace.
Did Madara die of old age after his battle with Hashirama?
Yes, Madara eventually died of old age, long after his staged death. He survived his battle with Hashirama by using Izanagi. [Madara died of old age, according to Sportskeeda. ➍]
What episode does Madara die the first time?
The battle between Madara and Hashirama at the Valley of the End, where Madara fakes his death, is depicted across several episodes, culminating around episode 209-211 of Naruto Shippuden.
How did Madara survive Hashirama’s attack?
Madara survived Hashirama’s attack by using the forbidden Uchiha technique, Izanagi, which allowed him to rewrite reality and negate the fatal injury.
What is Izanagi, and how did Madara use it?
Izanagi is a genjutsu that allows the user to briefly control the boundary between reality and illusion. Madara pre-programmed one of his Sharingan to activate Izanagi upon his “death,” turning his fatal injury into an illusion.
Why did Madara fight Hashirama?
Madara fought Hashirama due to fundamental disagreements over how to lead Konohagakure and achieve peace, and his growing distrust of the Senju clan.
Where did Madara and Hashirama’s first fight take place?
Madara and Hashirama’s first major fight, where Madara faked his death, took place at the Valley of the End.
What was Madara’s plan after faking his death?
Madara’s plan was Project Tsuki no Me, aiming to cast the Infinite Tsukuyomi, a genjutsu that would trap the entire world in an illusion.
How did Madara die the second time?
Madara’s second, true death occurred during the Fourth Shinobi War after the Ten-Tails was extracted from him, and he was betrayed by Black Zetsu.
Summary
Madara Uchiha’s initial “death” at the hands of Hashirama Senju during their legendary battle at the Valley of the End was a carefully orchestrated deception. By employing the forbidden Uchiha technique, Izanagi, Madara manipulated reality, turning a fatal wound into an illusion. This allowed him to retreat into the shadows, integrate Hashirama’s cells, awaken the Rinnegan, and set in motion his grand plan, Project Tsuki no Me. This complex scheme highlights Madara’s cunning, his mastery of forbidden jutsu, and his unwavering commitment to his twisted vision of peace. He eventually does die for real due to old age and, later again, is reanimated during the war.
What are your thoughts on Madara’s complex strategies and use of Izanagi? Share your comments below!
