Venture into the labyrinthine world of Masashi Kishimoto’s Naruto, an engrossing universe defined by riveting conflicts, complex characters, and heartrending choices.
This guide sheds light on one of the darkest, most pivotal events in the series: Why did Itachi Uchiha kill his clan?
We’ll dissect Itachi’s intricate character arc, the political tensions within the Uchiha clan, and the shadowy machinations of Konoha’s leadership that led to this devastating event.
Delve into the profound motives, relentless pressures, and the tragic sacrifice that underpin Itachi’s actions.
Why Did Itachi Uchiha Kill His Clan?
Itachi killed his entire clan to prevent the Coup d’etat they were planning against the Leaf Village. He killed his clan in Episode #455, titled “Moonlit Night” of Naruto: Shippuden anime series. Multiple flashbacks of the massacre of the Uchiha clan are in Episodes #84, #128, #130, and #131.
Itachi was only 13-years old when he had to massacre his family and the entire Uchiha clan. Back then, the Uchiha clan was not trusted by the Hidden Leaf Village and was mistreated often. Therefore, they decided to secretly fight back against the village.
Keep reading to find out what drove Itachi to kill his clan, why he spared some, and what-if questions.
Why Did Itachi Spare Sasuke?
Itachi spared Sasuke due to his immense love for him. The Uchihas were planning to overthrow the leaf village, but Itachi was given a choice. Danzo told him that the entire Uchiha clan would be wiped out no matter what happens, but he can save his brother.
Furthermore, Danzo made Itachi feel that the only way to save his brother was to take the whole matter into his own hands.
Itachi loved Sasuke so much that he went so far as to take the entire blame for killing his clan just to protect his brother.
Why Does Itachi Always Poke Sasuke’s Forehead?
Itachi always poked Sasuke’s forehead as a sign of apology and when he didn’t have enough time for him. Some fans believe that Itachi poked his forehead to keep Sasuke at a distance and tell him how much he loved him.
In his last moments, Itachi poked his forehead one last time to apologize for everything that had happened to Sasuke. The forehead poke was a sign of love and affection between the two Uchiha brothers.
Did Itachi Regret Killing His Clan?
Itachi did not regret killing his clan as he knew what he did was for the greater good. Itachi didn’t agree with the methods of the Uchiha and their plan to overthrow the government.
The young Anbu member tried his best to make peace with the Leaf Village and prevent any tragedy from happening. One thing he regrets is how his actions led to Sasuke choosing the wrong path.
He wished to have involved him more in the family matters, thinking that maybe that would’ve saved his younger brother from the agony he left him.
What If Itachi Didn’t Kill His Clan?
If Itachi hadn’t killed his clan, Danzo and the third Hokage would’ve taken action against them. The plan was to kill the entire Uchiha Clan, including Sasuke.
The massacre wouldn’t have stopped at that, and the Uchihas would’ve taken countless lives as well. It would’ve resulted in another Shinobi war and a bigger tragedy.
Why Did Itachi Kill Izumi First?
Itachi killed Izumi first to eliminate any kind of hesitation before killing his family and the entire clan. The young Anbu member and Izumi had feelings for each other, making it extremely difficult for Itachi to kill her.
Izumi’s death scene is extremely painful for most fans. Itachi put her under a genjutsu, showing Izumi an illusion of her future with Itachi, where she marries him and has his children. Itachi killed her mercifully, and she died in his arms with a smile on her face.
Was Itachi A Double Agent?
Yes, Itachi was a double agent, working for the Hidden Leaf Village and the Uchiha clan. He was a talented young man that became an Anbu member at the age of just 11-years old. Due to his position in the village, the Uchihas were using him as a spy, but he became a double agent to prevent war.
The Uchiha had been mistreated for a long time and wanted revenge for it. Itachi was well aware of what would happen if the Uchiha went through with the plan of a coup d’etat. Therefore, he started leaking information about their plan to the Third Hokage in hopes of making peace and preventing bloodshed.
Why Did Itachi Turn Evil?
Itachi wasn’t evil, he was forced into taking on the role of the bad guy. At a very young age, Itachi had to slaughter his entire clan for the greater good and to protect his brother.
He was a kind-hearted soul who was forced into committing the sins he did. Most believe that his story is not of heroism, but of only tragedy and misery.
Was The Uchiha Clan Evil?
No, the Uchiha clan are not evil but are the centerpiece for most of the villains in the entire Naruto series. Villains like Madara and Obito have caused mass destruction and were the biggest villains of the series. However, their actions are not enough to call them evil without context and certainly not the Uchiha Clan.
The Uchiha always feel extreme emotions; they either love too hard or the exact opposite. The Uchiha clan were always on the sidelines, especially after Tobirama. The Uchiha were assigned by Tobirama to the Police force to keep them on the borders.
Furthermore, the Uchiha got more marginalized by Danzo, and that’s when they planned the Coup d’etat. Therefore, the Uchiha aren’t pure evil; they were just protecting their own kind.
Who Is The Strongest Uchiha?
Sasuke Uchiha is the strongest Uchiha in the Naruto series. He reached the position where he is now with the help of Itachi Uchiha.
Sasuke got the Mangekyo Sharingan after witnessing Itachi’s death and realizing that his brother was not a bad person. What’s more, he got the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan by inheriting Itachi’s eyes.
Itachi did whatever he could to push Sasuke over his limits to make him strong, and he succeeded in doing so as well.
How Did Itachi Get The Lines On His Face?
The lines on Itachi’s face are actually stress lines that represent his character well. As a child, the lines were barely visible, but as he grew up, they became more pronounced.
The lines and the depression on his face are due to the incredibly difficult and stressful missions he went on. Itachi had to deal with many difficult situations being an Anbu member. Furthermore, the extreme stress from slaughtering his entire clan and hurting Sasuke deepened the lines on his face.
Why Did Itachi Join Akatsuki?
Itachi joined the Akatsuki to keep the Leafe Village and Sasuke safe from any harm. He made sure he was in a position where he could take extreme actions if needed to protect the two. What’s more, Itachi’s actions against his own clan made it difficult for him to stay in the Konoha Village.