Naruto: What Makes Itachi Different from the Other Uchihas

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Summary

  • Itachi Uchiha manages to escape the Uchiha curse of love turning to hate.
  • Itachi prioritizes the safety of the village over the prosperity of his own clan.
  • Itachi’s wisdom, gained from war experiences and history, separates him from other Uchihas.

Over time, the Uchiha lineage has given rise to numerous renowned ninja, among them being Itachi Uchiha. Often recognized for the tragic act of slaughtering his fellow clansmen, he left his younger sibling as the sole survivor.

As the full story emerges, it’s become clear that the devastating event wasn’t just as it seemed. Moreover, Itachi Uchiha stands apart from other members of his clan, even his brother Sasuke Uchiha. His ability to evade the curse that plagues the Uchihas and his exceptional wisdom set him apart from his kin. Let’s delve into what makes Itachi unique among his fellow clansmen.

Escaping the Curse of the Uchiha

As per Tobirama Senju, the Second Hokage, the Uchiha clan is cursed in some way. This curse impacts each and every member of the Uchiha family, save for Itachi, who seems to have found a way to evade this dreadful curse.

From Love to Hate

Intriguingly, the Uchiha curse revolves around experiencing profound emotions of love and hate. Tobirama highlights that no other clan possesses such a deep capacity for love as the Uchiha. However, this intense love can transform into an overwhelming hatred when they lose the object of their affection. This emotional turmoil stirs up a unique chakra in their brain that affects their optic nerves, leading to the creation of the Sharingan – a well-known ability. The more intense the hatred, the stronger the Sharingan grows. This occurrence is inherent to every Uchiha member, making emotional turmoil an ever-present aspect of this clan’s identity.

When I’ve tasted the depth of profound love, its loss within me gives rise to a fury and bitterness that transcends it, transforming my very essence.

—Tobirama Senju (The Second Hokage), Chapter 619

Looking Past the Hate

Remarkably, Itachi remains untouched by hatred, despite his painful experiences. The sorrow from losing his cherished friend Shisui triggers his Mangekyo Sharingan, but it does not stir a desire for revenge from this heart-wrenching loss. Similarly, the dreadful task assigned to him by Danzo, who took Shisui’s eye, doesn’t provoke hatred in Itachi. Instead, he chooses to see these situations as requiring tough choices. This is why he never carries the weight of hatred and vengeance that other Uchiha cannot shake off.

The Village Over the Clan

Looking at the Big Picture

One distinctive characteristic of an Uchiha is their intense devotion to their clan. To them, the well-being and success of their clan holds the highest priority. This strong affection, rooted in the same curse we mentioned before, often overshadows all else. For an Uchiha, nothing surpasses the importance of the clan. They’re prepared to wage war if necessary, as was tragically demonstrated by Itachi when he was forced to slaughter his own people.

Just as Itachi can rise above the animosity, he possesses a broader perspective. To him, the village of Konoha is not merely his clan; instead, it’s an integral and cherished part of his hometown. Consequently, the welfare of the village has always held greater significance for him than any allegiance to his own clan. Indeed, he believes that a thriving clan should never come at the cost of the village’s well-being.

In essence, Itachi’s disapproval of his father’s plan doesn’t equate to hatred for his clan. Quite the contrary, he holds them dear, as every Uchiha does. However, he foresees that his father’s attempt to unify the Uchiha for a coup would ignite a significant internal conflict in the village. Moreover, such an action might prompt other villages to exploit this instability and attack Konoha, leading to further casualties. Despite his deep affection for his clan, Itachi can never support this method, as he values the well-being and prosperity of the villagers more than that of his own clan. A perspective that the Uchiha will not comprehend.

Wisdom Over Ambition

It seems Itachi was able to rise above the prejudice, in contrast to most members of his clan, due to his advanced wisdom for his age. Alternatively, one could say Itachi demonstrated an unusual level of maturity and foresight, choosing to prioritize the village over his own clan when others did not.

Experiencing War at a Young Age

Much like other ninjas of his generation, including Kakashi and the other Konoha Jonins, Itachi was compelled to take part in the Third Ninja World War. During this conflict, he personally witnessed horrific acts that humans can inflict upon each other. He bore witness to the atrocities that were deemed acceptable within war, experiencing the devastation and sorrow it brought to innocent people. This harrowing experience left a deep emotional scar on him, leading him to promise never to let such events recur. The pain he endured from this ordeal granted him a greater depth of understanding and maturity compared to his contemporaries.

A Profound Passion for History

A significant factor contributing to Itachi’s wisdom is his intense interest in History. He firmly believes, as the saying goes, “Those who cannot remember the past are bound to repeat it.” Despite having vast uncertainties regarding many aspects of the world, the conflict, and the essence of being a ninja, this historical knowledge plays a crucial role in shaping his insights.

Instead of seeking answers from contemporary sources, he preferred to learn from individuals who had endured various hardships and were likely to possess solutions for significant problems. Essentially, he delved into the past. This is evident in Itachi’s life, as he has devoted much of his time since childhood to studying history books meticulously and exploring ancient ruins that preserve accounts of past events. This extensive knowledge equips him with a depth of wisdom reminiscent of a Hokage, setting him apart not only from other Uchihas but also from many residents of Konoha.

Since his early years, Itachi had a keen interest in the wisdom and warnings left behind by our ancestors, which others seemed to overlook… This unique perspective might be why Itachi never felt confined by the conventions of the clan. Instead, he was always thinking about the future of shinobi and the village.

—Hiruzen Sarutobi (The Third Hokage), Chapter 619

Naruto is available to stream on Crunchyroll.

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2025-01-31 18:36