Naruto Uzumaki

is the title character and main protagonist of the series. Although he is only a Genin of Konohagakure, he is trained as a sage and thus is one of the village's most powerful ninja. He is the only son of Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki, a member of Team Kakashi, and the jinchūriki of the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox.

Background
Naruto was born as the son of the Fourth Hokage, Minato Namikaze, and Kushina Uzumaki. Before his birth, they had decided to name him after the main character in Jiraiya's first book, hoping their son would be as great a ninja as the character was, which made Jiraiya Naruto's godfather. Soon after his birth, however, the Nine-Tailed Demon Fox attacked Konoha. To save the village, Minato engaged the Nine-Tails in combat and sacrificed his life by sealing it within Naruto, to which Minato believed that his son would someday have use for it. Naruto was left to grow up knowing nothing of his parents, receiving only his mother's last name since Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, felt that it was best that nobody knew that he was related to the Fourth Hokage. Before Minato died, he asked that the villagers of Konoha to view Naruto as a hero who had helped to stop the Nine-Tails. While few of the villagers did as he asked, most instead openly resented him for containing the monster that had destroyed their home. In light of this, Hiruzen decreed that nobody should ever speak of the Nine-Tails sealed within Naruto, hoping that their children would not resent him as they did. The children, however, followed their parents' lead, despite not knowing why. Iruka Umino would be one of the few exceptions, who was always compassionate to Naruto's plight. For this, Naruto came to view Iruka as the father-figure he never had.

Appearance
As stated by Jiraiya, Naruto bears a striking resemblance to his father, possessing similar blue eyes and spiky blond hair though the actual shape of his eyes resemble his mother's. A trait regularly mentioned, that easily angered him, was his short stature for his age. During Part I, he was one of the shortest in his graduating class, second only to Hinata Hyūga. During Part II, he had a significant growth spurt that was noticeable to all, as first mentioned by Sakura Haruno, who stated he was now much taller than her. Even Kiba Inuzuka stated that Naruto had become a 'giant', and Temari remarked that the 'shorty' had grown dramatically upon seeing him.

In Part I, Naruto's outfit consisted of a orange jacket with blue on the upper shoulders area, a white swirl with a tassel on the left side, a red swirl on the back, and a big white collar as well as orange pants, blue sandals, and a blue forehead protector that was given to him by Iruka after he graduated from the Ninja Academy. In Part II, Naruto's outfit undergoes modification after being worn to shreds during his training with Jiraiya. The outfit retains the orange color as well as the white (without the tassel) and red swirls, but the jacket is much more form fitting and the upper shoulders area is now black in color. The forehead protector has also changed with Naruto moving the metal portion to a new longer black bandana and he wears black sandals instead of blue. During his battle with Pain, Naruto sported a red coat with black flaming designs at the bottom, and a large summoning scroll on his back. The scroll and the coat have not been used or seen since then.

Personality
Due to the prejudice and loneliness he suffered in his childhood, Naruto developed a craving for acknowledgment. In order to achieve this, Naruto would pull pranks all around the village and even go as far as strive for the title of Hokage. Even after graduating from the academy, Naruto was still determined to be recognized though as Naruto made more and more connections with others, his reasons for wanting to become Hokage underwent a change, having less to do with the desire for recognition, and more to do with wanting the strength to protect his home and the people close to him. Because of Naruto's desire to become Hokage, he greatly admires those who have held it. As stated by Madara Uchiha, Naruto is a firm believer in the Will of Fire to the point that he was unwilling betray even a former comrade.

Naruto's exuberant personality and fiery desire for self-improvement strongly impacts the lives of those around him. At the beginning of the series, Naruto befriended Konohamaru Sarutobi, the grandson of the Third Hokage, and it is through his brief tutelage that Konohamaru learned that the path to success is through plenty of hard work. Kakashi Hatake has described this as Naruto's "unique power," as he seems to change the world views of everyone he meets, and inspires courage for the future within them. With this power, Naruto was able to redeem Zabuza Momochi, make Neji Hyūga abandon his view of destiny and inescapable fate, inspire courage in Inari, Sakura, and Hinata, persuade Tsunade to come out of seclusion, change Gaara from the dark demon into one of his closest friends, and even earn the trust of Nagato, the apparent leader of Akatsuki, who was one of the main antagonists of the series. Neji believes that only Naruto can save Sasuke from darkness; however, Sasuke and the Fourth Raikage are to date the only people Naruto has failed to persuade.

As mentioned above, Naruto is characterized as being hyperactive; he is typically exuberant, easily excitable, impulsive, and suffers from a short attention span. This is supported by Asuma Sarutobi in the 'Fire Temple' arc in the anime, describing Naruto as being the type who doesn't think before acting, similar to Sora. Asuma also identifies Naruto's personality type and fighting style, like Sora's, as being a 'power type' (types that are best suited to 'charging straight in') and are best effective in battle when sent in first, in the front to 'clear a path' through the enemy's defensive line, making a way in after them for the rest of the team. While raw power is one of his strengths, Naruto has begun to learn in recent chapters that it is something that he needs to temper with focus in order for it to become truly effective.

According to Kakashi, Naruto is someone who learns through his body. Naruto is relatively naive, being slow to understand a jutsu's principles, and often requiring a dumbing-down of an already dumbed-down analogy in order to grasp what is being explained to him. This assumes he is able to keep his attention long enough, as he commonly seeks to change the subject in light of his ignorance, outwardly insisting that he already gets the concept. Though he retains this confidence in himself to great degrees, loudly proclaiming that he will master whatever technique he is learning in a fraction of the usual time, Naruto will not hesitate to ask for help if he needs it.

As an extension of his naivety, Naruto has a number of childish traits. His pajamas always include a comical black nightcap with eyes and teeth, and he keeps his money in a chubby, green-frog wallet he affectionately calls "Gama-chan." He is also very brash and rarely pays heed to formality or social standings. He almost exclusively eats ramen, and is a frequent customer at the Ichiraku Ramen Bar. He has only refused ramen on one occasion: when he was stricken by grief over Jiraiya's death. He has a natural affinity for perverted ideas and jutsu, something he tends to be reprimanded for by Sakura, and which is only brought to new levels after meeting Jiraiya. He also smiles near-constantly, which during his childhood, was to mask the sadness of his lonely life. Those who are closest to him are able to recognize when his smile isn't genuine.

However, when the situation calls for it, when someone dear to him is in trouble, Naruto can be very serious, and will instantly try to come to their aid. This is most commonly seen in the series through his interactions with his teammates, Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno. With Sasuke, Naruto views him as a brother, and throughout Part II strives to bring him back to Konoha, despite his willing defection from the village. With Sakura, Naruto had a long-standing crush on her, and will do all in his power to make her happy, even if it is at the expense of his own happiness. Sai has indicated that this dedication has progressed to the point of love. Sai also notes that the strain of making Sakura happy and bringing Sasuke home are the source of Naruto's internal pain.

After talking with his father, and the loss of his mentor Jiraiya and talking to his killer, Nagato, Naruto came to understand the downside of revenge, and desired to stop Sasuke from it even more. Also, Naruto tried to stop the Kumo-nin from exacting their revenge against Sasuke, for this would only create a cycle of hatred. It appears that Naruto is becoming increasingly desperate in his quest to save Sasuke, as he was willing to get down on his knees before the Raikage and beg for Sasuke to be forgiven for his crimes and even take physical abuse over selling him out. Furthermore, after learning from Madara Uchiha the reason of Sasuke's hatred, Naruto decided and proclaimed to Sakura, who was trying to get him to leave his quest, that he truly understands Sasuke now and he wants to save him not just because of the promise he made to Sakura, but for also to himself. However, after realizing that the rest of his comrades are aiming to kill Sasuke, and that nobody in the village will ever accept him again, Naruto apparently suffered from hyperventilation due to the extreme conflict that he has been presented with.

Abilities
At the start of the series, one of the only jutsu Naruto could do without fail was his own original Transformation Technique, called the Sexy Technique; a creative but almost completely useless diversionary jutsu, used simply to shock his instructors. Naruto was also able to use simple E-rank abilities, like the Cloak of Invisibility Technique and Body Replacement Technique. Although Naruto had trouble with the Clone Technique at the start of the series, he quickly learned how to use Jōnin-level techniques, like the Shadow Clone Technique and its larger-scale version.

While under the tutelage of Jiraiya, Naruto's abilities have continued to improve; his prowess in ninjutsu and taijutsu have grown greatly, and he had also been taught some limited skill at dispelling genjutsu but the most valuable assets that Naruto has gained in his training with Jiraiya are an increased range of battle smarts and more knowledge of the basics of a shinobi, which he lacked during Part I. This, along with the skills and abilities Naruto has gained over the course of Part II, makes him a much more complete ninja. Also, during Part II, Naruto has regularly proven himself a match against the S-Class members of Akatsuki. It has been said by Kakashi at different points in time that Naruto has surpassed Jiraiya, Tsunade, his father, and even Kakashi himself in strength. He was suggested to be Hokage in Tsunade's place by several villagers following Pain's invasion.

