The Uchiha clan (うちは一族, Uchiha Ichizoku) was one of the four noble clans of Konohagakure,[1] and was also reputed to be the village's most powerful clan,[2] producing shinobi that were exceptionally talented and battle-oriented. Together with the Senju clan, they founded Konohagakure, but is now almost extinct after the events of the clan massacre.

The Uchiha clan descended from Indra, the elder of the two sons of the Sage of the Six Paths. Indra inherited the Sage's "eyes", powerful chakra and spiritual energies. When it came time for the Sage to choose a successor, he questioned the two on what course of action they would follow to bring order to the world. Indra believed that power was the way to bring peace, while Asura, the younger son, believed love was the way. The Sage favoured Asura's ideal, and therefore designated him as his successor, causing Indra to be filled with jealousy and hatred.[3] From this hate came what Tobi calls the Curse of Hatred (憎しみの呪い, Nikushimi no Noroi). From Asura descended the Senju clan who would be the eternal rivals of the Uchiha.[4] However, the Uchiha suffered another more dangerous curse: a passionate love that can become a bottomless well of despair the moment the one they care for most is dead.

Before the founding of the ninja villages, the Uchiha were one of the many mercenary clans for hire. Because of their Sharingan as well as battle prowess, the Uchiha clan came to be known as one of the two strongest clans, the other being the Senju clan. Madara Uchiha was particularly powerful, and, upon attaining the Mangekyō Sharingan, took control of the clan. Under his leadership the Uchiha grew stronger, conquering whatever clans they came upon, such that, whenever the Uchiha clan was hired for a job, the opposing side would hire the Senju, and vice versa.[5][6]

Konohagakure
Senju & Uchiha truce
The Senju and Uchiha form an alliance.
Some time before Konoha's founding, some members of the Uchiha clan began to willingly surrender, realising that they were outclassed by the Senju.[7] The Senju later grew tired of the endless fighting, and approached the Uchiha clan with a peace treaty once again. Though rejected time and time before as Madara feared that an alliance would destroy the Uchiha clan, he willingly accepted after witnessing Hashirama's resolve[8]. The two clans came together to form Konoha, with Hashirama Senju, leader of the Senju clan, being selected as Hokage. Madara believed that this was proof that the Uchiha would be made subservient to the Senju, but his clan saw this only as his attempt to rekindle the flames of war. They turned their backs on him, and he defected.[9]

Following Madara's betrayal, having gone into hiding after faking his death in the battle against Hashirama, the Second Hokage Tobirama Senju gave the Uchiha control of the Konoha Military Police Force as a sign of trust. However, this was really just a way of keeping the Uchiha's emotions in check so the village would not end up with another Madara. Over the years, some Uchiha, such as Setsuna Uchiha, came to realise their ostracism and believed that they were being purposely kept out of Konoha's governing affairs. Though Setsuna and his followers tried to rebel against the village as Madara did, they found that it was too late to make a difference, as the Senju had already completely suppressed the Uchiha.[10] Despite Tobirama's attempts, it only caused a greater rift between the Uchiha and the village. The matter grew worse when a young Obito Uchiha, presumed dead at the time, witnessed the death of Rin and became a follower of Madara's ideals.

Years later, after the Nine-Tails' Attack on Konoha, Konoha's elders began to suspect that an Uchiha was behind the attack because of their ability to control the Nine-Tails with their Sharingan.[11] Tobi stated that the clan was forced to live in a corner of the village, ostracised from the rest of the community, and placed under heavy surveillance.[12] This gave birth to ill-will amongst the clan and the Uchiha interpreted this as confirmation of what Madara had warned them of years earlier, and began to plan overthrowing the village.[13] Itachi disagreed with his father who was the then leader of the clan and militia Fugaku's coup d'état plan, and informed Konoha's leadership of what the Uchiha were up to. Shisui Uchiha, who had been told to keep an eye on his best friend Itachi also disagreed with the clan's plan and joined Itachi in his mission to put a stop to it. He attempted to use the ability of his Mangekyō Sharingan: Kotoamatsukami to Danzō from committing the genocide, but once again, Danzō — determined to protect the village the only way he saw possible — stole Shisui's right eye from him. Saddened that he had failed to stop Danzō, Shisui met with Itachi and gave him his left eye before the elder came after it as well, telling him to protect the village and the name of the Uchiha. The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi who had disagreed with the treatment the Uchiha were receiving, tried to negotiate for a more peaceful solution, but as time passed and that strategy seemed to be getting them nowhere, Danzō took matters into his own hands and inveigled Itachi to commit the genocide with threat of his clan's actions creating another war and innocent children, such as his little brother, becoming a casualty.[14]

Uchiha Clan Massacre
The end of the Uchiha clan.
Within one night, the entire clan was slaughtered with only one known Uchiha left alive: Itachi's younger brother, Sasuke. Sasuke would spend the next few years trying to avenge their family by killing Itachi, something Itachi had planned from the very beginning. After accomplishing this goal, Sasuke learned of Tobi's existence. Tobi, who is in fact Obito Uchiha, another survivor of the clan who was also the one behind the Nine-Tails' attack, told Sasuke about the Uchiha's history and why Itachi had wiped out the Uchiha, prompting Sasuke, with Obito's help, to resolve to destroy Konoha.[15] Sasuke would later be shown the truth by Itachi

Survivors
Following the genocide of the clan, there were three survivors: Obito — then believed to be Madara, Itachi and his younger brother Sasuke whom the former spared from the killing.

Although before the massacre, Madara survived his battle with Hashirama, despite what was widely believed, and kept himself alive with the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path as a life support. He rescued Obito from what appeared to be his death, and would later corroborate with him to carry out his Eye of the Moon Plan.

Ultimately, Itachi died at the hands of his brother — the way he had intended, and Obito seemingly succumbed to the effects of being forced to use the Outer Path: Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique to revive Madara; Kakashi Hatake noted that he can no longer sense Obito's consciousness.[16] However, his life was stabilised by Black Zetsu merging with his being. Madara stabbed Sasuke in the heart, and according to Karin and Tobirama Senju, they could no longer sense his chakra, inferring he died as well. Despite this, Sasuke was saved later by Kabuto.[17]