Naruto Uzumaki's Relationships

Due to his friendly nature and his unique charisma, Naruto Uzumaki has built many relationships over the course of the series that have defined him and others, even tailed beasts and other jinchūriki. Many of these relationships started off antagonistic, but through his willpower and empathy, they evolved into deep and lasting friendships.

Kurama
A relationship that shaped Naruto's character, albeit unintentionally, was with the tailed beast that was sealed within him since the day he was born, Kurama — the Nine-Tails. Due to having the fox in him, Naruto was hated and shunned by the village, and in turn, he desired their acknowledgement, albeit it was originally to cope with the feeling of loneliness. Later, when he met Kurama itself for the first time, he demanded the fox to give him its chakra as "rent" for being sealed within his body, and Kurama complied for no other reason than to preserve its own life, since Naruto's death would result in its own.

Because of its long history of both its forced subjugation to the Sharingan and being sealed within the Uzumaki jinchūriki, Kurama expressed intense hatred and distrust for humans, even showing its animosity toward Naruto whenever they communicated. The two had a very antagonistic relationship throughout most of the series, with Naruto trying to harness the fox's power to perform techniques that would normally be impossible for a ninja of his age, and Kurama seizing any kind of opportunity to gain control over Naruto, provoking his rage and thus allowing its influence within its chakra to consume him. This status quo would remain between the two until the Fourth Shinobi World War, when Naruto, with the help from his mother, defeated Kurama and took control of its chakra.

During their first conversation after taking its chakra, Kurama was shocked to hear Naruto wanting to do something about its hatred. Although the fox reproached him for making such a claim, it nevertheless showed Kurama that Naruto was different from the humans it previously encountered, which made it stop consuming Naruto's chakra while he was using his Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, allowing Naruto to keep on fighting throughout the night of the war. Later, while the reincarnated Madara Uchiha was fighting against one of Naruto's shadow clones and the Fourth Division, Kurama resolved to lend Naruto its chakra. Naruto at first thought that it was going to attempt to take over his body like it used to, but Kurama said it would rather help Naruto than be manipulated by Madara again, and spurred him on as he countered the Uchiha's attack. Afterwards, in his battle against Tobi and his Six Paths of Pain, Naruto admitted to Son Gokū that he was jealous of Killer B's dynamic relationship with Gyūki and wanted the same with Kurama. Kurama, hearing this, silently told Naruto that if he truly intended to save the tailed beasts and earn their respect, he would have to prove it through his actions, not his words. When Naruto successfully freed Son Gokū, Kurama offered to meld its chakra with his as a coalition, to which Naruto then removed the seal that restrained it and happily acknowledged the fox as his partner. Their relationship has greatly improved by this action, as shown when Kurama pulled Naruto into the other tailed beasts' subconscious, and it was seen teasing Naruto about his first and only kiss with Sasuke.

Parents
Despite not being raised by his parents, Naruto has been shown to deeply love them. Though angry at his father for sealing Kurama inside of him, Naruto quickly got over his anger and was overjoyed and proud to be the Fourth Hokage's son. He also tearfully embraced his mother when he met her. After learning how his parents met and what happened during Kurama's attack on Konoha, Naruto told his mother that he could finally understand how a parent's love felt like and that he didn't blame her or Minato, instead he felt glad to be their son. When A criticised on how Minato was supposedly the "Child of the Prophecy" and claiming that he failed when he died against Kurama, Naruto angrily reproached the Raikage for insulting his father because he didn't know him. Naruto also explained to A that despite his parents dying shortly after he was born, their love and faith in him made him strong.

Mentors
Naruto has had several mentors over the course of the series. Through their guidance Naruto honed his skills and became one of Konoha's most powerful ninja. Many of their teachings have had a profound influence on Naruto's own life philosophy, shaping him into a better person.

