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The following article contains spoilers for Naruto and Boruto.
The Uchiha clan is probably the most explored clan in theNarutouniverse. At the beginning of the story, the clan is introduced with a mysterious aura, and as details about the origins of the clan were revealed, many intriguing storylines involving the clan emerged. Initially portrayed as a powerful and arguably the most arrogant clan inNaruto, we slowly learn that the Uchiha clan is made up of people with emotions like any other clan. The only difference is that the Uchihas, as descendants of the Otsutsuki clan, have been blessed with genetic mutations that allow them to unleash powerful abilities.
However, members of this clan are easily consumed by both hatred and a thirst for vengeance, the so-called “Uchiha Curse of Hatred.” But how has the clan been cursed with so many strong and negative feelings?
For the Uchiha Clan, Love Can Easily Turn into Hatred
Members of the Uchiha Clan may be seen by others as people who are bound to violence and hatred. However, that’s a misconception. Most members of the clan are actually devoted to the people they love, even though they may not openly show it. The problem is, once they lose those they love, their feelings can easily turn into hatred, which is usually accompanied by arrogance and pride. This isthe so-called “Curse of Hatred.”
This hatred is related to the Sharingan, which is awakened by intense emotional stress. It has even been believed within the clan that the Mangekyo Sharingan could only be unlocked if an Uchiha killed their loved ones. This is not true: any experience traumatic enough can trigger the awakening of the Mangekyo Sharingan. In any case, it remains true that both the Sharingan and Mangekyo Sharingan are tied to emotional stress that triggers a unique chakra manifestation and tends to lead the Uchiha members to be consumed by their own traumas and darkness.
My brother believed that the village was something that demolished the boundaries between clans. Well, in the end, it wasn’t that simple. My brother was too soft, and Madara too dangerous… my role as Second Hokage was to mediate between them while protecting and reinforcing the village.
— Tobirama Senju to Sasuke
It is worth pointing out that any person can go through the experience of turning into hatred after losing a loved one. It isn’t something unique to the clan. What’s different here is that this hatred is usually channeled into new powers, which allows them to do everything they can to achieve their goals.
The Curse of Hatred Traces Back to Indra Otsutsuki
The Curse of Hatred is deeply tied to the Uchiha clan’s history. In fact, it dates back to the clan’s origin. Indra Otsutsuki was the elder son of Hagoromo Otsutsuki, the creator of ninshu. Indra, theancestor of the Uchiha clan, believed he was destined to succeed his father’s legacy. However, on his deathbed, Hagoromo chose his younger son, Asura Otsutsuki, as his successor. Asura is the ancient ancestor of both the Uzumaki and the Senju clans. The reason was that Hagoromo disagreed with Indra’s views: Indra believed that peace could only be achieved through power, which led him to create ninjutsu, a weaponization of chakra. Hagoromo disapproved of these actions, as he believed Indra was only leading people to more wars instead of peace. So he chose Asura, whose way of thinking was more in line with his own, believing that love would bring true peace.
As expected,Indra saw this as a betrayaland believed he had the right to be the successor of their father. This turned him against his brother, leading Indra to start a war against him. Thistension is said to be the root of the intense rivalry between the Uchiha and the Senju clans. Thus, the Curse of Hatred is seen as the counterpart to the Senju clan’s Will of Fire, which emphasizes self-sacrifice to protect others.
Has Sasuke Uchiha Broken the Cycle?
The Curse of Hatred is not something all Uchiha will necessarily experience in their lives, but they do have a tendency to succumb to hatred in painful situations. Obito Uchiha, for example, initially seemed to live by the Will of Fire, but he was corrupted by Madara Uchiha. Fugaku Uchiha, father of Itachi and Sasuke, was also a peace-loving person who lived by the Will of Fire.
After the Uchiha Massacre, Sasuke Uchiha was consumed by the Curse of Hatred and fell into darkness and destruction. He may be the best-known example of how the Curse of Hatred can ruin the life of an Uchiha. However, once he learned thatItachi still loved himand had been forced into killing the clan, he slowly started to walk the path of love. With the help of Naruto Uzumaki, Sakura Haruno, and their friends, Sasuke was able to redeem himself and embrace the Will of Fire, breaking the cycle of hatred.
Can Sarada Uchiha Still Fall for the Curse of Hatred?
The daughter of Sakura and Sasuke, Sarada Uchiha, is another example of a member of the Uchiha clan who has embraced love instead of hatred. Still, Sarada is a teenager who could be tricked into hatred. However, this doesn’t seem to be the path she is choosing. In one of the latest chapters ofBoruto: Two Blue Vortex, Sarada realizes that she has been running away from her true feelings of love,especially towards Boruto Uzumaki. Thus, Sarada seems an unlikely candidate to ever fall for the Curse of Hatred, as she seems determined to live by the Will of Fire.