While searching for the Uchiha brothers, Itachi granted Naruto a portion of his power, in case Sasuke ever chooses to revolt against Konohagakure. It is currently unknown what this power is yet. Zetsu has noted that Naruto is probably stronger than Sasuke is at the present time.

Jinchūriki Transformations


As the jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails, both Naruto's mind and body are occasionally influenced by it. Physically, Naruto has some of the fox's characteristics, such as whisker-like marks on his cheeks and larger than normal canines, which become enhanced further during his transformations. He also has increased stamina and healing abilities, which allows him to recover from major injuries usually within a day, and minor injuries within a few seconds. Mentally, Naruto remains largely unaffected, save for a few animalistic traits that slip through, such as his occasional tendency to leap between trees on all fours. Since the Nine-Tails was sealed inside Naruto at birth, it is unclear just what parts of his personality it has had an effect on; however, it could explain Naruto's impish side for pulling pranks to gain attention, as well as his stubbornness to never back down from a challenge. Naruto's normal chakra level is considered extremely high, partially because of the Nine-Tails. Even without directly drawing upon it, a small amount of the Nine-Tails' chakra is always mixed with his own. Jiraiya once commented upon the fact that Naruto's body is much too small a vessel to properly contain the chakra of the Nine-Tails, and his body will instinctively reject the bulk of it due to the damage it would cause. Ebisu implied that Naruto's poor chakra control stems from this, as a portion of his chakra is used to reject the Nine-Tails' overwhelming chakra. What chakra that does not get suppressed by Naruto's body is assimilated by his chakra, making Naruto's usual chakra capacity unusually high. According to Kakashi, Naruto's regular chakra level is about four times of Kakashi's own. As such, he is naturally suited to jutsu that use a large amount of chakra, such as his signature jutsu, Shadow Clone Technique. While most ninja are only capable of creating a few clones safely, due to the jutsu's hazard of equally dividing the user's chakra among the clones, Naruto is able to create hundreds while maintaining a decent supply of chakra in each one.

The Nine-Tails' chakra usually comes to Naruto during life-threatening or other stressful situations, given to him by the Nine-Tails itself to ensure its survival. Naruto eventually learns to contact the Nine-Tails and demand some of its chakra, which it seems to comply to out of amusement. The reason Naruto is able to access its chakra is because of the unique way in which it was sealed. Though the Nine-Tails remains trapped within Naruto, its chakra can leak out through the seal and mix with Naruto's. The Nine-Tails' massive supply of chakra becomes an invaluable weapon for Naruto, often turning the tide of a difficult battle in his favor. Though useful, expanding the magnitude of his other abilities, Naruto cannot handle too much of the Nine-Tails' influence. As he draws upon additional amounts of the Nine-Tails' chakra, "tails" are produced, and from the fourth tail onwards he is reduced to animal instincts, no longer being able to differentiate between friend and foe. Although he usually stops himself from getting too far, once the fourth tail is attained, he needs outside assistance to force the Nine-Tails' influence to recede.

Shadow Clone Technique
Naruto's first signature jutsu, the Shadow Clone Technique takes advantage of the massive chakra reserve Naruto possesses due to him being the jinchūriki of the Nine-Tails. Naruto is able to create upwards to two thousand clones, and able to have a decent amount of chakra in each of them. Because of this, Naruto can use his shadow clones for almost anything, from straight combat to speed training.

In the beginning, Naruto would create a multitude of clones to overwhelm his opponents. Other times however, he would employ the use of the Transformation Technique to change the appearance of this clones to catch his target off guard. By Part II, Naruto learned that whatever his shadow clones learn, he, the main mind, will also learn. By using this, he is able to learn something that would take years in days, which greatly increased his rate of learning. Naruto also learned that he could use the shadow clones to determine his opponents' abilities, to determine how many clones he will really need to defeat them instead of wasting chakra on thousands of clones. It should also be noted, that Naruto has shown admirably skill in Taijutsu, by using his clones as a main style of attack. Even without his clones, he showed skill capable of going toe-to-toe with Sora, a Taijutsu expert.

Summoning Technique
Naruto was first taught how to use the Summoning Technique by Jiraiya. After allowing Naruto to sign the Summoning Contract with the toads of Myōbokuzan, Jiraiya took Naruto through the execution of the technique in order to provide Naruto with allies in future battles. Additionally, Jiraiya's other motivation to teaching Naruto how to summon, was in order to help Naruto to realize, and take advantage of, the Nine-Tails' chakra reserves.

The type of toads that Naruto can summon at any time is proportional to his chakra and skill, as when he first started out he could only summon tadpoles. At first, Naruto would have a hard time getting any specific toad, as he would summon either Gamakichi or Gamatatsu. But when he used the Nine-Tails' chakra, or when he is truly motivated, Naruto was able to summon the toad boss, Gamabunta.

Collaboration Jutsu
Collaboration Jutsu, also synchronized or combination jutsu, pertains to an area of jutsu which entail techniques that are comprised of at least two or more jutsu that, when initiated with the right timing, one will feed into each other to become a jutsu of greater power than the sum of its parts.

Naruto was introduced to the subject by Jiraiya in the anime, where Jiraiya summoned Gamariki to synchronize with Naruto in order for him to develop a collaboration technique. Though he found it difficult to work with Gamariki and summoned Gamakichi and Gamatatsu of whom he was already accustomed to working with and trained with the two, later Naruto asked if they could speed up the training in which case he would need to be inside Gamatatsu's mouth and release his wind chakra the moment Gamatatsu released water chakra. This training developed Wind Release: Toad Gun the attack was strong enough to blast through Guren's Crystal Release: Jade Crystal Labyrinth Technique.

Later in the midst of a battle with the Three-Tailed Giant Turtle, Naruto developed a collaboration jutsu with both Gamakichi and Gamabunta known as, Wind Release: Toad Oil Flame Bullet, this technique was powerful enough to temporarily knock out the tailed beast. He has also been seen using Fire Release: Toad Oil Flame Bullet with Gamabunta but knowing no Fire Release ninjutsu and needing an ignition source, he substituted an exploding tag instead.

Rasengan
Created by the Fourth Hokage and taught to him by Jiraiya, the Rasengan is Naruto's second and strongest signature jutsu. While the Rasengan is a one handed technique, Naruto required the use of two to form it due to his poor chakra control, thus using a clone to form the "shell" of the sphere. Despite this, Naruto has used the Rasengan effectively in almost every one of his fights after mastering it. The Rasengan holds an advantage over its counterpart, the Chidori. The Rasengan only requires chakra control to form, while the Chidori uses so much chakra that it can only be used a few times a day. Naruto mastered the Rasengan to a degree that he can do it almost instantaneously.

The Rasengan, like the Clone Technique, would be the base of several original jutsu created by Naruto, such as the Great Ball Rasengan, a larger and more powerful version of the Rasengan, and after his wind training created the Wind Release: Rasengan and Wind Release: Rasenshuriken, and after his senjutsu training, the Sage Art: Great Ball Rasengan and Sage Technique: Rasenrengan.

Due to the unique nature of the Rasengan in Naruto movies, Naruto creates a new type of Rasengan, often facilitated by a character in the movie, or a unique property present in the movie.

Wind Release
After failing to bring Sasuke back to Konoha for the second time, Naruto went through elemental training where he discovered that he had an affinity to wind, which by incorporating into the Rasengan, which was originally intended to be combined with a nature element, would greatly increase his power and his chances. The wind nature compliments a fighter like Naruto, as the wind nature is a great match for short ranged fighters. By focusing his wind chakra, Naruto can go as far as cutting things with only his chakra.

Naruto had learned nature transformations to upgrade his Rasengan, which he achieved with the Wind Release: Rasengan and the Rasenshuriken, combining both shape and nature manipulation originally deemed impossible without natural talent or instinct. The Rasenshuriken was capable of slicing into the victim and cutting them at a cellular level faster than a Sharingan can see it. It however caused similar damage to himself as it is still a handheld jutsu, despite its name. After his sage training, he could throw the Rasenshuriken and expand it, increasing its power and attack radius. This also helped to nullify the damage it would normally do to his arm.

Senjutsu
After Jiraiya's death at the hands of Pain, Naruto began training with Fukasaku in Myōbokuzan to learn senjutsu and how to enter Sage Mode. In order to achieve this, Naruto had to learn to sense and control the natural energy around him. Once mastered, Naruto was able to perfect the Rasenshuriken, so that he could throw it, and learn Frog Kata, the taijutsu style that uses the natural energy around the user to enhance the range and the potency of their attacks.