Iruka Umino
Although he owes much of his miserable childhood to Kurama, Iruka Umino bears no hostility towards its host, Naruto, and even cares for him as family. He even thinks of Naruto as his little brother. Early on in the series, he relates to Naruto's efforts to win the recognition of others through his antics; a tactic that he also used in his childhood to cope with his feelings of loneliness, which he can sense in Naruto.

Because of this, Iruka goes out of his way to connect with Naruto outside the classroom — having realised that he could do more good as a mentor, than as a teacher. Iruka becomes even more aware of Naruto's situation when the Third Hokage asks him to contemplate living among people who would deny his very right to exist. Likely due to Iruka's more nurturing and compassionate nature, Naruto views him as a father figure and Iruka in turn, views Naruto as a younger brother. The two enjoy their favourite ramen dish at the Ramen Ichiraku whenever Naruto returns from a mission, where Iruka gets an opportunity to see how Naruto is developing as a ninja, though he still tends to worry about him. Iruka's refusal to allow Naruto to graduate at first was not out of spite, but merely out of caring strictness and a desire for Naruto to work harder and reach his own potential.

Jiraiya
Though he was unable to take care of his godson, Naruto, in his youth, due to the threat of Orochimaru and later Akatsuki, Jiraiya and Naruto are very close to one another nonetheless, despite the fact that Naruto frequently called Jiraiya. Due to Jiraiya's influence, the two shared several things in common such as being perverted (though Naruto was shown to be perverted even before meeting Jiraiya but he was nowhere near as perverted as him), their desire to bring peace to the ninja world, and even both attempted to win the affection of their female team-mates, though neither one succeeded due to it being one sided on their parts and the fact that their teammates were in love with someone else.

Despite Naruto's ridicule of his master from time to time, he holds him in high regard, even stating after his mother faded away that Jiraiya was a good man and a great shinobi. When Naruto learned that Jiraiya had died in his battle with the leader of Akatsuki, he was stricken with grief and blamed Tsunade for his death, and spent the rest of the day mourning the loss of his teacher, musing over the fact he had wanted Jiraiya to be there when he became Hokage. When Naruto read Jiraiya's book "The Tale of the Utterly Gutsy Shinobi", he was moved to the point of tears after reading it and finding out that his name is the same as the main character's. After Naruto's talk with Jiraiya's former pupil Nagato, Naruto declared that what he inherited from him will help him bring peace in this world, and that if Jiraiya was willing to place his faith in him, then Naruto was willing to believe in himself and stated that he would find peace for the world. Naruto also made a memorial grave in honour of Jiraiya.

Kakashi Hatake
Kakashi Hatake is the leader of Team 7, the squad Naruto was assigned to after becoming a genin and one of his mentors. While at first they had a negative impression of each other, Naruto has grown to treasure his teachings, while Kakashi has come to understand Naruto's potential and unique abilities, believing him to be the only shinobi capable of surpassing the Fourth Hokage and respects his dream of becoming Hokage. Naruto would cherish the lessons he learned from Kakashi about friendship and teamwork. After he came back from training with Jiraiya, Kakashi would train Naruto in nature transformation. He also acknowledged that Naruto has surpassed him, since completing the Rasenshuriken. Kakashi was also one of the few people who knew Minato was Naruto's father.

Killer B
When Naruto first met Killer B, he thought his raps were a little bit weird, but after discovering that he was a jinchūriki like him and had full control, he immediately requested B to train him. After gaining B's respect, the two became good friends and can actually relate to one another, even by communicating with B's raps and fist bumps, something that Yamato, much to his own frustration, couldn't understand what they were saying. Naruto in return shows respect for B calling him uncle. B was also willing to help him fight Kurama within his subconscious with Gyūki's help. B even stood up for him against his brother when he tried to kill him and stated he would keep his promise from Iruka to protect Naruto, even going as far as to offer up his own life in exchange for A allowing Naruto to continue on. The two then fought off against Tobi and his Six Paths of Pain and could understand the other tailed beasts' suffering from Tobi's control. B was even more impressed by Naruto when he was able to get Kurama to cooperate with him.

