Itachimack

So I've been thinking about this, what exactly did Itachi do, while in Akatsuki, to protect Konoha?
 
I know it was stated that he was a spy/secret agent/protector, but I've wracked my brains and I can't think of a single thing that he did that was 'protective.'
 
No one knew he was still loyal to Konoha. He never brought info back. He never prevented attacks from happening. He hunted Naruto. He tortured Sasuke, mentally and physically. And he almost killed Kakashi.
 
In fact, if he left the village to make Sasuke stronger, then it backfired horribly. Sasuke sought out and was manipulated by Orochimaru. So when Itachi and Sasuke finally clashed, Itachi had to draw out Orochimaru's toxic curse mark which isn't exactly a kindness since Itachi drove him to Orochimaru in the first place. And Itachi didn't repair anything with Sasuke, offer any kind of explanation, instead he left it all to Tobi (whom he also tried to kill through a jutsu planted in Sasuke). If he'd succeeded, then Sasuke never would have known of Itachi's supposed kindness. 
 
And acutally, Sasuke could have probably gotten on with his life at that point.
 
Anyway, how exactly was Itachi protecting anything by going to Akatsuki? How was he a supposed double agent or still loyal to Konoha if he never acted on it? And if he did it for Sasuke, then why didn't he make a greater effort to protect him from harm or at least explain why?

Alright so I feel that this is super late but as I was reading through the replies I didn't real see anyone with this viewpoint so I decided to add my insight


First of all I'm going to tackle his attempt to take Naruto, ok lets start from the beggining where he first arrived in the village. He was confronted by Kakashi Kurenai and guy, you brought up the fact that he nearly killed kakashi but that's another sign that he has more to his character because in the position he could have killed him without issue but decided against it (this also served as a warning to Danzo basically telling him that has still around and not to double cross him in the manner of saskue)

Alright then trying to take Naruto again Naruto knew nothing of genjutsu and would have easily been taken but instead itachi simply made it look like he put in an effort to not raise suspicion


Loyal to the village
While he did not communicate with village elders he did I'm fact keep the village safe from a matter that they could not handle. That being if any other group was assigned with the mission to take Mark to they would have done it and probably slaughter a great number of people to do it but since itachi insisted on taking the mission there were no casulties

In the torture of Saskue think about the source of the Uchiha's power,its literally fueled by rage and betrayal and you claim that it was a mistake for Saskue to run off with Orichimaru but I feel that was planned out. Orichimaru gave Saskue power that he would not achieve normally and itachi knew he would be able to draw out orichimarus curse.


Keeping it a secret
The fact as to why he intended no one to know was explained by Tobi (hence the attempt to kill him to keep it from happening) it was so that Assume could feel like he acomplished his goal and return to the village with the powers that he gained as he seeked vengance but since tobi survived itachi's fear came a reality since he knew of Saskue found out he would swear a vendetta against the leaf

Hope this helped and feel free to contact me if you wish to further discuss this I've always been a huge itachi fan and I know I'm missing some key points that if I rack my brain I can recall so of I left anything unanswered let me know!