Naruto Uzumaki, Sauske Uchiha, Sakura Haruno and their sensei, Kakashi Hatake make up the legendary Team 7. Together they've saved the world from the Akatsuki and the Otsutsuki, delivering some of the most spectacular fights in the Naruto franchise in the process. As the main focus of series, it's not surprising that the squad is at center of most of the action.

Related: 10 Naruto Fights That Are Better In The Anime

Between three series, Naruto has created a large and wide-ranging world. Along the way, the franchise has developed a popular supporting cast filled with evolving and powerful characters. On the occasions when the story shifts away from Team 7, these characters showcase some of the best fights in the entire series.

10 Lee Refuses To Quit Against Gaara

Rock Lee fighting Gaara during the Chunin Exams in Naruto.

From his introduction, Gaara is painted as a near unstoppable force and the main adversary Team 7 has to face in the Chunin Exams. However, the first Leaf genin to face the Sand jinchuriki is none other than the talentless, hardworking Rock Lee.

Astute members of the audience know Lee has no chance of winning this fight going in, but he nevertheless wins over many hearts with incredible displays of speed, strength and willpower. Gaara eventually overwhelms him with his bloodthirsty power, but Lee shows viewers, plus other characters, the values of hard work and determination.

9 Shikamaru & Temari Have An Excellent Tactical Battle

Chunin Exams Shikamaru Temari in Naruto

One of Naruto's most endearing couples have their first serious interaction on the battlefield. Shikarmaru and Temari have a back-and-forth tactical battle, measuring their range and techniques as the two attempt to outsmart each other. Shikamaru has few opponents in the series who can challenge him mentally, so Temari's own strategic style of thinking makes her a satisfying adversary.

Related: 10 Times Shikamaru Was The Best Character In Naruto

This cat-and-mouse-styled matchup fully demonstrates both genin's brilliant minds and personalities. While Shikamaru eventually traps Temari, his subsequent surrender is the quintessential example of the character's defining laziness. The pair have an immediately fascinating dynamic that sets up their eventual romance.

8 Hirurzen Shows What It Means To Be Hokage

Naruto Third Hokage VS Orochimaru

As the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi teaches that his ultimate responsibility is to protect the village even if it costs him his own life. Against Orochimaru and the reanimated First and Second Hokages, Hiruzen stands up to impossible odds and still nearly takes his former student down with him.

This battle has some important firsts for the series. It's the first battle between Kage-level characters, and it has the first major death of a protagonist in the franchise. Every participant displays numerous visually stunning techniques. Ultimately Hizuen's self-sacrificing use of the Reaper's Death Seal to destroy Orochimaru's arms shows that even in defeat, a hero can save their home.

7 Neji's Battle Against Kidomaru Is A Desperate Struggle For Survival

Close-up of Neji using the Byakugan from Naruto

Early in Naruto, the Byakugan was seen as the ultimate visual technique, with 360 degree, x-ray vision. Finding that it had a blind spot proved just as jarring to Neji as it did to viewers. With the spider-themed Kidomaru gradually picking the Hyuga genius apart, Neji struggles to keep his composure and stay alive.

Related: 10 Things In Naruto That Make No Sense About Dojutsu

The fight's brutality particularly stands out at this point in the series and sells Neji's desperation as he attempts to flee. However, this desperation is a satisfying deception to both the audience and his opponent, as he manages a surprising counterattack sending his chakara through Kidomaru's webs. Neji's ability to innovate when his back is against the tree proves he deserves the title of genius.

6 Asuma's Death Drives Shikamaru To Be A Better Man

Asuma Sarutobi stands with his weapon held before him during Hidan fight

Hidan and Kakazu were too much for Asuma, Shikamaru, Izumo and Kotetsu to handle. The seemingly immortal pairs' powers, aren't just overwhelming, they're haunting. Despite Shikamaru's tactical efforts and Asuma's impressive use of chakara blades in an action-packed sequence of hand-to-hand combat, the grizzled jounin is ultimately slain.

Few fights in the series inspire as much of a sense of impending dread as this one. Asuma's death is also particularly distinctive. There's no sacrifice nor does he send a coded message to help defeat the enemy with the last of his strength. He is simply a casualty of war, whose loss inspires Shikamaru to grow as a leader and mentor.

5 Jiraiya & Pain Live Up To Their Hype

Jiraiya beating up Pain in Naruto

A battle between a sage and a self-proclaimed god can't afford to be anything less than spectacular, which is exactly what Jiraiya's battle with Pain is. The former teacher and student go all-out with one of the best summoning battles in all of Naruto, involving a giant toad and a hydra dog.

The battle only improves upon Jiraiya's activation of Sage Mode, giving him the speed, power and strength to briefly stand up to Rinnegan's diverse power set. Pain eventually kills his former master using the Rinnegan's godlike power in a touching, but graphic, death scene. The battle fully reflects on Jiryaiya's history while laying the emotional groundwork for Naruto's own future battle with Pain.

4 Minato & Obito Compete In A Duel Of Speed & Skill

Minato vs Obito in Naruto.

By now it's rather clear that conflict between teachers and students is a reoccurring theme in Naruto. The battle between Minato and Obito stands out as viewers didn't know Obito's identity as Tobi at the time. Nevertheless, Minato is the real star of this battle, becoming the first character to outmatch Obito's spacial distortion techniques.

The audience may know the battle's outcome before it begins, but the speed, tone and precision of both characters keeps the whole scene tense. Seeing Minato in action against a worthy opponent for the first time is particularly satisfying with the series hyping his power from the very first episode.

3 Killer Bee Fights Kisame In A Clash Of Monsters

Kisame And killer bee Stare Down

Kisame is one of the first Akatsuki members introduced in Naruto, but he's one of the last to have the chance to go all-out. Killer Bee's full mastery of the 8 Tails' power finally provides the swordsman that chance.

In terms of sheer physical power, the two are almost evenly matched. Bee's stage two jinchuriki transformation and Kisame's shark form provide an interesting contrast while the underwater combat provides both unique exchanges and tactics. The fight's conclusion after A's arrival is one of the most graphically violent moments in the entire anime.

2 The 5 Kage Earn Their Titles Against Madara

The 5 Kage Assembled before Madara's attack

From his introduction, Madara Uchiha is clearly more power than any villain that came before him. It makes sense that the 5 Kage, the strongest ninjas from each major village, are the only ones who can stand against him. Except they can't.

Related: The Weakest Kage In Every Naruto Village's History

Despite their defeat, the 5 Kage put on an impressive show of strength. The sheer amount of power on display is staggering, as the combatants level mountains. Tsunade and Onoki maintain the emotional center of the fight and both deliver some of their best character moments during this battle.

1 Guy Shows He's The Ultimate Embodiment Of Hard Work Against Madara

Might Guy opening the Eight Gates to fight Madara in Naruto.

Hard work versus natural ability is another recurring theme in Naruto. Guy's battle against Madara is the culmination of this narrative, as using the power he himself developed, Guy takes on the all powerful villain and nearly comes out on top.

The action is fast, the attacks are some of the strongest in the series, and the battle has a powerful narrative backdrop exploring Guy's relationship with his father. The death of Masashi Kishimoto's own father before the debut of the original chapters of this storyline gives the fight an extra emotional weight that no other battle in the series has.

Next: 10 Best Techniques Created By The Uchiha Clan In Naruto