5 Best Itachi Battles in Naruto, Ranked

What sets Itachi’s battles apart in Naruto is how he doesn’t need lengthy battles in order to make an impression. All it takes is a glance from his Sharingan, a quiet counter, or one perfectly timed jutsu to change the entire situation.

But his best fights are not just about power. They reveal his relationship with Sasuke, his incredible battle sense, and the sacrifices hiding behind his cold Akatsuki persona. With that said, here are the five best Itachi Uchiha battles, ranked from 5 to 1.

5 Itachi and Kisame Face Jiraiya in a Brief Clash

Itachi’s encounter with Jiraiya is short, but it was meaningful. In the original Naruto, Itachi and Kisame arrive in the Land of Fire looking for Naruto, while Sasuke finally catches up with his older brother. Sasuke attacks Itachi with Chidori, only for Itachi to stop him with almost embarrassing ease before using Tsukuyomi against him.

Then Jiraiya enters, and the mood changes immediately. The Legendary Sannin manages to trap Itachi and Kisame, leaving the Akatsuki pair with very few options. Itachi responds by using Amaterasu to burn his way out, giving the series its first look at one of his most dangerous Sharingan techniques. However, it takes fifth only because the battles higher on this list give Itachi far more room to show what he can really do.

4 Itachi Overwhelms Konoha’s Strongest Jonin

Itachi’s first return to Konoha is one of those scenes that makes a character’s reputation suddenly feel real. Kakashi, Asuma, and Kurenai are all experienced jonin, yet Itachi and Kisame never look truly worried when they face them.

Kurenai’s attempt to trap Itachi in genjutsu backfires almost instantly, while Kakashi ends up caught in Tsukuyomi. The scene is brutal because Itachi does not need some huge attack to take control. There is also a nice bit of irony here – the man Konoha sees as a dangerous enemy is deliberately avoiding killing its shinobi. That hidden restraint gives the encounter more depth and ranks above the Jiraiya clash because Itachi gets to completely establish his dominance over several elite ninja.

3 Itachi Joins Naruto and Bee Against Nagato

Itachi fighting alongside Naruto and Killer Bee during the Fourth Great Ninja War is an especially rewarding moment. For a long time, he had been portrayed as someone opposing Konoha, and now, when his story has finally been revealed to fans, he is fighting on the same side as the people he had secretly protected.

The battle against Nagato in Naruto Shippuden also brings out Itachi’s smartest side. Nagato’s Rinnegan abilities are overwhelming, but Itachi keeps looking for patterns and openings instead of rushing in. He protects Naruto and Bee, helping them withstand the strongest attacks from Edo Tensei-controlled Nagato and sealing him in the end. That is a great demonstration of how Itachi’s battle intelligence is as impressive as his Sharingan, which is why it takes the third spot.

2 Itachi and Sasuke Take on Sage Mode Kabuto

Few things in Naruto are more satisfying than finally seeing Itachi and Sasuke fight on the same side. The brothers spend most of their lives separated by anger and secrets, so watching them work together against Kabuto during the Fourth Great Ninja War feels like a reward that took hundreds of episodes to arrive.

What makes the fight even better is that Kabuto’s Sage Mode gives him too many tricks, forcing Itachi to think several moves ahead. The answer is Izanami, a technique that traps Kabuto. That is classic Itachi. He wins by figuring out the problem rather than simply overpowering it. It takes second place because it shows just how smart and composed he can be.

1 Itachi and Sasuke’s Final Battle Changes Everything

Itachi vs. Sasuke is not just the best Itachi battle. It is one of the fights that defines Naruto Shippuden. Years of hatred finally explode when the two brothers face each other, with Sasuke believing he is about to avenge the Uchiha clan.

The fight delivers everything fans want from an Uchiha battle – Tsukuyomi, Amaterasu, Kirin, Susanoo, and some incredible Sharingan moments. But the action is only half the reason it works. Itachi is fighting with an entirely different goal in mind. He wants to push Sasuke, remove Orochimaru from his body, and protect his brother without revealing the truth.

That is why the ending hits so hard. Itachi seals Orochimaru, reaches his limit, and still manages to give Sasuke that familiar forehead tap before dying. The later revelation about the Uchiha massacre completely changes the way the fight is remembered. No other Itachi battle combines his power, intelligence, family bond, and tragic story quite like this one. That makes Itachi vs. Sasuke the clear choice for No. 1.

Now the big question: Which Itachi battle is your favorite in Naruto? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

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