Friends and Allies
Naruto gets along well with the entire Konoha 11, as they are all comrades who fought alongside each other for the love of their village and Will of Fire. He has some sort of rivalry with some of them, such as Kiba, but they are good friends regardless. That, along with Naruto's accomplishments in saving the village amongst other deeds, made the rest of Konoha 11 appreciate and admire him. Naruto, in turn, was able to convince them to allow him to handle Sasuke alone, when the rest of them wanted to kill him together.

Sakura Haruno
Naruto had a long-standing crush on Sakura Haruno, but whenever he tried to win her affections, Sakura would repel his advances. When they first became a team, she was rather rude and disrespectful towards him, going as far as to insult or degrade him at any chance she got, and even stated that the one thing she doesn't like was Naruto (mainly because he interfered with her attempts to gain Sasuke's affections and for being a constant nuisance at the time). However, as the series progressed, Sakura realised that her negative views of him were wrong as Naruto continuously showed his worth as a ninja and his dedication to his team-mates, and they later developed a strong friendship, even though she is still hypercritical at times. After Sasuke defected from Konoha, Sakura pleaded to Naruto to bring him back to her. Naruto, realising how much she loves Sasuke, promised her that he would do everything in his power to bring him back.

Sai has assumed that Naruto's dedication to make her happy has progressed to the point of love, and though Sakura has been shown to care for Naruto as one of her closest friends and team-mate, these feelings are ultimately one-sided on Naruto's part as Sakura doesn't reciprocate them for him. Even when she told Naruto that she loved him and she no longer had any feelings for Sasuke, Naruto never believed her, knowing that she was lying to herself and that she was still in love with Sasuke, a fact proven to be true by Sai and later on by Sakura herself during the war. In the anime, Naruto told Shizuka that while he fell for Sakura, he knew it was one-sided on his part, however, he stated that even though Sakura is only attracted to Sasuke, Naruto said that all that mattered was her happiness. Sai, however, has noted that the strain of making Sakura happy and the promise he made to her are the source of Naruto's internal pain.

Hinata Hyūga
Ever since they were children, Hinata Hyūga always admired Naruto's strength, determination to never give up no matter what the odds, his selfless nature and how his smile changed her, and she always strives to better herself thanks to Naruto's influence. In addition, Hinata never insulted, degraded, or even laughed at Naruto whenever he embarrassed himself or got into trouble, and because of her incredibly empathetic nature, Hinata was one of the very first people to identify Naruto's painful childhood. As the series progressed, Hinata's long-standing admiration for Naruto later developed into much stronger feelings, leading her to fall in love with him.

Naruto always held Hinata in high regard as a close friend because of her desire to change herself and be acknowledged, something that he can relate to. He has also shown a great deal of care for her, as in the Chūnin Exams, he declined her offer of copying her test due their risk of being disqualified, defended Hinata from Neji's contempt toward her, and even vowed with her own blood to defeat Neji in her place. However, a month later, Naruto became uncharacteristically low and unconfident about his match with Neji in the finals despite his earlier vow, so went to the training grounds, where he, much to his surprise, happened to bump into Hinata. When he revealed his doubts about the match and his own abilities to her, she reassured him that he is incredibly strong because he always had the strength to overcome his own failures. Naruto gratefully thanked Hinata for bringing him out of his depression, and he said to her that even though he had thought of her as a dark and weird girl, he really likes a person like her.

