of Masashi Kishimoto Naruto The series has seen the introduction of many incredible characters over the years. Kishimoto has written an innocent story, giving rise to legends of a plethora of ninjas, many of whom have suffered various setbacks in their lives. However, it was not the obstacles that defined them. Most of those who fell came back stronger than before with massive power-ups. Among those who have come back strong, a handful of characters have come out on top in the most significant ways.
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Orochimaru
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Affiliations: Hidden Leaf Village, Hidden Sound Village
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Ninja level: Cage level
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Nature Type: All five
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Status: Alive
Orochimaru was the main antagonist in the first part of Naruto and the man responsible for the Konoha Cross. He pulled the strings behind the scenes for this attack and led to the death of the Third Hokage. Orochimaru was also responsible for taking Sasuke away from the village.
Eventually, he was killed by Sasuke; However, Orochimaru was still alive because his chakra existed in many places. Eventually, Sasuke brought him back into battle, and this time, he was stronger than ever, gaining access to Wood Release. Over the years, Orochimaru has continued to strengthen himself and, at this time, he is among the strongest ninja.
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Gara
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Affiliation: Hidden Sand Village
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Ninja Level: Cage
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Types of Nature: Air, Earth, Lightning Release
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Status: Alive
Gaara was introduced as a villain in Naruto. He was the Jinchuuriki of One Tail, and became a part of the Konoha Cross plan. Gaara was used by his village as a means to get what they wanted. However, after being defeated by Naruto, his soul was touched. Gaara spent the rest of his life trying to better himself and, after time left, he returned as the 5th Kazekage, becoming an incredible ninja while there. Gaara is incredibly strong even after defeating Shukaku, and in the Boruto era, he's strong enough to even fight Otsutsuki.
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Sakura Haruno
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Affiliation: Hidden Leaf Village
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Ninja level: Cage level
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Nature Type: Earth, Water, Fire Release
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Status: Alive
Sakura was a very talented ninja from the start. However, he lacked both strength and resolve in Naruto Part 1. During the timeskip, she trained with Tsunade and returned stronger than ever after this period.
After about three years, Sakura was no longer weak and instead reached a great level as a ninja. She continued to gain more strength and, during the Fourth Great Ninja War, her strength as a ninja reached its peak as she gained complete control over the Byakugou. She even managed to surpass Tsunade Senju and is much stronger than most kage that have lived in the history of the Naruto world.
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Minato Namikaze
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Affiliation: Hidden Leaf Village
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Ninja Level: Cage
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Nature Types: Fire, Lightning, Wind
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Status: Dead
The Fourth Hokage of Konoha, Minato, died the day Naruto was born. It was he who saved the village by sealing half of his son inside, and the other half sealed in his own body. Minato was brought back in the Fourth Great Ninja War, and did so in some style, revealing to everyone that he had tamed Kurama's power.
In doing so, Minato became stronger than ever and became a key ally for Naruto and the Shinobi Alliance. With his Kurama powered up, he was strong enough to rival even divine ninjas like Obito Uchiha.
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Obito Uchiha
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Affiliation: Akatsuki, Hidden Leaf Village
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Ninja Level: Beyond the Cage Level
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Nature Type: All five
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Status: Dead
Obito is Naruto's greatest villain and one of the saddest characters. He was first revealed to fans in Kakashi's flashback, where it was also revealed that he was completely crushed to death by a rock.
Before his “death”, he passed his Sharingan to Kakashi. Later in the story, it is revealed that Obito was actually alive and was taken by Madara. He raised him as his successor and the next great threat the shinobi world had to face. During this time, Obito received a massive power-up. More than that, Obito gained another great power when he became the Ten-Tails Jinchuuriki.
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Madara Uchiha
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Affiliation: Hidden Leaf Village, Akatsuki
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Ninja Level: Beyond the Cage
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Nature Type: All five
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Status: Dead
Madara was a legend when Naruto started, and fans only got to know him through stories. However, he came back stronger than ever in the Fourth Great Ninja War.
At first, he was brought back using the Reanimation Jutsu. However, later in the series, he was brought back completely using Rinne Rebirth. Madara also awakened the Rinnegan, and most importantly, he then transcended all limits as he became a 10-tailed jinchuriki. Zetsu could have conquered the whole world if he hadn't cheated.
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Sasuke Uchiha
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Affiliation: Hidden Leaf Village
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Ninja Level: Above Cage level
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Nature Type: All five
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Status: Alive
Growing up Sasuke knew only one goal, and that was to avenge his clan by killing his brother, Itachi Uchiha. For that he sought power in any way, for the sake of power he abandoned his friends and even his village.
After the timeskip, Sasuke returned stronger than ever. He gained so much strength that it was believed that he was actually doping himself. After the timeskip Sasuke continued to grow and eventually, after meeting Hagoromo Otsutsuki and gaining half of his chakra, became the strongest ninja to ever live, rivaled only by Naruto. As an adult, Sasuke has become even stronger, and it's certainly been fun for all of us to witness.
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Naruto Uzumaki
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Affiliation: Hidden Leaf Village
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Ninja Level: Above Cage level
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Nature Type: All five
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Status: Alive
Although Naruto did not have much talent as a ninja at the beginning of his journey, he trained tirelessly and gained significant strength as he grew up. Naruto had a lot of strength in part 1 of the story. However, when he went on a journey with Jiraiya, he made great progress.
Naruto returned to the village stronger and more mature than ever. He continued to grow in strength from here, until he became the strongest ninja alive. In the Fourth Great Ninja War, Naruto bonded with Kurama and gained great power. More than that, he met Hagoromo Otsutsuki and received the Six Paths Powers. In the end, he also gained Baryon Mode in Boruto, which made him the strongest.
All episodes of Naruto are available to stream via Crunchyroll.
