#itachi analysis

[watermelonsloth]

I think the reason why Naruto fans get so passionate and upset about the series is because of how real it can be. Naruto isn’t about paragon heroes outdoing dastardly villains. It’s about human beings fighting tooth and nail to survive in a world surrounded by death. It’s about broken systems made and perpetuated by broken people.

The Hyuga clan isn’t just antagonistic or pretentious, they practice slavery.

The Uchiha clan weren’t just killed by some raging psychopath, they were systematically massacred.

Itachi isn’t just cruel to Sasuke because he’s a bad brother, he’s cruel because he’d been told time and time again that you can only survive by being cruel and he wants nothing more than for Sasuke to survive.

Nagato isn’t trying to take over the world just for the sake of power, he’s trying to take over the world because it beat him down to the point of believing that the only chance at peace there is is the world being forced into compliance through fear.

Iruka isn’t hard on Naruto just because he’s a strict teacher, he’s hard on Naruto because he knows from experience how unforgiving the world is towards orphans.

Kakashi isn’t just some silly and slightly lazy teacher, he’s a contract killer still grieving his loved ones and struggling to do better without knowing how he’s supposed to.

Sakura isn’t just a fangirl, she’s a normal girl in a very dangerous and abnormal world constantly being made to choose between what she’s supposed to do and what she feels.

Sasuke isn’t just some edgelord, he’s a survivor who lost everything then gets repeatedly told that he has to choose between keeping what he’s gained and doing better than his brother.

Naruto isn’t just trying to be the best Hokage there ever was, he’s trying to prove his worth to a society that abandoned him just for existing and, in a way, confirm his worth to himself.

The Naruto story is about humans trying to force themselves into the role of weapons because that’s what they were told they had to be. It’s a story where everyone is a perpetrator but no one is trying to do wrong. It’s a story where everyone is a victim but no one is a perfect victim.

The world and the characters aren’t simple and trying to simplify them only takes away from them. So of course we get passionate about showing off all the reasons why they shouldn’t be simplified and all of the ways they’re complicated. Of course we get upset when we see others simplifying them or selling certain aspects of their characters short. Of course we get upset when the series itself simplifies them. Of course we get upset when the series chooses to abandon them. Because it not only feels like the characters are giving up, it feels like the series is betraying anyone who chose to get invested in its complexities.

[sasukekys]

vulnerability, manipulation, sexualisation

an attempt rewrite of my old post that picked up many instances which kishimoto sexualises sasuke’s character when he is being manipulated specifically. this was the post that first inspired me and, as you can see, sasuke’s sexualisation is also used to depict homoeroticism, show him as a desirable character, and even portray him as some type of heroine sometimes. this post will be long but i will not risk to put it under a read more and lose it forever k.

beginning with orochimaru, whose character is full of undeniably pedophilic subtext. we can say that orochimaru is an evil scientist that grooms children/teenagers, sasuke being one of them. in his case, orochimaru wishes to possess sasuke’s body in order to control the sharingan and he tries to make that happen by placing the curse seal on sasuke, something that actively triggers his trauma and anger so that he will seek orochimaru. the curse seal itself is the way orochimaru tries to manipulate sasuke and the whole context surrounding it is- shady, to say at least.

orochimaru’s first appearance is in chapter 45, but we start taking more of a look at him in chapter 47, titled “predator”.

as we can see, not only he compares sasuke to a prey and he himself to a predator and says that “he wants sasuke”, but there’s also the whole creepy and insinuating body language with his tongue, something his character does quite a lot.

the act itself of him placing the curse seal on sasuke is very telling… he literally bites his neck.

when orochimaru meets anko, he says sasuke is very beautiful, i’ve done some research on this and the original japanese text, of course orochimaru is admired by sasuke’s skills, you can see in the forrest of death chapters, but this panel specifically is also speaking of sasuke’s physical beauty, as in it’s something that matters to orochimaru as well. there is also the fact that orochimaru uses the word 美しい (utsukushii), which is not a very usual word to describe a person, it can be used poetically and to describe someone with a refined and delicate beauty. this matches with orochimaru’s way of speaking, but it also makes it more unsettling because it’s how he sees 12 year old sasuke. another thing i noticed is that in the moment orochimaru meets anko, he doesn’t show any of the creepy body language, not even once, even though he was just doing it in the previous chapter.

orochimaru again licking his lips at the sight of sasuke trying to control the curse seal.

and later we have not only orochimaru licking his lips at the thought of “painting sasuke with his own colours”, but also shuddering. quite an interesting choice of vocabulary btw, since sasuke is referred as a “blank slate” by other characters he is manipulated by. kishimoto doesn’t even need to use sasuke’s image or draw him present, but these are used in shady situations, and with characters that don’t really have the best intentions towards sasuke.

and of course there’s this very suggestive cover for the chapter named “the ritual”, in which orochimaru tried to take over sasuke’s body, the reason why he manipulated sasuke in the first place. so yeah, there’s very suggestive visual language and even plain text surrounding sasuke being manipulated, and despite orochimaru being the most obvious one, thanks to the pedophilic subtext, that’s not the only occasion that it happens in the manga.

i’ve talked about this before in some asks of my old blog, but sasuke is often put in positions more typical of heroines, such as being desired by both men and women, being sexualised, and needing to be “saved”. as the linked post already explained, kishimoto uses the legend of kushinada-hime to put sasuke in such position. what i want to talk about is the difference between sasuke’s fight with itachi and the “i will always love you” moment, in which sasuke finally speaks to itachi and finds out the truth by his own brother.

when sasuke fights itachi, he doesn’t know, but he is being manipulated by him, he is going after his revenge and doing as his brother told, with no knowledge of what happened to the uchiha. and this is the moment when kishimoto writes him as the princess/goddess/maiden that needs to be saved. a moment he’s also shirtless. it’s interesting because you might wonder he’s being saved from orochimaru’s manipulation, but only to (unknowingly) give in to itachi’s.

when sasuke wants to find out the truth by himself and talk to itachi however, kishimoto does no such thing. no shirtless or sweating sasuke in questionable positions, no metaphors to compare him as a maiden that needs to be saved, nothing to sexualise him whatsoever.

they constantly talk about itachi telling the truth to sasuke during his fight, and like i said, it seems kishimoto doesn’t see any need to sexualise sasuke here. even when you take a small detail such as itachi admitting he tried to use kotoamatsukami against his brother, again to manipulate him, you have a naked sasuke in the panel.

contrasting to itachi admitting that to sasuke himself.

i would say such an imagery in this context is interesting, because itachi is another character that refers to sasuke as a “blank slate”. nakedness = blank slate.

and the same happens when obito tells him the truth about itachi and his clan in comparison to when sasuke seeks the hokage to ask them about the uchiha and the shinobi system. when obito is talking to him, we have shirtless, sweaty and tied up sasuke, and we can say thay the panel compositions are the vert least... suggestive.

despite the fact that obito is telling sasuke what really happened, sasuke is being manipulated in this moment, it’s the first thing that happens after itachi’s death, when sasuke is at his most vulnerable, so obito can later use him as he wishes in his plans. he is not well intentioned towards sasuke either.

and this doesn’t mean obito or itachi see sasuke in a sexual way, it just means sexualisation is a resource used by kishimoto to depict something else. in these cases specifically, it’s manipulation.

and like i said, when sasuke goes after the hokages to have the answers himself, kishimoto does no such thing, even with orochimaru present, because sasuke is not being manipulated anymore.

the distinction is honestly very clear.

and by the way, there are different ways to portray sasuke’s vulnerability, such as trembling lips, a sad expression and a lowered head.

sasuke is probably the most sexualised character in the naruto manga, in kishimoto’s writing (not fair to say the series since there’s so much fanservice regarding hinata from studio pierrot), and his sexualisation is used in multiple contexts, this post wanted to point out only one of those contexts. i believe kishimoto uses this resource in a way to depict vulnerability in the face of abuse and grooming. the manipulation surrounding sasuke is a big theme for his character, who struggles so much for agency. despite everything, sasuke is able to keep his self determination and autonomy. and i must say it speaks volumes how such a recurring resource is never used with naruto, i think kishimoto is being very clear there is no manipulation in their relationship.

