Board Thread:Versus Debates/@comment-30323490-20171113213649/@comment-26636534-20180107093243

^The plot armor and such is due to the author wanting to tell a particular story. With a particular narrative. Naruto realized that Itachi did so much for the Konoha, therefore didn't want to burden him further in death. Itachi only ever wanted to do what was best for Konoha and protect Sasuke, he never wanted to remain an edo.

He also realized that he couldn't do everything by himself, thus entrusting Naruto to stop Madara. The illness was definitely plot, but alas. Koto was on cool-down for ten years so he couldn't use that on Sasuke, and Itachi still had the blood of his clansmen on his hands and wanted to face justice from Sasuke.