Naruto Vol. 25

Naruto catches Sasuke at the Valley of the End and demands that he return to Konoha. Sasuke refuses, insisting that his need for power outweighs the bonds he formed with Team 7. As their confrontation begins, Sasuke remembers growing up beneath Itachi's shadow. Although naturally gifted, Sasuke received little recognition from his father, whose attention remained fixed on Itachi's extraordinary achievements.

Tension developed between Itachi and the Uchiha clan after he joined the Anbu. When Itachi was suspected in the death of Shisui Uchiha, he openly defied members of the clan before briefly reconciling with his father. Sasuke then returned home one night to discover that Itachi had massacred the entire Uchiha clan. Itachi spared his younger brother and instructed him to live in hatred until he became strong enough to take revenge.

In the present, Sasuke reveals that Itachi told him to kill his closest friend to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan. Believing Naruto to be that friend, Sasuke attacks with lethal intent. Naruto continues resisting because he considers Sasuke a brother and refuses to let him destroy himself, even as Sasuke's Sharingan matures and gives him an increasing advantage.