8 Characters Who Came To Respect Naruto

Summary

Naruto’s determination to become Hokage stems from a desire to prove his worth and protect the villagers.
Naruto’s actions and battles throughout the series lead key characters like Tsunade, Neji, Gaara, and Nagato to respect him.
From earning the respect of his inner beast Kurama to gaining Sasuke’s acknowledgment, Naruto’s journey is about earning respect.

In the initial stages of the popular anime “Naruto”, the main character initially appears as a troublemaker with a knack for mischief and graffiti, spraying his tags on buildings in Konoha. This behavior alone would make it hard for people to look up to him. However, there’s another significant factor that adds to this disrespect – Naruto harbors within him the fearsome Nine-Tailed Fox, a creature responsible for destroying the village just a few years prior to the series commencement.

Naruto aspires to become the Hokage primarily because he desires to show the villagers his value, gain their admiration, and demonstrate his leadership and protection skills in times of peril. However, his path to this esteemed position was a lengthy one, filled with challenges. Despite this, fueled by his unwavering commitment and love for ninja work, he eventually earned recognition and respect from many who initially held him in low regard.

8. Tsunade

The Fifth Hokage Comes To Respect Naruto‘s Determination And Strength Not Long After They Meet

First Appearance: Episode 83

Initially, Tsunade and Naruto have a strained friendship when they first cross paths in the original series. Following a visit by Naruto and Jiraiya to persuade Tsunade to assume the role of Fifth Hokage, the formidable Sannin expresses strong disagreement with the idea and delivers a harsh critique of the Hokage, implying they are ineffective and unproductive. This provocation only serves to inflame Naruto’s temper, further straining their already frosty bond.

When Kabuto confronts Tsunade, it’s I who witness Naruto stepping forward to shield her. Despite Tsunade voicing concerns about Naruto mastering the Rasengan before this fight, it’s this exact ability that the mischievous ninja employs to vanquish Kabuto definitively. The unwavering bravery Naruto shows in safeguarding others gradually alters Tsunade’s perspective regarding the Hokage position and Naruto himself, painting a new image in her mind.

7. Neji

The Snobby “Genius” Receives A Much-Needed Wake-Up Call From Naruto

First Appearance: Episode 21

The intense battle between Naruto and Neji during the Chunin Exams is often overlooked but truly stands out due to its deep, underlying messages. Priding himself as a naturally gifted prodigy, Neji tends to look down on Naruto and insists that someone like him, who he considers a mere simpleton, could never aspire to become the Hokage. This is because he believes that only those from the “predestined elite” are fit for the role.

Instead of letting Neji’s harsh words bother him, Naruto instead comes up with a clever strategy. He uses Shadow Clones to confuse Neji first, followed by a powerful uppercut. This battle served as a wake-up call for Neji, making him realize the error of his ways and respect Naruto ever since, until their very last encounter.

6. Gaara

The Fellow Jinchuriki Looks Back Fondly On Naruto For Helping him Deal With His Dark Mental State

First Appearance: Episode 20

Born under tragic circumstances with his mother dying during childbirth, and harboring an inner Shukaku beast that often threatened to dominate him, Gaara matured into a rather cold and cruel person who developed a deep-seated hatred for the world and its inhabitants. In contrast to Naruto, who sought the respect of others despite being a Jinchuriki, Gaara chose a different path, becoming fixated on destruction and misery.

Initially, due to their contrasting personalities, Gaara had little regard for Naruto when they first crossed paths. However, during their confrontation following the Chunin Exams interruption, Gaara’s viewpoint towards Naruto began to shift. This change occurred as Naruto extended his hand in friendship and assured Gaara that he was not alone. Over time, this act of kindness fostered growth and maturity within Gaara. Later on, during his battle with Sasuke, it becomes evident that Gaara holds immense respect for the ninja who positively influenced his mindset.

5. Nagato

Naruto Makes The Choice To End The Cycle Of Vengeance, Much To The Surprise Of Nagato

First Appearance: Shippuden Episode 128

During the Pain Invasion arc, Naruto’s main adversaries are the Six Paths of Pain, but it isn’t long before he discovers that Nagato, a former pupil of Jiraiya, was orchestrating the attack from behind the scenes. Nagato aims to instill “true pain” across the ninja world so that all its inhabitants would be compelled to surrender and live harmoniously.

