Although the Hidden Leaf Village has produced some of the most well-known shinobi in history, its youngest generation is largely defined by a single group of ninja: the Konoha 11. The Konoha 11 primarily consists of the shinobi taught by Kakashi, Guy, Asuma, and Kurenai during the events of the original Naruto series. However, since Sasuke Uchiha defected from the Hidden Leaf Village shortly after becoming a genin, he is not considered part of the group alongside the other members of Team Kakashi.
Throughout Naruto, Naruto: Shippuden, and even Boruto, the Konoha 11 proves itself to be vital to the survival of the Hidden Leaf Village. Though their time at the top may finally be drawing to a close as the Otsutsuki Clan closes in, their legacy will forever be a part of shinobi history.
Updated on June 6, 2023, by Kennedy King: With Part 1 of Boruto now finished, the era of the Konoha 11 is now firmly giving way to the upcoming generation of ninjas. However, Naruto, Sakura, and the other members of the group are still major assets to the Hidden Leaf Village, and regardless of how much they've aged, their skills will always make them formidable opponents.
11 Tenten
As the only kunoichi in Might Guy's team, Tenten excels in bukijutsu, also known as weaponry techniques. From the very beginning of Naruto, Tenten displays an immense talent for controlling weapons. By the Fourth Great Ninja War, she is even able to control the Treasured Tools of the Sage of Six Paths, although she grows a bit too attached to the Bashosen.
Thanks to her skills with the Sage of Six Paths' legendary weapons, Tenten played a major role in the war, defeating two of Kakazu's life-saving masks. Even after the war, she remains one of Konoha's strongest kunoichi; unfortunately, that's not saying much compared to the other illustrious members of the Konoha 11.
10 Ino Yamanaka
Ino Yamanaka—one of the members of Team 10's Ino-Shika-Cho—is the daughter of Inoichi and a proud kunoichi of the Yamanaka clan. Her forte is sensory jutsu, having developed her skills to the point where they're greater than any other sensory ninja in the entire Hidden Leaf Village, outside of Naruto.
In the Fourth Great Ninja War, Ino is able to connect with the entire shinobi alliance by herself, and although she isn't particularly strong in combat, her support is essential for the safety of her teammates. Even by the events of Boruto, Ino maintains a link to the barrier that surrounds Konoha at all times.
9 Kiba Inuzuka
Kiba Inuzuka is a member of Team 8, which was led by Kurenai Yuhi during the events of Naruto and Naruto: Shippuden. Being a member of the famous Inuzuka clan, Kiba is capable of linking with his dog, Akamaru, to devastating effects. In fact, all his major abilities are available to him only when he is with his trusty companion.
Although he did show improvement in the Fourth Great Ninja War, Kiba isn't nearly as strong as the conflict's elite fighters. He doesn't do much to close the gap between the events of Naruto: Shippuden and Boruto, so he slots in the lower end of the Konoha 11's power structure.
8 Neji Hyuga
Described to be a once-in-a-generation prodigy, Neji Hyuga belonged to the Hyuga Clan's branch family and was the son of Hizashi Hyuga. According to his uncle, Neji had become a fine shinobi even before the Chunin Exams, wielding strength that even some jonin didn't possess.
Thanks to strenuous training, Neji mastered the Byakugan, even though its secret techniques weren't usually shared with the members of the branch family. Out of the Konoha 11, Neji was the first ninja to be promoted to the rank of jonin, speaking to the scope of his abilities.
7 Shikamaru Nara
Shikamaru Nara is a shinobi with exceptional aptitude, and thanks to his plans, the Hidden Leaf Village is always a step ahead of its enemies. He serves as an advisor to Konoha's Sixth and Seventh Hokage, which says a lot about his abilities.
Although Shikamaru isn't strong in the traditional sense, he makes up for it by using his intellect. His quick thinking often turns out to be enough to get him to win in a fight. Over the years, Shikamaru has grown considerably stronger in all respects, making him an even greater threat than his renowned father.
6 Hinata Hyuga
Famed as the Byakugan Princess, Hinata is the daughter of Hiashi Hyuga and the former heir to the Hyuga Clan's main family. Unlike her appearance might suggest, she is actually an extremely deadly kunoichi. After training with Neji, Hinata refines her Taijutsu skills, and in the process, she becomes one of the Hyuga Clan's most talented pupils
By the events of Boruto, Hinata is described as a master of the Gentle Fist taijutsu style. While her skills are limited in comparison to Neji, the extra time she has spent honing her abilities has more than allowed her to bridge that gap.
5 Shino Aburame
As arguably the most underrated ninja in the Naruto franchise, Shino Aburame is a vital part of Kurenai's Team 8. Shino doesn't receive nearly as much screentime as his fellow members of the Konoha 11, but when he does get a chance, he almost always makes the most of it.
The Aburame Clan's Kidaichu bugs are more than just deadly, and in a regular fight, Shino finds ways of attaching his bugs to the opponents in a variety of ways. While he does lack physical strength, he possesses a great Hiden ability, making him a calm yet dexterous shinobi.
4 Choji Akimichi
As the son of Choza Akimichi, Choji is the head of the Akimichi Clan and one of the members of Asuma Sarutobi's Team 10. A part of the infamous Ino-Shika-Cho trio, Choji is certainly the strongest shinobi among the three. Using his Butterfly Mode, Choji became strong enough to take on the Husk of the Ten-Tails by himself, showing the progress he made over the course of Naruto and Naruto: Shippuden.
Even though most of the members of the Akimichi Clan had to rely on Chakra Pills to use Butterfly Mode, Choji learned how to utilize it on his own. This earned him the right to succeed his father as the next head of his Clan as well as a spot among the Hidden Leaf Village's elite shinobi.
3 Rock Lee
Rock Lee—the apprentice of lovable jonin Might Guy—is a taijutsu master who has mastered the art of the Strong Fist. While initially held back by his lack of chakra, Lee grew to be as strong as the likes of Sasuke and Neji through sheer hard work.
Although Might Guy is the only character to unlock all Eight Inner Gates, Rock Lee demonstrates a mastery of the ability that has never been seen in someone his age. By the events of Boruto, Lee is said to be capable of unlocking the final gate, leaving many fans hopeful that he will make a meaningful return to relevance in the near future.
2 Sakura Haruno
As the student of one of the Legendary Sannin, Sakura Haruno is, without a doubt, one of Konoha's most impressive ninjas. While she may not be a likable character in the eyes of some fans, the fact that she possesses tremendous fighting capabilities is indisputable.
By the end of the Fourth Great Ninja War, Sakura surpasses Tsunade Senju as both a kunoichi and a medical ninja. Using her monstrous strength, Sakura can cause large-scale damage to any opponent that she faces. She may not be as strong as Naruto or Sasuke, but she's certainly right behind them.
1 Naruto Uzumaki
Unsurprisingly, Naruto Uzumaki is the strongest ninja out of all the Konoha 11. Initially starting as one of the weakest shinobi of his generation, the effort that Naruto has put into training throughout the series is mind-boggling. Using his sheer willpower, he has managed to topple some of the fiercest villains in shinobi history.
Naruto conquers the power of the Nine-Tails and gains the Six Paths powers from the Sage of Six Paths, effectively granting him the abilities of a God. In fact, in the Baryon Mode that he develops in Boruto, it wouldn't be a stretch to say that he is stronger than all the other members of the Konoha 11 combined.