However, Naruto had one fatal flaw in his senjutsu training. To mold senjutsu chakra, the user must remain absolutely still. Something one can not do while in combat, and because of the Nine-Tails, Shima and Fukasaku are unable to fuse with Naruto to mold it for him. To counter this, Naruto has to leave two shadow clones in a safe place to mold the senjutsu chakra for him. Once he depletes his current amount of senjutsu chakra, he would dispel one of the clones and gather its senjutsu chakra to reenter Sage Mode. This method limits the maximum number of shadow clones that Naruto can create to five for as long as the clones are gathering natural energy, as anything more would interfere with their focus. However, he is currently trying to extend the time he can remain in Sage Mode at one time.

Deception
Although Naruto's intelligence is greatly downplayed for most of the series, his skills in deception and strategy are actually extremely high allowing him to defeat even S-Class ninja such as Kakuzu and Pain. He also possesses the ability to formulate complex plans in the midst of battle. Naruto’s strategies typically involve shadow clones; either directing his opponent’s attentions towards one of his clones to disguise his own movements, or transforming them into various shapes (such as shuriken) to allow for surprise attacks. His skills in deception are shown to have grown exponentially during his battle with Pain, allowing him to prevail through an elaborate and highly unpredictable array of back-up plans, such as transforming his clones to mimic the environment.

Naruto can also be quite innovative, using his clones to master advanced techniques. Examples of this include a two-man Rasengan, three-man Rasenshuriken, and using clones to perform senjutsu.

Part I


The series begins with Naruto, labelled as his classes 'Dead-Last', once again failing to graduate from the Ninja Academy. Disappointed that his plans of becoming Hokage have hit another hurdle, Naruto was approached by one of his instructors, Mizuki. Mizuki told Naruto that, if he could steal the Scroll of Seals from the Hokage Residence and learn one of the jutsu written on it, then he would be allowed to graduate. Naruto did so, and began struggling to learn the Multiple Shadow Clone Technique, unaware that the village was now looking for him.

Iruka tracked him down, and discovered Mizuki's involvement in the theft, realizing that Naruto had been duped by Mizuki, in an effort to steal the scroll. Mizuki attacked them, and told Naruto about the Nine-Tails sealed within him, claiming that Iruka hated him because of it. When Iruka risked his life to protect Naruto, however, Naruto realized that Mizuki's earlier words were a lie, and created hundreds of shadow clones to beat Mizuki to a pulp. For mastering such a difficult technique, Iruka allowed Naruto to graduate.

In the days to come, Naruto befriended Konohamaru and became his on-off teacher, showing him how to perform a variety of both perverted and useful jutsu throughout the rest of the series. He was also assigned to Team 7, where he was partnered with Sasuke Uchiha and Sakura Haruno, under the leadership of Kakashi Hatake.

As the team's first order of business, Kakashi gave them a test to see if they were ready to become Genin. He had the three of them try to take the two bells he kept on his person, the goal of the test being to place teamwork above the fact that they couldn't all have a bell. Although they initially failed miserably, all trying independently to take a bell, they eventually decided to work together, allowing them to pass.

Land of Waves arc
After completing a number of simple, uneventful missions, Team 7, at Naruto's insistence, was assigned the somewhat more difficult C-rank task of escorting Tazuna to the Land of Waves. When they were attacked by the Demon Brothers along the way, who tried to kill Tazuna, they realized that there was more to this mission than a simple escort. Tazuna revealed that his country was under the control of Gatō, who had left the people poor and unable to afford the more accurate A-rank mission payment. By building a bridge that would connect the Land of Waves to the mainland, Tazuna hoped to free the country from Gatō, prompting Gatō to try and kill him. Team 7 decided to help Tazuna, and act as his bodyguards until the bridge was completed.

They were soon attacked by Zabuza Momochi, another of Gatō's assassins, who engaged Kakashi in battle. When Zabuza captured Kakashi, he encouraged his team to escape with Tazuna. Having been of little use during the battle with the Demon Brothers, Naruto resolved to help Kakashi. With Sasuke's assistance, they were able to free Kakashi, who in turn almost defeated Zabuza. However, Haku, disguised as a hunter-nin, intervened, and appeared to kill Zabuza first, in actuality only putting him in a death-like state in order to get him to safety. Kakashi suspected that Zabuza was still alive, and gave Team 7 a Tree Climbing Practice to improve their chakra control. Naruto and Sasuke developed a competition over the exercise, each determined to complete the training first, and subsequently motivating each other to do better.

While Naruto was resting from training one day, he encountered Haku, unaware that it was the same boy he had encountered earlier. The two had a conversation about those who were precious to them, and the lengths they would go to protect them. After Haku left, Naruto finished the training, but was left so tired that the rest of Team 7 allowed him to rest the next day as they went to escort Tazuna. When he woke up, he went to assist them, only to find that they were in the midst of battle with Zabuza and Haku.

Naruto went to help Sasuke in his battle with Haku, but they were both trapped by Haku's Demonic Ice Mirrors (because Naruto was an idiot and thought it'd be a good idea to "sneak in to help"). When Haku tried to use a volley of needles to kill Naruto, Sasuke stepped in to protect him, appearing to die instead. Enraged by the apparent death of Sasuke, Naruto tapped into the Nine-Tails' chakra, allowing him to destroy the ice mirrors, and subsequently defeat Haku. Before he could kill Haku, however, the mask he was wearing broke away, revealing the face of the boy Naruto had met earlier. Naruto stopped himself, but Haku asked that he should finish the job, since he could no longer be of use to Zabuza. Although Naruto tried to comply, Haku stopped him at the last minute, and went to help Zabuza. When Naruto realized what had happened - that Haku had given his life to save an ungrateful Zabuza - an outraged Naruto reprimanded Zabuza for not appreciating Haku's actions. Touched by his words, Zabuza killed Gatō to repent in an effort to do Haku justice, but died of his wounds. The bridge (now named the Great Naruto Bridge) was completed, and the Land of Waves was saved, so Team 7 (with a recovered Sasuke) returned home.

Chūnin Exam arc
After returning home and completing a few other simple missions, Team 7 was entered into the Chūnin Exams. In the first phase, a written test, the participating Genin were tasked with completing the test by cheating, all the while being sure not to get caught. Though the rest of the examinees realized this, Naruto did not, and struggled to answer the questions, which were far beyond his comprehension. Hinata Hyūga, who was sitting next to him, offered to allow him to copy off her paper, but he refused, in fear that she would get caught. Naruto was forced to rely on getting the tenth question correct to pass. When faced with the prospect of correctly answering the question to proceed, failing and never being allowed to take the test again, or giving up to try it again during the next exams, Naruto insisted on answering the question, stating that, even if he got it wrong, he would still become Hokage. The willingness to face the unknown being the answer to the tenth question, Naruto and the rest of Team 7 were allowed to proceed to the second phase.

For the second phase, Team 7 was sent into the Forest of Death with one scroll, tasked to obtain a second scroll from another team and arrive at the forest's centre before the phase ended. Soon after entering the forest, they were attacked by Orochimaru, who immobilized Sasuke and Sakura with his murderous intent. Before Sasuke could forfeit their scroll in exchange for their lives, Naruto intervened, fighting Orochimaru by tapping into the Nine-Tails' chakra. Orochimaru rendered Naruto unconscious by restricting access to the Nine-Tails' chakra, but Naruto's courage inspired Sasuke to fight in his place. After Orochimaru was driven off and Naruto awakened, Team 7 encountered Team Oboro. After wasting a day trapped in the rival team's genjutsu, Team 7 was able to defeat them, take their scroll, and pass the round.

Because too many Genin teams had passed the second phase, a round of preliminary matches, where Genin faced each other in combat, were held to thin the field. After watching the first few rounds, Naruto was matched against Kiba Inuzuka, and his dog, Akamaru. Remembering Naruto to be talentless from their days in the academy, Kiba believed it would be an easy match. He and Akamaru double-teamed Naruto, who initially had difficulty with the match. After combining the Transformation Technique with his shadow clones to turn Kiba and Akamaru against each other, Naruto was able to remove Akamaru from the competition. When Kiba was about to defeat him, Naruto blew off, immobilizing Kiba and his heightened sense of smell, and making him an easy target for the Uzumaki Naruto Combo. Naruto won the match.

While watching the remaining matches, Naruto witnessed Neji Hyūga's ruthless treatment of his cousin, Hinata. Angered by Neji's actions, and his claims that Hinata was a failure who couldn't escape that fate, Naruto vowed to defeat Neji during the first round of the finals a month later. In the meantime, Naruto started training with Ebisu to improve his chakra control. When Ebisu was knocked out by Jiraiya, Naruto forced Jiraiya to train him in his place. Jiraiya, noticing that Naruto was the container of the Nine-Tails, and the restrictive seal Orochimaru had placed on him earlier, Jiraiya removed the seal to ease his chakra control. He then taught him how to take advantage of the Nine-Tails' chakra by showing him how to use the Summoning Technique to summon toads. Although having little success at first, Naruto was eventually able to summon the likes of Gamabunta in time for the final round.

