Did Itachi Know That the Masked Man Was Obito?
Many fans of the Naruto series and related works have wondered if Itachi Uchiha ever realized that the mysterious masked man he faced, known as Tobi, was actually his former teammate, Obito Uchiha. While this question has sparked much debate and speculation in the anime fan community, we can answer this with a clear, though perhaps disappointing, resolution based on the information provided in the series.
No, Itachi Did Not Fully Realize It Was Obito at First
The answer to whether Itachi knew the masked man was Obito is straightforward yet unsatisfying. When Itachi met Tobi in Akatsuki, he sincerely believed that Tobi was Madara. This belief is not entirely unfounded, given that Itachi was a highly trusted and perceptive member of Akatsuki, and his initial reaction guided by his objective analysis of his enemies. Moreover, Itachi was not the only one who thought Tobi was Madara; even Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage, mistakenly believed Tobi to be Madara, further cementing this misconception among the Akatsuki members. Only a few of the Akatsuki members knew the true identity of the masked man: Pain, Konan, Zetsu, Itachi, and Kisame. The rest, including all other members and most of the Shinobi world, believed Tobi to be Madara.
However, There Were Indirect Clues
Although Itachi did not directly realize that the masked man was Obito, he did have suspicions and indirect information that pointed in this direction. It was only after the war between Akatsuki and Konoha, when the masked men finally revealed their true identities, that Itachi and his companions were able to piece together the puzzle. The dramatic reveal of Tobi's true identity marked a turning point in the series, revealing a complex and layered plot that included not just Madara, but also Obito, who was using the guise of Tobi to manipulate events.
Obito’s Role in the Uchiha Cleanup and Its Impact on Itachi
Throughout the series, Itachi was aware that something was amiss with Tobi. Obito, who was using Tobi’s body, played a significant role in the Uchiha massacre, which Itachi had meticulously planned to eliminate the Uchiha clan and remove a potential threat to the Hidden Leaf Village. The actions of Tobi (Obito) during these battles suggested a level of familiarity and intent that struck a chord with Itachi, who could not help but recognize the remnants of his old teammate albeit under a different identity.
Sasuke’s Awakening and the Final Reveal
The critical moment of truth came during the final battle with Obito, where Itachi’s suspicions were confirmed. When Sasuke, the younger brother of Itachi, awakened the power of Amaterasu and set Obito on fire, there was a dialogue between the two that revealed Itachi's true understanding of Obito's identity. This scene serves as the final confirmation that Itachi indeed knew Obito was his former teammate, albeit in the form of the masked man Tobi. However, it should be noted that at no point did Itachi explicitly reveal his knowledge to Obito or the rest, maintaining the complexity and secrecy of their shared history.
Conclusion
In summary, while Itachi did not initially realize that the masked man was Obito, he had enough information and indirect knowledge to suspect it and recognize Tobi’s true identity in the final battle. However, the series never explicitly states that Itachi knew from the very beginning, leaving room for further interpretation and analysis among fans and viewers.