Couldn't Kabuto have un-summoned Itachi?

Question

I know that the Kotoamatsukami rendered Itachi free of Kabuto's control over his will. But he was still bound to the Edo Tensei, since he was released when the technique was cancelled.
So, couldn't Kabuto simply have un-summoned Itachi?

We have, in other situations (namely in chapter 514, with Deidara), seen that Kabuto can un-summon shinobi at will, an empty coffin appearing and 'reclaiming' the summoned. Were these other situations somewhat different from the situations with Itachi? Or did Kabuto have to completely undo the technique, even if he just wanted to un-summon a single shinobi?

Some interesting theories re. this at http://www.narutoforums.com/archive/index.php/t-860802.html — Chetter Hummin, Feb 14 '13 at 08:02
He probably needs to control them in order for them to enter the coffin. Not sure though. — Madara's Ghost, Feb 14 '13 at 13:21

score 8 · Accepted Answer · edited Apr 13 '17 at 12:54

The most plausible explanation is that the un-summoning with the empty coffin popping-up is only possible when the summoned is under the caster's control. Itachi broke free of Kabuto's control with the Kotoamatsukami, but he never broke free of the Edo Tensei itself (unlike what Deidara's answer suggests). This is why he could not be un-summoned (with the coffin), but was freed when the jutsu was undone.
Still, Kabuto could've undone the technique altogether, at the cost of un-summoning every shinobi he had summoned. However, this could mean a complete turnaround in the war. Anyway, Kabuto, most likely, did not think a complete release of the jutsu was needed, since was arrogant and confident that he could beat Itachi.

Important note: He could not. – Madara's Ghost Feb 28 '13 at 21:31 — Madara's Ghost, Feb 28 '13 at 21:31

score 2 · Answer 2 · answered Feb 14 '13 at 14:35

It sounds very likely that when Kotoamatsukami freed Itachi from Kabuto's control, he could no longer unsummon Itachi. If he could, he would do it and then resummon him (which he has done previously with others), and this time, Itachi could not free himself from Kabuto's control.

Later, when Itachi forced Kabuto to release the Edo Tensei, he presumably "reattached" himself to it somehow, because as per his/Shisui's principles, he didn't want to stick around and be hailed as a hero.

Couldn't Kabuto have un-summoned Itachi?

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