When his match against Neji began, Naruto appeared to be at a disadvantage. Although he was able to overwhelm Neji with shadow clones, none of the clones could manage to land a hit. Convinced that Naruto was a failure that could not defeat a genius like himself, Neji used his Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms to cut off Naruto's chakra supply. Determined to prove Neji wrong, Naruto tapped into the Nine-Tails' reserves and, revitalized, clashed with Neji. When the smoke cleared, Neji emerged, Naruto appearing to have been defeated. This, however, was only a shadow clone, and the real Naruto burst from the ground beneath Neji, to deliver an uppercut and defeat him. Neji was taken away, contemplating the fact that fate was not predetermined, since a failure could beat a genius, while Naruto watched the remaining matches. When Sasuke fought Gaara, he was envious of Sasuke's improvements, but the fight was interrupted by the beginning of the invasion of Konoha.

Invasion of Konoha arc
Naruto was put to sleep when the invasion began, but was awakened by Sakura so that they could go after Sasuke, who was pursuing Gaara in order to continue their fight. They caught up in time to stop Gaara from killing Sasuke. Intrigued by Naruto's abilities, Gaara forced him into battle by threatening to kill Sakura. With the power of the One-Tailed Shukaku sealed within him, Gaara tried to prove his existence by killing Naruto by playing with him. Although Naruto could relate to Gaara's life as a jinchūriki, he was not willing to allow anything to happen to Sakura and Sasuke. With the Nine-Tails' chakra, he summoned Gamabunta, and fought Gaara, who by now had progressed to his full Shukaku form.

Naruto was able to awaken Gaara from his jutsu to reseal the Shukaku, and they exchanged final blows, Naruto emerging the final blow. Both of them, being very exausted, fall on the ground, Naruto crawling his way towards Gaara. Gaara is shocked to see why Naruto was so strong. Naruto explains that he has also suffered a relentless lonely life, but was later saved by having friends. Gaara understands, and retreats with Kankurō and Temari, while Naruto is returned back to Konohagakure with Sakura and Sasuke.

Days passed, and Naruto and the rest of the shinobi came to a ceremony to respect the death the Third Hokage and his sacrifice for the village.

Search for Tsunade arc
After the failed invasion resulted in the death of the Third Hokage, Jiraiya was tasked with finding a Fifth Hokage. He convinced Naruto to come with him by promising to teach him a new jutsu that would be stronger than Sasuke's Chidori. Along the way, they were met by Kisame Hoshigaki and Itachi Uchiha, two members of Akatsuki, who sought to capture Naruto for the Nine-Tails sealed within him. Jiraiya was able to draw them off, but Naruto was introduced to the organization that would become more of a problem for him in Part II. To prepare him for their future encounters, Jiraiya taught him how to use the Rasengan, a jutsu created by Minato. While Naruto was able to complete the first two steps of the learning process with little difficulty, he struggled to complete the third and thus master the technique.

Naruto and Jiraiya eventually found Tsunade, the ideal candidate for the position of Fifth Hokage. When she turned down the offer, and insulted all those who had previously held the title, an angry Naruto challenged her to a fight and attacked her with an incomplete Rasengan. Although his effort failed to hit her, she was surprised by his progress and made a bet with him: if he could master the technique in a week, she would give him her necklace, but if he couldn't, she would take his money and his frog wallet, Gama-chan. Naruto agreed, and started practicing, but in a week's time, he still had yet to finish the training. Disappointed, Tsunade met with Orochimaru, the murderer of the Third Hokage, and Naruto, Jiraiya, and Shizune, Tsunade's assistant, tried to stop her from helping him.

Tsunade turned out to have no intention of helping Orochimaru, and fought him and his assistant, Kabuto Yakushi. When Kabuto left her unable to fight, Naruto came to her aid. Although he was getting beaten by Kabuto and Tsunade told him to run, Naruto refused and by using shadow clones to help him form it, Naruto was able to hit Kabuto with a perfected Rasengan, defeating Kabuto and winning the bet. Amazed by his determination to keep to his word and to survive against a superior opponent, Tsunade gave him her necklace, drove off Orochimaru and Kabuto, and accepted the position of Fifth Hokage. They returned to Konoha, Tsunade confidently believing Naruto would someday become a great Hokage.

Land of Tea arc
In the anime, after Sasuke was healed by Tsunade, Team 7 was assigned a mission to escort someone in the Land of Tea without Kakashi. Early in the mission, they encountered their client, Idate Morino. Though Idate did not insist in having aid during the race, Naruto and the rest still agreed, as that was what they were told to do. Near the end of the race, a shinobi known as Aoi Rokushō interfered, and attacked them suddenly. After Sasuke began to lose, Naruto came to his aid with the Rasengan, destroying Aoi's sword and defeating him (albeit Sasuke's Chidori made a crack in Aoi's sword). While Sakura helped Sasuke up, Naruto guided Idate at the final peek of the finish line. Naruto let Idate finish the race on his own, which Idate successfully did. After that, Ibiki Morino, the brother of Idate, sent in the ship for Team 7's departure. Naruto and the rest said their goodbyes to Idate and returned to Konoha.

Sasuke Retrieval arc
After the mission in the Land of Tea, Sasuke began to fall into the corruption set in place for him by Orochimaru. He began lashing out at Sakura and Naruto, not as teammates but as enemies, eventually defecting from Konoha in order to seek out Orochimaru for power. Under the escort of Orochimaru's Sound Four, Sasuke left to join Orochimaru, and Naruto joined a retrieval team that would bring him back. While the other members of the team dealt with the Sound Four, Naruto finally engaged in a fight with the Sound Four's fifth member, Kimimaro. However, he was not able to beat him even with Nine Tails-enhanced shadow clones. When Naruto was about to be killed, he was saved by Rock Lee, who told him to continue the pursuit of Sasuke while he fought Kimimaro.

Naruto finally caught up with Sasuke in a place called Valley of the End, very near the border of the Land of Fire and the Land of Sound, and fought Sasuke. With Sasuke determined to kill Naruto in his quest for power, Naruto decided he would have to take the battle seriously if he was to bring Sasuke back. When Sasuke's drive to kill proved greater than Naruto's resolve of friendship in a 'fair' fight, Naruto tapped into the Nine-Tails' chakra to level the playing field, allowing him to batter around Sasuke. Sasuke, pushed to his limits, managed to develop the mature Sharingan, greatly overpowering Naruto. When Naruto, even with the Nine-Tails' chakra, was defeated, he tapped into the chakra even more, and a red aura of the Nine-Tails' chakra, in the shape of a fox, surrounded him. Sasuke then drew on the power of the second stage of his cursed seal to properly compete with Naruto. The two had one final clash, Naruto with his Rasengan (enhanced by the Nine-Tails' chakra) and Sasuke with his Chidori (empowered by the cursed seal). Upon contact, a giant, black energy dome formed and surrounded them. In the dome, Sasuke struck Naruto in the stomach, while Naruto scratched Sasuke's headband, proving the latter's earlier taunt of the subject wrong. Sasuke won the fight, but after staring at the unconscious Naruto, he couldn't bring himself to kill his best friend, so he simply continued on his way to Orochimaru.

Kakashi and Pakkun didn't come in time to get Sasuke, and left with Naruto. In the hospital, Naruto vowed to Sakura that he would someday bring Sasuke home. Soon after, Jiraiya arrived suddenly, telling Naruto to train with him for three years prior. He also told him to give up on Sasuke, as he is no different from Orochimaru. Naruto accepts training with Jiraiya, but rejects to giving up Sasuke. In the manga, right after this, Naruto departs, but in the anime, he stays for awhile, doing numerous filler arc missions.

Filler arcs
After the original Naruto anime had concluded the Sasuke Retrieval arc, to make sure the anime did not over take Part II of the manga, the makers instead animated several filler arcs to take place before Naruto left for his three year training with Jiraiya. Naruto is sent on various missions with the other members of the Konoha 11, but while there is little character development for himself, the filler arcs tend to develop the supporting characters, as well as Gaara. The final filler arc was right before Naruto's departure with Jiraiya, though in the manga, this was right after the Sasuke Retrieval Arc.

Rescue Gaara arc
When Naruto returned to Konoha, the remaining members of Team 7 were reorganized into Team Kakashi. As their first order of business, Kakashi gave them another bell test, this time the only goal being to take a bell, and that he would use his Sharingan against them. Although their abilities had improved, Naruto and Sakura were still unable to beat Kakashi, and it was only by threatening to spoil the end of the latest Icha Icha novel that they distracted Kakashi long enough to take the bells. Naruto reconnected with his old friends, who had all advanced to Chūnin-rank or higher, and then heard that Gaara, the new Kazekage, had been kidnapped by Akatsuki. Naruto and Team Kakashi set out for Sunagakure to save him.

