Naruto’s Growth in the Fourth Great Ninja War

The climax of the anime Naruto is the Fourth Great Ninja War, where Naruto and his allies fight against a powerful coalition of enemies. This includes groups like the Akatsuki, the Ten-Tails, and the formidable Madara Uchiha. Throughout the war, many characters, including Naruto himself, become stronger and experience significant personal growth.

I watched as Naruto began the Fourth Great Ninja War still figuring out how to fully harness the power within him as a jinchuriki. But it didn’t take long for him to blossom into a strong leader, dedicating himself to protecting all five ninja villages. That was really his journey throughout the entire war in Naruto – a complete evolution.

Naruto the Leader

Naruto’s Evolution From Reckless to a True Leader

Image via Pierrot.

Sent to the Land of Lightning to train
Learns to control Nine-Tails chakra
Develops Shadow Clone Technique

When the Fourth Great Ninja War started, Naruto wasn’t initially considered ready for battle because he was still impulsive and immature. Instead of immediately sending him to fight, the Five Kage decided to train him on an island in the Land of Lightning, along with Killer B, who, like Naruto, was a jinchuriki.

I watched as Naruto and Killer B trained together on the island, focusing on Naruto learning to manage the powerful energy of the Nine-Tails within him. He definitely improved! After the training, he was noticeably faster and stronger, and seemed to have a much better handle on that chakra. Though, he still had some trouble with control – he’d often crash into things or break rocks whenever he used it, something Killer B didn’t seem to struggle with at all. He was getting there, but still a bit impulsive with his newfound power.

When Naruto and Killer B fight together, Naruto can use his Shadow Clone Technique and sense if someone has bad intentions. He’s become a much more thoughtful ninja, carefully considering the consequences of his actions before rushing in. This allows him to collaborate effectively with other ninja, finding the best solutions while prioritizing the safety of the villages and helping his allies grow stronger.

Naruto’s Bond with Kurama

Develops an Unbreakable Synergy

The connection between Naruto and Kurama is central to Naruto’s growth into the strong Hokage he becomes. At first, they didn’t trust each other – Naruto was wary of Kurama, and Kurama disliked humans. This led to a long period of misunderstanding, but that began to change during the Fourth Great Ninja War.

During the Fourth Great Ninja War, Naruto’s commitment to protecting his fellow shinobi starts to change Kurama’s perception of him. At the same time, Naruto gains a deeper understanding of Kurama. They begin to recognize each other as true partners, offering both emotional and physical support during battles.

Because of the strong connection Naruto and Kurama have formed, Naruto can now control the Nine-Tails Chakra Mode with greater stability, allowing him to do the following:

Provide additional chakra to other shinobi from Kurama
Remain in control when performing high-level transformations
Synergize with ease in battle

This demonstrates Naruto’s maturity – he’s now able to collaborate with other ninja and even Kurama, treating them as equals instead of trying to do everything on his own.

Victory Over Obito

Change of Ideals

Obito initiates the Fourth Great Ninja War
Naruto negotiates with him
Obito eventually has a change of heart

Obito Uchiha was the one who started the Fourth Great Ninja War, driven by his desire to enact the Eye of the Moon Plan. This plan aimed to trap the entire world in an illusion, creating a seemingly perfect reality where people wouldn’t experience pain or loss. He formally began the war when the Five Kage refused to give him Naruto.

Naruto didn’t want to defeat or kill Obito; he hoped to help him understand the harm he’d caused and find a path to redemption. During their conversation, they discovered the truth about Madara’s plans – the same Madara Obito had blindly followed for years. Obito learned that Madara was responsible for the death of Rin, a close friend, and, devastated, resolved to sacrifice himself to aid the shinobi in the war.

Unlike many other ninja who would rush into this fight fueled by anger, Naruto tries to understand Obito’s motivations and feels for even those who have fallen. He supports his village and fellow ninja not just through strength, but also by attempting to talk things through and find peaceful solutions.

Ascending From Sage Mode to Six Paths Power

Naruto’s Final Evolution

To finally defeat Madara, Naruto and Sasuke need to become even more powerful. Naruto achieves this by evolving from Sage Mode to the Six Paths Power, after receiving strength from the Sage of the Six Paths. This allows him to fully utilize and synchronize with all nine tailed beasts, including Kurama, unlocking new abilities such as:

Increased physical stats and sensory perception
Truth-Seeking Orbs
Flight while in battle
Can heal and restore life force

This development marks Naruto’s final transformation into an incredibly powerful ninja, comparable to Sasuke, ultimately setting him on the path to becoming Hokage in Boruto. Together, they and other ninja defeat Madara, bringing lasting peace to the five ninja villages.

During the Fourth Great Ninja War, Naruto underwent a remarkable transformation. He matured from a reckless and boastful young ninja into an exceptional leader. He not only gained full control over his unique abilities as a jinchuriki, but also demonstrated remarkable composure and a willingness to negotiate with his enemies, seeking peaceful resolutions before resorting to fighting. This highlights Naruto’s significant growth and his fulfillment of his potential as a leader.

2026-02-19 22:07