I don't think he's a villain

[Darthmoe]

It seems to me that Itachi is not actually a villain, but instead was forced to do the evil things he did.

When he came to capture Naruto initially, he told Kurenai and Asuma that he did not intend to hurt them and it seems like he had chances to kill them (Kurenai Asuma Kakashi) but did not deliver fatal blows, instead just tried to stop them.

For some reason, i think Itachi used Mangekyou Sharingan on Kakashi so that Kakashi could copy the technique/ learn how it works, and use it himself for good. By good i mean that Itachi probably has similar motives to the Konoha ninja, but is in a complicated situation.

The situation being Tobi's control over Akatsuki / Itachi. Someone mentioned on the boards that they thought Tobi actually is the one who made Itachi wipe out his clan. And Itachi probably was not supposed to leave Sasuke alive, but did because he is not a villain, and needed someone to surpass him and eliminate Tobi.

And then, Kisame says "From here, it looks like you are crying, Itachi" He seems good.

[darkmetal505]

Itachi is the disgruntled youth who comes of age in the Narutoverse.

[Assassin]

There is absolutely no proof of anything you said.

[TheBladeChild]

There is absolutely no proof of anything you said.

Hes right all your have is speculation. Also I kinda hope your wrong about Itachi turning out to be a good guy. Im tired of the whole "bad guy turning good" because they have a encounter with Naruto(or any anime character like him).

[February]

although it seems unlikely, your speculation is very interesting. If true, it would be a huge twist to the storyline and I would enjoy it alot.

[Assertn]

Well, it sounds like the popular sentiment among the manga rumors is that Itachi finds Naruto's group in this next chapter.

We'll see if it's true or not.

[thejustin2]

he wanted to show sasuke the true power of the sharingan while hoping to convince him to kill his best friend. remember itachi doing that? thats pretty freakin evil killing your best friend for personal gain, i think. although leaving his brother alive might have shown some remorse, he still killed off everyone else with the potential to use the sharingan.

[February]

Now that I think about it, it isnt that unlikely this theory might be true. After all, we still do not know why he let Sasuke live. If he was going to kill off his parents, he might as well kill off his brother too. And the whole attack on Sasuke and etc, Itachi trying to convince Sasuke to hate him might have a strong reason. Like persuading Sasuke to get stronger to kill the Akatsuki mastermind (as you said) or trying to see the full potential of the Sharingan (since Tobi did say that Sasuke's had more 'potential' than Itachi's)

I am almost convinced that Itachi is aware of Tobi's existence as a Sharingan user. And it also seems likely that he might be receiving orders from Tobi.

But even if his goals were for a just cause, you dont kill an entire clan including your parents for your plan, even if it was something good.
The only way I dont consider Itachi a villan is if he wasnt the one who killed off the Uchiha clan. Then again, being a villian can be cool :P

[Super5]

Seems a little outrageous to me. From my viewpoint, Itachi was trying his best to kill Kakashi and everyone he encountered in the first fight at Konoha. It's not very clear from the angle that it's drawn at, but I thought Itachi was aiming for critical spots when he was continuously stabbing Kakashi. Besides that, there is the question of whether someone can be killed by Tsukuyomi or not. He also barely missed Kurenai when he struck at her after reversing her genjutsu.

Your theory is also based on the premise that Tobi was stronger than Itachi before Itachi went missing-nin. I'm not even sure he's stronger than Itachi now - the only evidence for this is that he seems to be giving the orders behind the scenes. But, that doesn't necessarily mean that he's stronger, only that he's better at operating in secret. But it's a fair assumption that he is, so I won't argue the point any further.

A different theory for Itachi's actions might be that he believes in the younger generation, just like Asuma, Sandaime, etc. He challenged Sasuke to get stronger so that the next generation can surpass the previous one.

The major flaw in the theory you presented is that Itachi has committed the unforgivable sin in the Japanese view: murder of your parents and clan (extended family). This leads me to believe that Itachi is evil to the core, but Kishi could always surprise us.

[Assertn]

Seems a little outrageous to me. From my viewpoint, Itachi was trying his best to kill Kakashi and everyone he encountered in the first fight at Konoha. It's not very clear from the angle that it's drawn at, but I thought Itachi was aiming for critical spots when he was continuously stabbing Kakashi. Besides that, there is the question of whether someone can be killed by Tsukuyomi or not. He also barely missed Kurenai when he struck at her after reversing her genjutsu.

