Naruto was a seven hundred episode series that featured many unique and engaging characters. Time and again, their skills have been tested against heroes and villains alike, with many shinobi having an ample opportunity to demonstrate their skills.
However, there have been circumstances (whether narrative or situational) that dictated some of the individuals that saw the end of Shippuden realistically shouldn't have. Some characters were protected by plot armor, and the casualties on Naruto's quest to become Hokage should have accrued amidst the many distinct perils of the shinobi world.
10 Hidan
Hidan is presumed to have been dead since Shikamaru destroyed his body, and he was buried in an undisclosed forest. However, his immortal physiology and blessing from his god entailed that he is still alive despite his abysmal circumstances, being the last surviving member of the Akatsuki.
Though Nara may have a sadistic satisfaction in torturing him, it makes more strategic sense for him to have ended the man's life. That way, he could not come back to haunt him or his children in the distant future.
9 Might Guy
Might Guy was the only man strong enough to single-handedly defy and defeat Madara (after Hashirama fails to do so). To accomplish this, he harnessed the Eight Gates' peerless power - one which is guaranteed to kill its user after use.
Despite this strict regulation, he was miraculously able to survive on Naruto's assistance. Considering that the other mentor characters (such as Shikaku) had died so that their prodigies might replace them in Boruto, it makes practical and narrative sense for Might Guy's battle against the rogue Uchiha to have been his last.
8 Orochimaru
Orochimaru had once attempted to groom Sasuke, preparing his body for possession so that he might recover what power he lost and expand it. Predictably, this plan backfired, resulting in his "death."
However, he had sealed his essence in various opponents (including Sasuke himself), later restored through the seal he had placed on Anko. This was a ridiculous plot device to resurrect the former Hokage and allow them to participate in the ongoing battle against Madara Uchiha.
7 Kakashi
Kakashi was one of the casualties in Pain's attack on the Leaf. His head was impaled by a nail, serving as perhaps the most poignant fatality of the entire Naruto series so far (even surpassing Hiruzen Sarutobi's legendary sacrifice).
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However, it was cheapened because Nagato later resurrected everyone - Kakashi included. Should he have stayed dead - and if Naruto were aware of his passing - it would have been interesting to gauge whether or not the future Hokage would have shown Pain the same mercy that he did. It would be a poetic example of mutual understanding through loss and suffering.
6 Onoki
Onoki was the Tsuchikage of the Stone Village and one of the Five Kage's strongest members. Though he would meet his end in the Boruto series, his demise should have come much sooner.
Since his age had greatly debilitated him, he had a perfect opportunity for a heroic sacrifice when preventing Madara's two meteors from colliding with the earth and annihilating the entire Allied Shinobi Forces. Instead, it provided a visually appealing (albeit ultimately meaningless) scene and a missed opportunity to showcase the reborn Uchiha's true potential.
5 Karin
Karin was the medical ninja assistant to Sasuke Uchiha, sharing all of Sakura Haruno's unnerving infatuation with him. She assisted him in his battles against Killer Bee and Danzo, suffering what should have been a fatal injury in the latter encounter.
Sasuke had ordered her to hold still, a request she would happily oblige. This was only so he could have a clear target for when he speared both her and Danzo through the chest at once with his Chidori. Though it's reasonable that Shimura might survive given his Hashirama cells, Karin took the attack's brunt and realistically should have died instantly. Her famed Uzumaki clan healing is only effective against non-fatal attacks.
4 Shizune
Shizune was the assistant of Lady Tsunade and a skilled medical ninja. She was present in the Fourth Great Shinobi War, serving to mend the warriors' wounds injured by Kabuto's Edo Tensei army.
However, even the base camp was not safe. Considering that Shizune possesses neither Sakura's intelligence nor strength (relying on a mostly inefficient arsenal of syringes to defeat her adversaries), she should have been a casualty of the White Zetsu infiltration, especially given that she is a priority target.
3 Mifune
Mifune was a samurai from the Land of Iron and one of the few characters not to harness any jutsu whatsoever. Though this may have made him a particularly commendable warrior (similar to Rock Lee or Might Guy), it also entailed that he would be noticeably vulnerable against Edo Tensei enemies.
He has no means to defeat them since he does not command sealing jutsu permanently. Therefore, his victory over Hanzo the Salamander was convenient since the Third War veteran had enough willpower to break the Edo Tensei and end his own life voluntarily.
2 Kankuro
Kankuro was the brother of Gaara and one of the series' most skilled puppet masters. After his fight against Sasori, he had been afflicted with a poison so uniquely lethal that a cure had not even been invented yet.
Despite how rare this strain of venom was, Tsunade and Chiyo's combined efforts were enough to heal him before he succumbed. Realistically, they should not have had nearly enough time to cure the Sand ninja, especially given how many precautions the Akatsuki member takes when devising his most sinister poisons.
1 The Konoha Elders
Though Danzo is often exclusively blamed for the Uchiha genocide, this is not entirely fair. It was also the other two village elders, Koharu Utatane and Homura Mitokado. When Sasuke uncovered the truth about his family's death, he vowed not only to kill Shimura though his peers as well.
Considering that Danzo was much better protected than his constituents, he should have been the last target that Sasuke pursued, rather than the first. With most of Konoha's forces dedicated to the Fourth Shinobi War's frontlines, killing the other two elders should have been a trifle for the pugnacious Uchiha.