[squishyneet]

I want to talk about Shisui's age for a minute. I have been doing research into exactly how old he was when he died. I've seen estimates as low as 14 and as high as 20. Since Itachi was 13, I always assumed Shisui was slightly older, like 14-15. 16 at the oldest.

I looked at the wiki. THAT MOTHERFUCKER WAS FUCKING 5 FOOT 10 AND 151 LBS. He had to be 19-20 at the LEAST. Stop the lies.

Why is Itachi so tall at 13?? Also Itachi's height when he's older is about the same as Shisui's but Shisui's still got like 25 lbs on him. Wtf were they feeding him lol

[oodearest]

I’ve found myself back into Naruto after being somewhat indifferent to the end of Shippuden. Was not a huge fan of that final arc.

Anyways I remember initially being annoyed and/or disappointed with some of Sasuke’s actions towards the end of the series. Don’t get me started on him immediately trying to fight Naruto after they ended an entire WAR. Grrr!!

But I’m able to articulate better why I found the whole ‘let’s get Sasuke back’ rhetoric in Shippuden so frustrating. This might get long so bear with me, might as well format this as a zany essay while I’m at it.

Mission get Sasuke back — The terrible, no good experience of having your trauma ignored

It’s been a while so I could be wrong, but I feel like team 7 never address how absolutely valid Sasuke’s desire to leave is? Kakashi touches on it when he tries to reason with Sasuke pre-defection but I don’t think it ever got through.

In Sakura and Naruto’s case, they want him back, they say they want to be a team again, but none of them ever considers his perspective?

The inherent racism against the Uchiha

Their approach is pretty tone deaf honestly. Sasuke’s a victim of violence. His people were massacred. At the start of the series it’s only been like 5 years since it happened. Sasuke has no one. He also can’t trust anyone. Prior to the massacre the village ostracised them and feared them. In Sasuke’s lifetime, the village has never been welcoming to his identity as an Uchiha.

To top it all off this hatred was incited YEARS earlier by non other than the village’s own second Hokage. It’s pretty vile how much passive and oftentimes—straight up overt—racism is directed towards the Uchiha and no one ever calls it out?

Honestly after Sasuke learns the truth from Itachi, why would he ever feel at peace in the village again? How could he ever return there knowing what they allowed? Does he even fit in there? Did he belong in the first place?

The loneliness of processing his people’s oppresion

These are some complex issues. Sasuke starts tackling them at 12 when he first leaves and only really process it by the end of the war. He spends his adolescence seeking revenge, when he gets it he spends the remainder of the series grieving. He’s mourning, he’s searching for the truth, he’s trying to grasp anything tangible in this awful world he’s inhabiting.

I cannot stress how MAD I get when Sakura and Naruto are like come back, we miss you, what about our bond 🥺 Like guys priorities?? Sasuke is single-handedly tackling systematic corruption and discrimination, give him a minute.

All things considered, he handles those issues in lik four years. He’s pretty efficient.

Overall I don’t think Sasuke’s problem was ever about losing his morals or succumbing to rage. That played a role of course. But the crux of his issue was him fighting for himself, his people and getting justice for something that was largely brushed aside.

I think it’s disappointing that we don’t see more support from team 7 or the village. No rage on Sasuke’s behalf? Not even a brief acknowledgment that the previous leadership was cooked and unfortunately dropped the ball on protecting his people.

Does forgiveness even apply here?

Naruto is a series about forgiveness and redemption. Which can be so beautiful. However I get the sense they want Sasuke to move on from anger and that’s so not possible given what he experienced. There’s a reason reparations is a big part of reconciliation. Konoha was never going to do that under its current leadership.

Konoha is a system. If Sasuke opposes that system then it’s simply him paving a better way for himself. I don’t get why that concept is hard for them to understand. This village is so cooked that the Sannin peaced out of there as soon as they could. Didn’t even come back post Kyuubi attack.

Naruto is a forgiving character, but as someone who also got done dirty by the village it’s sad that he didn’t understand why Sasuke couldn’t drop all of his grief and plans, to simply return to being one of Konoha’s soldiers.

Anyways there’s a lot of nuance missing here that I didn’t go into detail about. Sasuke objectively did some horrible things. Shippuden is him processing trauma realtime, it’s not a surprise that he’s messy, raw and self-destructive. I switch between being so frustrated with him then feeling so sad about his circumstances.

They could never make me form a one-dimensional opinion on you Sasuke! You’re worth thousands of think pieces.

[sasuke-shway]

[ydsurluvhsm]

sasuke uchiha deserves to be loved out loud (´•̥﹏•̥`) ♡

✧.・゜✿・。.☆ﾟ.･｡ﾟ༓☾☼✩.･｡ﾟ☁︎*.☽✩˚｡⋆✲ﾟ｡⋆*

why is it that when sasuke is angry people call him heartless, but when itachi is silent they call him tragic. why is it that sasuke screams for help with blood on his hands and everyone looks away, but when itachi bleeds quietly, people build him altars. i’m not saying one deserves less love, i’m saying sasuke deserved more. more kindness, more grace, more forgiveness. he was a child. a boy who loved his big brother so hard he shaped his whole world around him. and when that world shattered, no one helped him pick up the pieces. so he held the shards in his hands and bled alone.

you don’t understand how devastating it is that sasuke’s entire childhood was a prologue to his pain. he was a prodigy, yes. but also soft. also kind. also eager. he looked up to itachi like he hung the stars in the sky. and when the stars fell, they crushed him. people say sasuke was obsessed with revenge, but it wasn’t about killing. it was about understanding. about making the pain make sense. about proving to himself that love hadn’t been a lie. he didn’t want to destroy itachi. he wanted him to see him. to hurt the way sasuke hurt.

and then he did. and it broke him again. and still—he kept moving. he never got to fall apart. he had to rewire his entire heart and carry on. and he kept losing people. kept losing himself. kept searching for a version of the world that didn’t hurt so much. he tried the path of light and the path of darkness and found peace in the middle of the ruins. it was messy. it was violent. it was lonely. but it was his choice. that’s why sasuke is so important to me—he chose to come back. not because someone redeemed him. but because he did.

it makes me so emotional that people still talk about naruto as the one who saved him when sasuke had been crawling toward the light on his own for so long. he just needed someone to say “i see you.” naruto didn’t save him. naruto waited for him. and sasuke came back. scarred, burned, bleeding—but alive. more alive than he had been in years. when he smiled after the final battle… i felt that in my bones. that little sliver of peace he never thought he’d get. he smiled like he forgot how and just remembered again. like the world was finally quiet inside his head.

