Danzo Shimura's Manipulation: Unveiling the Truth Behind Itachi's Massacre in Naruto

Naruto, one of the most popular anime and manga series, remains a fan favorite even after it has ended. Among the many interesting characters in the series, Itachi Uchiha is especially beloved by fans.

Despite ongoing debates among fans about whether Itachi should be considered a villain or an anti-villain, he is widely known for the brutal act of wiping out his entire clan, with the exception of his younger brother, Sasuke Uchiha. The story gradually reveals Itachi’s true motives for his extreme actions, leading to questions about the manipulative tactics used by Danzo Shimura to influence Itachi, one of the most powerful members of the Uchiha clan.

Danzo’s involvement in Itachi’s massacre of the Uchiha Clan in Naruto

Danzo’s manipulation

Danzo explains to Itachi the potential consequences of the Uchiha coup d'état in the narrative of Naruto. This was led by Fugaku Uchiha, who was the clan’s then-leader and also the father of Itachi and Sasuke.

Danzo claims that the Leaf village, under the leadership of the third Hokage lord Hiruzen, would have no choice but to take extreme actions against the Uchiha Clan in order to avoid a civil war. This would likely result in the complete destruction of the clan.

Additionally, Danzo highlights that in this situation, Itachi’s younger brother Sasuke, who was still a child and unaware of the situation, would also suffer the same fate as his brother. If Sasuke were to learn of the massacre of his clan by the Leaf shinobi, he could potentially develop vengeful feelings towards the village.

This image depicts Danzo as he appears in the Naruto anime series, produced by studio Pierrot.

When questioned by Itachi about whether his actions are a threat, Danzo presents a grim choice for Itachi to consider. He tells Itachi that he must either carry out the slaughter of his entire clan to save his younger brother, Sasuke, or allow the Leaf village to annihilate the Uchiha Clan, resulting in Sasuke's demise as well.

Danzo leaves the weight of the decision solely on Itachi's shoulders, forcing him to grapple with the consequences of either path he chooses.

True motives of Danzo Shimura

Danzo, despite his manipulative and morally twisted nature, firmly believed that all his actions were for the best interest of Konoha. He was ready to do whatever it took, even if it meant getting his hands dirty, all in the name of the village's well-being.

Naruto's storyline later uncovered the true, selfish motivations behind Danzo's actions. He was revealed to be a power-hungry shinobi with a personal agenda, seeking to obtain the Sharingan eyes for himself. This was made evident in his confrontation with Sasuke. To fulfill his desire for power, he even went as far as stealing one of Shisui Uchiha's eyes. Additionally, Danzo infused Hashirama Senju's DNA into his body in an attempt to gain greater control over the powers of the Sharingan.

Itachi’s actual reasons for aligning with Danzo's suggestion

Itachi, as seen in Naruto anime (Image via studio Pierrot)

It's worth noting that during this time, Itachi was also aware of Tobi's involvement and his hatred towards the Uchiha Clan and Konoha. Knowing this, Itachi offered Tobi a way to seek revenge on the clan without harming the village.

This indicates that Itachi wasn't completely under Danzo's manipulation and understood the complex dynamics at play. Whether it was the Uchiha Clan coup, Konoha's actions against the Uchihas, or the threat of Tobi's attack on the village, each situation posed a risk to Sasuke's safety.

Despite not being directly influenced by Danzo, Itachi still chose to align with his plan, recognizing it as the only viable means to safeguard his brother. This showcases Itachi's unwavering love for Sasuke, showing that his actions were not just a result of manipulation but fueled by a deep desire to protect his younger sibling.

Editor's P/S

As a Gen Z netizen, I feel that Danzo Shimura's manipulation of Itachi Uchiha in the Naruto series is a complex and thought-provoking storyline. While Danzo's actions were undoubtedly manipulative and morally questionable, it's important to consider the context in which he was operating.

The Uchiha clan was planning a coup d'état against the Leaf village, and Danzo believed that this would lead to a civil war that would destroy the village. He also believed that Itachi was the only one who could stop the coup and save the village.

Itachi was faced with an impossible choice: either he could carry out the massacre of his entire clan to save his younger brother, Sasuke, or allow the Leaf village to annihilate the Uchiha Clan, resulting in Sasuke's demise as well. It's understandable that Itachi would choose to save his brother, even if it meant sacrificing his own family and clan.

However, it's also important to remember that Danzo was not entirely blameless in this situation. He used manipulation and coercion to convince Itachi to carry out the massacre, and he did not fully disclose his true motives.

Ultimately, I believe that Danzo's actions were driven by a misguided sense of patriotism and a desire to protect the Leaf village. However, his methods were unethical and ultimately led to tragedy.