User blog comment:Zathronas/Analysis by an author: Beacon Ozpin/@comment-24116665-20131210183047/@comment-98.109.162.219-20131211201657

Actually, I think that you've convinced me, because mostly it has been teacher figures that have died that pushes the story forward. I remember in Naruto, despite Naruto being enemies with Zabuza and Haku, in the end Naruto did learn from them, and afterwards he even said that he "kinda liked them" with a big grin on his face. If Zabuza hadn't died, and instead just lost a limb (which he actually did{both arms}), the impact would not have been as sincere and powerful as it was.

(Lieuntent Dan actually was a teacher figure though)