boruto sasuke is probably the most heartbreaking version of him. like... the way he tries to be a father when no one taught him how. the way he mentors boruto with patience and grace despite having grown up without any of it. the way he watches over the village from the shadows—not to atone, but because he cares. he still thinks the only way he can protect people is by staying away from them. he doesn’t want to hurt anyone again. and it’s so painful because all i want is for him to be held. to be told “you’ve done enough.” but he never stops. he loves in silence. in exile. in scars.

and the way he treats sarada… oh my god. you can tell he wants to give her the world but he’s terrified he’ll taint it. like he doesn’t think he deserves to stand in the light anymore so he just watches from the edges. she reaches for him and he flinches because he doesn’t know how to be wanted without being feared. but he tries. he tries. he shows up when it counts. even when he’s bleeding. even when he’s broken. he shows up. that’s love. and it’s the kind of love that costs him everything. but he gives it anyway. because he’s sasuke.

he is not emotionless. he is not selfish. he is a boy whose heart was shattered so many times he forgot what it sounded like when it beat softly. but it still does. it always did. he never stopped feeling. he just got better at hiding it. but if you look close, you see it—in the way he protects, the way he hesitates, the way he listens. he’s all bruised silence and trembling hope. he is grief with a heartbeat. and he still keeps walking forward. still believes he can do better. he’s the kind of character who lets himself be hated if it means someone else gets to live in peace. and if that’s not heroic, idk what is.

sasuke uchiha is the most painfully beautiful character i’ve ever known. he is everything people misunderstood about teenage anger and survivor’s guilt and broken love. he is a mirror of the worst the world can do to a child and the best that child can still become. he’s proof that pain doesn’t make you a monster. it makes you real. and i will never stop loving him for that. ( ´•̥̥̥ ω •̥̥̥` ) ♡

✧.・゜✿・。.☆ﾟ.･｡ﾟ༓☾☼✩.･｡ﾟ☁︎*.☽✩˚｡⋆✲ﾟ｡⋆*

(♡°▽°♡): just a lil reminder: sasuke is my broken boy, but we have to talk about how he’s not the best husband or father. his trauma impacts every relationship he has, and that’s why he struggles to connect with sakura and their daughter in the way they deserve. i love sakura so much, but honestly, sasusaku makes me really uncomfortable. sakura deserves someone who sees her as the amazing, strong person she is, not as second best. also, sakura is a huge victim of comphet—she’s been pushed into a straight relationship with sasuke when it’s clear they don’t have the chemistry that should be there. comphet forces women to conform to a heteronormative narrative, even if it’s not what they want, and sakura deserves someone who truly understands her. (*≧▽≦)

[sklives]

So, I started reading an alternative history fanfiction where Sasuke saves Itachi and I'm just at the first chapter, but even so I loved how faithfully the taka team was represented in this first part because they would follow Sasuke without questioned him, without any judgment or hesitation...

Kishimoto just made them for Him and nothing cam change my mind, they are similar to him and so do Sasuke to them.

The everlasting love on Ao3

[anime97-99]

PARALLELS: Fate is an Endless Cycle

I might do more parallel analyses from Naruto or Boruto later, but for now, I will focus on analyzing Sarada, Boruto, and Kawaki. We all know Kishimoto (and his pupil Ikemoto) loves to recycle his work!!

The New Konoha’s Sun and Shadow

Sarada and Naruto

1. Shared Goal of Becoming Hokage

• Both Sarada and Naruto are united in their ambition to become Hokage, driven by their desire to protect their loved ones and lead their village with strength and compassion. Sarada, in particular, mirrors Naruto’s growth, learning to balance leadership and care for others while staying true to her ideals of protection and justice. Naruto’s dream was born from loneliness, but for Sarada, it represents both responsibility and love for her village, similar to how Naruto’s ideals evolved from his yearning to be recognized and valued.

2. Symbol of the Sun

• Sarada embodies the sun, just like Naruto, both in terms of personality and in her Mangekyo Sharingan, which has a design resembling the sun. This is a fitting parallel as both characters shine brightly as beacons of hope for their communities. For Naruto, the sun represented his unyielding spirit and optimism, while for Sarada, it symbolizes the warmth and strength she strives to provide for others, illuminating the path ahead, no matter the obstacles.

3. Friendship and Loyalty

• Sarada’s loyalty to Boruto mirrors Naruto’s undying commitment to Sasuke, even when faced with seemingly insurmountable challenges. Sarada refuses to “sell” Boruto out, reflecting Naruto’s declaration during the Pain arc that he would never abandon Sasuke. Both Sarada and Naruto share an unwavering belief in their friends, no matter how difficult the journey. Sarada, like Naruto, also faces the challenge of standing by those she cares about, even when they make mistakes or become misunderstood by others.

4. Protective Actions

• Sarada, like Naruto, creates a technique specifically to protect those she holds dear. Boruto. This mirrors Naruto’s own journey, where he developed a technique to protect Sasuke especially, his friends and the village. Both characters are driven by an innate need to protect others, even at the cost of their own safety, highlighting their deep commitment to those they love.

5. Belief in Others

• Sarada, much like Naruto, never gives up on the people she cares about, even when others have written them off. Just as Naruto continued to believe in Sasuke, Sarada is the only one who still believes in Boruto when others doubt him. This parallels Naruto’s core belief that people can change, and it reinforces their shared understanding that love and trust can overcome any obstacle, no matter how difficult.

6. Foundation of Love

• The driving force behind both Sarada’s and Naruto’s ambitions is love. Whether for their village, their friends, or their ideals. Sarada’s desire to become Hokage is rooted in her love for the people she wants to protect, much like Naruto’s dream was founded on the love and desire to form meaningful bonds with others. Their journeys are both fueled by a deep sense of connection to others, with love acting as the central foundation for their actions and decisions.

7. Naivety and Struggles with Emotions

• Sarada, like Naruto, struggles with understanding the emotions of others at times. This isn’t due to malice or being hypocritical, but because of her inexperience and naivety in navigating complex emotional landscapes. Sarada, much like Naruto in his early years, can be somewhat impulsive and unaware of the emotional impact her actions have on others. This makes her relatable, as both characters exhibit a certain “carelessness” when it comes to reading and understanding others, echoing Naruto’s own challenges with the same thing early in his journey.

They don’t fully understand their own feelings for Boruto and Sasuke. The difference is that Yodo actively questions Sarada about her feelings, making her reflect on them, while Naruto never had someone to do that for him. This left his emotions unresolved.

In The Last, his first open conversation about romance takes place with Sakura. As I mentioned in my long Naruto analysis post, Naruto does understand Love, but he does not understand the different Kinds of Love. He likely measured his feelings by quantity. He really liked Sakura, who was bullied too and admired her strength (probably since she was a girl and he liked her as a person he thought that she would be his girlfriend since every man married a girl they “liked”) (Sakura, in The Last, also said that kid Naruto probably liked her because he didn’t want to lose to Sasuke, which implies how unaware Naruto is of his own feelings), and cared deeply for Sasuke, his closest bond and best friend. However, he wasn’t sure if that bond was purely platonic or romantic because he simply didn’t understand the difference and guided himself with what he saw as common.

As a result, when thinking of Sasuke, he assumed it would feel like a brotherly connection because of how personal it was. Yet, in Boruto, he denies the idea of Sasuke and him having a brotherly relationship but does not specify what it actually is, this is because he has matured and probably realized a deep secret about himself, but he still tries to push and deny it.

This journey of self-discovery follows a person’s life and how is shaped by hardships, good moments, and bonds. Naruto never had someone who could explain to him why people marry (thought many of them at that time were probably arranged marriages) or date. That is why he told Sakura that he liked her the same way he liked others, even desserts, which only added to her confusion.

