Itachi Uchiha

is a missing-nin from Konohagakure, and a prominent member of Akatsuki, partnered with Kisame Hoshigaki. He is Sasuke Uchiha's older brother.

can be translated as 'weasel'. To some degree of Japanese belief, weasels are considered a harbinger, often signifying ill fortune (possibly a reference to his murder of his family). His surname, Uchiha, is another way of pronouncing uchiwa, or a paper fan, which is actually the Uchiha clan symbol. An uchiwa can be used to fan flames, making the flame hotter, referring to the fact that the Uchiha is a clan of fire-jutsu users.

Itachi is relatively popular among many fans of Naruto, often having ranked in the top ten in Shonen Jump magazine's popularity polls since his introduction. He was first ranked in the third character popularity poll ranked in 11th place. He was ranked 9th place during the fourth popularity poll, and 6th place in the fifth popularity poll. During the sixth, most recent popularity poll, he again was ranked in 11th place.

Background
A genius above all others, Itachi was born into the Uchiha Clan and praised by all as the best of his generation. However, not even his family, friends, or teachers could understand him.

Early Life
Not much is known about Itachi's childhood, only that he graduated from the Academy at age 7, awakened the Sharingan at age 8, passed the Chunin exam at age 10 and became ANBU squad leader at age 13.

He was praised highly by his father who saw the family's future in Itachi and neglected his other son Itachi's little brother Sasuke. However during this time Itachi showed great affection towards Sasuke, and even encouraged his father to come to the Academy when Sasuke was enrolled, something their dad had otherwise forgotten, by saying that he would otherwise not come on a mission.

After having acted strange for a long time, not coming to the clan meetings and refusing to train with Sasuke, it would finally seem that he snapped. With the help of Madara, he slaughtered his entire clan over night, all, of course, with the exception of Sasuke. After Sasuke had found Itachi standing near the bodies of their parents Sasuke was punched in the gut by Itachi. Due to the fact that Sasuke was never to know about Team Senju's orders, Itachi used his Mangekyo Sharingan to capture Sasuke in a genjutsu and show him how he had killed everyone, in turn slowly torturing him. After this Sasuke ran away, but Itachi confronted him again and explained that he did it all to test himself. He also explained that the new eyes he had acquired could also be acquired by Sasuke and all he had to do was to kill his best friend. Telling Sasuke that he let him live because he had the potential to become as strong as him, he also tells him to hate him and detest him, if he ever wanted a chance of defeating him. It is with these words that Itachi leaves and is not seen in a long time.

Personality
Itachi is a mysterious character, and often acts as though he is concealing his true self. While flashbacks to his past showed that at one time he seemed to be a compassionate brother, his later acts and claims make it seem that this was mostly just an act. But, surprisingly, he actually is the compassionate brother he once claimed to be, but he hides this to protect his brother. When he openly challenged the clan's ideas, he showed some degree of anger but never lost his composure.

As a member of Akatsuki, his personality is almost emotionless and possesses incredible self control. He only shows surprise when opponents prove more powerful or skilled than he had expected, and even then, it does not impede him. He does not display a typical villainous arrogance and any brags he makes regarding his power are often fully justified. However, he does allow himself the occasional smile if his opponents match his expectations. Despite his status as a wanted criminal and having murdered a significant portion of his family, Itachi does not display any open enjoyment of violence or combat, instead prefers to avoid battle or, if he could not, end it as quickly as he can while exerting as little effort as possible.

Itachi's only initial interest is in Akatsuki's goals and his only loyalty to be to the organization and its members, putting the organization's success and secrecy before everything else. As such, Itachi gets along with his partner, Kisame, much better than most other Akatsuki members do with their own partners. Kisame, in fact, has a deep loyalty to Itachi, immediately doing as he instructs and constantly looking out for his well-being. Itachi treats all of his fellow Akatsuki members to this same, more respectful personality, and his courtesy is often not returned by the other members.