During the invasion of Pain, Naruto, who was then pinned down by Pain, was shocked when Hinata entered into the fray and intervened to protect him. Worried about her own safety, Naruto demanded Hinata to stay away from the fight, but she refused to leave despite knowing that she didn't have the power to defeat Pain. When she confessed her love to Naruto, he was completely speechless, and once it looked as if Pain had killed Hinata right before his very eyes, Naruto became so furious to the point where he entered his six-tailed form. Later on, as soon as he returned to his normal state, he specifically remembered Hinata's condition and became very concerned, but was then brought to tears of relief when he found out that she's still alive. By the time of the Fourth Shinobi World War, when Naruto saw Hinata feeling down on herself after he saved her from the disguised White Zetsu, he reassured her that she is very strong, recounting her coming to his aid against Pain when no one else did, to which Hinata silently thanked him for cheering her up. When the entire shinobi force was rushing to Naruto's aid, Hinata resolved that once the war was over, she would be standing right beside him, holding his hand.

Gaara
Naruto first met Gaara just before the start of the Chūnin Exams, but did not learn that Gaara was a jinchūriki until he and Shikamaru stopped him from murdering Rock Lee when they were at the Konoha Hospital. The encounter at the hospital, and later during his battle against Gaara during the Invasion of Konoha, made Naruto see the loneliness within Gaara's eyes and thought they were the same. After their battle ended with Gaara's defeat, Naruto crawled towards Gaara and explained that he suffered the same fate as him. He was shocked to find that Naruto knew very well the pain he had endured all his life. He was even more surprised that Naruto never gave up hope on being acknowledged as a person and ultimately found friends who truly cared for him.

Gaara was puzzled by Naruto's undying devotion to his friends. This made him realise that Naruto's strength came from the desire to protect those close to him. Seeing the determination that Naruto had to protect his friends made Gaara question his own path in life. As Gaara and his siblings fled the scene, Gaara openly apologised to Kankurō and Temari. This surprised and confused them. He decides to follow Naruto's path, wishing to become Kazekage of Sunagakure so he could be connected to his people, and hopefully have them finally acknowledge his existence as a person, not the tailed beast inside him. Over the next few years, Gaara's determination to find happiness became apparent from his decision to rely on his own power rather than his inner demons.

When Naruto learned that Gaara was kidnapped by the Akatsuki members Sasori and Deidara, he was very eager to save him. Learning that the Akatsuki completed extracting Shukaku, resulting in Gaara's death, he openly broke into tears and criticised Chiyo for sealing Shukaku inside him. Naruto also went so far to give his chakra to Chiyo during Gaara's revival.

During the Five Kage Summit, when Sasuke Uchiha attacked the meeting, Gaara tried convincing him to go back to light. Sasuke refused saying that he closed his eyes and his only goal exists in darkness. Gaara gave up hoping that Naruto may be still able to convert Sasuke. He confronted Naruto and informed him that it's hopeless to make Sasuke return to the light. He said that if he were to one day become Hokage he'd have to choose between either saving a former friend turned criminal, or guarantee the safety of his people. Naruto refused to answer and became silent as he pondered on this.

Konohamaru Sarutobi
Even though Konohamaru Sarutobi and Naruto pretend to be rivals, the two clearly have a deep and understanding friendship. Konohamaru idolises Naruto in ways that no other person does, which was also shown when the two first met, with Konohamaru calling Naruto. He opened to Naruto and told him that he was sad because nobody saw him for who he really was, instead, they only saw him as the grandson of the Third Hokage and was always called instead of Konohamaru. He liked Naruto because he thought they were similar. They eventually became very close, with Konohamaru constantly calling Naruto, and Naruto also taught Konohamaru some techniques that he himself excels in.

Like Naruto, Konohamaru dreams of becoming Hokage; however, he is content to wait to be the Seventh Hokage, as he is perfectly convinced that Naruto will become the Sixth.