As Eida said… The Drama!!😱 Love, whether romantic or not, is hard to understand. But judging by Daemon’s reaction, it now feels like they are implying the romantic kind. So, is Mitsuki starting to develop romantic feelings for Boruto?? Or just friendship??

Maybe he is confused about who Boruto is since he doesn’t remember, and his feelings for his “Sun” is causing that Eida’s powers are becoming less and less effectived to him. Since he is thinking more about Boruto than Eida. It feels that he still doesn’t fully understand his feelings.

Boruto and Sasuke

1. Symbol of the Moon

• Boruto is intrinsically tied to the moon, just as Sasuke is. Sasuke’s eyes, particularly his left Sharingan, are special, while Boruto’s unique right eye, the Jougan (Pure Eye), signifies his connection to Sasuke. Both characters bear the weight of special eyes that mark them as important figures in the world of shinobi. Boruto’s eye, like Sasuke’s, are a reflection of his growing potential, and their connection mirrors the bond between the moon and the sun, two different forces that are still intrinsically linked.

2. Fighting Style

• Boruto has adopted the Uchiha fighting style, which is a direct nod to Sasuke. He chooses a sword as his weapon of choice, reminiscent of Sasuke’s iconic sword and his battle techniques. This shows Boruto’s natural affinity for Uchiha methods and highlights how he, despite his differing personality, follows in Sasuke’s footsteps. This adoption of the Uchiha style also signifies that Boruto is not only linked to Sasuke in terms of his eyes but also in the way he approaches combat.

3. Serpent Summoning

• Like Sasuke, Boruto forms a contract with snakes. This parallel is clear, as Sasuke is famous for using snakes in battle, whether for combat, transportation, or summoning them for various purposes. Boruto’s affinity for the snake summons (Garaga) reflects the same bond Sasuke had with them, reinforcing the shared connection between them. Thought Sasuke later chose a hawk, Garuda.

4. Appearance

• Boruto’s resemblance to Sasuke is striking, both in terms of physical appearance and clothing style. While they aren’t blood relatives, the visual parallels are hard to ignore. Boruto shares many traits with Sasuke, such as the dark, spiky hair and sharp features, reinforcing their connection. This resemblance isn’t just superficial but also symbolic of the deeper ties between them, signifying that Boruto is, in many ways, Sasuke’s spiritual successor.

5. Criminal Reputation

• Boruto, due to Eida’s influence, is seen as a “criminal” or a troublemaker by some, despite his good intentions. This mirrors Sasuke’s own reputation as an outcast, labeled a “criminal” by the village during his vengeful path. However, unlike Sasuke, Boruto’s actions are not driven by revenge but by the pressure of wanting to be recognize by his father (cough-Sasuke’s daddy issues-cough) and his desire to be taken seriously. The influence of Eida’s power adds complexity to Boruto’s situation, as it creates a distorted view of his character. This highlights the burden of perception, much like Sasuke’s struggles with his own reputation. Boruto is hunted by the village mirrors how Sasuke was pursued by Konoha after leaving and Sarada and Naruto are the only one who still believed in them respectively.

Also…👀

And a funny one!! The beef!!🤣 Reminds you of a kid’s grudge about a black haired kid acting cool?!

I recently read an analysis on Twitter comparing Sarada and Obito. While the parallels are valid, especially with Boruto saving Sarada and getting his eye cut similar to Kakashi, there are still stronger connections between Obito and Naruto. After all, in Shippuden, Obito was directly compared to Naruto. Sarada’s ideology mirrors Naruto’s, as she wants to protect the village, sees the citizens as family, and believes in love and bonds.

Some also draw comparisons between Sarada and Boruto’s relationship with Sasuke and Sakura or Obito and Rin. However, I don’t see those as strongly. It’s true that Rin once said she would support Obito as Hokage, but she didn’t love him romantically, her feelings were for Kakashi. In that sense, she parallels Sakura in the Naruto manga, though her character and the decisions she makes are still different. It feels like fans try to deny the parallels between Sasuke and Naruto because of what they may imply.

I also wanted to point out that Naruto isn’t the only parallel to Obito, since Sasuke’s Rin is Naruto.

🍥🍜🍥🍜🍥🍜🍥🍜🍥🍜🍥🍜🍥🍜🍥🍜🍥🍜🍥🍜🍥🍜🍥

A Cycle of Sacrifice

Kawaki and Boruto vs. Sasuke/Itachi and Kurama/Naruto

1. Kawaki

• Kawaki’s extreme views on peace and his willingness to sacrifice everything for what he believes in directly parallel Sasuke’s early ideologies. Both Kawaki and Sasuke share a complex relationship with sacrifice, they are willing to go to great lengths to bring about a change, even at the expense of their own happiness or lives. However, unlike Sasuke, Kawaki’s approach is reckless and more openly driven by hatred and revenge, showing a more volatile path. Kawaki’s path is one of destruction and rebirth, much like Sasuke’s, but Kawaki’s potential to change remains more uncertain.

At the same time, his sacrifice feels really in line with Itachi’s!!

Or even Kurama when he didn’t accept Naruto!! Kurama hated humans, especially the Uzumaki. Similarly, Kawaki hates the Otsutsuki, yet Naruto is an Uzumaki and Boruto has Otsutsuki DNA. In Two Blue Vortex, he is even called Boruto Otsutsuki!!

2. Boruto

• Boruto shares many qualities with Itachi, especially in terms of his belief in the importance of bonds and the value of love. While Boruto mirrors Sasuke in terms of eye power and fighting style, he lacks Sasuke’s vengeful drive. Instead, like Itachi, Boruto seeks to understand and protect those he cares about, even if it means enduring hardship. Boruto’s approach is one of growth, adaptability, and emotional maturity, he’s willing to learn from his mistakes, much like Itachi did in his own tragic way.

Unlike Sasuke, who initially struggled to see the importance of bonds, Boruto embraces them, making him more aligned with Itachi’s belief in protecting his loved ones at all costs, even if it means bearing the weight of painful sacrifices and wanting to save his brother from it.

Boruto’s actions are driven by self-sacrifice and protection, which mirrors Itachi’s choices. His internal struggles with destiny and bonds reflect Itachi’s philosophical and emotional conflicts. Unlike Sasuke’s quest for revenge, Boruto’s maturity emphasizes preserving relationships and legacy. His empathetic nature and reflective decisions highlight an Itachi-like commitment to those he loves. Ultimately, Boruto embodies a blend of strength and emotional depth that aligns more with Itachi’s protective ideology than Sasuke’s path.

However, there's also a shared belief in Naruto's will to protect bonds, which Sasuke notices, this is part of why he decides to help him.

Boruto and Kawaki’s bond is often compared to that of brothers, with their rivalry and deep connection growing over time. But Naruto once said his relationship with Sasuke was different. He didn’t see Sasuke as a brother in the usual way. For Sasuke, Itachi was his true brother, and their bond was built on sacrifices and painful choices.

Naruto, however, saw Kurama, as his “brother.” What began as an enemy turned into a deep, sibling-like relationship. So while Boruto and Kawaki might have a more typical brotherly bond, Naruto and Sasuke’s connection was unique, shaped by their own struggles and unexpected bonds.