According to Nagato, the ninja realm finds itself trapped in a perilous and seemingly never-ending cycle of vengeance, with wars and disputes persisting regardless of efforts to stop them. Remarkably, despite having ample justification to kill Nagato, given he was responsible for the death of his teacher Jiraiya, Naruto chooses mercy instead, thereby enlightening Nagato that perhaps this cycle could indeed break if there are more individuals like Naruto who hold onto hope.

4. Iruka

Iruka Witnessed Naruto Go From Stubborn And Lonely Punk To A True Symbol Of Heroism

First Appearance: Episode 1

Initially in the narrative, Iruka is among the rare villagers who demonstrates kindness towards Naruto, despite the fact that his family was taken by the Nine-Tailed Fox. However, Iruka finds Naruto’s poor attitude at the academy unacceptable, particularly his reluctance to learn and mature into a ninja. As the story unfolds, Naruto gradually understands the need for improvement if he aspires to become Hokage, and this progress doesn’t go unacknowledged by Iruka.

As Naruto vanquishes Pain following his training at Mount Myoboku, transforming into a Sage, I, standing by, can’t help but see a broad grin spreading across Iruka’s face. It’s evident that he has grown to appreciate the lengths Naruto has gone through in safeguarding our village. Though Iruka has always harbored affection for the ninja, his respect for Naruto will only deepen as he witnesses his unyielding work ethic and positive outlook.

3. Jiraiya

Jiraiya Was Greatly Impressed By Naruto’s Willingness To Learn And Grow Stronger

First Appearance: Episode 52

It doesn’t necessarily follow that Jiraiya admired Naruto just because he might have guessed Naruto was the Fourth Hokage’s son upon their initial meeting. On the contrary, when they started training together, Jiraiya appeared rather uninterested in Naruto, often prioritizing his pursuit of women’s bathhouses over helping the ninja grow stronger. Even when he assigned Naruto tasks like mastering the Rasengan and a Summon technique, Jiraiya typically seemed preoccupied and unimpressed by Naruto’s power.

In contrast, Naruto ultimately succeeded in gaining the respect of the legendary Sannin through tireless effort and intense training, aiming to become the powerful and dependable ninja he envisioned himself to be. Over the course of their relationship, Jiraiya, despite being tragically taken from the story following a fierce battle with Pain, expressed his growing affection for his determined pupil in his last words.

2. Kurama

It Takes A Long While Before Naruto’s Inner Beast Starts To Warm Up To Him

First Appearance: Episode 1

Typically, a Tailed Beast doesn’t readily accept or cooperate with its host for quite some time, and this was certainly true in the case of Naruto and Kurama. It wasn’t until several years had passed that they managed to find common ground. At first, Kurama bore a deep resentment towards the Fourth Hokage for imprisoning him within Naruto. The restless beast grew to despise its new host, even though it barely knew anything about him.

Through observing Naruto’s resilience and might, Kurama ultimately grows to admire Naruto as a suitable wielder of the formidable power of the Nine-Tailed Fox. Unbeknownst to him, Naruto’s quest for village respect would initially require him to win it from his inner demon, a crucial step along the way.

1. Sasuke Uchiha

After A Long And Grueling Journey, Sasuke Finally Acknowledges Naruto’s Power And Loyalty To His Friends

First Appearance: Episode 1

Initially, Sasuke appears to gain some admiration for Naruto following their encounter with Haku, where Naruto shields him during battle. However, his desire for revenge against Itachi takes over, causing Sasuke to descend into a sinister path. Throughout this period, he primarily views Naruto as an obstacle. But when Sasuke participates in the final war, he gradually acknowledges that Naruto isn’t entirely evil as he had previously thought.

In their joint endeavor to vanquish Kaguya, Sasuke demonstrates a profound admiration for Naruto’s strength. Following an intense exchange of blows at the Valley of End, Sasuke ultimately chooses to let go of his stubbornness. Post-war, Sasuke develops not only an appreciation for how far Naruto has progressed, but also acknowledges the significant sacrifices Naruto was prepared to make to keep Sasuke from succumbing entirely to darkness.

2025-03-23 19:36