However, during a genjutsu duel with Sasuke and describing the cruel methods the clan has employed over the years, he displays uncharacteristic passion, violently denouncing the clan's former goals, calling Madara "a pathetic shell of his former existence" and claiming he alone is worthy of inheriting that power and status. Once that illusion is dispersed, he describes it as his 'true self,' implying that even his emotionless personality is also a facade. This also proves he is willing to go to any lengths to acquire this power, willing to pluck out his brother's eyes to save his own power from fading.

Abilities
In the few battles he has been seen in, Itachi has proved to be a ninja of overwhelming power and ability. He's the strongest genjutsu user seen so far in the series. He is a master of the Sharingan, as well as Sharingan genjutsu, as he has demonstrated great talent with the Sharingan throughout the series. When faced with an opponent's genjutsu, Itachi can use his Sharingan to dispel it or perform and turn the genjutsu against its user. Itachi is also noted to be very fast with his techniques and movements, the fastest in the Naruto world, as Kakashi Hatake an experienced Jonin with the Sharingan couldn't keep up with his hand signs during their first confrontation in Part I.

Itachi also possesses the Mangekyo Sharingan, which not only increases his already great power, but enables him to use some of the most powerful techniques seen in Naruto. With his left eye, he can use Tsukuyomi, which makes him capable of trapping an opponent in an illusionary world where he may seem to torture them for days on end in only a matter of seconds. With his right, he can also use Amaterasu, whereas it allows him to create a black flame that is able to overpower many obstacles and burn everything in its path. His final technique is Susano'o, which is an ability that manifests as a spectral being resembling a yamabushi surrounding his body. It wields the Totsuka Sword, a spectral sword with the ability to bind what it cuts into an alternate dimension, trapping it in a genjutsu-like state forever, and Yatas Mirror, a shield that can endure intense damage. Zetsu, a fellow Akatsuki member, states that Itachi's mastery of doujutsu combined with Susano'o makes him essentially invincible. Despite his mastery of the Mangekyo Sharingan, Itachi is falling prey to its side effects, as his eyesight is worsening after every activation and he will eventually go blind from its power, and his Sharingan will be forever sealed away.

In terms of standard Ninjutsu, Itachi can create Shadow Clones to perform jutsu for him and act as shields from attacks. These clones can also be commanded to explode with, which is easily capable of killing those caught in the blast. As a member of the Uchiha clan, he can also perform "Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique" to catch opponents in a blast of fire, and in the anime can breathe multiple fireballs with. With he can also catch targets in a circle of crushing water.

Return of Itachi arc
Itachi was first introduced alongside Kisame during a mission to kidnap Naruto Uzumaki, commenting about the damage done to Konoha by Orochimaru's invasion. When Kisame responded by asking Itachi if he still had any feelings left for his village, Itachi claimed he has none left at all. The two, before searching for Naruto, quickly stop for tea due to a suggestion by Kisame. While there, however, their uncommon clothes draw the attention of Kakashi Hatake, who has Asuma Sarutobi and Kurenai Yuhi follow Itachi and Kisame. Itachi and Kisame nearly manage to escape Konoha, though Asuma and Kurenai catch up to them in time.

After the two revealed their identities, Itachi and Kisame were quick to battle Asuma and Kurenai after they refused to leave unharmed. Despite their high ranks of Jonin, Asuma and Kurenai stood little chance to the two Akatsuki members and were almost immediately killed. However, the arrival of Kakashi, who had gotten worried, managed to keep Asuma and Kurenai from receiving any major damage. After a short skirmish with Kakashi, Itachi activated his Mangekyo Sharingan, which managed to exhaust Kakashi. After Kakashi revealed he had knowledge of Akatsuki, Itachi ordered Kisame to kidnap Kakashi and kill Asuma and Kurenai, though Might Guy showed up within enough time to stop Kisame. After Guy revealed he ordered ANBU to send other teams to help defeat Itachi and Kisame, the two Akatsuki retreat, not wanting to start a war.

Itachi and Kisame then continued searching for Naruto, though trouble arose when Jiraiya took Naruto to search for Tsunade. While at first they worried about the possibility of having to battle Jiraiya, Itachi used a genjutsu on a pretty woman to seduce Jiraiya into leaving Naruto alone in a hotel. Taking the chance, Itachi and Kisame confronted Naruto, though at the very same moment Sasuke Uchiha, Itachi's younger brother, immediately arrived to defend Naruto and seek revenge on his brother. Itachi managed to handle his brother with ease while Kisame kept Naruto watched, though Jiraiya arrived in time to save the two boys, having not fallen for the hypnotized woman's charm-since he knew that pretty women did not usually act that way toward him.