[bright-hope-spot-19]

All right, so there's a little something I wanted to rant about. I like Sasuke a lot, too, but there's one small thing his fans seem to mostly agree on that I just can't. It's in regards to the Kage meeting arc when Sasuke showed up, and he had a little confrontation vs. The sand sibs. As we know, Gaara tried to convince him not to turn to the darkness, even shedding a few tears, while Kank and Tem gave arguments as to why, in their opinions, Sasuke was a lost cause.

Sasuke stans proceed to respond to that scene by pointing out the hypocrisy of the sand sibs accusing Sasuke of being a hopeless criminal cause they're also criminals! They attacked Konoha, played active roles in an invasion, and killed people too! It just makes me wanna pull my hair out cause, no? Did they even pay attention to the chunin exams arc, or are they just making sheez up?

First things first, the sand sibs were all kids in that arc. They thought they were following their dad's orders, not even knowing their dad had been killed and they were being manipulated by Orochimaru. So, making them responsible for the attack is a bit bonkers? The elder was Temari, and she was just 15. She even has a canon scene in the manga questioning the validity of their attack on Konoha cause she genuinely didn't want to do it. It was Baki their sensei in charge who gave them a whole spiel about the need for that attack, revealing the dire situation in Suna. Second, it's also funny how Sasuke's trauma is a valid excuse for him lashing out against everyone (I'm not holding it out against him or hating him for it. I also believe Sasuke was justified). But his stans will also turn around and consider the sand sibs' trauma as an invalid excuse for their behavior and the way they acted. Gaara literally had a bloodthirsty demon in his head whispering bloody hell to him 24/7, and Kankuro and Temari were put in charge of watching over a brother who constantly threatened to kill them. In addition to the canon fact, Suna is also stated to be way harsher than the Leaf, especially in their training. No wonder the sibs were such cruel bastards then! It's almost like they also had to grow up in an extremely merciless and unforgiving environment where their lives were at stake almost the entire time!

The sibs also don't kill anyone in that arc? I mean, Gaara certainly did, but not the other two? I mean, they tried, but none of their victims really died. As we all know, Tenten, Shikamaru, and Shino are all still alive. I guess there's Tsurugi, the guy who faced Kank in the pre-lims, but should he really count as a victim? We're never told he died, and he's just an irrelevant background character created to fill up Kabuto's team. He's literally never seen or brought up again after the pre-lims phase. The last detail worth mentioning here: Kankuro and Temari actually indirectly saved the Leaf from further destruction. It sounds crazy but makes sense when seen in retrospect. Once Gaara started losing control of Shukaku in the finals cause Sasuke was kicking his ass and was even the 1st person to make him bleed and the invasion was launched? Kankuro and Temari proceeded to go down to their unstable brother, picked him up, and ran towards the woods and AWAY FROM THE VILLAGE. When Gaara finally transformed into Shukaku and had his fight with Naruto, it was in the woods far away from civilization. If Tem and Kank hadn't done that, he would've transformed in the middle of the stadium, killing thousands in the process. People don't seem to realize if it weren't for Tem and Kank carrying Gaara to the woods and away from the village, then the series would've ended right there.

Do you know why they did that? Because they already had past experiences with Shukaku, Gaara had already gone full beast mode on Suna once, after Yashamaru's failed murder attempt. So, Kank and Tem already knew what it was like and intentionally carried him as far away as possible while he was unconscious, so he wouldn't do the same to Konoha. Because they were never on board with the invasion to begin with. So, it never quite made sense to me when Sasuke stans accused them of being criminals. I mean, yeah, they're shinobi. I'm pretty dang certain the sand sibs are amongst the teams with the highest body counts in the series. But making them fully responsible for the Konoha invasion when it's obvious it was all staged by Orochimaru is a bit much, in my opinion. That wasn't their fault, and I won't trust anyone who holds that against them.

The last point here is that the sand sibs should also not be made responsible for not feeling sympathy for Sasuke. They're from different nations and know very little bout him. We're not even told if these 3 know anything bout the Uchiha massacre. From what I remember, the only things Gaara and Co. know bout him are what they saw in the chunin exams, where Gaara has a canon scene stalking Sasuke's Chidori training with Kakashi and telling him he also has a darkness inside him. In addition to the Sasuke rescue arc. That's the sum of everything they know about Sask, so we can't blame them for not viewing him with the kindest eyes. After all, I really doubt Konoha would let the details of the massacre get out to other villages. And while yeah, that means the most they know bout his family situation is that they're all dead, that also won't mean much to them when half the children in this show are also orphans. So, blaming them cause they considered him a criminal, also doesn't make sense.

It's like, for a comparison, someone called you a hypocrite cause you won't sympathize with a friend of one of your acquaintances whom you're not friends with personally and you know near nothing bout this person, and what little you've seen of this person are negative things putting them in a negative light from your pov. So, when that friend does some bigger bad things, even if they're justified in any way, and you judge the friend for it, your acquaintance who is actually friends with the person will call you a hypocrite cause they actually had their reasons, even if you know nothing bout them.

Again, I'm not a Sasuke hater. I really like his actions, and I'm constantly defending him. I just can't side with half of his fandom hating on the sand sibs for stuff that was way out of their control and that they shouldn't be blamed for, lol.

[twomiddlefingersforthehaters]

When Itachi and Kisame came to kidnap Naruto, he was really really scared to see them.

While Itachi easily blocked Sasuke's Chidori, Naruto immediately began to draw out his Kyuubi chakra to perform 'Kuchiyose no Jutsu', seeing that Sasuke was in trouble. This same Naruto was scared to face Gaara....and he couldn't use the Kyuubi chakra to summon the toad to save Sakura, but despite being scared by Itachi and Kisame, he had no problem releasing his power when Sasuke was in trouble....

Naruto was extremely angry as Itachi kicked and punched Sasuke. When he was experiencing negative emotions like anger, it triggered him to teeth grinding. It showed that he was going to react physically, but it also meant that he was trying really hard to hold back his anger.... but it wasn't easy for him to see Sasuke hurt like that.

Although Sasuke had previously told him not to interfere in the fight with his brother, yet, he couldn't hold back anymore and rushes to Sasuke in great anger to stop Itachi from making Sasuke suffer any more.

He could hardly control his fury at what Itachi had done to Sasuke. He gets extremely enraged as he recalls the scenes of Itachi kicking and beating Sasuke, and takes the drastic decision to go after them with an angry tone.

His dire concerns for Sasuke's condition drove him to not hold back from proving his mettle to Tsunade, showing her that he was worthy to hold the title of Hokage so he could bring her back to Konoha to heal Sasuke and the others.

[shinoposting]

Continued Uchiha ramblings,

Ignoring every other fucked up thing that happened on this night: He's five here and being asked to not just feed himself but also provide for a three month old baby for the night.

And this was not a one-off. Not a brief lapse in judgement. It never stopped.

This is years later and they're going on as if this is normal. He's at least 8 here and now shouldered with not just the responsibilities of a shinobi but also of caring for his younger sibling. All of this, when he is also expected to leave for a mission before their parents even get home in the morning.

What do you think is actually being communicated here?

Is it, "Itachi went to these great lengths just for Sasuke!"?

( No, we already know the lengths he would go to. )

Or is it, "This kid cooked everything in the house with no forethought, he's clearly not mature enough for the task his parents have given him?"

( And by extension, he's really not mature enough to be a shinobi, either. )

--

Unrelated to the point, but I also want to highlight the reason they were alone on this night...

It's only after Sasuke expresses his disappointment that Fugaku asks if he wanted to come along. It feels like children aren't really welcome in this environment. Why would Mikoto's family not want to see these boys?