Shikamaru Nara
Naruto hung out with Shikamaru Nara, along with the other 'Dead Last', during their Academy days. The two would sometimes hang out even while they are not on missions. Shikamaru has some respect for Naruto by visiting him in the hospital and offering a fruit basket that he couldn't give to Chōji. Naruto would often work with Shikamaru while on missions. Shikamaru is also the only one able to relate to Naruto about the death of Jiraiya, due to Asuma's death and was able to get Naruto out of his depression and resolve him to avenge the latter when fighting Pain. Shikamaru also said that when he is around Naruto, there is something about Naruto that makes him want to follow him. Shikamaru seems to truly care about Naruto, and was able to notice the pain that the villagers inflicted upon him. Shikamaru himself noted that he and the rest of Konoha 11 sees Naruto much more than just being Kurama's jinchūriki. In the anime, he asserted that he wishes to protect Naruto and also fight alongside him during the war.

Kiba Inuzuka
Naruto and Kiba Inuzuka hung out with the other 'Dead Last' during their Academy days. Naruto viewed Kiba as one of his rivals during the Chūnin Exams. Naruto faced off against Kiba and was able to defeat him. The two would still maintain a friendship throughout the years. Kiba would often aid Naruto on missions, including searching for Sasuke. Kiba seems to admire Naruto despite his reluctant behaviour to show it.

Chōji Akimichi
Naruto and Chōji Akimichi, along the other 'Dead Last', hung out together while at the Academy. Naruto can be friendly to Chōji and would try to avoid calling him fat. Naruto would hang out with Chōji while not on mission, mostly to eat. He assisted Naruto in trying to bring Sasuke back to Konoha, but the mission failed. Chōji would often aid Naruto on missions.

Neji Hyūga
In the beginning, Naruto developed a strong dislike towards Neji Hyūga due to his cruel treatment to his cousin Hinata. When Neji left her in a critical condition and stated that a failure like Hinata and Naruto can never change, Naruto vowed on Hinata's blood to win. During Neji's match with Naruto, who despite being repeatedly struck down, continued to try and fight him. While Neji tried to show Naruto that fate cannot be fought, and that someone who is weak will always remain weak, Naruto was unwilling to accept this mindset, arguing that Neji, for all his belief in fate, had not accepted his own destiny. Naruto went on to defeat Neji, suggesting that, if a "failure" like himself could change his destiny, think of what a "genius" like Neji could do. Naruto promised that he will change the fate of the Hyūga clan for him. He changed Neji's idealism and remedy the estranged relations between himself and the main house, especially to Hinata, who even trained with him. Since his defeat, Neji has now mellowed out and treated Naruto much nicer, and the two have since developed a friendly relationship. Neji also claimed that Naruto saved him from the darkness and has even told Hinata that he owes a lot to Naruto and wants to get stronger so that he can protect him as well.

Rock Lee
Naruto saw Rock Lee as a rival and later they became friends. Naruto would call him instead of Rock Lee. Before the Chūnin Exams started, Naruto would face him, but was quickly defeated which motivate him to become stronger. Lee was able to see Naruto as a rival besides Sasuke and Neji. After Lee stopped Naruto from attacking Neji for the way Neji insulted his own cousin Hinata during their match in the preliminaries of the third exam, Lee admitted while he wanted to defeat Neji in the finals to prove Neji wrong in his beliefs, he was willing to pass that dream on to Naruto if he were chosen as Neji's opponent instead, which did happen, and though Lee was unable to see it, he was satisfied when he heard that Naruto defeated Neji. Lee was also hoping to face Naruto again until he got injured by Gaara which disappointed Naruto. Naruto would try to help him be a shinobi again by bringing him Tsunade to heal him. Naruto would work with Lee on missions from time to time.

Sai
When Naruto first met Sai, they had a rough start, due to Sai frequently insulting him and regarding Sasuke as a traitor. However, Naruto is getting to know Sai better and now considers him a member of Team 7. Sai has been working hard to improve his personality, so he can become his own self and become a better friend to Naruto and Sakura. In fact, Sai believes Naruto to be like his older brother. Sai also wanted to know and see for himself the bond between Naruto and Sasuke, which had changed him, though it seems that Sai now has his doubts about Sasuke being redeemable with all the grief he cause for Naruto through his crime-riddled vendetta, even claiming that he feels angry when he thinks about Sasuke.

