The titular protagonist of the Naruto universe has grown in power throughout the years, culminating with his inauguration as Hokage. There have been many treacherous obstacles in his path to achieve his dream, none of which have been easy to circumvent.
Fortunately, the Jinchuriki has benefitted from the assistance of what friends he has made along his journey, each of them offering their own unique method of support. Whether through volunteering to train him or simply being there when he needs a companion, Naruto's allies define who he is as a person. By ranking those the hero considers closest to him, we can better ascertain his priorities.
10 Killer Bee Taught Naruto How To Control Kurama
Killer Bee was a formidable warrior from the Cloud village and the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki. In order to reach his potential, Naruto required his instruction so that he could make amends with Kurama and guarantee their mutual survival.
After the lessons taught, Naruto became capable of joining the Fourth Ninja War and assisting the heroes in the battle against Madara's Edo Tensei army. Though Naruto and Bee are close, they seldom took the time to visit one another after the war's conclusion.
9 Teuchi Was A Loyal Cook Who Would Give Naruto Free Ramen On Occasion
Teuchi was the owner of Ichiraku Ramen, Naruto's favorite restaurant in the entire Leaf village. During the hero's troubled childhood, he would often give him free delicacies in order to lift his spirits.
As his power steadily increased, Naruto would return the favor, whether through defending Teuchi's business and family or endorsing it once he became Hokage. At the beginning of Boruto, the ramen shop has clearly profited from the Hokage's recommendation, becoming larger and more prosperous than its owner's wildest dreams.
8 Gaara Became Naruto's Friend After A Rocky Beginning
Initially, Gaara was a bloodthirsty monster who reveled in the pain of others and even attempted to kill a hospitalized Rock Lee. After his defeat by Naruto at the conclusion of the attack on Konoha, he realized the error of his ways and strived for a brighter future.
The Sand would repay the Leaf's mercy through the assistance they offered during the Sasuke Retrieval mission and later throughout the Fourth Shinobi War. While Naruto considers Gaara a strong friend and colleague, they seldom reach out for congenial visits unrelated to matters pertaining to their villages.
7 Naruto Appreciates Sakura As A Friend, Even If He's No Longer Interested Romantically
Initially, Naruto sought Sakura as a potential romantic partner. However, her frequent refutations for the sake of a (similarly disinterested) Sasuke dissuaded the young hero, rendering their relationship platonic by the end of the Chunin Exams.
Nonetheless, Naruto cares for Sakura's wellbeing and regards her as a valuable member of Team Seven. He saved her life when Sasuke attempted to kill her alongside Kakashi just as she prevented him from succumbing to his wounds near the Fourth Ninja War's conclusion.
6 Iruka Saved Naruto's Life & Believed In Him When No One Else Would
Iruka was Naruto's sensei and a man who offered his prodigy patience where others might use derision. He calmly endured the rascal's pranks and ardently believed that the genin might have a future ahead of him one day.
He even saved Naruto's life at the beginning of the series from a villain who had been manipulating him. For his loyalty, Iruka earned an honorary role at the hero's wedding when Shippuden neared its conclusion. Though there would be others mentors to make Naruto a strong shinobi, Iruka ensured that the Jinchuriki chose a noble path.
5 Shikamaru Was The First Student To Offer Naruto Friendship
Shikamaru was the first of Konoha 11 to offer Naruto friendship, providing an open hand when even Choji (a genin known for his kindness) was reluctant. Together, they spent their earlier years lounging beneath trees and watching clouds pass by.
Having proven himself a brilliant tactician on a number of instances, Naruto would honor Shikamaru's loyalty after becoming Hokage by appointing him as his chief advisor. Shikamaru was perhaps the most qualified candidate and one already intimately familiar with the man he'd be working under.
4 Kakashi Taught Naruto The True Value Of Comrades
Kakashi was Naruto's sensei and the leader of Team Seven. Having learned from experience, he taught his group the value of comrades and would have eliminated them in the bell test if they actually followed the conventional shinobi code.
As Naruto's power progressed, Kakashi began to realize that he was more than a skilled shinobi; he was the future of the Leaf and a hero who embodied the values of his presumably deceased friend, Obito. Naruto's name was invoked when attempting to reason with the fallen ninja in the Kamui dimension.
3 Jiraiya Taught Naruto Everything He Knew About Jutsu
Though Kakashi was responsible for advancing Naruto's rudimentary skills like taijutsu and teamwork, Jiraiya would prepare him with the tools he'd use for the rest of his life. The Sannin bestowed upon him such gifts as the Rasengan, toad summonings, and perhaps most importantly, sage jutsu.
Without these techniques, Naruto never would have defeated Kaguya or been able to bring Sasuke home. His bond with his mentor was so close that he sensed Jiraiya's passing the moment that he died.
2 Hinata Married & Had Children With Naruto
Naruto may have initially been oblivious to Hinata's interest in him, though it became clear after she saved his life at the risk over her own during Pain's invasion. He returned the favor when she was abducted by Toneri, an Otsutsuki member who craved a bride to call his own.
Together, Naruto and Hinata had two children. One was a son named Boruto and the other was a daughter named Himawari. Unfortunately, the hero's obligations as Hokage limited the time he could invest into these family relationships.
1 Naruto Risked Everything To Bring Sasuke Home
After Sasuke abandoned the Leaf, Naruto never even considered giving up on him. No matter how vile the man's atrocities became - whether attempting to kill the other Team Seven members or becoming an international fugitive - Naruto was steadfast in his belief that the rogue Sasuke would one day come home.
During a brutal battle that would decide the fate of the world, Naruto held back since he didn't want to accidentally kill his friend. Nonetheless, he managed to fight his comrade to a standstill and convince him to start a change he so desperately needed.