[watermelonsloth]

Something something the portrayal of trauma in Naruto is fascinating because of how much of the cast is explicitly or implied to be traumatized. This means that protagonists, antagonists, and everything in between are case studies in trauma response.

Something something traumatized characters lashing out in destructive or even violent ways isn’t necessarily framed as a bad thing. Instead, that violence is framed as a morally nuanced choice. The use of violence is a tool that can bring someone a sense of peace (Shikamaru “killing” Hidan) and prevent more people from getting hurt (Zabuza killing Gato, Sasuke killing Orochimaru), but it can also catch people who aren’t to blame in the crossfire (Sasuke killing the samurai and abandoning Taka) and perpetuate cycles of violence (the entire Pain arc).

Something something through Naruto, characters who lash out, even when they’re framed as being in the wrong, are also treated as being not only deeply sympathetic, but understandable. It’s not uncommon for a character to be given a flashback scene that’s meant to elicit the response “Of course they ended up Like That!” (Gaara, Neji, Itachi, etc.)

Something something the only trauma response that is consistently framed as the wrong way to cope is self-destruction and stagnation. This covers everything from Sasuke’s progressively self-sabotaging behavior to Chiyo’s self-isolation to Tsunade becoming an aimless addict to Shikamaru attempting to burry his emotions to Kabuto’s self-mutilation in an attempt to be more like his abuser.

[beliell]

Itachi Uchiha personality - a short analysis

Hey everyone! This is my first post here. I’ve just started watching Naruto in order, and of course, I couldn’t help but dig into the backstories and personalities of the characters—especially Itachi (lol).

I wanted to share my thoughts on what might be going on with his mental health, how I interpret his character, and, most importantly, hear what you think about this incredibly complicated guy. Let’s chat!

“As the one who holds the tangled strings of relationships that connect the past and future, when he moves, the wheels of destiny turn.” — Uchiha Itachi, Databook Introduction

Clinical Depression

From the very beginning, Itachi’s PTSD felt evident to me. The more I read about his personality and way of thinking, the more it seemed like a storm that was bound to break, independent of the Uchiha massacre incident

Key Signs:

Grew up facing conflicting situations from a young age

Experienced trauma related to war

Dealt with oppressive family dynamics and societal expectations

Witnessed suicide firsthand

Naturally philosophical, sensitive, and introverted personality

Tendency toward nihilism and existentialism

Suppressed emotions and avoided expressing feelings openly

Psychotic Depression

"Psychotic depression is characterized by mood disturbances accompanied by delusions, hallucinations, or both. Symptoms include sadness, hopelessness, guilt, and irritability."

"Patients may experience delusions (e.g., beliefs about having committed unpardonable sins, being persecuted, or harboring incurable disorders) and/or hallucinations, often auditory (e.g., hearing accusatory or condemning voices)."

It seems possible that Itachi’s genjutsu ability could be tied to this—perhaps as a coping mechanism to deal with the harshness of reality. While it is an invaluable tool in battle, his genjutsu also reflects his deeper philosophy. I have little doubt that this skill not only served him strategically but also symbolized his struggles with the elusive nature of truth and reality.

As [Zapenstap] analyzed:

"Itachi is an illusionist. As a genjutsu specialist, his work involves changing the perception of others. A simple genjutsu causes people to see a mirage, which renders their actions ineffective because they are “trapped” in their own minds and doing nothing in reality. However, as his skills improved, Itachi probably began to realize that genjutsu has depths much greater than the tactic to confuse an opponent. By chance he may have discovered that illusions can be more powerful than reality, and that by altering someone’s perception, he could control their actual world, and through that even change their beliefs. Ultimately, especially using the Mangekyou, he could compel others to reckon with a world of his own making.)* A revelation such as this would eventually cause a "existential" feeling of deep anxiety or dread. If Itachi can control others, then it must also be possible for others to control him. Genjutsu may be a force to reckon with in a fight, but it is magnanimously dangerous on a metaphysical level. As the student of another Sharingan user (Madara)**\*\*\*\*\*\*, Itachi would begin to question everything he knows or he thinks he knows about reality. “What is real?” How can he know that HE is not also being controlled or manipulated by a greater force?"

Itachi’s constant interplay with illusion and reality, combined with his already contemplative and burdened nature, could have exacerbated feelings of isolation, guilt, and dread, forming a cycle that defined his internal struggles.

Itachi’s existence unfolds in a perpetual dance between illusion and reality, a delicate interplay that not only reflects his contemplative and burdened nature but also amplifies his isolation, guilt, and existential dread. This endless cycle becomes the stage upon which his internal struggles are both enacted and perpetuated, shaping a uniquely harrowing relationship with himself.

His philosophy intertwines with his torment, creating a sadistic yet psychosomatic self-awareness.

Sadistic, in the sense that his acute understanding of the ninja system's inherent flaws—along with his role in perpetuating them—renders him painfully cognizant of his limitations. Despite possessing the extraordinary power to control and manipulate worlds—whether real or illusory—he remains powerless to alter the harsh truths of the actual world. It is a torment born from enlightenment, an existential irony that deepens his internal fracture.

Psychosomatic, because his inherently compassionate nature, though fractured and hardened over time, finds no refuge for the emotional storms within. The unexpressed weight of his anguish manifests physically, as if his body becomes the final repository of a soul too shattered to bear its own suffering.

Ultimately, Itachi inhabits a liminal state, teetering on the border of collapse—an emotional and physical threshold. His psyche, already fractured by the choices he was forced to make, battles against a body that can no longer endure the strain of suppressing his inner turmoil. In this fragile equilibrium, he becomes a poignant reflection of a man at war with himself, both within and without.

What do you think? Could these psychological insights align with Itachi’s character? I’d love to hear your thoughts!

[purpleajisai]

Uchiha Observation n°1: Sasuke’s lineage - headcanons, storyline and hints in canon

This post is part of the worldbuilding process for a fanfic idea that I’ve been maturing over the past year, so I will update this if needed. I have wondered about the relationship between Madara and Sasuke for a long while now, and I knew there has to be a deeper connection than just reincarnations of Indra. The moment that piqued my interest was the point that Hashirama made about Sasuke looking like Izuna, implying that if Madara saw someone so similar to his beloved younger brother he could listen to what Sasuke had to say and perhaps change his mindset in regards to the war.

This cannot be a coincidence. Today, I’m going to share my headcanon regarding Madara and Sasuke’s kinship: Sasuke is Madara’s great nephew, connnected through Izuna. Here is the genealogical tree:

First of all, let’s explain Izuna’s generation. Of course, you can see Madara represented there as an older brother as well as the 4 unnamed younger siblings mentioned in the river flashbacks. The language used by Madara suggest that there were 5 other siblings aside from him, not 5 in total and including him. In the case of Izuna, according to the databooks he died at age 24, which is definitely old enough to be married and have a child.

And perhaps the readers are wondering why I’m not considering Madara to be married as well since he’s not only older than Izuna but also the clan leader. The only reason why I’m not giving him a wife and kids at the time of Izuna’s death is because I want to adhere to canon in this regard (no spoilers about the fic’s plot).

