Why Did Itachi Kill His Clan in Naruto? – Uchiha Clan Massacre
Itachi Uchiha is one of the most loved and popular characters of the Naruto series. He started his journey as a villain who massacred his own clan. However, when people got to know the truth, Itachi instantly became one of the most beloved characters of the series. Below is a quote by Itachi that seems too simple but then tells how the world works.
“People live their lives bound by what they accept as correct and true. That’s how they define reality. But what does it mean to be ‘correct’ or ‘true’? Merely vague concepts… Their ‘reality’ may all be a mirage. Can we consider them to simply be living in their world, shaped by their beliefs?”
Who Is Itachi?
Itachi Uchiha is the brother of another popular character in the Naruto series – Sasuke. He was first introduced in the manga on Chapter 139 of Volume 16, whereas in the anime, he debuted in Episode 60. The Naruto series is known for its beautiful side characters, and Itachi is one of them. This is one of the reasons why the show is counted as one of the big three anime shows.
Itachi is praised as a hero by many fans of this epic series. However, at the same time, he is still hated by many because of the deed that made him a traitor. He was a shinobi of Konohagakure’s Uchiha clan who served as an Anbu Captain. He is also the person responsible for the “Massacre of the Uchiha Clan,” where he ended up killing more than 2000 members of the Uchiha clan.
What led him to do such insanity? Well, the truth is Itachi only killed two Uchihas in the massacre, and that was his parents, but then again, why?
History Between Uchiha & Senju
The story goes back a long time when there was a massive rift between the members of the Senju and Uchiha clans. It started with the Indra and Asura feud, which later turned into a war for many centuries. The Senju and the Uchiha became a faction that fought for land and power at that time.
There were two shinobis in the form of Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha, who were considered gods among the ninjas. They witnessed several sacrifices due to the war. Hashirama wanted peace, but Madara wanted revenge for his brother’s death. Madara always desired to be the strongest but was later defeated by Hashirama. Madara was convinced by Hashirama to form a peace treaty between the two clans. Soon, the Hidden leaf village was found, and Hashirama was chosen as the first Hokage of the village. It left a sore corner in Madara’s heart, and he left the village.
But what does this story have to do with the massacre of the Uchiha Clan? Well, everything. As the time passed and clashes between villages continued, it led to the Third Great Ninja War. Itachi Uchiha, who was just 4 at the time, was shaken to the soul by the horrifying vision of this war, turning him into a pacifist.
But, later, when the Fourth Hokage Minato Namikaze died during the attack by the Nine-Tails, the village turned into complete unrest. In the aftermath of this attack, the Uchiha clan were thrown at the outskirts of the village. As a result, they started planning a Coup d’etat, and the coup was led by Itachi’s father, Fugaku Uchiha, who was the head of the Uchiha clan at the time.
Why did the Uchiha Massacre Happen?
Itachi was a prodigy since his birth because of his amazing traits as a ninja. He became a chunin at the age of 10 and joined the Anbu at the age of just 11. Fugaku recognized his feats at such a young age and took him in his plans. Fugaku wanted Itachi to become a sky for Uchiha. However, Itachi loved peace more than anything. At that very time, he was also serving as a spy for the Elders of the Konoha. Itachi also witnessed the death of his best friend Shisui, which led to the awakening of his Mangekyo Sharingan.
The Third Hokage tried to stop the massacre, but Danzo told them that there was no room left for negotiations. The only option left is the elimination of every single member of the Uchiha clan. Danzo manipulated him by saying that another war would break out and Itachi’s little brother Sasuke might lose his life in it. Danzo never opted for peace from the start. His only target was the Sharingan of the Uchiha clan. Itachi knew that, but he had no choice but to follow his orders for the sake of Sasuke Uchiha and the peace of the village.
A masked shinobi, who claimed to be Madara Uchiha, offered Itachi that he would help wipe out the Uchiha clan. But in return, he has to join his organization named Akatsuki. Obito, who disguised himself as Madara, killed the entire Uchiha clan in one night. Itachi only killed his parents, who accepted their fate and died at the hands of Itachi, bearing no remorse. They also told Itachi to take care of Sasuke before the former killed them.
How Sasuke Uchiha Got Affected By This Event?
Sasuke witnessed his brother kill their parents. Itachi took the blame for the whole genocide on himself and said that he spared Sasuke as he was too weak. Sasuke is filled with hatred and decides to take his revenge when he gets stronger. Itachi left the village, leaving his brother under the care of Hiruzen. He also warned Danzo and told him to stay away from Sasuke and joined Akatsuki as a spy.
Sasuke learned the truth after killing Itachi in episode #141 of Naruto Shippuden and manga chapters #400 – #402. So, when we look back at Itachi’s past and his açtions, he only wanted peace. He did what he did for the sake of the village’s peace and to ensure the survival of Sasuke. Itachi never stopped working for the village. Even when he got reincarnated, he defeated Kabuto and broke his Edo Tensei.
Also Check: Naruto vs Sasuke – Who is Stronger Between Them?
