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Why Did Itachi Kill His Clan in Naruto? Discover the tragic story behind the Uchiha Clan massacre, Itachi’s manipulation by Danzo, and more.
One of the biggest mysteries of the classic Naruto series was undoubtedly Itachi Uchiha’s reason for carrying out the Uchiha Clan massacre. His decision to eliminate his clan sent his younger brother, Sasuke Uchiha, down a dark path, as the latter grew up determined to exact revenge on his brother one day.
However, as the series progressed, the heartbreaking reason behind Itachi’s decision to kill his clan eventually came out. Itachi took this tragic step to prevent a civil war that could have destroyed his home, the Hidden Leaf Village, and to protect his beloved younger brother.
Why Itachi Killed His Clan in Naruto, Explained
In the Naruto series, Itachi Uchiha was introduced as a genius prodigy born into the Uchiha Clan. The Uchiha Clan was one of the strongest and most proud clans in the entirety of the Hidden Leaf Village. However, this infamous clan had a bitter relationship and a long-standing mistrust of the village elders due to past grievances.
The tension between the two parties heightened when the Uchiha Clan was blamed for the Nine-Tails’ attack on the village. This is because, the Sharingan, which was a technique exclusive to the Uchiha Clan, was said to be theoretically capable of controlling the beast. As their hatred for the village elders grew worse over time, Itachi’s father Fugaku, and several members of the Uchiha clan planned a coup against the village leadership.
The Uchiha Clan’s plans against the Hidden Leaf eventually reached Itachi, who had dual loyalties as both a prominent member of his clan, as well as an Anbu agent of the village. To avoid a civil war that could potentially destroy the entire village, Itachi found himself at a crossroads – he could either support his clan and help them plunge the village into chaos, or he could eliminate his entire clan itself to protect the peace of the Hidden Leaf Village.
In the end, Itachi chose to do the latter, as he massacred his entire clan for the greater good of the village. He also accepted his role as a villain to protect his younger brother, Sasuke, who was the only person he spared on the night of the Uchiha Clan massacre. He had hoped that one day, Sasuke would come to understand the reason behind his actions and redeem the Uchiha name.
How Danzo Manipulated Itachi
While Itachi may have been the one who carried out the Uchiha Clan massacre, the one person who significantly influenced his actions was none other than Danzo Shimura – the leader of the Root and one of the Hidden leaf Village’s influential elders. Danzo, with his strict and ruthless stance on village security, took advantage of Itachi’s inner turmoil and forced his hand.
He manipulated and convinced Itachi that the only possible way to maintain the village’s peace was through the complete extermination of the Uchiha clan. Furthermore, to ensure that Itachi would carry out the massacre, Danzo gave him an ultimatum. Either Itachi would have to carry out the massacre by himself, or Danzo and his forces would kill all members of the clan instead, including Sasuke.
Due to Danzo’s manipulative tactics, Itachi had no choice but to act in order to protect both the village and his beloved younger brother. Danzo’s manipulation of Itachi would later be his own undoing. This is because, when Sasuke learned the truth about his actions, it led him to seek revenge against Danzo and the other village elders.
Does Sasuke Find Out the Truth?
Years after the Uchiha Clan massacre in the Naruto series, Sasuke Uchiha eventually came to know about the truth behind Itachi’s actions. After defeating and killing Itachi in battle, Sasuke learns the true nature of his brother’s actions and motives from Obito Uchiha. He realized that the person he grew up hating was only ever trying to protect him. Instead of being a ruthless killer, Itachi was actually a tragic hero who sacrificed everything just to secure peace for the village and to protect Sasuke’s future.
This revelation had a profound impact on Sasuke’s motivations and outlook. He grappled with feelings of anger, guilt and eventually developed a renewed sense of justice. Therefore, he redirected his path to seeking vengeance for his brother and targeted Danzo, swearing to end his life for his heinous actions.
Conclusion
The revelation of Itachi’s tragic backstory turned him from a villain to a tragic protector. The fact that Itachi was driven to a corner by Danzo to kill his own people to secure both peace for the village as well as his brother’s future, completely changed viewers’ perception of Itachi as a character, as they now heavily sympathize with him.
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