In the storyline I’ve planned, Izuna would die and leave behind a little baby or even a pregnant wife. The exact moment is yet undecided. However, it is through this only son of Izuna from which we can connect him to Sasuke. Once Izuna’s son grows up, having the pressure of being the last surviving heir to the clan, it’s not far-fetched for this man to have more than 2 children to ensure his legacy and prevent the clan from descending into anarchy. The reason why his firstborn son, who would be Izuna’s eldest grandson, is marked as “disgraced” in this chart is because the existence of this generation collides with the 2nd Great Ninja War. A possible reason I may consider to add for his fall into disgrace and shunning by the clan is that he would’ve left some Uchiha comrades to die in order to protect important Konoha intel, therefore gaining the reputation of a traitor and not being suitable for inheriting the clan’s leadership.

With the eldest son banned from the position of clan heir, the younger son would immediately take his place. From the disgraced eldest brother, we get Obito’s ancestry, and from the younger brother we get Mikoto’s generation. For Obito’s case, I theorize a normal Uchiha picked at random wouldn’t be able to handle the toll of Madara’s eyes, whether in EMS or Rinnegan form. Technically speaking, these eyeballs are actually Izuna’s, reinforcing his importance for this lineage. Please consider the importance of genetics in handling kekkei genkai in the Naruto universe. For Mikoto’s case, I added an older brother for her. Why? Because it used to be a custom in the Sengoku period and the subsequent Edo period to follow agnatic (male-only) succession for leadership. The death of Mikoto’s brother would put Fugaku as a leader, given that he’s the husband of a bearer of the lineage of clan leaders.

Finally, we get to Itachi and Sasuke. Neither one nor another were “normal” Uchiha: both unlocked the mangekyo sharingan and handled the toll of the Susano’o, among other remarkable feats. If Sasuke is connected to Madara through Izuna’s descendants, it would imply the existence of a direct line of ancestry that starts with Indra himself. The headcanons regarding the internal structure of the Uchiha clan will be discussed in a future post. The direct family line from Izuna to Sasuke can therefore explain why both looked so similar (recessive genetics) and why Madara felt nostalgic or touched at the sight of someone who resembled his beloved little brother so much.

Thanks for reading thus far, and if you have any questions plkease use the blog’s ask box.

[sasucaty]

it's supposed to be one comedic scene for sasuke to declare his desire to be a hokage in war arc and the still fandom CLOWNS him for it despite sasuke having an actual reason to be one.

Sasuke had his entire clan murdered by his dear older brother leaving him as an orphan and he spent his entire childhood and teenage years as an avenger chasing after that said older brother in hunger for revenge. When he finally kills his older brother and believes that he avenged his parents and clan, he faces an uncomfortable truth. His older brother was apparently forced by the government of his own motherland to commit genocide against his clan. The revenge sasuke spent years on vanished into nothing and yet again remained uncompleted. He also realises that his very dear older brother's last wish was for sasuke to protect his own motherland and so the only conclusion he could come up with is to replace the pathetic corrupt government and TRULY avenge his people and protect his country at the same time.

[wispforever]

Some thoughts on Itachi

So, I've seen a lot of comments circulating about my tags on this post, and I'm intrigued at the interest. I didn't expect it, as I see much more pigeonholing of Itachi's character than honest to god analysis. No hate- I'm no stranger to Kishimoto's writing. Some of his characters were unfortunately butchered or never given the chance to be developed properly, and Itachi is most certainly no exception. That said, I like to grant him a bit more nuance than I see on most blogs. I think people get a little wrapped up in the supposed "moral implications" of exploring how Itachi was also a victim of the system, as well as someone who victimized many people. But it's silly to equate character analysis and context consideration with condoning genocide.

I have a good laugh every once and a while at the metaphorical gymnastics people do in order to stay in the good graces of a bunch of internet trolls who are just Waiting for any opportunity to tell you you love murder and think it's delicious just because you made a post exploring a character's background. Media is grey; it's layered and wonderfully complex. There are many wrongs and rights in every story, and many wrongs and rights within those wrongs and rights. That's what I love about Naruto. Often times it's really too much like real life. Instead of people being black and white, right or wrong, bad or good- they're usually in a tough situation, trying their best and falling short, don't have all of the information, acting with good intentions or acting on what they believe will bring about a lesser evil, and then end up hurting others.

But it is much easier to assign blame and move on. A so-called bad person will always be the perfect scapegoat for issues bigger than them. In Itachi's case, the fascist government in the Leaf. It's easier to say Itachi could have just refused and decided not to be involved, than to recognize that like almost every other character in the narrative, he was under extreme duress, living in a military state. He was a child whose existence, along with all the other children and adults in the Leaf, was only valuable as long as he could serve as a tool for the war machine in the shinobi world's fucked up political system. And saying this is not the same as saying he was not capable of better decisions or that everything that he did thereafter or in general should not be read critically or subject to hypothetical consequences. It is the same as a saying his actions cannot be fully understood without complete context, and the themes of Naruto will never come through if every villain is just "evil" with no further nuance. And it would be boring too LOL

That said, I love to think about Itachi's situation back then. The ages in Naruto are a bit muddled, a little inconsistent, subject to change and interpretation, but Itachi was a child when he murdered everyone in the Uchiha compound. Most sources say he was 13. It should go without saying that someone so young isn't capable of the same decision-making or critical thinking as say, a 30-year-old, someone whose brain is finished developing and has much more experience on Earth.

Itachi's experience at this point in his life is informed by his age, and it's obviously informed by his childhood, as he has no other place from which to draw conclusions. Itachi grew up in a warring state. He saw people die and was subject to extreme violence in his formative years. To make matters worse, he was taught that war was inevitable and the only thing he could do to guard against it was kill others before they got the chance to kill him (threaten the village). Thusly, Itachi internalized at a very young age that what was in his power was to minimize damage (to himself, to his village, and to the world). What was not in his power was to stop this violence entirely (by adopting a critical mindset and going against fascist powers).

A part of this I think people often forget is that Itachi has absolutely nowhere to adopt this mindset FROM, as even though his father and the other members of the Uchiha clan seek equity in the Leaf, if they were to overthrow the Hokage and create a new system, it would still presumably center around the same ideals (minus, of course, the oppression of the Uchiha as a group). Fugaku is the head of the Uchiha clan at this time. As someone who imposed near impossible performance-related expectations on both of his sons, and withheld love and affection whenever they came up short (so often that it was at the cost of having any considerable emotional bond with either of them), there is absolutely no good reason to believe that Fugaku would reform the Leaf using a non-fascist ideology. And if he did, there is no good reason to believe that he would be some kind of visionary LMAO

This is important to remember because when it comes down to Itachi's decision to either kill everyone in the Uchiha compound and his family, or be part of the coup that would overthrow the Leaf, some people treat it as though it's a choice between fascism and non-fascism, which it most certainly is not. And if it was, Itachi, as a child who had grown up immersed in this ideology, would not be able to appreciate the difference. This context allows us to understand further what Itachi was really weighing in that moment. Accounting for his young age and limited worldview, the only valuable difference in this moment to Itachi was the amount of bloodshed that he would "allow" to happen. Essentially, he sees the options as follows:

Either give in to Danzo and kill everyone in the Uchiha compound, or facilitate a coup where the current government is (hopefully) overthrown and risk starting another war.

Here, Itachi pauses. He has known war. He knows how it affects children, adults, families, and whole nations. The peace he's living in currently is bought with blood, but it's the only peace he's ever known. The alternative is horrifying. And a war in this context, Itachi likely thinks, would be his fault, as he has now been put in the position to "prevent" it. Danzo and the whole shinobi system have groomed him into thinking so. Itachi, at age 13, cannot understand that there would be no war; it exists only as leverage for Danzo's argument at this point. His sensitivities are being played on.

