Itachi Uchiha - Plot Overview

Plot Overview

Itachi debuts in Part I after the death of Hiruzen Sarutobi, Konoha's protector, by infiltrating the village with Kisame. After drawing the attention of Konoha's forces Itachi reveals that, as part of Akatsuki's goal to capture the nine powerful tailed beasts, they are after Naruto Uzumaki for the nine-tailed demon fox sealed within him. During a scuffle with Konoha's ninja they discover that Naruto has left the village, and upon tracking him down find that he is under the protection of Jiraiya. Itachi sets up a distraction to draw Jiraiya away from Naruto and the two try to capture him. Sasuke, having heard that Itachi was back, intervenes, and Jiraiya soon returns as well. After briefly tormenting Sasuke for still being weak, Itachi and Kisame leave to avoid capture by Jiraiya. After Itachi's death in Part II, this entire visit to Konoha is revealed to have only been to make sure that the Third's death did not allow the Elders of Konoha to hurt or kill Sasuke.

Itachi makes a brief appearance at the start of Part II, distracting Naruto and the rest of his team while Akatsuki seals one of the tailed beasts it has captured. Later, Itachi learns that Sasuke has absorbed Orochimaru, a man who defected from Konoha and once joined Akatsuki in order to absorb Itachi. Knowing that a stronger Sasuke is now coming for him, Itachi meets with Naruto. After his death, he is revealed to have given some of his power in the form of a crow infused with Shisui Uchiha's eye that entered the boy's mouth to remain there until Sasuke attempts to attack Konoha, emerging to compel the younger brother with a Sharingan-based command to protect the village. Sasuke ultimately tracks him down and they have their final battle, during the course of which he uses his Mangekyo Sharingan to push Sasuke to his limits. In doing so, Orochimaru is drawn out from Sasuke's body, and Itachi seals him away to keep him from Sasuke before he dies of disease.

As his final act, Itachi implants his Amaterasu within Sasuke, meant as a fail-safe that would kill Tobi in case he ever approached Sasuke. Since this surprises Sasuke, Tobi explains the truth of Itachi's past, what is claimed to be an unfounded mistrust of Tobi, and that, even though Itachi had been dying of disease, he kept himself alive with drugs so that he could die by Sasuke's hands. Now knowing his long-hated brother to have led a tragic life because of Konoha's orders, Sasuke resolves to destroy the village, even though Itachi had gone to great lengths to protect it.

Itachi reappears later during the Fourth Shinobi World War, resurrected by Kabuto Yakushi to fight on Tobi's side. Paired with Nagato and forced to fight Naruto and Killer Bee against his will, Itachi learns from him about his brother's intentions and summons the crow he gave Naruto to regain his free will. After sealing Nagato, Itachi heads out to stop Kabuto and encounters Sasuke, who ends up helping him fight Kabuto once he finds him. After a long battle, Itachi is pushed to use Izanami to hold Kabuto in place while managing to force him into canceling his Impure World Reincarnation Jutsu. As he begins to fade, Itachi uses his Sharingan to project his memories to Sasuke to reveal the full story of the events leading to the Uchiha Clan Massacre while telling his brother that he did not have to forgive him and that he would always love him, no matter what choices he makes from then on.