Might Guy
When first meeting Might Guy, Naruto found him very strange due to his eccentric mannerisms. After Naruto became friends with Guy's apprentice, Lee, Naruto began to warm up to Guy. Guy in turn has come to like and respect Naruto for his strong will determination not unlike that of Lee. As a show of support, Guy once gave Naruto one of his jump suits, insisting that it will help improve his training. In the anime, Naruto has shown further respect and appreciation for Guy's shinobi prowess, asking him strongly to instruct Naruto in taijutsu. Also, in the anime, Kakashi voiced his trust in Guy watching over Naruto for his training to master Kurama's power, knowing that Guy would treat Naruto as one of his own students.

Tsunade
Naruto's relationship with Tsunade started with Naruto challenging her after she criticised the rank of Hokage. Despite being bested in their first dual, Naruto proved himself by coming to her defense in her battle with Kabuto after being paralyzed by her hemophobia and proving that he had the will to continue on, despite whatever odds may be put ahead of him. Through his actions, she was able to overcome her phobia and regained her faith in the village and herself. She thanked Naruto by accepting the position of Hokage and gifting Naruto with the First Hokage's Necklace, a gift she had given to her brother Nawaki and her lover Dan when they too expressed their desire to be Hokage.

Overall, the two have a very strong relationship based on mutual respect. She has come to his aid whenever the village elders try to control or limit Naruto's actions due to him being a jinchūriki and a target for Akatsuki. It is also her feelings for Naruto that kept the missing-nin, Sasuke off of Konoha's Bingo Book, giving him her support in his quest to bring him back. During the Fourth Shinobi World War, despite the entire point of the Allied Shinobi's strategy of keeping the jinchūriki out of combat, allowed Naruto to join the battle when he proved that he had control of Kurama's power and his desire to help his friends.

Since Mito Uzumaki is Tsunade's biological grandmother, Naruto and Tsunade are distantly related as Mito was a member of the Uzumaki clan.

Hiruzen Sarutobi
Naruto was looked after by Hiruzen Sarutobi after his parents' deaths. The Hokage kept his parents' identity a secret and gave him his mother's last name. He asked the village to never reveal anything about Kurama to Naruto or the children. Naruto was inspired by the Hokage, originally due to the respect they received, including Hiruzen, and hoped to become Hokage himself someday. He would often get under Hiruzen's skin by the disturbances he would make by his pranks or the use Sexy Technique, the latter of which often caused Hiruzen to suffer from nosebleeds due to being a closet pervert. Despite their unique relationship, Naruto deeply cared for Hiruzen and was very saddened by his sudden death, to which he payed his respects to the Hokage at the ceremony for the sacrifices he made for the village. Thanks to Hiruzen's teachings and value, Naruto would continue to help and protect the village after his death.

Itachi Uchiha
Naruto learned from Sasuke that his brother, Itachi Uchiha, is alive and was still searching for him. Naruto first encountered Itachi who was sent to capture him for the Akatsuki and learned that Sasuke wants to kill his brother for revenge. He learned that Itachi is responsible for the massacre of the Uchiha clan. These actions are the source of Sasuke's hatred for his brother.

When Naruto encountered him again years later, he wanted to talk to Naruto about his interest in Sasuke. Naruto told him that Sasuke was more of a brother to him than Itachi. This made Itachi smile and he asked if Naruto would still be able to feel the same way should Sasuke attack the village. He told him that he would save Sasuke without killing him and protect the village. Itachi then gave Naruto some of his power which he hoped he would never have to use.

In the Fourth Shinobi World War, he met Naruto again after being reincarnated and controlled by Kabuto to capture him and Killer B. He was later freed from Kabuto's control using the power that he previously gave to Naruto, and was able to help him. Naruto's opinion of Itachi seemed to have greatly improved after hearing the truth of the Uchiha clan massacre and he told him that he had sacrificed himself enough for the village, to which Itachi answered with a smile that he was glad that his brother had a friend like Naruto. He would ask Naruto to never forget about his friends while being the strongest or he would end up like Tobi. He realised that Naruto shares the same ideals and goals as Shisui Uchiha and that he would be able to stop Sasuke. He later left and entrusted Sasuke to Naruto and his friends. He appears to also care about Naruto's life, having asked Killer B to look after him.

