When And Why Did Kakashi Kill Rin?

It was in episode 371 of Naruto Shippuden that Kakashi killed Rin. He killed her so that the three-tailed beast that the enemies put in her won’t jump out and kill people. Kakashi felt bad for killing Rin because she was a friend and teammate.

She, however, took the decision out of his hand by jumping into the path of his powerful lightning blade, thus basically committing suicide for the greater good of her village.

The History of Kakashi and Rin

The history of Kakashi and Rin is fully explored in the Naruto spin-off known as Kakashi Gaiden. Kakashi and Rin are both age mates born in the village of Konoha. Just like other kids, they attend the ninja academy at an early age. When they finish, they and Obito get Minato Namikaze as their trainer. They work hard and pass their exams. Having passed out, they go on various missions to defend their village.

Kakashi, Rin, and Obito also fight in the third Shinobi War. During this war, they suffered losses. First, Rin is taken by the enemies. Kakashi and Obito get her out of the enemy’s den but Obito is crushed during the rescue and dies.

What Episode Does Kakashi Kill Rin?

Kakashi killed Rin in episode 371 of Naruto Shippuden anime. It must, however, be pointed out that the killing actually took place before this particular episode. It is, however, only in a flashback in episode 371 that we actually see what transpired. Following the death of Obito, Kakashi, and Rin, together with their tutor, Minato, complete the mission of destroying the Kannabi Bridge.

They continue with their other activities until Rin is once more kidnapped by enemies from Kirigakure or the hidden mist village. Kakashi rescues her once more, but on their way back to their village of Konoha, she jumps in front of his powerful lightning blade. This move kills her.

Why Did Rin Jump in Front of Kakashi?

Rin jumped in front of Kakashi to kill herself in order to prevent the unleashing of the three-tailed beast that was sealed within her. When Rin was kidnapped the second time, the enemies sealed off inside her one of the nine-tailed beasts, known as Isobu.

Isobu possesses great destructive abilities that can wipe out nearly an entire village, and the plan was that whenever Rin got back to the village of Konoha, the three-tailed beast within her would be released to cause great destruction and kill many people. Rin realized this and willfully died so as to spare her people.

Kakashi was quite deeply haunted by Rin’s death as well as that of Obito’s. He often visited their grave sites to chat with them. His pain also awakened his Mangeyoko Sharingan eyes. With the Sharingan, Kakashi could accurately reproduce any movement he sees. He could also take in a heightened amount of visual information and perform the Sharingan’s broad category of genjutsu.

Did Kakashi Like Rin?

Kakashi liked Rin as a friend and teammate but did not love her in any romantic way. On the flip side, there is some confusion about Rin’s feelings. Some sources have it that Rin loved Kakashi though he did not reciprocate these feelings. Other sources, however, had it that Rin had a crush on Obito without knowing that he equally liked her.

One fact that is consistent through all this is that Obito greatly loved Rin, and with time she became affectionate towards him. When she later dies (and it turns out that he is still alive as he survived the cave-in), she patiently keeps watch over him and waits for him to join her in the afterlife. Obito eventually dies at the hand of an enemy known as Kaguya Ōtsutsuki and makes it to the afterlife to be with her.

Summary of Kakashi and Rin’s Relationship