Itachi

Biodata

Feature	Value
Name	Itachi Uchiha (鼬) 21
Alias(es)	Vermilion Bird of Akatsuki 21 52
Gender	Male
Affiliation	Akatsuki 21 50
Occupation/Role	Akatsuki member; S-rank missing-nin 22
Status	Active; his right Mangekyō’s Amaterasu ability has been devoured by Naruto 60 61
First Appearance	Chapter 21

Background / History

Itachi is Sasuke’s older brother and is publicly known as the Uchiha who slaughtered his entire clan. The circumstances behind the massacre are a secret he is determined to suppress, fearing its disclosure would affect how both Konoha and the Uchiha clan are viewed. Naruto’s knowledge of that secret immediately destabilizes him 22.

Despite his outward composure, Itachi carries enduring guilt over the massacre—particularly for the innocent members of his clan. Naruto exploits this guilt by claiming the murdered Uchiha, including Fugaku and Mikoto, condemned Itachi for his actions; the accusation drives him into a tearful mental collapse 51.

His devotion to Sasuke remains his central priority. After Naruto removes and devours the power of his right Mangekyō, Itachi fears most of all that the eye will no longer be usable for Sasuke’s intended Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan transplant. He is willing to surrender or even remove his remaining eye to protect that possibility 60 61.

Appearance

Itachi is a handsome man with long, jet-black hair, pronounced tear troughs, and crimson three-tomoe Sharingan eyes. He wears Akatsuki’s black cloak patterned with red clouds 21.

• Long black hair that moves freely in the wind 21
• Distinctive tear troughs beneath his eyes 21
• Three-tomoe Sharingan, later revealed as Mangekyō Sharingan 21 50
• Black Akatsuki cloak with red clouds 21

Personality

Itachi normally presents an exceptionally calm, restrained demeanor. Even when Naruto provokes him over Root and the Uchiha massacre, he initially keeps his expression controlled and attempts to redirect the conversation rather than reveal the truth 22.

He is analytical in battle, quickly identifying Naruto’s use of Obito’s Kamui-like intangibility and later deducing that Naruto’s Mangekyō can devour other dōjutsu 55 59. However, his composure breaks when Naruto targets his guilt or threatens the future value of his eyes to Sasuke 51 60 61.

Abilities & Skills

Sharingan Genjutsu

Itachi can cast powerful genjutsu through his three-tomoe Sharingan, attempting to force Naruto to forget the Uchiha massacre secret.

• His standard Sharingan genjutsu has no effect on Naruto during their first encounter 22.
• Kakashi considers Itachi’s genjutsu dangerous enough to require teammates to watch one another for signs of control 22.
• Itachi prepares to use Tsukuyomi against Naruto after losing his right eye, believing Naruto’s prior genjutsu resistance may not extend to it 60.

Mangekyō Sharingan

Itachi possesses Mangekyō Sharingan and uses it for high-level ocular techniques.

• Amaterasu — Produces black flames with extreme heat; Naruto avoids them through Kamui intangibility 50.
• Tsukuyomi — A Mangekyō genjutsu Itachi regards as second only to Kotoamatsukami among ocular illusions 60.
• Naruto removes Itachi’s right Mangekyō through a Kamui-assisted surprise attack, then uses the Genesis Mangekyō to devour its Amaterasu ability 60.
• His remaining left Mangekyō is still intact as of Chapter 61, though Itachi considers gouging it out to preserve Sasuke’s future 61.

Fire Release

Itachi’s basic Fire Release is powerful enough to impress Chiyo, who recognizes that even his ordinary techniques carry overwhelming force.

• Launches a Great Fireball that clashes with Naruto’s Water Release and creates a large explosion and blinding mist 22.
• Uses Amaterasu in an attempt to stop Naruto from exposing the Uchiha massacre’s truth 50.

Shoten Technique

Itachi can project a portion of his power onto another person’s body for long-distance combat.

• His projected body confronts Team Kakashi while using Yura, a Sunagakure jonin, as the vessel 22 23.
• Naruto destroys the projection with a Flying Thunder God-assisted Rasengan 22.
• The technique’s defeat does not kill Itachi’s real body 23.