Jiraiya immediately asked Itachi and Kisame if their real goal is kidnapping Naruto, to which they agreed with. Though Jiraiya wished to fight them himself and prevent others from getting hurt, he honored Sasuke's feelings and allowed him to fight Itachi. Itachi, however, only proved Jiraiya wrong to let Sasuke fight by using his Mangekyo Sharingan on his younger brother to land the finishing blow. Jiraiya barely saved Sasuke in time using the Toad Mouth Trap, which transformed the entire hotel hallway into a toad's belly to trap Itachi and Kisame. Despite Jiraiya's claim that no one has fled this technique before, the two Akatsuki partners escape with Itachi's Amaterasu, leaving him exhausted. After leaving, the missing-nins rested, feeling fatigued from their battles, before returning to Akatsuki headquarters.

Sasuke Retrieval arc
While not making a physical appearance in this arc, Itachi did appear in the form of a hologram during a meeting in Akatsuki's Land of the River headquarters. When asked by Sasori about Sasuke, Itachi remained silent, though Deidara interrupted by telling the two not to worry about Sasuke.

Rescue Gaara arc
Itachi made his Part II introduction as a clone created by Pain using the body of Yura to distract Naruto, Kakashi, Sakura, and Chiyo, who attempted to rescue Gaara. The clone fought the team with combinations of genjutsu and ninjutsu. Kakashi, however, used a shadow clone to bind Itachi long enough for Naruto to destroy the clone.

Hunt for Itachi arc
Following Kisame's capture of the Four-Tailed beast, Itachi and Kisame had a conversation about the Tailed Beasts. During the proceeding meeting to seal the Four-Tailed beast, Itachi and Kisame were educated with information by Pein that Sasuke started a team of Orochimaru's former agents to defeat Akatsuki, and to be especially careful.

After the death of Deidara, Itachi and Kisame were told by Zetsu that Sasuke died by Deidara's finishing blast, along with Deidara himself and Tobi. Afterwards, as he walked under the strange rain that lasted for days, Itachi looked up, and Kisame mentioned that it is "weird" how Itachi seemed as if he were crying. Then, Kisame said it was a shame what happened to his partner's little brother and Itachi became the only survivor of the Uchiha clan. And as he continued to look up, Itachi said in response to his partner: "No, he is still alive, and besides..." before he finished, the sky became clear.

Itachi later chose to send a clone to visit Naruto, who was hunting Sasuke. Though he claimed he wished only to talk, Itachi was forced to stop Naruto's attacks. Whether or not Itachi managed to tell Naruto what he wanted was unknown, as after this the chapter showed the progress of Sasuke. Itachi's clone then left while another visited Sasuke, claiming to want to have a final battle between the two. Sasuke fought Itachi's clone, and it told Sasuke of where they were to have their actual final confrontation, which was in an Uchiha Hideout nearby.

Itachi then patiently waited there for Sasuke, while having Kisame look out for any of Sasuke's teammates wishing to fight him. When Sasuke finally arrived, Itachi asked Sasuke what his Sharingan could see, to which Sasuke responded with the image of himself killing Itachi.

They then had a short hand-to-hand fight, until Sasuke impaled one of Itachi's Shadow Clones, with the real Itachi sitting back on the throne. Sasuke then appeared behind stabbing Itachi and asked who the third Uchiha survivor was. Itachi claimed the Uchiha to be Madara Uchiha, and told Madara's story. He revealed the "eternal" Mangekyo Sharingan can give a user immortality, but the user must take the Mangekyo Sharingan eyes of his or her sibling of the same clan, the Uchiha, referring Sasuke as his "spare" set of eyes.

The two began another fight which ended with Itachi catching Sasuke in Tsukuyomi and appeared to have taken his eyes with Zetsu. Sasuke admitted that although he could not dispell Tsukiyomi, he could in fact endure it. Itachi then used Amaterasu, but Sasuke shielded himself by shedding his skin similar to Orochimaru. Sasuke then prepared to use his Kirin, and attacked Itachi. However, Itachi survived using Susano'o to defend himself.