Itachi also used Tsukuyomi on Sasuke....twice....
I think it's pretty safe to say he wasn't trying to kill Sasuke.
I'm pretty sure if Itachi was really determined to kill the Konoha Jounin, he would have.

Also, I could argue that, from your viewpoint, Tobi runs away from everyone he encounters and is an overall coward who talks big. However, we now know that it was all just a deception Kishimoto gave us. Perhaps Itachi is the same way.

[iMUSTbeTHEdevil]

I am going to say that he is a villian. He did kill everyone in his village. The main qualification for any villian is being harmful to innocent people. -dg-

[February]

I am going to say that he is a villian. He did kill everyone in his village. The main qualification for any villian is being harmful to innocent people. -dg-

The thread starter also talked about this. A possible theory is that it wasn't Itachi who killed the village members but someone else, but made it to look like he did.

[SilentSnake]

Honestly - It was pointless to start a fight "Kisame and itachi vs Konoha" if their goal was to capture Naruto... It didn't really mattered who would kill whom and Itachi knew that.

Itachi fought, used MS, retreated, tried to get Naruto, met Jiraiya, said goodbye, told himself Naruto was weak for the time being anyway :P

Why can't it be that simple?

[dsh1202]

I actually agree with this theory because, Itachi could have killed kakashi, but yet he did keep him alive, (very wounded yet alive), and about getting the mangekyou sharingan, If the requirement for it is to kill your best friend, how did kakashi get his? i am pretty sure he didn't kill any of his best friends. I'am not sure if this has already been revealed or anything but if it hasn't, then the requirement for the mangekyou sharingan must be something different, or kakashi found some way around it. but then again, that still raises the question why would itachi tell sasuke that it was the requirement?

[Stoopider]

Someone who kills his village. Seem pretty villanioius to me. :P

But then again, evil is subjective. Orochimaru tested on people to gain power. Itachi massacred his family.

[Kyle_A]

if itachi was really good then why didn't he remain in his AMBU postition? seems silly.

[kAi]

Because playing cop is boring, being the robber is so much more fun.

[thejustin2]

and once youve surpassed everyone around you, there isnt many ways to test your strengths. you would decimate everybody anyway. thats why i had to kill all my friends, to see how powerful i really was! it was tough but i managed to pull through. i had to rest for weeks afterward, but i was sure no one was going to bother me being all like "are you ok thejustin?"

[flame2]

It seems to me that Itachi is not actually a villain, but instead was forced to do the evil things he did.

When he came to capture Naruto initially, he told Kurenai and Asuma that he did not intend to hurt them and it seems like he had chances to kill them (Kurenai Asuma Kakashi) but did not deliver fatal blows, instead just tried to stop them.

For some reason, i think Itachi used Mangekyou Sharingan on Kakashi so that Kakashi could copy the technique/ learn how it works, and use it himself for good. By good i mean that Itachi probably has similar motives to the Konoha ninja, but is in a complicated situation.

The situation being Tobi's control over Akatsuki / Itachi. Someone mentioned on the boards that they thought Tobi actually is the one who made Itachi wipe out his clan. And Itachi probably was not supposed to leave Sasuke alive, but did because he is not a villain, and needed someone to surpass him and eliminate Tobi.

And then, Kisame says "From here, it looks like you are crying, Itachi" He seems good.

I somewhat agree.... i do not beleive Itachi is... completely evil. And yes i agree with your tobi theory BUT i do think tobi wanted him to live... so sasuke could be the 3rd MS user. (Itachi Tobi then Sasuke) Yes we know that Kakashi is a MS user HOWEVER, you have to consider the fact that the MS user would have to cooperate in using it. Kakashi wouldnt use the power to unlock the secret tengu power.

(on a a completely diffrent note, if sasuke and itachi fight for REAL, i do NOT think sasuke will win... i think Itachi will come close to killing Sasuke, then Deidara (who wasnt dead) saves sasuke in wanted to kill Itachi)

[Darthmoe]

Mmmhmmm, I told you.