A family destroyed, the Uchiha Clan is decimated in the night. Why did Itachi Uchiha kill his clan?
Itachi Uchiha killed his clan under the order of Danzo. He told Itachi of a coup d’etat planned by the Uchiha that would result in a civil war against the Leaf Village. Danzo proposed that Itachi kill his clan to protect the village, while shifting blame onto Itachi so Sasuke wouldn’t hate the village for destroying the Uchiha.
It’s true the Uchiha clan were planning to overthrow the village from its founding clans. Danzo used this as an opportunity to coax Itachi into killing his clan, with Sasuke’s exclusion as a reward. Considering the massacre of the Uchiha clan inevitable should they engage in civil war, Itachi accepted the deal to end his clan early so long as Sasuke was spared.
Itachi did not kill Sasuke because he loved him too much. Danzo allowed Sasuke to be spared from the planned Uchiha massacre so long as Itachi seemed alone in the plan. Itachi’s deal to let Sasuke live meant painting himself as a completely rogue ninja under no orders.
Other Questions
Itachi was ordered by Danzo to kill the Uchiha clan. Originally, Danzo tells Itachi that his clan is going to try to overthrow the village government, and must be stopped. The truth is later revealed that Danzo was more interested in obtaining the power of the Sharingan than he was protecting Konoha.
Itachi was 13 years old when he killed his clan. It seems young, but he was an Anbu Black Ops member by age 11 and a Chunin by 10.
What If Itachi Didn’t Kill His Clan?
If Itachi didn’t kill his clan, the Uchiha would have attempted to overthrow the founding clans of the village. The Uchihas were regulated to the village’s police force, a small operation in comparison to other clan responsibilities. Danzo used Itachi as a pawn to obtain sharingans, but it’s true that a revolt was brewing.
Who Killed Itachi’s Girlfriend?
Itachi killed his girlfriend. She was one of the first victims of the Uchiha clan massacre. Itachi used his Tsukuyomi on her, simulating their entire life together as a couple before her death.
Itachi killed his clan because he was under the impression they were going to overthrow the village. Danzo struck a deal with Itachi that allowed Sasuke to be spared, so long as Itachi made it seem that he simply went rogue to test his power.