Itachi was also one of the few people who knew that Minato and Kushina were Naruto's parents and was well aware of his dream of being Hokage.

Nagato
Reflecting on an earlier lecture during his battle with Pain, Naruto demanded an opportunity to speak with Nagato, but was denied and attacked by the Deva Path. After defeating the Deva Path, Naruto went to see him, but when he arrived, Nagato fired another chakra receiver at him to try and control him. Naruto was able to resist it despite his close proximity to Nagato. Although angry with Nagato for killing Jiraiya and destroying Konoha, Naruto asked him how, as a fellow student of Jiraiya, could have strayed so far from their master's teachings. Hoping that Naruto would come to agree with his solution for peace, Nagato told him his past, of his two great sorrows and how he came to believe pain would save the world.

Although Naruto agreed with Nagato's ultimate conclusion, he rejected it for differing with Jiraiya's ideals. In doing so, he answered Nagato's earlier question about how to attain peace: by "breaking the cycle of hatred". He decided not to kill Nagato, regardless of him still hating Nagato and being unable forgive him, as that would only perpetuate the cycle.

Amazed by Naruto's resolve and remembering Jiraiya's teachings, Nagato decided to put his faith in Naruto's answer. Nagato used the Outer Path: Samsara of Heavenly Life Technique to revive all the Konohagakure citizens that had been killed during his invasion, causing his red-hair to turn pure white due to the overexertion of his chakra. The strain of the technique cost Nagato his life. With his final breath he wished for Naruto's dream of peace to come true and said that in regards to Naruto and Jiraiya's book, he felt like it was "the work of a true god". Like his teacher, Nagato died with a smile. Naruto got over his hatred for Nagato and seems to have forgiven him, as well grew to respect Nagato, saying he got pain from his fellow pupil, and defended Nagato when Tobi stated Nagato was just like him.

After Nagato's reincarnation, he is shown to be kinder and carefree to the point he was even willing to start making jokes, something that surprised Naruto. His opinion of Naruto also strengthened after he last saw him, pointing out to Itachi Uchiha that he wasn't surprised that Naruto was able to advance his control over Kurama's power since they both had studied under the same master.

It is later revealed that Nagato and Naruto are actually distant relatives by Naruto's maternal side, with Nagato being a part of the scattered Uzumaki clan.

Zabuza Momochi and Haku
A relationship that shaped Naruto's character, made him find his ninja way, and gave him the determination to protect his comrades was with two of the first major antagonists of the series — Zabuza Momochi and Haku. During Naruto's first C-rank mission of escorting Tazuna to the Land of Waves, Team Kakashi encounter Zabuza who was one of Gatō's hired assassins. After Zabuza's "supposed death" at the hands of a masked Haku he is removed to heal his wounds. After that, while Naruto was resting from training one day, he encountered an unmasked Haku in the forest, unaware that it was the same boy he had encountered earlier. The two have a conversation about those who were precious to them, and the lengths they would go to protect them, this notion provoked a unselfish desire to protect his friends and to never give up. Shortly after, during the second battle between them, Haku dies by sacrificing himself for Zabuza, protecting him from a final blow by Kakashi, Zabuza insists that Haku was too weak and soft to be his ninja tool and that he served his purpose as his tool in the end with no emotion. These words and lack of feelings enrage Naruto as he reprimands Zabuza for not appreciating Haku's actions. Having a change of heart, Zabuza kills Gatō, but dies due to his wounds. Naruto admits to Kakashi that he liked Zabuza and Haku which later Kakashi agrees on feeling the same way.

