Itachi Uchiha, also known as the Clan Killer, is one of the Uchiha clan's finest memebers in Naruto. Ever since Itachi was a kid, he excelled at everything, be it Ninjutsu, Genjutsu, or Taijutsu. One of the youngest Uchiha ever to awaken the Sharingan, Itachi made sure to take his skills to the pinnacle and being the pacifist that he was, his goal was to bring about peace.
At the young age of 7, Itachi had the wisdom of a Kage, making him one of the smartest characters in the entire series. To surpass such a shinobi would prove to be an arduous task for anyone, yet there are few who have achieved this feat.
Updated on June 21, 2023 by George Voutiritsas: Itachi Uchiha is often considered to be the most powerful character in Naruto. Even by Uchiha standards, Itachi was a prodigy of the Sharingan, and his visual prowess was virtually unmatched. He gained access to the Tsukuyomi and Amaterasu after awakening his Mangekyo Sharingan. He went on to awaken the massive avatar known as the Susanoo, and it was equipped with a mythical sword that could pierce anything, as well as a shield that could block any attack. Based on his abilities, most of Naruto's characters do not stand a chance against Itachi. There are, however, a handful of characters who can defeat Itachi because they are stronger.
2 WEAKER THAN ITACHI
Sakura Haruno
While Sakura Haruno was often lamented as a weak and useless character in the ninja world, she was present and took part in the final epic battle against Kaguya and was pivotal in the final victory in the Fourth Great Shinobi War. She proved a true successor to Tsunade Senju and a peer for Sasuke and Naruto.
However, she was nearly caught in the Endless Tsukuyomi and needed to be rescued in order for her to join the fight against Kaguya. Itachi is a skilled practitioner of Genjutsu and could easily pacify the physical and close combat-based Sakura with his dominion over ranged techniques – those that affect both the body and the mind.
Mei Terumi
As one of Naruto's Kage, Mei Terumi is one of the strongest ninja in history, and thanks to her, the Mist Village was able to do away with its bloody reputation and reestablish diplomatic relations with other nations. She was proficient in Water Release, to the point that she could extinguish Madara's Fire Release.
She could use Lava Release to create acidic mud, and she could create corrosive mist with Boil Release. This mist is capable of melting a Susanoo's ribcage. That being said, she is weaker than Itachi Uchiha. Itachi's Susanoo holds the Yata Mirror, and Mei has no way to counter his Amaterasu.
Kakuzu
While Itachi was one of the Akatsuki's youngest members, Kakuzu was its oldest. When he was younger, Kakuzu was tasked with killing the First Hokage, and when he failed, his village punished and shamed him. This caused Kakuzu to leave the Waterfall Village, and he killed the elders, stole their hearts, and took the village's forbidden techniques for himself.
Thanks to the Earth Grudge Fear Technique, he could use the hearts of other ninjas like his own, thus giving him a form of immortality. He could even use their Nature Transformations. Kakuzu may be older, but he is weaker than Itachi. None of his attacks would get through the Susanoo, and his immortality means nothing to the Totsuka Blade.
Killer B
Killer B is the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki, and he had complete control of his Tailed Beast. He could transform at will, and fire Tailed Beast Bombs whenever he needed to. During his fight with Sasuke, B used an unorthodox sword style that even the Sharingan could not keep up with.
During the 4th Great Ninja War, B had a brief exchange with Itachi, and Itachi came out on top. Even if B transformed, Itachi would have the upper hand because of his Mangekyo Sharingan and the Amaterasu. Sasuke defeated B with the black flames, and Itachi would too.
Pain/Nagato
The Rinnegan made Pain/Nagato a frighteningly powerful shinobi. He had access to six bodies and six different sets of abilities that allowed him to single-handedly destroy the Hidden Leaf Village with devastating jutsu.
However, Pain would find himself wanting in the face of the Ninjutsu and Genjutsu at Itachi Uchiha's disposal. His Tsukuyomi, Amaterasu, and Susano'o would deflect whatever attacks that Pain would unleash and ultimately pacify the Rinnegan user. Ultimately, Itachi could remove Nagato from existence or leave him in a vegetative state.
Kisame Hoshigaki
Also known as the Tail-less Tailed Beast, Kisame was as strong as a regular shinobi could get. Being one of the Akatsuki members, Kisame was held in high regard even among all the S-ranked criminals in their ranks. He was partnered with Itachi Uchiha, and although some believe that they were equal, Kisame was, in fact, weaker than Itachi.
