The ninja who inhabit the hidden villages in the Shinobi World are no strangers to tragedy. Misunderstood emotions and ideologies have lead to devastating feuds and wars that have claimed the lives of many loved ones. Each Great Ninja War was the result of the search for peace, power, and equality. However, there were various definitions and perceptions of what peace or power or equality resembled. The Uchiha fought amongst themselves and others for recognition and dominance, and this ultimately led to the eradication of their entire clan.
The Second and Third Great Ninja Wars forced children to engage in battle and left homes in devastation as resources dwindled. The effects of these horrors led to the establishment of the Akatsuki. Though the ideas, politics, and individuals behind each war or battle may differ, this consistent cycle of violence can count on one thing -- loss. The indistinct, glimmering silver lining throughout all this pain, is the opportunity for compassion. Compassion was shown by adult figures who attempted to fill the void of promising youth who otherwise may never have realized their full potential.
10 Iruka Watched Over Naruto When No One Else Did
The Nine Tails attack on Konohagakure claimed the lives of countless villagers, including the parents of Iruka Umino. Iruka grew up to be an instructor at The Ninja Academy, and eventually, Naruto Uzumaki became one of his students. Naturally, he had conflicted emotions about teaching the child who housed the beast responsible for his parent's deaths. However, after coming to the realization that he and Naruto were the same due to their isolated upbringings, Iruka empathized with Naruto's suffering and risked his life to save him. He became the first to acknowledge him. This selfless act led to a loving bond involving countless nights eating ramen and would eventually prompt Naruto to ask Iruka to stand in as his father at his wedding.
9 Might Guy Served As Rock Lee's Biggest Supporter & Taijutsu Role Model
Anyone paying attention to Rock Lee and Might Guy would easily mistake them for father and son. The bushy eyebrows, glossy black hair, tight green sweats, and orange legwarmers alone are enough to throw anyone off. Aside from their physical appearance, Lee and Guy share identical personalities and character traits. While they are positive, energetic, and eccentric, those aren't the only things that have them bonded together. Guy has taught Lee how to overcome feeling discouragement, as the two of them have to train harder due to their lack of genjutsu and ninjutsu. With his teachings of maintaining eternal youth (a sentiment passed on from his father Might Duy), Lee is Guy's most precious student, and Guy is a teacher Lee idolizes.
8 Zabuza Saw Potential In Haku As An Abandoned Orphan
This story is not like the others. It isn't full of comforting words and gentle gestures. Instead, the story of Zabuza Momochi and Haku, is an ill-fated partnership that wasn't recognized as a loving family relationship. Zabuza had already established himself as a ruthless killer by the time he found Haku, an abandoned orphan. When Zabuza presented Haku with the opportunity to become his weapon, Haku eagerly accepted as it gave him purpose.
They continued on as mercenaries, with Zabuza treating Haku with little to no benevolence. It wasn't until they crossed paths with Naurto and the rest of Team 7, that Zabuza realized the love he and Haku had for one another. Haku sacrificed his life for Zabuza and Naruto angrily pleaded with Zabuza to recognize how much Haku cared for him. Zabuza responds with tears, confirming the family dynamic they unwittingly formed.
7 Ma & Pa Toad Trained & Established A Bond With Jiraiya
These married amphibians are personally responsible for the signature jutsu of the legendary sanin, Jiraiya. After accidentally transporting to Mount Myoboku, Jiraiya stayed and mastered senjutsu. Fukasaku and Shima aided in Jiraiya's development from an early age. As seen with Naruto's training at Mount Myoboku, Fukasaku and Shima's training experience is immersive and intimate. Jiraiya established a close bond with many toads there and earned the right to summon many toads, rather than just one. Fusasaku, Shima, and Jiraiya operated as a family unit and were with him at the moment of his tragic death.