Orochimaru then appeared to emerge from Sasuke and attacked, but was easily sealed in Susano'o's permanent genjutsu. After this, Itachi looks as if he would take Sasuke's eyes but intentionally failed, missing the eyes and tapping Sasuke's forehead instead, a move that he had been known for doing in earlier years. At this, he collapsed. Zetsu, remarked that Itachi must have been injured before the fight began, as Itachi was not able to dodge attacks he normally could. Zetsu goes as far as to even state that Itachi didn't even resemble himself.

Post-Death
After Sasuke collapsed, Zetsu left to watch the fight between Naruto and Tobi; and, after being asked, informed them that Itachi was dead and Sasuke was probably dying as well. Tobi and Zetsu then leave and gather Sasuke and Itachi's corpse to take them to an unknown location. Tobi is then shown trying to talk to Sasuke, but he is unresponsive. Tobi then reveals he is also a living Uchiha and the man who knows the "truth" about Itachi Uchiha. When Sasuke sees Madara's Sharingan Eye, the Mangekyo Sharingan is suddenly awakened, in his left eye, attacking Madara with Amaterasu. Somehow, Madara manages to survive the attack, even though he is completely engulfed in the searing flames of the eye technique. Recovering, Madara suggests that Itachi transferred his eye techniques to Sasuke for protection, by killing him (Madara). He continues his speculation, saying that he set it up, so that the Amaterasu would activate at the sight of his Sharingan.

After Sasuke asks why, Madara continues by saying it was to protect Sasuke. During this time Madara also reveals that it was him who helped Itachi on "that night" and persuades Sasuke to inquire about Itachi by telling him that Itachi did eveything he did, because he wanted to protect the Shinobi World, the Leaf Village, and most importantly, his little brother, Sasuke.

He continues on by telling Sasuke to remember his "kind brother", Sasuke reminisces about Itachi, then faints. When he awakens, he has been tied up by Madara so that he doesn't leave. Madara goes on saying that the only people who know the truth about Itachi were the Third Hokage, his two advisors Homura and Koharu, and Danzo. He states that Itachi killed the Uchiha clan and left the Leaf Village, all on orders from Konoha. He continues saying that Itachi "killed his sense of self" to carry out the mission. Sasuke, now feeling confused asks "why?". Madara goes on that he must start at the beginning of Konoha in order to reveal Itachi's "truth".

Madara revealed that before Konoha came to being, there had always been competition and battles between the two greatest shinobi clans: the Senju clan and the Uchiha clan. However, a peace treaty was signed between the two clans but Madara suspected that the Senjus would never keep their word. After the Fire Country was established, Madara was furious that Hashirama Senju was named the First Hokage and left the country. When the Kyubi attacked Konoha, the Leaf's upper echelon suspected the Uchiha clan was behind the attack since their Sharingan can control the fox demon. Some of the members from the Uchiha clan became rebellious upon knowing that suspicion and formed an organization against the Leaf. In response to that, the Leaf stationed a spy amongst the group: Itachi. Because of this, the manga states that it was "The beginning of Itachi's hell."

Quotes

 * "You don't have enough hate in you. And you know something, you never will."
 * "You are not even worth killing."
 * "Go away... I have no interest in you."
 * "You are weak. Why are you so weak? Because you lack... hatred."
 * "Foolish little brother, if you wish to kill me, hate me, detest me, and survive in an unsightly way. Foster your hatred. Run, run and cling to your wretched life. And one day, when you have the same eyes I do, come before me."
 * "My... eyes.... My..."
 * You see....being the best isn't all its cracked up to be."

Merchandise
Several pieces of merchandise based on Itachi have also been released, including key chains, plush dolls, and figurines.

Reception
Itachi has ranked highly in the Shonen Jump popularity polls for the series, continuously placing in the top ten and reaching sixth place once. There has not been another poll as of 2005.

IGN characterized Itachi as "badass" and jokingly mentioned he is a character to be afraid of.