Even among the Akatsuki, nobody knew the true strength that Itachi possessed. His fighting prowess was phenomenal, and while Kisame was physically stronger, Itachi's Amaterasu and Tsukuyomi meant that it wouldn't take him long to subdue the former Kirigakure ninja.
Tsunade
Tsunade is the granddaughter of Hashirama Senju and the Fifth Hokage of Konohagakure. Blessed with immense talent, she became the finest medical ninja of her time and did an excellent job in raising the one who came after her.
As a member of the Legendary Sannin, there's no denying that Tsunade Senju is strong, but in comparison to Itachi, her strength withers away. Itachi is leagues above her in terms of skill. Orochimaru, another Sannin who is stronger than Tsunade, openly declared that Itachi was stronger than he was. Therefore, there isn't much of a threat that Tsunade poses to Itachi.
Orochimaru
One of the legendary Sannin, Orochimaru was arguably the strongest shinobi of his time. His knowledge about Ninjutsu was such that he had mastered all the five elemental natures and several Forbidden Jutsu on top of that. Orochimaru was a menace, but against Itachi, he could do nothing but admit his inferiority.
When the two fought, Itachi didn't even bother looking at him and he had him beat. After losing to Itachi, Orochimaru sought the body of his younger brother, since he believed it possessed even more potential than Itachi. Even as a Sannin, the gap between Orochimaru and Itachi was vast.
Kabuto Yakushi
Kabuto Yakushi was a disciple of Orochimaru who eventually went on to surpass him. After slowly absorbing Orochimaru, and many other Kekkei Genkai, Kabuto began to gain tremendous strength. Seeking even more power, he went to Ryuchi Cave and learned the Snake Sage Mode there.
While he believed himself to be close to the Sage of Six Paths, the truth couldn't be further than that. Kabuto, while strong, was easily defeated by Itachi. Although Itachi did have backup from Sasuke during that fight, much of it was needed just to set up the Izanami. It is also important to note that Itachi wasn't going all-out against Kabuto because he needed him alive to release the Edo-Tensei.
Kakashi Hatake
Kakashi Hatake was a prodigy, and he wielded the Sharingan that Obito gave him for most of the series, but he still struggled against Itachi Uchiha. Even with the Sharingan, Kakashi was trapped within Itachi's Tsukuyomi. Thanks to this powerful Genjutsu, Kakashi endured what felt like three full days of torture in a matter of seconds. He nearly died from this experience.
In Shippuden, Kakashi and his team managed to beat Itachi. Unfortunately, it was actually a clone that possessed just 30% of Itachi's chakra. It is true that Kakashi used a Susanoo in the battle with Kaguya, but it would not stand a chance against Itachi's. With the Totsuka Blade and Yata Mirror, Itachi's Susanoo was said to be invincible.
1 STRONGER THAN ITACHI
Jiraiya
Jiraiya was an exceptionally competent shinobi, and he was the only member of the Legendary Sannin who could actually beat Itachi. He was trained by the Third Hokage, and learned how to use Sage Mode while training with the toads of Mount Myoboku.
When Itachi and Kisame first appeared, they had a standoff with Jiraiya. Kisame wanted to fight, and Jiraiya stated that he could kill both of them. Itachi convinced Kisame to retreat because he knew Jiraiya was not joking. Even though he had the Tsukuyomi, Amaterasu, and presumably the Susanoo at his disposal, Itachi knew that he could not overcome Jiraiya's strength.
Might Guy
To many, Might Guy is not very bright, but Itachi knows just how strong he really is. Guy may not favor Ninjutsu or Genjutsu in battle, but he is a Taijutsu master, and more importantly, he developed a way to fight against Sharingan users by looking at their feet instead of their face.
That being said, Itachi would still be able to beat Guy, but that would not be the case if Guy opened all Eight Inner Gates. Opening the Gates grants power greater than that of the Five Kage, and Guy used this power against Madara during the war. The only reason Madara lived is because he possessed god-like regeneration courtesy of the Ten-Tails, which is something Itachi does not have.
Shisui Uchiha
Shisui was considered the most skilled Uchiha of his generation, and even Itachi himself admitted that Shisui was always slightly stronger than him. Shisui mastered the Body Flicker Technique to the point that he left no trace behind, which means that even Itachi's eyes would not be able to follow him.
