By the time he became a student at the Academy, Sasuke was already ahead of his peers. His natural genius, honed skill, and good looks ensured that he was instantly popular with the girls in his class, and this popularity would translate into the fandom. As the difficulties Sasuke had experienced were revealed, fans better understood his emotional distance and drive.
Sasuke would have done anything to get his revenge, and his mission almost destroyed him. With unwavering devotion, Sasuke pursued any path that might allow him to overcome Itachi. Unfortunately, some of his poor decisions ruined him in the eyes of many fans.
10 He Abandoned The Village
Sasuke had been trained as a shinobi, meaning his primary mission was to protect his village and those he loved inside the Leaf. He'd become close to the teammates who depended on him. When Sasuke left the village, he hurt a lot of people.
Over time, he managed to become best friends with Naruto, while Sakura's love for him was always obvious. Before Sasuke left, he knocked Sakura out and left her behind. In pursuit of power, he made the decision to abandon everyone he'd ever known.
9 He Rejected Those Who Loved Him
Before Sasuke left the village, Kakashi took him aside to talk. Kakashi encouraged Sasuke to let go of the past and move on from the pain, but Sasuke was critical of Kakashi, believing the older ninja couldn't possibly know what it felt like to lose everyone.
Kakashi shocked his student by admitting he had already lost everyone he loved. Despite this, Sasuke completely rejected Kakashi and his advice. Even those he was around others who had experienced pain like his, he refused to acknowledge it.
8 He Joined Forces With Orochimaru
When Orochimaru first met Sasuke, he nearly killed him. The infamous Sannin invaded the village and killed his former mentor, which plunged Konoha into a period of confusion.
When Sasuke decided to join forces with Orochimaru, he chose to side with someone who tried to kill him instead of standing by the people who loved him. This decision started him down a dark path that made him a crueler person.
7 He Criticized Naruto's Pain
No one could have understood Sasuke quite like Naruto, since their painful pasts bore many similarities. After Sasuke left the village, Naruto was determined to bring Sasuke home again, and finally managed to catch up with Sasuke when he reached the Valley of the End.
But Sasuke was critical of Naruto's pain and past. He insisted that Naruto couldn't possibly understand the hurt he was feeling or his need for revenge. His cruel words had him mocking another orphan and outcast.
6 He Decided To Destroy The Village
After learning that his brother had sacrificed everything to help keep the village safe, Sasuke decided to undo everything his brother had worked for. By learning the truth about Itachi, Sasuke was completely turned against his own village.
He was suddenly willing to destroy everything and everyone he had ever known and didn't stop to think about how important Konoha must have been to his brother. He was driven by his own pain, and the pain his brother would have felt.
5 He Joined The Akatsuki
For most of his life, Sasuke considered the Akatsuki his enemies. He spent years fighting against them because of his brother's association with the group. Yet after learning the truth about his brother's life, Sasuke agreed to join the organization.
While his brother had joined the Akatsuki for the good of his village, Sasuke's motives weren't quite as noble, and he did his best to help the Akatsuki achieve their goals. His joining the Akatsuki marked a noticeable change in his character.
4 His Tried To Kill Sakura Multiple Times
Sakura fell in love with Sasuke at a young age. When he was sick, she took care of him. After he decided to leave the village, she offered to go with him, but Sasuke refused her company.
Through the series, Sasuke's harsh treatment of Sakura drew the ire of fans. Though she would try to talk sense into him, he would continue to ignore her; he even attacked and tried to kill her multiple times. No matter what he did to Sakura, she still loved him.
3 He Encouraged Sakura To Commit Murder
Sasuke's teammate, Karin, would have done anything for him. She was willing to follow him no matter what he did, and in return, Sasuke used her for her unique chakra and ability to heal.
When Sakura offered to join Sasuke's quest, he responded that she could come with him only if she killed the gravely-wounded Karin. But even this cruel demand was a trick to get Sakura to lower her guard and give Sasuke an opening to try and kill her. These betrayals and attempted murders of those close to him showed how ruthless he could be.
2 He Wanted To Destroy The World
When Sasuke joined with the Allied Shinobi Forces, he declared his intention to become Hokage someday. His former peers pointed out that no one was willing to follow him. After being questioned by Naruto, Sasuke revealed that he was plotting to recreate the whole world.
Sasuke planned to act as an enemy who would force the entire world to act together. He wasn't going to let the world return to the status quo of individual villages acting in their own best interests. To achieve his goals, Sasuke would have had to tear down the entire world and rebuild it anew.
1 He Abandoned Sakura, Even After His Redemption
After his final battle with Naruto, Sasuke agreed to work with his friend and former teammate. Sasuke spent a short time in prison before Naruto and Kakashi got him released, and in an effort to earn redemption, Sasuke decided to travel around the world and protect Konoha from afar.
Once again, Sakura offered to go with him, but much to Sakura's disappointment, Sasuke again refused her company. Sasuke left her with nothing but a promise that he would return someday. Those who wanted to see the two get together were disappointed to see him leave her again, especially considering his history of abandoning her in the past.