The Naruto series has produced many characters to make a profound impact on its title protagonist's life. With roughly seven hundred episodes (his presence in Boruto notwithstanding), the young Uzumaki has been shaped by those he has interacted with.
Though forgiveness may be one of his strongest qualities, this allows much of the toxic behavior of those around him to go excused, ignored, and sometimes even unacknowledged. To understand the best and worst people in his life, we return to his past and analyze the many profound and nuanced ways in which others have impacted it.
10 Worst - Sasuke
Since the beginning, Sasuke Uchiha has been self-absorbed and entirely engrossed in his efforts for revenge. After hard work and practice, Naruto's skills began to eclipse his own. Instead of actively training with Kakashi to circumvent this disparity, he decided to join forces with Orochimaru instead.
This would provoke a several hundred episode long feuds where Naruto would cling to the few memories of joy they had together as he suffered through Uchiha's abuse despite warnings from his friends and village. Ultimately, the only way to persuade Sasuke back would be through violence.
9 Best - Jiraiya
Jiraiya saw something in Naruto that at the time, many villagers did not; hope and a savior. Though he may have sometimes been irresponsible (allowing his lecherousness to get the better of him), he was ultimately a fantastic influence for the fledgling shinobi.
He demonstrated integrity, taught diligence, and above all, proved his selflessness through his sacrifice against Pain. Without his instruction, Naruto would not have learned the Rasengan and could not have ascended to the power we see him at with the end of Shippuden.
8 Worst - Karui
When Karui suspected that Killer Bee was taken by Sasuke, she was furious. The Cloud ninja and one of her associates marched into the Leaf Village and demanded that Naruto reveal his location.
Since he was unwilling to do so, she began to pummel him into senselessness. Though the Jinchuriki possessed the strength to rebuke her, he willingly allowed her to strike him instead. This would continue until Sai intervened on his behalf. While Killer Bee may have been in good health the entire time, she would not apologize for her galling behavior.
7 Best - Iruka
Naruto's status as the Nine-Tails made him an outcast to the village, and because they ignored him, he would do anything to garner their attention. This included a series of increasingly desperate pranks, some of which Iruka became the subject of.
Instead of lashing out at this irascible behavior, Iruka offered his troubled pupil friendship and would even throw his body over him when he was attacked. While the future Hokage would be trained by more capable ninja as he progressed in strength, few can deny his first teacher's commitment, friendship, and positive influence on his life.
6 Worst - Kiba
Naruto was a popular subject of ridicule due to his reputation and loudmouthed antics, rendering him easy prey for Kiba's abuse. During their time as genin, he constantly looked down on him, berating him as inferior.
This would culminate with their battle during the Chunin Exams, one in which Kiba would begrudgingly regard as luck. Nonetheless, it was the tipping point in their relationship, staunching his claims that Naruto is worthless on account of the fact that he was publicly humiliated by him. Later, he would envy Uzumaki's position as Hokage and even dream that it is was during Madara's Infinite Tsukuyomi.
5 Best - Hinata
Having observed him from the shadows since his days as a prankster, Hinata's shyness and family reputation were the two most significant obstacles that belayed her from professing her love. However, it was ironically evident to everyone but Naruto himself.
One of the most heartfelt moments between them was when she stood up against Pain during the attack on the Leaf Village. While she was fully aware she did not have the strength to defeat him, the Byakugan user bought Naruto the time he needed to recover and conclude the fight in his favor.
4 Worst - A
When Naruto confronted the Raikage in hopes to make him reconsider his position on Sasuke, he was disinterested in hearing his opinion. This resulted in them coming to blows, which was an excellent display of the power A was capable of.
However, it bordered on diplomatic suicide, since Naruto was not only currently with Tsunade, he was already the hero of Konoha. If A had heard him out, it would have resulted in a more productive conversation than immediately resorting to physical violence.
3 Best - Shikamaru
Shikamaru's nonchalant demeanor may have contrasted Naruto's excitability, though they made for surprisingly strong friends. He was among the first shinobi to accept him when others did not, even including Choji, who was wary to him at the time.
Nonetheless, this would later save his life. When the Sound Four were resurrected through the Edo Tensei to capture Shikamaru and the others in a large dome, it was Naruto who would provide their salvation. For Nara's intelligence and loyalty, he would later become the Hokage's most trusted advisor.
2 Worst - Sakura
During their youth, Sakura was unnecessarily cruel to Naruto. She would abuse him both verbally and physically in a vain attempt to gain Sasuke's attention and would later even disingenuously profess her love to him for Uchiha's sake. Every action she took was under the singular objective of winning his love and for him to reciprocate her affection.
Her obsession was so rabid that she was even willing to betray Konoha to pursue him, a blunder which nearly cost her her life. Though Naruto would ultimately forgive these egregious transgressions, they never received the attention they deserved.
1 Best - Kakashi
Kakashi was not Naruto's first tutor, though his contributions to the youngster's success were as essential as Jiraiya's or Iruka's. While the first two taught strength and fundamentals respectively, Hatake instructed him on how to work in a team.
This would be instrumental to Naruto's survival in the Land of Waves arc, where the group would be assigned a mission far above their experience. Were it not for the trials Kakashi had ruthlessly drilled into them, they would lack the synergy that guaranteed their success. Ultimately, putting one's comrades above the mission was a lesson Naruto would take to heart during Sasuke's betrayal and ascension in power.