Naruto Shippuden: The Strongest Character In Every Arc, Ranked

by

The original Naruto anime consistently showed us who the strongest fighters were during each story arc – for example, Kimimaro was clearly the most powerful during the Sasuke Retrieval Mission, and Kakashi excelled in the Land of Waves arc. You can watch Naruto Shippuden with the same expectation: a few characters will stand out as the strongest at different points in the series.

The fights in Naruto Shippuden were even more intense and showcased greater power than in the original Naruto series, thanks to the increasing strength of characters and their abilities. Many strong fighters from the first series found themselves outmatched by newer, more powerful techniques and weapons, becoming less relevant as the story progressed. Naruto Shippuden introduced a new generation of top-tier fighters, each of whom stood out as the strongest ninja during specific story arcs. By focusing on the seven main story arcs and skipping the filler episodes, it’s easier to determine who the most powerful fighters were in each one.

Tenchi Bridge Reconnaissance Mission Arc: Sasuke Uchiha

Sasuke Said He Could Kill Naruto on a Whim

Image via Pierrot.

During the Tenchi Bridge arc of Naruto Shippuden, Sasuke Uchiha was considered the strongest fighter. This was also his first major appearance since the end of the original Naruto series, and fans were excited to see how much stronger he’d become. Sasuke didn’t disappoint, proving he could go toe-to-toe with the entire Team 7 using his Sharingan abilities.

Despite adding Sai and Yamato to the team after Sasuke and Kakashi left, Team 7 still couldn’t compete with Sasuke in a straight fight. Each member struggled against his growing skills, like his powerful and unblockable Chidori attacks and his improved Sharingan abilities. However, this wasn’t even Sasuke at his strongest – he hadn’t yet mastered techniques like the Indra Arrow or Full Body Susanoo. That’s why this version of Sasuke is considered one of the less challenging powerful opponents in Naruto Shippuden.

Rescue Gaara Mission Arc: Sasori

Sasori is an Entire Army of Ninjas in One

image via Pierrot.

  • The beginning of the main storyline in Naruto Shippuden centered around a dangerous situation: the Akatsuki members Deidara and Sasori kidnapped the young Kazekage right in his own village. Naruto viewers were surprised when Deidara easily defeated Gaara and his powerful sand techniques, but things quickly escalated as Sasori proved to be even more formidable.

    Sasori and Deidara are both very strong and valuable members of the Akatsuki, with their power levels being quite close. However, most fans consider Sasori the more formidable fighter, and Sakura and Chiyo would likely agree. Sasori’s strength comes from his massive collection of 298 puppets, including the incredibly dangerous Third Kazekage and his iron sand techniques. He effectively uses these puppets as a full fighting force, making his defeat by Sakura and Chiyo a truly impressive feat.

Akatsuki Suppression Mission Arc: Kakuzu

Kakuzu is an Immortal Warrior With Extensive Experience

Image via studio Pierrot.

It’s no surprise that many members of the powerful Akatsuki organization proved to be the strongest fighters throughout Naruto Shippuden. Kakuzu was even more frightening than Deidara and Sasori, possessing a near-immortal ability similar to Sasori’s – the power of multiple fighters in one body. However, while Sasori used puppets and stored his organs externally, Kakuzu achieved this by surgically implanting the hearts of other ninjas directly into his own body.

Find all 10 pairs Results

0
—
More Games

Kakuzu was incredibly versatile, able to utilize all chakra natures simultaneously. This allowed him to overwhelm opponents and defend against any attack, regardless of their style. Being even older than Sasori, Kakuzu possessed a significant advantage in combat experience and instinct – a skill honed through years of battle. He essentially ‘read’ opponents and knew how to counter their techniques. This combination made him a remarkably difficult opponent, almost invincible, and he nearly defeated Team 7 single-handedly before Naruto’s newly mastered Rasenshuriken finally brought him down.

Itachi Pursuit Mission Arc: Itachi Uchiha

Itachi’s Genjutsu and Mangekyo Sharingan Are Fearsome Weapons

Itachi Uchiha was one of the strongest members of the Akatsuki, and he proved it during the Itachi Pursuit Mission. By that point, Sasuke had also become incredibly powerful, mastering the Mangekyo Sharingan – putting him on nearly equal footing with his brother. Sasuke needed to reach this level to even stand a chance against Itachi, who was nearing the end of his life.

Sasuke earned the right to fight alongside Itachi and be seen as a capable opponent, but he wasn’t the strongest fighter in that storyline. Throughout the battle, Sasuke gradually lost ground, and he only ultimately won because Itachi was already weakened by illness and wasn’t truly trying to defeat him. This made Itachi a more compelling character – he wasn’t focused on flashy techniques, but on the hidden sadness behind his actions, and how Sasuke reacted to the truth.

Pain Arc: The Six Paths of Pain

Pain is an Elite Squad With Seamless Teamwork Via the Rinnegan

Image via Pierrot.

The epic battle against Pain demonstrated Jiraiya’s incredible strength while using Sage Mode, aided by Fukasaku and Shima. However, even at his peak, he couldn’t defeat Pain. After Jiraiya’s defeat in the Hidden Rain Village, Pain turned his attention to the Hidden Leaf Village. With overwhelming power, Pain devastated Naruto’s home, delivering a painful lesson to every ninja in the Leaf Village.

Although Naruto ultimately defeated Pain, Pain was technically a more skilled fighter than Naruto, Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Kakashi. Pain wasn’t just one person, but six different bodies all linked by the Rinnegan, allowing for incredible teamwork and a fighting style unlike anything seen before. While others like Sasori and Kakuzu could fight as if they were multiple people, Pain took that concept to the extreme with six coordinated bodies that left no openings. Plus, Pain had uniquely powerful abilities, like the Human Path’s soul-absorbing technique, that no other member of the Akatsuki could replicate.

Kage Summit Arc: Onoki

The Elderly Tsuchikage Might Have Killed Sasuke

Image via studio Pierrot.

As Naruto Shippuden progressed to the Kage Summit Arc, battles became incredibly powerful. The focus shifted from clever techniques to overwhelming force, making the series increasingly similar to Dragon Ball Z. This arc featured intense competition, and ultimately, one ninja proved to be the strongest.

I’ve been watching the Kage closely, and while Gaara, Mei Terumi, and even Sasuke Uchiha are incredibly strong, I’d say Onoki, the Tsuchikage, is truly in a league of his own. It’s not just my opinion either – Madara Uchiha himself considered Onoki his most dangerous opponent among all the Kage, and if anyone knew power, it was Madara. Seeing Onoki’s abilities, it’s easy to understand why. His Dust Release is devastating; he can obliterate massive areas, even entire islands, with it. It’s a truly frightening power.

Fourth Great Shinobi War Arc: Kaguya Otsutsuki

Madara Didn’t Expect Kaguya to Replace Him as the Big Bad

Image via studio Pierrot.

Many fans of Naruto Shippuden thought Madara Uchiha would be the ultimate villain of the series, but the introduction of Kaguya Otsutsuki proved them wrong. While Madara was incredibly powerful, Kaguya was even stronger – as the source of all chakra, she was a godlike being with powers that far surpassed any human’s.

It was surprising, and felt a bit unfair to some fans, when Kaguya appeared as the final, incredibly powerful enemy in the last big story arc of Naruto Shippuden. However, her power was undeniable – she was far stronger than any human ninja. That’s why all Team 7 could manage was to seal her away. Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura had to combine all their strength just to barely win, which ultimately proved how truly powerful Kaguya was in this part of the story.

Read More

2026-02-21 03:06