Upon arrival in Sunagakure, Chiyo was added to Team Kakashi as an adviser, and they followed Akatsuki's trail. Along the way, they encountered a body-double of Itachi Uchiha, which engaged them in battle. Kakashi and Naruto teamed up in order to defeat the lookalike, before continuing onto the Akatsuki lair. There, they found Gaara's body in the possession of Deidara and Sasori. When Deidara flew off with Gaara, Naruto and Kakashi pursued him, leaving Sasori to Chiyo and Sakura. While initially unable to catch Deidara, Kakashi was able to use his Mangekyō Sharingan to distract Deidara, giving Naruto an opportunity to attack him and retrieve Gaara. Deidara escaped, and Naruto and Kakashi reunited with Sakura and Chiyo.

Although Sakura tried to heal Gaara, he had already died, a casualty of Akatsuki's tailed beast extraction-process. Angered that Gaara had died because he was a jinchūriki, something he had never asked for and had suffered because of his whole life, Naruto lashed out at Chiyo, the one who had sealed Shukaku into Gaara in the first place. To make up for what she had done, Chiyo, with the help of Naruto, restored Gaara back to life, at the cost of her own. Gaara awakened surrounded by friends, and, after Chiyo's funeral, Naruto and Gaara finally shake hands (Gaara insisting), as a sign to their close relationship. Afterwards, Naruto and the gang went back to Konoha.

Sai and Sasuke arc
During Sakura's battle with Sasori, she learned of a spy in Orochimaru's inner circle, an opportunity for them to find Sasuke after his years of absence. Kakashi was left hospitalized from overuse of the Mangekyō Sharingan, so Yamato was assigned to lead Team Kakashi in his place. Sai was also added to the team as Sasuke's replacement, but neither Naruto nor Sakura were able to accept him as such.

En route to the meeting place with the spy, Yamato tried to get the team to work together, although Sai's personality and disdain for his predecessor caused only conflict amongst the team. When they arrived at the meeting spot, they found that the spy was Kabuto. Yamato, disguised as Sasori, spoke with him, but they were interrupted by the arrival of Orochimaru. Kabuto, in turn, turned against Yamato, who was forced to call Naruto and the others for back-up. Surprised to see Naruto, Orochimaru wondered aloud if Naruto had become as strong as "his Sasuke". Enraged that Orochimaru had spoken as if Sasuke belonged to him, Naruto entered a three-tailed transformation, and attacked him.

While a fair match, Orochimaru was able to evade Naruto's attacks. Further provoked by his inability to land a debilitating blow, Naruto advanced to the four-tailed form, losing his sense of self in his anger. Now a danger to Orochimaru, Naruto was forced back so that he could switch targets, his first being Sakura. Yamato restrained him before he could do any real harm, and forced the Nine-Tails' influence to recede. When he woke up, they found that Sai had joined up with Orochimaru. They followed him in the hopes that he would lead them to Sasuke, and to see what he was up to. During a break, Yamato took Naruto aside, and told him of how he had attacked Sakura, encouraging him not to rely on the Nine-Tails if he really wanted to protect those close to him.

When they arrived at Orochimaru's hideout, they infiltrated the lair, and captured Sai. Exposed, Sai revealed that his superiors had sent him to help organize another invasion of Konoha. He was restrained for his treachery, while the others went looking for Sasuke. Sai, having earlier met Sasuke, asked why Naruto was so determined to bring him back. Naruto explained that the two had a bond that couldn't be broken, and that he would risk his life to protect this bond. Intrigued, Sai switched sides, helping them to capture Kabuto and then scouring the base in order to reunite Sasuke with Naruto. He succeeded, but was attacked by Sasuke, the magnitude of which drew the rest of Team Yamato to their location.

Together again, Naruto and Sakura tried to convince Sasuke to come home. Still determined to gain power, he refused, prompting the team to use force. Their efforts were unsuccessful, and Naruto, in his inability to compete with Sasuke's growth, struggled to reject the Nine-Tails. Within his subconscious, he told it that he never wanted its assistance again, but it was not until Sasuke entered Naruto's subconscious that the Nine-Tails gave up on spreading its influence. In the real world, Sasuke tried to finish off his former, defeated teammates. He was stopped by Orochimaru, however, and they retreated, leaving Team Yamato to return home.

Twelve Guardian Ninja arc
In the anime, Team Yamato was sent on a mission to the Fire Temple. There they met Sora, a young monk who openly disliked Naruto. Despite this, Sora was added to their team to help investigate the grave-robbing of a number of former Twelve Guardian Ninja. Soon after the investigation began, Naruto noticed that the other monks treated Sora much as the villagers of Konoha used to treat him: as an outcast sentenced to loneliness. Naruto asked him about this, but Sora only replied that he didn't blame them.

Upon finding the grave robbers, Naruto was forced into battle with Fuka, a woman that kept trying to kiss Naruto. Through the use of shadow clones, he was able to escape her advances, only to find out that she was a master of all five types of elemental jutsu. Soon afterwards, she managed to kiss him, an act that sucked all the chakra from his body. Once his normal chakra was gone, however, she began sucking out the Nine-Tails' chakra, a force she couldn't handle, and was promptly overwhelmed by. She retreated with her team, and Team Yamato returned to Konoha, with Sora as a temporary substitute for Sai.

Naruto continued to try and befriend Sora, only for his and the efforts of others in Konoha being turned away. When later following Sora, Naruto found him to be trying to kill Asuma and Tsunade. After stopping him, Naruto asked why Sora was being so hostile. He discovered that Asuma had killed Sora's father. Asuma soon arrived to try and explain, but Sora ran off. Naruto once again followed him, but was stopped by Fuka. Forced into battle with her again, Naruto attacked, only to find that she was apparently regenerating from her injuries. Upon noticing that she had stopped using certain elements, Naruto realized that Fuka somehow had multiple bodies, and that each had its own affinity which she could switch between. Coming to the conclusion that her soul resided in her hair, Naruto destroyed all of Fuka's bodies before destroying her hair too, allowing him to follow Sora uninhibited.

When he arrived back in Konoha, Naruto discovered that not only was Sora's father still alive, but that he was behind the various grave-robbings. The more pressing matter, however, was that he had, years earlier, sealed some of the excess chakra, left behind during the Nine-Tails' attack, into Sora, and sought to use its power to destroy Konoha. As Sora lost control of the Nine-Tails' chakra within him, Naruto also struggled to control the Nine-Tails' attempt to create a four-tailed form. He was able to maintain his senses, however, and forced the Nine-Tails' influence to recede, and was able to get through to Sora to help him return to normal as well. The Nine-Tails' chakra was expelled from Sora's body and, finally free, he said goodbye to Naruto before setting out to explore the world.

Hidan and Kakuzu arc
Kakashi, hoping to make Naruto better prepared for his next encounter with Sasuke, trained him to create a new wind-based jutsu. In the anime, this training began before, and continued throughout, the Fire Temple arc, with Naruto seeking assistance from Asuma and Sora, two other wind chakra users. Kakashi had Naruto train with shadow clones to master wind manipulation in only a fraction of the time. When he did this, Kakashi left him with the task of combining what he had learned with the Rasengan. He explained that infusing one's chakra nature with the Rasengan was what Minato had intended to do when he created the Rasengan, but had not been able to do so before he died. Kakashi believed Naruto would prove successful where his father could not, inspiring Naruto to do his best.

While he struggled to create his new Rasengan, the rest of Konoha mobilized to deal with the Akatsuki members, Hidan and Kakuzu. When the two managed to kill Asuma, Kakashi left Yamato in charge of overseeing Naruto's training so that he could help Team 10 avenge Asuma. Once he achieved a usable jutsu, Naruto and Team Yamato went to provide assistance, arriving in time to save Kakashi and Team 10 from Kakuzu. Naruto engaged Kakuzu by himself with his Wind Release: Rasenshuriken, created with the help of shadow clones. Once striking Kakuzu with the attack, two of his hearts were destroyed, and his final heart was left on the brink of failure. Tired out by the ordeal, Naruto's injuries were healed while Kakashi finished off Kakuzu.

Upon retuning to Konoha, Naruto was forbidden by Tsunade to use the Rasenshuriken again. While it was devastating to his opponents, it was not as bad as his opponents injuries but harmful enough to cause the arm to be beyond medical repair if performed again with contact of his hand and the opponent, endangering him and his hopes of remaining a ninja. Naruto said that he realized this, but claimed he understood his own body better than anyone else.

Three-Tailed Beast arc
In the anime, while still recovering from over-using his Rasenshuriken, Jiraiya appeared to congratulate his student's latest successes: defeating one of the Akatsuki members and completing Minato's jutsu. Jiraiya offered to take Naruto on another journey to train, which Naruto quickly agreed to. In truth, Jiraiya's main reason for taking Naruto from Konoha again was so he would not join Kakashi and Team 8 on their mission to find Orochimaru's latest hideout. For their training, they went to a neighboring town to teach Naruto how to use collaboration jutsu with toads. Gamariki was initially summoned to help in this endeavor, but when Naruto proved unable to work with him, Gamakichi and Gamatatsu were summoned instead.