Fugaku, though he is not the same as Danzo, offers about as much help as he does (that being none). Fugaku has no interest in avoiding war; if a war breaks out, it's justified because it will still mean his clan will no longer be living in oppression. This idea is valid, as fascist systems and discrimination can only cease to exist when we rise up against them; unfortunately, this most often calls for righteous violence, as the oppressive powers will not be moved with peaceful shows (not to mention they are willing to go to extreme lengths to avoid losing their hold on the people they have crushing power over, i.e. the Uchiha massacre). But Fugaku has no words to explain this to Itachi, who fears the worst and further fears being responsible for the worst. All he does is act as if it's a moral failing that his 13-year-old son is unwilling to stage a coup, which he believes could mark the abrupt end of a peace that's only just begun.

That said, let it be known that Itachi does appreciate this situation with SOME nuance, though it isn't of the kind that might have enabled him to see he was being manipulated. He at the very least understands that Danzo is a warmonger and oppresses those he fears (the Uchiha). He understands that the rights of his clan have been sorely disrespected, and that the issue needs correction. He understands the anger of his friends and family. This is why it takes him much deliberation before he can even come close to making a decision. He plays both sides right up until the end, listening to Danzo, as well as Fugaku and Shisui, paying attention to the current atmosphere in the Leaf as he tries to decide.

It is something he doesn't want to do. Here's where I get to the part I put in the tags of my drawing.

In this situation, it's almost worthless to write an analysis about Itachi's feelings at this time, his understanding of what was actually going on, his loyalty to his clan or his loyalty to the Leaf, because really, he could not grasp it. He was never prepared for this. He never knew he would be asked to make a decision he could only understand as "your family or the world?"

Itachi was put in a position that had no happy ending. There was no decision he could make that would not hurt. That could not result in a cataclysm that split him right down the middle. There was no version of this story that a 13-year-old could carry out thinking "I have done the right thing."

And that's the important part. Both sides asked him to make this decision, and so both sides are guilty of placing an immeasurable pressure on a child who should never have been put in such a position. Regardless of ideology, regardless of price, regardless of oppression or loyalty or devotion or any other thing- someone else should have made this decision for Itachi. Someone else should have been responsible. An adult, at the very least. Someone who COULD understand the implications of both options. Someone who COULD go forward and appreciate the evil of fascism and know that a coup was necessary. Itachi was never capable of such a thing. If he made the "wrong" decision, than every child who can't explain to you what a fascist government in a military state looks like and explain what the difference is between a hate crime and resisting a hateful power, is also wrong. Here is the nuance. These are things a 13-year-old in this universe cannot be expected to understand unless they are taught. And Itachi had no teacher. Quite the opposite. There were only forces pressing him from both sides, saying "choose."

Had his father done this for him, had Shisui been in this position, had any other adult Uchiha acting as a spy been put to this task, it would be a much different narrative. But of course, it had to be Itachi, who Danzo knew he could manipulate. It had to be a child, someone skilled enough to do the job, but inexperienced enough, afraid enough, to be willing to sacrifice everything they had to see the mission through. Someone you could whisper "greater good" to and have them hand over their well being on a plate. Someone who didn't understand they had the power and strength to destroy the system threatening them.

On a narrative level, Itachi exists to illustrate this point. How young people are systematically indoctrinated to serve a greater purpose, be it under a specific government, religion, or otherwise. We see it in real life fascism, in real life cults. There's no mistake. It isn't an accident that Itachi's story begins like this.

Which brings me to the rest of his life. The reason I drew the picture in the post referenced at the top. Itachi's character is a bit of a mystery the rest of the anime. Be that because of bad writing or an intentional omission, his motives, thoughts, and opinions are largely left ambiguous. However, there are still a few moments that interest me as far as the implications of his development.

When Itachi first comes back to the Leaf village, he faces Kakashi. On the one hand, this could simply be a narrative tool- the big bad meets the big good. He takes Kakashi out of commission! The first rogue shinobi we see who is able to defeat the pillar of the Leaf, the Copy Ninja, and without even breaking a sweat!

On the other hand, I find the brutality of Itachi's attack very intriguing. Again, it could be the tough guy act, but he's able to keep three jonin busy easily using standard genjutsu (with the help of Kisame). It wouldn't be a stretch to say that using the tsukuyomi is overkill, and at a considerable price, we learn later.

Why then would Itachi, who has been shown to have excellent battle intelligence, who is strategic to a fault, be willing to jeopardize his health among other things just to... scare the Leaf? Make sure Kakashi wouldn't be a nuisance in the future? Sure, the last one would make collecting Naruto less complicated, but they dispatched Kakashi easily enough, and surely Jiraiya, who Naruto was with at the time, would pose a bigger problem than Kakashi.

It doesn't make strategic sense, which makes me wonder if Itachi has a special animosity toward Kakashi. Being his superior in the ANBU before the Uchiha massacre, someone who was willing to conduct surveillance of the Uchiha compound without question, Kakashi could have become a symbol of the indifference of the Leaf for Itachi. He could very well have been a reminder of the inoperable position Itachi was put in when he was still a child, and Kakashi, of course, was an adult. Another adult who did nothing. Noticed nothing. Did not help Itachi.

And while I'm certain that Kakashi would have taken severe issue with the goings on in the Leaf at that time, judging by his reaction when he finds out the truth in Shippuden, Itachi knows him only by what he did then. Facilitated surveillance of the Uchiha compound, was a supportive superior, but nothing greater. A bystander whose compassion, while well meaning, was entirely unhelpful.

I don't think it's far fetched that Itachi fucking crucified Kakashi because he was so angry at what being in the Leaf did to him. At some point, as he got older, he realized how terrible it was. He realized there were people like him. Children who were "born killers". Pawns in the game of the shinobi powers.

After leaving the village, Itachi joins the Akatsuki, who are also seeking peace through war (another story). He is supposed to spy for them, but doesn't follow through in any enthusiastic way (that we're shown). He works alone for quite some time, or else with a group (briefly he was shown with Conan and Kakuzu). He is partners with Orochimaru before he's expelled from the Akatsuki. He is partners with one of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist. He grows up and meets many people, sees lots of stories unfold. He learns that he isn't in a minority. Many shinobi are just like him.

And then, as an adult, he is partnered with Kisame, who he finds excellent camaraderie with because of their similar backgrounds. We see in this relationship that he understands what happened to him and what he did enough to acknowledge that, while neither of them are monsters, as many people say, they are human. And humans make mistakes. Humans are complicated. Wrong and right and wrong and right. They understand each other, and Itachi understands more clearly what the world puts these children up to. What it forces shinobi to become. That it isn't all his fault, but he still did it. And so he is responsible. He appears to be able to live with that.

But when he returns to the Leaf, those feelings bubble up. He hates the Leaf. He hates that system. He hates what he did. Maybe he even hates being a shinobi, how his excellence was weaponized, how being an Uchiha doomed him and his clan. And for what?

Itachi is played as a character who is only sensible, only logical, only interested in practical things, has nothing to express. But the way he behaves toward Kakashi in that moment bares all his grief and anger. I just like to think about it. We have so few moments where we get to see Itachi genuinely. The fight with Kakashi, the Sasuke/Deidara fight, his thoughtful moments with Kisame. Just makes me wonder what could've been if Itachi's story had gone a little differently.

Anyway, if anyone would like me to expand on any points or has additional thoughts, feel free to hop in my ask box or leave a comment. Thanks for the interest, I love to talk.