6 Tsunade Senju Watched Over Naruto & Personally Trained Sakura
Looking at Tsunade's drinking habit and instinctive need to run from responsibility, she'd be one of the last people to come to mind when considering an influential adviser. Yet, during her battle with Orochimaru, she protected Naruto with her life. Her determination to give her life for his to ensure his safety resembled maternal love, the same maternal love he received the day he was born from his mother, Kushina Uzumaki. Furthermore, after taking the role of the Fifth Hokage, she not only continued to personally oversee Naruto's training but also trained Sakura Haruno in medical ninjutsu and chakra-fueled taijutsu. As Hokage, Tsunade took part in the growth of an innumerable amount skilled shinobi.
5 Asuma Sarutobi Knew Exactly How To Motivate Each Of His Students
Asuma became an important figure in the lives of his students Shikamaru Nara, Ino Yamanaka, and Choji Akimichi. He took his time getting to know his students individually throughout their development and customized their training according to their personality. He recognized that food was a motivating factor for Choji and played shoji often with Shikamaru to discuss strategy. He also enticed Ino by using her rivalry with Sakura. Over time, the game of shoji provided time for Asuma and Shikamaru to bond consistently. Following his tragic death, his students were grief-stricken. Shikamaru seemingly took his death harder than his comrades as he found it difficult to function shortly after. Upon learning of Kurenai Yuhi's pregnancy, Shikamaru vowed to be there for his child, as Asuma was there for him.
4 Naruto Uzumaki Inspired Konohamaru To Grow As A Ninja
Naruto was always someone Konohamaru Sarutobi looked up to. After growing up shunned and alone, the admiration Naruto received was well deserved. Konohamaru's recognition of Naruto as an authority figure was particularly special not only because he rarely received any kind of respect from anyone in the village, but also because Konohamaru is the grandson of one of the most respected shinobi in Konoha. When Pain attacked the village, it was revealed that Naruto took his mentor role seriously as he proclaimed to Konohamaru that it was time to begin passing things on to others, instead of always being the one things are passed to. As a result, Konohamaru was able hold his own while fighting Pain, using the Rasengan technique. He was able to accomplish something other shinobi weren't able to and obtained a greater level of confidence because of the guidance he received from Naruto.
3 Kakashi Hatake Remains An Important Part Of Naruto, Sasuke, & Sakura's Lives
With two of his students orphaned, Kakashi had his hands full from the start when Team 7 was formed. Still, he was extremely influential in their lives. In the short time he had to train Sasuke Uchiha, Kakashi recognized the hatred Sasuke was using as motivation and did his best to keep him on the right path. Kakashi let Sasuke know that he understood his pain as he suffered the loss of everyone close to him as well but instead chose not to give in to a quest for vengeance.
Though Sasuke chose to ignore his sensei's words of wisdom, Kakashi never stopped trying to bring his rogue student home. Moreover, Kakashi continued to have a strong presence in the lives of Naruto and Sakura as they matured. He proved himself to be someone Naruto could lean on continually (literally and figuratively) and praised Sakura for her growth as a ninja.
2 Hiruzen Sarutobi Showed Iruka Compassion Along With The Rest Of His Village
Iruka was lost after the death of his parents and began acting out mischievously in order to gain attention. One of the first people to recognize his agony was Hiruzen Sarutobi. As a result of the empathy and compassion the Third Hokage expressed, Iruka was able to pass these same sentiments onto Naruto. It also prompted Iruka to become a teacher and develop a desire to pass on The Will of Fire. When he came out of retirement and assumed his role as the Third Hokage once again, Hiruzen also revised his role as teacher, leader, and respected mentor for more than one generation of shinobi.
1 Jiraiya Taught Naruto Valuable Life Lessons
The relationship between Naruto and Jiraiya is one of respect, care, and admiration. Jiraiya has been an important figure in Naruto's life since before he was born. Naruto's parents named him after the main character in Jiraya's book, at which point Jiraiya became Naruto's self-proclaimed godfather. When he returned to the village, Naruto studied under his tutelage. They spent a lot of time not only training but getting to know each other on a fundamental level. They were so close that the moment Jiraiya died, Naruto felt his hand on his shoulder. Jiraiya helped facilitate Naruto's dreams and helped him become the exceptionally powerful shinobi he is known to be today.
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