Hosting many unique designs, the aesthetics of Naruto's broad and diverse cast differs dramatically. Oftentimes, the more intimidating a character might seem, the greater power they possess (as seen through Gaara, Madara, and Sasuke Uchiha, to cite a few examples).

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However, this is not exclusively the case. Some shinobi possess far more might than their unimposing presences might suggest. By acknowledging these ninja for the strength at their disposal, we are more fully able to appreciate the fact that not everything is as it might immediately seem, especially in a world as sophisticated and vast as the anime's.

10 Danzo Shimura: An Elder Hiding A Massive Collection Of Sharingans

danzo shimura

Danzo Shimura's physical appearance could not be more underwhelming. In addition to being a battle-scarred old man, one of his arms is bound in a cast, preferring to hobble between destinations using a cane.

As the leader of Root, his demeanor is an intentional deception. He is not crippled as his bandages suggest; instead, he is hiding the Izanagi arm, an appendage storing dozens of Sharingans that can influence the outcome of a fight and grant him many opportunities to defeat his opponent. With his proficiency in using it, he was nearly able to defeat Sasuke Uchiha, one of the most powerful characters in the series.

9 Sakura Haruno: Trained By Tsunade To Maximize Her Physical Capabilities

Sakura Haruno In Naruto Standing In A Forest Tightening Her Gloves

Appearing as a standard medical ninja, there is nothing immediately gripping about Sakura's design. Her modest regalia entails far less strength than she is actually capable of unleashing.

Having trained under Tsunade, her physical brawn is comparable to that of her mentor. She was one of the few mortals to apprehend Kaguya without the incredible blessing of Hagoromo or any supernatural conditions to assist them in their battle. Her ability to remain even remotely viable with the rest of Team Seven despite these circumstances entails how impressive of a warrior she is.

8 Might Guy: Has A Charming Grin That Hides The True Power Of His Eight Gates

Might Guy

Wearing a cartoonish grin and an almost equally ridiculous hairstyle to match, Might Guy was frequently used as a comedic device early in the series. However, his potential was demonstrated during his battles against Kisame and Madara, reaching echelons his pupil could never dream of.

In his Eighth Gate form, he is capable of kicking the air so hard that it bends space itself and would have successfully stopped Sage Mode Madara if not for the limited time he could maintain his strength. Even after his defeat, the fallen shinobi would acknowledge his unparalleled martial skill.

7 Onoki: A Small Elder With Back Pain Who Halted Madara's Meteor

Onoki channeling particle style

As an aged, dwarflike man, Onoki was arguably the shortest combatant of the Allied Shinobi Forces. The Tsuchikage would constantly complain about the strain exerted on his back, entailing that he might be as physically vulnerable as his appearance suggests.

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Such could not be further from the truth. His strength and jutsu were enough to halt a massive meteor Madara had intended to use in order to exterminate an entire army of shinobi. Though Gaara would assist in his efforts, the Tsuchikage bore the brunt of the attack and survived it.

6 Gengetsu Hozuki: Wears An Extravagant Robe That Belies His True Strength

Gengetsu Hozuki in Naruto.

Gengetsu was the former Kirigakure of the Mist Village, sporting a ridiculous hairstyle and extravagant robe which belied his skill in battle. He was able to create a clone that gathered steam as it moved, eventually detonating everything in its path only to be reborn again.

Since he was resurrected through the Edo Tensei, his immortal body also made him extremely frustrating to defeat, even if he would instruct his opponents on how to overcome him throughout the duration of the fight.

5 Nagato: Crippled Man Who Secretly Operated Behind The Six Paths Of Pain

Nagato Saddened By The State Of The World In Naruto Shippuden

Despite the impressive power the paths of Pain wielded, Nagato himself was a gnarled husk of a man whose bones poked through his ribs. Sustaining his jutsu had completely destroyed his body, reducing him to the wretched form that Naruto saw in their first encounter.

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Nonetheless, he possesses all the frightening powers of the Rinnegan, demonstrated both in the fights at Konoha and after his Edo Tensei resurrection. Bristling with vitality, Nagato's emaciated form belies his capabilities, especially since he is no longer limited by the drones he commands to do his bidding.

4 Sasori: Youthful Appearance Despite Turning His Own Body Into A Deadly Weapon

Naruto: Shippūden's Sasori of the Red Sand

Outside of his monstrous, hunched form, Sasori's true "face" is only a shallow reflection of himself. He had replaced every part of his body except his heart long ago, evincing that the shinobi is effectively immortal.

This grants him a more spry and youthful appearance than his blood-drenched history might suggest. As slight and meager as his body might seem, it hosts dozens of deadly weapons by which to vanquish his opponents, including razor blades and flame throwers among many others. Sasori's likeness to the child Chiyo once knew made her more conflicted about killing him, though it would not deter her resolve.

3 Haku: Innocent Face With Deadly Ice Techniques

Haku from Naruto.

Despite his dainty features, Haku has the strength necessary in order to properly serve his master, Zabuza. He can create a wall of icy mirrors, leaping from one refuge to the next and riddling his targets with needle weapons.

His appearance made it easier for Naruto to trust him upon their first encounter, even if it would not ultimately sway his allegiance to his master. Haku's affiliation with Zabuza is particularly tragic considering his kindness, agreeability, and the waste of potential his demise eventually proved to be.

2 Jugo: Gentle Ninja Who Lashes Out When Enraged

Naruto _ Jugo transformed

Ordinarily, Jugo appears as an orange-haired, strapping young man. He first debuted as Sasuke's underling, serving as a faithful friend whose gentle demeanor contrasted the avenger's own. He constantly communed with animals, evincing his kind spirit and tranquil soul.

However, he is capable of turning into a bloodthirsty brute, one that can withstand a chakra-infused kunai to the face without so much as flinching. In this state, his thick carapace and enhanced muscles render him a force of nature that is incredibly difficult to defeat. Considering how much his monstrous side contrasts his human one, his potential for violence is surprisingly harrowing.

1 Kabuto Yakushi: Witty Medic Ninja Who Posed A Threat To Naruto, Tsunade, & The Uchiha Brothers

Kabuto and sound ninja

First introduced as a medical ninja, Kabuto was capable of posing a serious threat against both Naruto and Tsunade despite his limited ability to channel chakra into his fists like scalpels. It rendered him a greater challenge than his studious and thin physique might suggest.

This would only be furthered after his evolution during Shippuden, where his body became pale and addled much like a snake's. While one might assume that his own experiments were tearing him apart, he had actually achieved power beyond his master's wildest dreams, forcing Itachi and Sasuke to think resourcefully in order to defeat him.

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