Shisui could use the the Susanoo as well, but it was not as strong as Itachi's. When it came to Genjutsu, however, Shisui held a slight advantage thanks to the Kotoamatsukami – which allowed him to enter someone's mind and control their actions. He could make Itachi fall for a trap, and Itachi would think he did it willingly.
Sasuke Uchiha
Widely recognized as the strongest Uchiha of all-time, Sasuke is Itachi's younger brother. Just like Itachi, Sasuke's fighting ability is frightening, and few can hope of standing up to him. In his case, he surpassed Itachi during the 4th Great Ninja War, where he gained the power of the Rinnegan, along with the Six Paths Yin chakra.
Consequently, Sasuke became one of the strongest characters in the entire series, with Naruto being the only human capable of matching him. He made sure to walk his own path and surpass Itachi, just like his brother wanted him to.
Naruto Uzumaki
Konoha's Seventh Hokage, Naruto Uzumaki is the strongest shinobi in the history of the series, even surpassing the likes of Madara Uchiha and Hashirama Senju. Naruto was powerful enough to fight Obito Uchiha, Madara Uchiha, Kaguya Otsutsuki, and then Sasuke Uchiha all in one day.
As such, there's no way Itachi is stronger than him. His abilities, when combined with his undying spirit, make him a force to be reckoned with. By adulthood, Naruto has fought and defeated characters such as Momoshiki Otsutsuki, who is considered to be a God of the verse. To date, he remains the greatest ninja in the series, and so, he's undoubtedly stronger than Itachi.
Hashirama Senju
The Senju and Uchiha clans battled constantly during the Warring States period, and Hashirama fought Madara on numerous occasions. This means that he has a great deal of experience fighting against the Sharingan and Mangekyo Sharingan. Hashirama has a lot of powerful jutsu at his disposal, and he can use Sage Mode.
Itachi may have his Susanoo, but Hashirama was able to overpower the combined strength of Madara's Susanoo and the Nine-Tails. Thanks to his Wood Release, Hashirama can restrain Itachi or put him to sleep. Wood Release is also capable of absorbing Itachi's chakra.
Madara Uchiha
One of the founders of Konoha and the leader of the Uchiha clan, Madara Uchiha's talent was boundless. Ever since he was a kid, he could beat an average Senju warrior, and as an adult, even the combined power of the Five Kage wasn't enough to defeat him.
While there's no denying that Itachi is powerful, Madara is simply stronger. With the powers of the 10 Tails and the Six Paths at his disposal, Madara is miles ahead of Itachi, and there's no way the latter can even put up a fight.
Obito Uchiha
Obito was a knucklehead ninja when he was a kid, and his skills were largely unpolished. Under Madara's tutelage, Obito grew drastically, and by 16 years of age, he could put up a fight against Minato.
While still weaker than an adult Itachi at that point, Obito continued to excel, until he reached the point where he became the second Jinchūriki of the ten-tails, Hagoromo Otsutsuki being the first. One look at him, and even the strongest of characters, such as Hashirama, couldn't help but admit they were weaker. Itachi is no different, and he would feel the same way if he were ever to cross paths with ten-tails Obito.
Kaguya Otsutsuki
The progenitor of chakra, Kaguya Otsutsuki is one of the strongest characters in the entire verse so far. She came to earth along with Isshiki Otsutsuki, who for some reason, wasn't seen in Naruto.
Nonetheless, Kaguya maintained absolute control over humanity. Her strength was such that her sons had to combine their strength to seal her away, which took months to accomplish. Itachi would be nothing more than a speck of dust to someone like Kaguya, who has enough power to wipe out an entire star.
Momoshiki Otsutsuki
Momoshiki was the main villain of Boruto: Naruto the Movie, and he goes on to appear in the Boruto saga, where he attacks Naruto and the Leaf Village during the Chunin Exams. He is a descendant of the unfathomably powerful Kaguya that could only be stopped by the combined powers of Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura.
As part of the Ōtsutsuki Clan, Momoshiki has access to the powers of Rinnegan, Sharingan, and Byakugan. If he wanted to, he could absorb all of Itachi's ninjutsu with ease and fire them back at him. At full power, Momoshiki can contend with both Naruto's Six Paths Sage Mode and Sasuke's Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan and Rinnegan.