Later, while resting at a hot springs, Naruto met a young boy named Yūkimaru. They talked for a short time about bonds, which made Yūkimaru happy. When Yūkimaru left, Naruto resumed his training, and started having success performing synchronized jutsu with Gamakichi and Gamatatsu. Jiraiya was soon called away, so they returned to Konoha, where Naruto taught Gamatatsu how to perform water-based jutsu. Soon afterwards, he met up with Sai, who let slip that the rest of the team was about to provide back-up for Kakashi in his search for Orochimaru. Determined to help, since he might meet Sasuke, Naruto convinced Tsunade to let him go too.

While searching for Team 8, Naruto ran into Yūkimaru again, and offered him a chance to join him back at Konoha, in response to which Yūkimaru quickly disappeared. As Naruto and his team found themselves halted by Guren's crystal barrier, Naruto summoned Gamakichi and Gamatatsu for help. They then used the Wind Release: Toad Gun to break through, and on the opposite side found Team 8. When they noticed that Hinata had been captured, they helped rescue her, before retreating. The combined teams followed Guren to a lake, where Naruto was sent ahead to scout the area. He found Guren and her forces (amongst them being Yūkimaru) with the Three-Tailed Giant Turtle, who created a tidal wave that drove them all back to shore.

While the team decided what to do with the Three-Tails, Naruto went off to confront Yūkimaru. He found Guren instead, and they argued over what would really make Yūkimaru happy. Yūkimaru soon appeared as well, but after saying that he appreciated Naruto's efforts but would rather stay with Guren, left with her. Before he could go after them, he was called back to help with the tailed beast, his goal being to prevent Guren and her forces from interfering with its sealing. To his delight, Kakashi also tasked him with safely retrieving Yūkimaru.

Despite their best efforts, Guren was able to stop the sealing. Yūkimaru used this as an opportunity to try and control the beast, prompting both Naruto and Guren to come to his aid. In the process, they were both eaten by the Three-Tails, giving them an opportunity to talk and find out they both had Yūkimaru's best interests in mind. Setting their differences aside, they teamed up to escape. Outside, they found Rinji trying to drug Yūkimaru. After Naruto and Guren managed to stop Rinji, they discovered that it was really Kabuto in disguise. Kabuto revealed that Rinji had become part of his corpse collection long ago, and was reanimated through his medical ninjutsu.

While Naruto faced off against Kabuto, Rinji was resummoned and sent up against Guren, whose bat-oriented jutsu turned out to be a perfect counter to Guren's crystal jutsu. After Guren sacrificed herself to defeat Rinji, Yūkimaru went into such an emotional outburst that it gave the Three-Tails the power to break free from the sealing barrier. Afterwards, with the Three-Tails escaping and Kabuto disappearing, Naruto went to aid the weakened Yūkimaru. Later, Shizune was able to heal Yūkimaru, but explained his chakra network was too damaged to ever control the Three-Tails again.

The following morning, after Tsunade had ordered the team to return to Konoha, Naruto discovered that Yūkimaru had vanished. After discovering that Yūkimaru had left his crystal from Guren behind, he realized that Guren was still alive, and with Yūkimaru. Knowing that the two would be fine, he decided not to pursue them. While failing to seal the Three-Tails, the successful saving of Yūkimaru inspired Naruto more than ever to bring Sasuke back to his true home, with his friends in Konoha.

Hunt for Itachi arc
After news of Orochimaru's defeat at the hands of Sasuke, Team Kakashi decided to make another attempt to find him. Knowing that Sasuke was going after his older brother, Itachi, they teamed up with the members of Team 8 to find either of the Uchiha brothers. They scoured the landscape, and eventually encountered Kabuto, who had absorbed some of Orochimaru's remains into his body. As thanks to Naruto, his efforts to overcome the Nine-Tails being similar to his efforts to overcome Orochimaru, Kabuto gave him a book containing some information on Akatsuki escaping from capture.

After regrouping and Kiba picks up on Sasuke's trail, Naruto used a number of shadow clones to search the area faster. When one of his clones neared what he thought was Sasuke's location, he found Itachi there instead. Itachi repelled all of Naruto's attempts to attack him, insisting that he only wanted to talk. He trapped Naruto in a genjutsu and, as was later revealed, questioned Naruto on his dedication to Sasuke and to Konoha. When Naruto insisted that he would protect both at any cost, Itachi gave Naruto some of his power in case he ever needed it. Itachi left, and Naruto continued his search, eventually finding Sasuke.

When the real Naruto and the rest of the team moved to intercept him, they were stopped by Tobi. Despite their efforts to quickly dispose of Tobi, none of their attacks worked, and it was only after word reached them that Sasuke had killed Itachi that they were allowed to continue. Tobi, however, reached Sasuke first, and having lost the trail, the Konoha ninja were forced to give up the search.

Six-Tailed Beast arc
In the anime, Naruto's time to grieve over his failed mission was cut short when Katsuyu arrived with an important mission order on Tsunade's request. Team Kakashi and Team 8, minus Kakashi who returned to the village for more information, were immediately sent to the aid of the Tsuchigumo clan to help protect its extremely destructive kinjutsu from enemy ninjas. Upon arriving, the enemies had already left in search of jutsu, which was taken by the former clan leader's granddaughter Hotaru. After catching up with her, Naruto saw a man attempting to strike her, causing Naruto to attack the man. Naruto was quickly countered with an unusual bubble-oriented ninjutsu. Before the fight could be finished, Hotaru made Naruto stop, saying it was a misunderstanding. The man was revealed to be named Utakata, who agreed to help protect Hotaru as payment for his life being saved. However, after determining that Naruto and his team were strong enough to protect Hotaru, Utakata decided to leave her in their care and left.

Hotaru, missing her supposed master refused Team 7's help and Naruto tries to reason with her that it is his mission. Yamato calls Naruto over to tell him about his plan and Naruto plays along with Sai using his jutsu to drop a mountain leech on Hotaru's shoulder. Hotaru becomes afraid and begs Naruto to protect until they clear the forest, but Naruto knows that there is nothing but forest between Konoha and the Tsuchigumo clan village. Once Team 7 reaches the village, Naruto notices that no one is out and rings the bell to alert of Hotaru's arrival, bringing the people out to meet Hotaru. He notices that the people in the village had the same stares as he once had in Konoha, but doesn't comment on it out loud. Hotaru thanks Naruto personally and Naruto reassures her that she will be safe now. As Team 7 moves away from the village, Naruto asks that if they could go on ahead without him, he believes that the stares on Hotaru were an omen and it was bothering greatly. Upon returning, he learns that Hotaru was attacked by outsiders and ran away. Naruto was shocked and furious to see how uncaring the village was about it, calming cleaning up the mess and not even starting a search party. Before he could go into it, Yamato and Sai arrived, reminding Naruto that Hotaru's safety was more important. Angered at not seeing this coming, Naruto quickly leaves to find Hotaru. Upon finding her, Naruto surprisingly finds Utakata there, who is being subdued by Mist ANBU who are holding Hotaru hostage. Unclear of what is happening but angered, Naruto charges in with his Rasengan and takes out one of the ANBU with a clone, freeing one of Utakata's arms.

As the battle is about to heat up, Yamato arrives and tries to discuss things peacefully. Yamato deduces that they are ANBU Hunter-nin are their true goal is Utakata. As the only thing stopping the two sides from fighting appears to be fear of starting a war between the two villages, the ANBU squad's captain emerges and offers a deal with the Leaf Ninja. It is then agreed to let Hotaru go as long as the Leaf Ninja swear to not stop them in pursuing Utakata after their mission to protect Hotaru is complete. Afterwards, Hotaru voices her distress from learning that Utakata is a rogue ninja wanted for murder. Naruto however insisted that Utakata is a good man and that Hotaru should not lose faith in him just because of circumstances. He explains that he can relate with Hotaru since he never had parents to look up to, but has come to respect and cherish Jiraiya's guidance despite his oddities. While Hotaru is cheered up by these words, she quickly collapses from a fever. Utakata strangely offers to handle this personally and asks the others to leave. After Naruto returns with herbs for Hotaru, he discovers to his shock that like himself with the Nine-Tails, Hotaru has been forced to carry a heavy burden in her very being as she has her clan's secret jutsu embedded in her back.