Tactical Insight

Itachi repeatedly assesses Naruto’s abilities and adapts his strategy around them.

• Recognizes the Purple Lightning attack as countless lightning senbon needles 25.
• Identifies Kotoamatsukami as the likely cause of Konan’s altered behavior and explains its will-altering effect to Pain 57.
• Correctly deduces that Naruto’s eyes can devour other dōjutsu after observing Naruto use Kamui and Kotoamatsukami-derived abilities 59.

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Akatsuki cloak with red-cloud pattern 21
• Explosive-tag shuriken 22
• Kunai 55

Relationships

• Sasuke Uchiha — Younger brother; Itachi’s foremost concern is preserving his Mangekyō eyes for Sasuke’s future Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan 22 60 61.
• Naruto Uzumaki — Opponent who knows the Uchiha massacre secret, breaks Itachi psychologically, and devours the Amaterasu ability from his right eye 22 51 60.
• Deva Path Pain — Akatsuki leader and temporary ally; Pain pulls Itachi away from Naruto after his breakdown, recruits him into the attempt to capture Naruto, and prevents him from removing his remaining eye 51 52 61.
• Obito Uchiha — The masked man who assisted Itachi in the Uchiha clan’s extermination while posing as Madara; Itachi later identifies him as Obito 52.
• Kakashi Hatake — Former acquaintance whom Itachi addresses as “Captain Kakashi”; Kakashi remains wary of Itachi’s genjutsu due to their past encounter 22.
• Konan — Fellow Akatsuki member; Itachi identifies Naruto’s Kotoamatsukami as the cause of her behavior toward Naruto 57.
• Izumi — Someone Itachi remembers wistfully while witnessing Naruto and Konan kiss 58.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Interception of Team Kakashi

Itachi appears before Team Kakashi during the mission to rescue Gaara, confronting Naruto, Kakashi, Sakura, and Chiyo. Naruto openly threatens to reveal the truth behind the Uchiha massacre, prompting Itachi to attempt—unsuccessfully—to erase Naruto’s knowledge with genjutsu 21 22.

Naruto defeats Itachi’s Shoten Technique projection with a Flying Thunder God-assisted Rasengan. The fallen body is revealed to be Yura rather than Itachi’s real body, confirming that Itachi had only projected part of his power remotely 22 23.

Akatsuki Reinforcements

After reporting that Naruto’s strength exceeds that of an ordinary Kage-level ninja, Itachi is ordered alongside Kakuzu and Hidan to support Sasori and Deidara near the Land of Rivers 23 26.

Battle Against Naruto and the Six Paths of Pain

Itachi later arrives with Kakuzu, Hidan, and Pain’s Six Paths to confront Naruto and Sakura. Naruto’s Mangekyō shocks him, particularly because Naruto can visibly transform his normal blue eye into a Mangekyō 50.

Naruto’s claims about the Uchiha massacre and his parents shatter Itachi’s mental defenses. Pain restores enough of his resolve for Itachi to join the effort to capture Naruto, hoping to learn the truth for himself 51 52.

During the battle, Itachi recognizes Naruto’s use of Kamui-like intangibility, Kotoamatsukami, and devoured ocular techniques. Naruto subsequently ambushes him through a Kamui vortex, gouges out his right eye, and devours its Amaterasu ability 55 57 59 60.

The Mangekyō Bargain

Naruto threatens to crack Itachi’s depowered right Mangekyō unless Itachi gives up his remaining eye. Itachi considers self-mutilation to safeguard Sasuke’s inheritance, but Pain physically stops him. Naruto then claims he will return the right eye intact and cease pursuing Itachi’s eyes 61.

Notable Quotes

“Captain Kakashi, Naruto, it has been a long time.” 22

“The Jinchuriki of the Nine-Tails, Uzumaki Naruto, possesses strength that far exceeds a Jonin!” 23

“I know Sasuke is your close friend. I hope you can keep your promise and give my eyes to Sasuke!” 61