The titular protagonist of the Naruto universe's progression from the original series to Shippuden has been staggering. By the end of the series, he gained dozens of power-ups that made him virtually invincible (including mastery of Kurama, Hagoromo's blessing, and Sage chakra).
However, he was a much more manageable adversary in his younger years. By matching the original series' Naruto against characters from many diverse anime universes, we can better appreciate his ascension in strength and the power he wielded even at the beginning of his adventures in the tumultuous shinobi world.
10 Could Beat: Bakugo Wouldn't Be Able To Discern His Shadow Clones (My Hero Academia)
Bakugo's "Explosion" quirk grants him immense mobility and firepower. At its zenith, he was strong enough to detonate an entire block (as proven through his fight against Izuku Midoriya).
However, it has a relatively low reach, necessitating melee combat with Naruto to capitalize on its potency. Considering that Kacchan has no means by which to distinguish the shinobi's shadow clones, he would exhaust himself attacking blindly until the ninja ambushed him with a rasengan - possibly even popping out of the ground to do so.
9 Would Lose To: Mayuri Has High Durability With An Insidious Zanpakuto (Bleach)
Mayuri's Zanpakuto secreted a noxious gas onto the battlefield, one that paralyzed adversary and ally alike. This entails that he does not need to find Naruto's shadow clone in order to deal him a grievous injury.
In the event that the shinobi would land a surprise attack on his Gotei Captain opponent, Mayuri has the durability to survive even a rasengan. This was evinced through his fight against Sawatari, where he persisted through a critical attack that took out most of his vital organs.
8 Could Beat: Mine Would Underestimate Naruto Until It Was Too Late
Mine had a unique weapon that grew proportionately more powerful with the danger she felt she was in. At critical mass, she could defeat the most impervious adversaries by herself (as proven through how she dispatched Seryu Ubiquitous and her imperial arms).
However, considering that both Naruto and his rasengan are visually unintimidating, it's probable that she wouldn't take him seriously until any of his attacks connected. By the time he closed the distance between the two of them and struck the first blow, she would realize her mistake too late.
7 Would Lose To: DIO Would Capitalize On Naruto's Low Durability To End Him (JoJo's Bizarre Adventure)
DIO's "the World" Stand allowed him to freeze time for between five and nine seconds (depending on whether or not he had feasted on Joestar blood). He was powerful enough to throw large vehicles and could rip through a human body effortlessly.
Should he freeze time before Naruto can use his shadow clone jutsu, he would be able to rip off the young shinobi's head, brutally concluding the fight in his favor. However, any other location may portend different results due to the shinobi's Uzumaki healing and Kurama chakra.
6 Could Beat: Temari's Wind Couldn't Effectively Repel Him (Naruto)
Temari was a talented kunoichi who wielded a massive wind fan. It was capable of cleaving through the boughs of trees, demonstrating an equal amount of range and devastating force.
Though this would effectively halt Naruto in his tracks, he could power through it in the enhanced Kurama state that he used to fight Sasuke in the Valley of The End. Considering that his healing is accelerated when augmented, his wounds would be mended by the time the distance between him and the Sand shinobi was closed.
5 Would Lose To: Uvogin's Raw Physical Force Would Flatten Naruto (Hunter X Hunter)
Uvogin may have notably less durability than Naruto, but his physical strength compensates for what he lacks in abundance. A single roar was capable of blowing everyone in a mile's radius away, obliterating the eardrums of those unfortunate to be near him.
Considering the low durability of Naruto's shadow clones, this would destroy them instantly and force a direct confrontation. Given that the Phantom Troupe member was capable of breaking Kurapika's arm even when it was shielded by Nen, Naruto's Kurama state would not soften his abuse with any greater success.
4 Could Beat: Reiner's Attacks Are Rudimentary & Insufficient (Attack On Titan)
Reiner's armor provides an impervious shell that he makes great use of. He was fast enough to destroy much of Fort Slava's walls in moments and could resist an entire armada of its navy.
Though this entails that most of Naruto's attacks would be obsolete, he could still not defend against the rasengan, which has historically torn through metal with ease even at the beginning of the shinobi's career). Should the hero disorient his opponent with shadow clones, he'd have an opportunity to land a critical strike.
3 Would Lose To: Meliodas Can Turn His Rasengan Against Him (Seven Deadly Sins)
Meliodas possesses much greater raw strength and durability than Naruto, as seen through how casually he has destroyed castles. Additionally, his demon physiology allows for greater endurance, and he can cause considerable craters with a single brutal punch.
However, the Captain's greatest advantage over Naruto isn't exclusively for his physical brawn. By using his iconic "Full Counter," he would be able to turn Naruto's rasengan against him, forcing the shinobi to rely on rudimentary (and ultimately inadequate) taijutsu for any measure of success.
2 Could Beat: Naruto Has Survived Attacks As Powerful As Mustang's Fire Before (Fullmetal Alchemist)
Roy Mustang was a fierce alchemist for how frequently he could unleash jettisons of fire by snapping his fingers. This made him a threat even to the homunculus for the destructive capacity at his disposal.
However, Naruto has proven an uncanny resistance to flames in his battle against Sasuke Uchiha, where he powered through his friend's fireballs (equal to or greater than Mustang's own) with relative ease. He'd have no problem downing Mustang since he could resist his attacks.
1 Would Lose To: Pre-Time Skip Luffy Can Move Almost Like A Blur (One Piece)
Even before the One Piece time skip, Luffy had unlocked his gears and proven to be a worthy combatant. He was strong enough to keep up with Lucci's "Shave" ability, a talent so fast that he was virtually a blur.
Additionally, the Straw Hat Captain could endure being impaled by numerous enemies and was virtually uninjured by blunt force. Wielding the strength to casually destroy entire battleships and bring down stone fortresses (such as Arlong Park), his combination of offense and defense would crush his shinobi opponent.