Orochimaru
Naruto first encountered Orochimaru during the Chūnin Exams though he wasn't aware who he really was. He fought against him to protect his friends though he was defeated in the end. He learned that he is one of the Sannin and the one who attacked the village. He first saw Orochimaru while trying to help Tsunade. Sakura told him that Orochimaru is the one who attacked him and his friends for Sasuke. After Sasuke left to join Orochimaru, Naruto would train to get stronger to face Orochimaru to save Sasuke. Years later Naruto would face off against Orochimaru and use Kurama's power to fight him. Naruto hoped that Orochimaru's death would mean that Sasuke would return to the village, but he never did.

Kabuto Yakushi
When Naruto first met Kabuto Yakushi, he saw him as an ally during the Chūnin Exams. Kabuto seemed to be polite to Naruto and has some fixation on him, and Naruto in turn was able to make it through the exams with his help. However, when Naruto later discovered that Kabuto had an allegiance to Orochimaru, they become enemies. Naruto defeated Kabuto and nearly died from his last attack, but was saved by Tsunade. Three years later, Naruto encountered Kabuto alongside Orochimaru while he was searching for Sasuke, and later when Kabuto handed him the book containing intelligence on Akatsuki. He departs before he can be apprehended, noting that he will someday fight Naruto after he avenges Orochimaru by killing Sasuke.

Sasuke Uchiha
Ever since he first met with Sasuke Uchiha back in the Academy days, Naruto instantly saw him as his rival, and was determined to have Sasuke acknowledge him as an equal. However, as the series progressed, he came to view him as a brother, and despite Sasuke's willing defection from the village, Naruto strives to bring him back to Konoha. When Naruto came to understand the downside of revenge and the reason of Sasuke's hatred, his desire to save Sasuke grew even more, as he was willing to take physical abuse from the Kumo-nin over selling Sasuke out, and getting down on his knees before the Fourth Raikage and begged him to forgive Sasuke for his crimes, since it would only create a cycle of hatred. Upon finally reuniting with Sasuke, Naruto sympathised with the criminal for his actions, and refused to back down or kill him, instead finding a third solution: since they were indeed destined to fight, as Tobi predicted, and when that happens, they would most likely die. Naruto is fully prepared to shoulder Sasuke's hatred as a friend, and is, in a way, the sole person who has not given up hope on him. However, like the rest of Konoha, Naruto has finally given up in bringing Sasuke back as a citizen of the village, as he acknowledged that Sasuke is a criminal to the village, believing that words would no longer have any effect to allowing them to understand each other since they would only fall on deaf ears, and has resigned himself to fighting, and potentially killing Sasuke to protect Konoha. To prevent himself from dying when he fights Sasuke, Naruto started training to master Kurama's power, saying he was through running from being a jinchūriki and prepared to complete "that technique". Despite this, Naruto still considers Sasuke his friend, though Sasuke no longer sees Naruto as such and has promised to kill Naruto first before killing the rest of Konoha.

Tobi
The catalyst of everything negative in Naruto's life, Tobi himself saw little in Naruto to be concerned of. Using a newborn Naruto as bait, he used him to separate Minato from Kushina, which lead to the Nine-Tails' Attack on Konoha. Years later, he would encounter Naruto again when the latter was a member of the Eight Man Squad hunting Sasuke and Itachi, and later, appear before Naruto again and reveal the secrets behind the Uchiha clan massacre and taunt him about Sasuke's descent into darkness. When Tobi claimed his actions were to bring world peace, Naruto called him out, calling him a monster, to which he agreed.

Tobi initially saw Naruto as little more than a means to stimulate Sasuke to his goals. After Naruto has inadvertently halted and stalled most of his plans, Tobi moved instead to plunge the entire ninja world into war to expedite his plans. However after Naruto broke his thrall the tailed beasts, he reiterated his contempt for Naruto, reassuring himself that whatever Naruto was, he was no match for him.