Initially, Naruto is furious to see such an act done on Hotaru, but she reveals that she asked for this to help restore the clan, desperately wanting to make her grandfather’s dream come true of reviving their clan. Hotaru's caretaker Tonbee however regretfully admits that by know, their clan has weakened too much to ever return to their former status. He also believes that it would be best for the world to destroy the jutsu. While Naruto is initially concerned for Hotaru’s safety, Tonbee reveals that Hotaru’s grandfather devised a way to safely remove the jutsu from her body. Hotaru, still convince that the clan was not beyond saving, asked Naruto to find a man of their clan named Shiranami‎‎, who is an immensely skilled ninja and studied the teachings of her grandfather. Sympathizing with Hotaru, Naruto swore to find the man, with the condition that he had to find him in two days. After several failed attempts, he finally managed to find Shiranami’s whereabouts. Once he enters Shirinami's house he is ambushed by Akaboshi's team and he is trapped in a chakra draining barrier. It is then revealed the Shiranami is actually the leader of the bandits. Naruto is then rescued by Utakata who uses demon chakra to force the enemies to retreat. Naruto then tracks Hotaru down to her clan's village and is ambushed by the villagers who are being manipulated by a sealing jutsu. Not wanting to hurt the villagers, Naruto and Utakata run until Yamato, Sakura, and Sai come to the hold off the villagers while Naruto and Utakata to save Hotaru from Shiranami.

Senjutsu Training arc
When he returned to Konoha, Naruto learned that Jiraiya had died in his battle with the leader of Akatsuki, Pain. Grief stricken, Naruto blamed Tsunade for his death, and departed. He 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. After being comforted by Iruka, Naruto helped to decipher Jiraiya's dying message with Shikamaru. When the code was broken, Naruto decided to go to train with the toads to learn senjutsu, knowing that Pain was coming for him and deciding to make the most of the time Jiraiya had bought for him.

To learn senjutsu, Naruto trained to harmonize with nature, a process he sped up by using a limited amount of shadow clones. He rapidly progressed through the introductory stages and attained a perfect Sage Mode, something Jiraiya had never been able to do. Because harmonizing with nature cannot be done in the midst of battle, Fukasaku tried to fuse with Naruto so that he could gather natural energy for Naruto's use. When the Nine-Tails rejected all of Fukasaku's attempts at fusion, Naruto was forced to find an alternative: using shadow clones in a desperate attempt to learn how to gather natural energy while moving. News of Pain's attack on Konoha soon reached them, and they mobilized for battle.

Invasion of Pain arc
Naruto (in Sage Mode), Fukasaku, Gamaken, Gamahiro, Gamabunta, and Gamakichi were summoned to the center of Konoha. Naruto did not immediately recognize the crater he had been summoned to, but then saw the Hokage Monument in the distance. Realizing that Pain had destroyed the village, an infuriated Naruto destroyed Pain's Asura Path with a Rasengan before it could attack Tsunade. Naruto sent Tsunade away, instructing her to make sure none of the other villagers intervened in the battle.

Pain's Animal Path summoned a number of animals to attack Naruto, who used the increased strength granted to him by Sage Mode to bat them aside to his toad allies. While they dealt with the summons, Naruto disposed of the Preta Path with Frog Kata before preparing the fruits of his senjutsu training: a perfected Rasenshuriken. He hurled the attack at Pain's remaining bodies, and it expanded when it neared them, disintegrating the Human Path. Running low on chakra because of the attack, Naruto had Gamabunta trap the Animal Path in his mouth, where Naruto was able to defeat it with his Rasenrengan without interference from the other bodies.

Having run out of natural energy and thus having exited Sage Mode, Naruto had Fukasaku summon one of his shadow clones from Myōbokuzan. As a workaround for his inability to have a constant supply of natural energy, he had had some of his shadow clones gather it for him. Revitalized, Naruto attacked with another Rasenshuriken, only for the Preta Path to appear and absorb the attack. Realizing that the Naraka Path must have restored it, Naruto focused his efforts on getting rid of it. He distracted the Deva Path with a smokescreen, and landed another Rasenrengan on the Naraka Path, defeating it.

Though he had defeated four of Pain's six bodies, Naruto was captured through a combination of efforts from the Deva and Preta Paths. The Preta Path absorbed his chakra to make sure he was no longer a threat but, being unable to handle natural energy, the Preta Path turned into a frog statue, allowing Naruto to free himself. The Deva Path captured Naruto again, and killed Fukasaku when he tried to come to help. While immobilizing Naruto, the Deva Path told Naruto of his plans for world peace. When Naruto disagreed with his views, Jiraiya's death being a byproduct of that peace, the Deva Path asked Naruto for a better solution.

Before he could answer, Hinata came to Naruto's aid. She confessed her love for Naruto (greatly shocking him) and engaged Pain in battle in a futile effort to save him. When she was apparently killed, an enraged Naruto exploded into his six-tailed transformation. His necklace reacted in an effort to quell the transformation, but the Nine-Tails destroyed it and attacked Pain. Unable to deal with this new threat, the Deva Path retreated to a location where it could use Chibaku Tensei, drawing in Naruto and restraining him. Within his subconscious, Naruto thought of Pain's plans for peace, and pleaded for someone to help him with a response. Through his suffering, the Nine-Tails tempted Naruto to give his heart to it so that it could destroy everything that was causing Naruto pain, thus distorting the seal to the point where the eight-tailed transformation was released, breaking free of the Chibaku Tensei. Before he could completely release the Nine-Tails, however, his father, Minato, appeared in Naruto's subconscious to stop him.

Minato revealed that he had designed the seal of the Nine-Tails to allow an imprint of himself to appear if ever the seal was about to break, a failsafe meant to protect his son. Picking up on this, Naruto realized that the Fourth Hokage was his father, and was overjoyed to finally know who one of his parents was. His time being short, Minato revealed that he had sealed the Nine-Tails into his own son because he thought Naruto would someday find use for it in finally stopping Madara Uchiha. They also discussed the concept of peace, and Minato revealed that hatred gave rise to Pain, and that ninja must find a way to end the hatred. While Naruto doubted that he could do it, Minato replied that he believed Naruto would be able to find the answer, and restored the Nine-Tails' seal before disappearing.

Outside, Naruto emerged from the Chibaku Tensei, the Nine-Tails' influence gone and Sage Mode having returned. He clashed one final time with the Deva Path, and by taking advantage of the five-second gap between its attacks, Naruto was finally able to defeat it with his Rasengan and win the battle. Using the Deva Path's chakra receivers, Naruto sought out Nagato, Pain's base mind, to finally answer his earlier question about peace. Naruto admitted that he hated Nagato, but restrained himself long enough to ask how Nagato, a fellow student of Jiraiya, turned out this way. After hearing Nagato's past and his reasons for desiring war, Naruto agreed on some points, but rejected the overall conclusion on the grounds that it differed from Jiraiya's ideals. To break the cycle of hatred, Naruto told Nagato and Konan that, despite hating them, he would not kill them.

Amazed by Naruto's determination to his answer, Nagato said that he would believe in Naruto, and revived all the people he had killed in Konoha, at the cost of his own life. With this, Naruto helped Konan retrieve Nagato and Yahiko's bodies for burial in Amegakure. After confirming that she had quit Akatsuki, she left Naruto a bouquet of paper flowers for him, symbolizing their new alliance. In volume 48 of the manga, Naruto leaves these flowers and a copy of The Tale of the Utterly Gutsy Shinobi by a rock, a memorial for Jiraiya.

Five Kage Summit arc
While Naruto was returning to the village, Kakashi found him and carried him back. There, he was greeted by all of the Konoha villagers. When the village began to rebuild after Pain's attack, Naruto ran into Tazuna and an older Inari, who have come to help with the reconstruction effort. They catch up, but Naruto avoided telling them that about what happened to Sasuke, instead stating that they "had a fight" which made Sasuke leave, but that he would be back soon. Soon afterward, Naruto learned that Danzō Shimura has been appointed as Hokage to replace the comatose Tsunade. In addition, he has ordered Sasuke been eliminated as a missing-nin. Naruto and Sakura contemplated how to get Danzō to change his mind, but Kakashi advised them against it. Naruto and Sakura asked Sai about Danzō, but they were unable to learn anything useful. They are then approached by Kumogakure ninja, Karui and Omoi, who told them of Sasuke's recent involvement with Akatsuki. They demanded information on Sasuke and the Akatsuki. Seeing Sakura's tears, Naruto volunteered to tell them about Akatsuki in private so that Sakura wouldn't need to, but when Karui and Omoi questioned him about Sasuke, Naruto was unable to bring himself to sell out Sasuke, and offered Karui the opportunity to beat on him up so as to release herself of her grief and her desire for revenge. She gladly accepted, and only stoped at Sai's insistence.

While Naruto was recovering, he asked Kakashi and Yamato to escort him to the Land of Iron so that he can ask the Fourth Raikage to forgive Sasuke. When they arrived there and meet with the Raikage, Naruto pleaded for the Raikage to pardon Sasuke, trying to explain why Sasuke had done what he had done. The Raikage refused and berated Naruto's belief that he can change Sasuke. Having failed, Naruto goes to a nearby inn to reflect upon Sasuke's actions, noting that he no longer understood Sasuke's motives.

Naruto was interrupted by the arrival of Madara Uchiha, who asked for an opportunity to speak with him. Kakashi and Yamato, having expected him, appeared and tried to catch him. Madara voiced his surprise that Naruto could have such an effect on Nagato, but Naruto ignored this and asked what he was going to do with Sasuke. Madara told him of Sasuke's descent into darkness, caused by Konoha's leadership's role in the Uchiha Clan Massacre. Naruto was unwilling to believe this and said that he can still get through to Sasuke. Madara laughed at the suggestion and stated that Naruto and Sasuke were fated to fight again at some point before leaving.

Naruto decided that he must confront Sasuke face-to-face. He practiced with Sage Mode, hoping to extend the reach of his sensory skills, but was interrupted by the arrival of Sakura. Sakura told him that she loves him and that she no longer has any feelings for Sasuke. He doesn't believe her and suggested she was lying, stating that he knew her better than that. Angered by this, Sakura insisted it is true and that he therefore doesn't need to fulfill his earlier promise of bringing Sasuke home. Naruto said his actions have nothing to do with the promise and that he just wanted to save Sasuke, choosing not to reveal what Madara has said about the Uchiha clan. Suspecting that Sakura was keeping something from him, Naruto pressed her on her real reasons for following him to the Land of Iron, but she left without a word. Later on, Naruto was approached by one of Sai's ink clones, saying he will tell him what Sakura couldn't.

After Sai told Naruto that Sakura and the other Konoha 11 members are preparing to kill Sasuke for his crimes and to prevent him from sinking any lower, Naruto realized that it was indeed too late to bring Sasuke back, as all hope has shattered. As Naruto lamented, Gaara, Kankurō, and Temari arrived to inform what happened at the Kage summit. After telling Naruto about what happened at the summit, Gaara offered that in this war, they have to protect Killer Bee and Naruto, and as Kazekage, he will protect Naruto with his life, and should Sasuke challenge the coalition, he will show him no mercy. He also told Naruto that if he is truly ready to bear the burden of Kage, he must do what is right as Sasuke's friend. As the Sand siblings begin to depart, Gaara tells Naruto that he once thought "friend" was just a word, but it was given meaning by Naruto. He offered that Naruto needed to think about its meaning and what he planed to do with Sasuke. Naruto was hit by these words, but remained silent. Yamato tried to console Naruto, but Kakashi stoped him, saying that Naruto must find the answer on his own. Later, after thinking back over everything the Cloud ninjas, Madara, Sai, Sakura, and Gaara have said about Sasuke and what his next move will be, Naruto began to hyperventilate due to his rising panic, causing him to faint.

After awakening, he discovered that Kakashi went off to handle the problem with Sakura and Sasuke. Naruto wanted to go and help, but Yamato insisted that Kakashi wanted them to go back to the village. Refusing to listen, Naruto left a shadow clone to distract Yamato and used his Sage Mode to follow Kakashi through his chakra signature. On the way to his location Naruto remembered the words of Itachi, Gaara, and the Raikage which brought him to a conclusion about Sasuke. When he arrived, he saved Sakura from Sasuke who was about to kill her.

Creation and Conception
When creating Naruto, Masashi Kishimoto incorporated into the character a number of traits he felt made an ideal hero: a straightforward way of thinking, a mischievous side, and many of the attributes possessed by Son Goku from the Dragon Ball franchise. He also made sure to keep Naruto "simple and stupid", since he does not like smart characters. Naruto himself is not modeled after anyone in particular, being conceived as childlike, with something of a dark side as a result of his harsh past. Despite this, he is always positive, making him unique in Kishimoto's eyes.

Naruto's wardrobe is based on clothing Kishimoto wore when he was younger; according to Kishimoto, using a pre-existing design would not have made Naruto unique, whereas something original would have made him stand out too much. The orange coloring of his costume is used to make Naruto "pop", with blues often being used to complement the orange. Because Naruto is associated with spirals, swirl patterns are incorporated into his costume. Initial illustrations of Naruto had him wearing boots, but Kishimoto substituted these for sandals, because he likes drawing toes. The goggles that Naruto used to wear were also replaced with a forehead protector, because the goggles themselves were too time-consuming to draw. Kishimoto said that he felt glad that his character had blond hair and blue eyes. The editor of Shonen Jump in the United States added that Kishimoto implied that the traits may have led the character to appeal to a Western audience. Kishimoto said that he most identifies with Naruto out of all of the Naruto characters.

In the Japanese versions of Naruto, Naruto often ends his sentences with the addendum "-ttebayo" (which gives a similar effect to ending a sentence with "you know?"). Kishimoto wanted to give Naruto a childlike catchphrase, and "dattebayo" came to mind. It complements Naruto's character, and serves as a verbal tic that shows him to be something of a brat. Throughout the beginning of the English, the dub replaced "dattebayo" and "-ttebayo" with the phrase "believe it!" to mirror the effect, as well as to match the character's lip movements.

Trivia

 * Spirals and swirl patterns are a recurring theme in Naruto, especially in relation to the character of Naruto Uzumaki himself. The word/name "Naruto" can mean "maelstrom", and is also the name for a sliced stick of kamaboko with a pink whirlpool design in the middle that is used as a topping for ramen, which is Naruto's favorite food. The surname "Uzumaki" is a pun on, because it refers to a three-dimensional spiral, like a whirlpool or vortex. "Uzumaki" can also mean "whirlpool", in reference to the , named after the city of Naruto.
 * October 10th, Naruto's birthday, was Health and Sports Day in Japan when his character was conceived. The holiday, however, was later moved to the second Monday of October in 1999.
 * Masashi Kishimoto stated in an interview with the U.S. Shonen Jump that his childhood was like that of Naruto's years while he was enrolled in the Academy.
 * Naruto consistently ranked in the top two (taking first place twice) in the first five official Shonen Jump character popularity polls. However, in the sixth character poll, he was ranked fourth. According to the latest character poll, which adds up all the votes from the first six polls, Naruto took second place.
 * Despite being the main character, Naruto has taken several long absences, sometimes up ten or more chapters. Shippūden's omakes sometimes reference this, joking that Naruto is not the main character of his own show.
 * In Naruto Shippūden: Ryujinki and Naruto Shippūden: Narutimate Accel 3 video games, Naruto performs Fire Release techniques even though Fire isn't his nature type.
 * According to the Naruto databook:
 * Naruto's hobbies are pulling pranks and watering plants.
 * Naruto wishes to fight Sasuke Uchiha and the Third Hokage (first databook) and members of Akatsuki (second and third databooks).
 * Naruto's favorite foods are Ichiraku ramen and red bean soup. His least favorite are fresh vegetables.
 * Naruto has completed 16 official missions in total: 7 D-rank, 1 C-rank, 2 B-rank, 6 A-rank, 0 S-rank.
 * Naruto's favorite phrase is.

Quotes

 * "And my dream is to be the greatest Hokage! That way, people will stop disrespecting me and start treating me like I'm somebody. Someone important!"
 * (To Neji) "I'm not gonna run away, I never go back on my word! That's my Nindō: my ninja way!"
 * (To the Nine-Tails) "Hey, you stupid fox! You're in my body and you owe me rent! So for payment, I'll take your chakra! You got that?!"
 * (To Gaara) "The pain of being alone...is not an easy one to bear..why is it...that I can understand your pain? But...I already have many people who are important to me now...and I can't let you hurt any of them...even if I have to kill you!"
 * (To Gaara) "They saved me from the hell of being alone...they acknowledged my existense...that's why they're so important to me..."
 * (To Sakura about Sasuke) "Don't worry! I'll bring him back! Promise of a lifetime!"
 * (To Jiraiya about forgetting Sasuke) "If that's what it means to be wise, I'd be happier living as a fool!"
 * (To Sakura) "It doesn't matter if you want to be useful to someone, there's no such a thing as a life worth throwing away!"
 * (To Sai) "I don't care who I have to fight... If someone rips my arms off, I'll kick him to death... If he rips my legs off, I'll bite him to death... If he rips my head off, I'll stare him to death...and if he gouges my eyes, I'll curse him to death... Even if I'm torn to shreds...I'll find a way to take Sasuke back!"
 * (To Kakashi) "Kakashi-sensei... do you remember what you told me when I was training? You said you believe I'm the only shinobi who can surpass the Fourth Hokage. I know teamwork is important. I also know that this is a very risky path. Even so, I want to take this risk alone. If I can't beat this, I'll never be able to grow up. So please...please...don't take this path away from me."
 * (To Itachi about Sasuke) "Because he's like a brother to me...and I'm a better brother than you ever were!"
 * (To Nagato) "Then I will break that curse. If there's such thing as peace, I will find it. I won't give up!"
 * (To Sakura) "I...hate people who lie to themselves!"