Rivalry has been a consistent theme of the Naruto universe, and the competition between the series' two main characters is no different. Naruto and Sasuke have feuded since the series began, with their battles only escalating after the latter's corruption.

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As the reincarnations of Indra and Asura, their tendency to collide is inherent to their being. Through identifying the best clashes between the shinobi and who emerged from them victorious, we can better appreciate their merits and the ways they have improved since being genin under the tutelage of Iruka.

10 The Boys' First Clash Was Scheduled By Iruka

naruto sasuke genin holding their shirts

When Naruto and Sasuke first met each other, they already knew that they were destined to be rivals. The former fought ardently for Sakura's affection while the latter composed himself as if he was better than everyone else - Sakura included.

Naruto would have an opportunity to prove his worth when Iruka scheduled a training exercise. The outcome of the battle would set the tone for their relationship in Team Seven and even well after Sasuke had defected from the village to join Orochimaru.

9 WINNER: Sasuke Defeated Naruto Easily

Sasuke naruto schoolyard fight

Despite the hype surrounding the first encounter between Naruto and Sasuke, its outcome was fairly predictable. In a matter of seconds, Sasuke defeated the knucklehead ninja and put him at his mercy.

This was for a number of factors. Not only was Naruto undisciplined at the time (without a mastery of shadow clones or even Kurama's chakra), Sasuke was a naturally gifted fighter whose Sharingan was already developing. The Uchiha's first victory would only validate his preconceptions about being superior and stratify a chain of command among Konoha's genin. Sakura and Ino were particularly enthusiastic about his triumph.

8 Sasuke & Naruto Had A Brawl Outside Konoha's Hospital

Naruto vs Sasuke, rooftop fight

Sasuke and Naruto would have their second brawl atop Konoha's hospital. It was primarily prompted through the former's insecurity about his comrade's burgeoning power.

Having faltered against Gaara where Naruto succeeded, he needed to ensure that he was still the strongest student of Team Seven and that he was on the right path to claim his vengeance over Itachi Uchiha. Sasuke intended to use his Chidori to defeat his opponent regardless of the mortal peril that it placed him in - much to Sakura's surmounting shock and horror.

7 WINNER: Naruto Technically Won Even Though Kakashi Interrupted The Fight

Naruto vs Sasuke and Kakashi pushing them away

Kakashi managed to intervene before the two shinobi could kill each other by sending them flying into water towers. In theory, this insinuated that the brawl's conclusion was a draw since neither boy was knocked unconscious.

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However, it was later revealed that Naruto's Rasengan caused far greater damage to his water tower than Sasuke's Chidori did to his own. After noticing this, the Uchiha's insecurity was only exacerbated, especially since he had just realized that Kakashi saved his life. It made him question how much he was learning in the Leaf and whether or not he should pursue darker paths toward power.

6 Naruto Confronted Sasuke At The Valley Of The End

Naruto pinning sasuke

When Sasuke absconded from the Leaf alongside the Sound Four, Naruto joined a team led by Shikamaru in order to bring him back. Each member of the Konoha 11 squad engaged Orochimaru's lieutenants, dwindling their numbers until the intrepid Naruto and Sasuke came face to face.

Their battle would occur in the Valley of the End and serve as the most important fight of the original series. Although Naruto managed to bridle Kurama's chakra to a limited degree, Sasuke's curse mark also empowered him considerably.

5 WINNER: Sasuke Defeated Naruto But Spared His Life

sasuke victory childhood

After a long and grueling battle, Sasuke Uchiha reigned victorious over Naruto. Despite having flirted with the idea of killing him (especially to evolve his Sharingan), he elected to show mercy since "he didn't need to finish him off in order to become stronger."

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Although Kakashi arrived at the scene of the conflict, he was far too late to stop it. One of his students had been sprawled across the ground, and the other had long since departed to embrace his dark and sinister future.

4 Naruto Caught Up With Sasuke After The Death Of Danzo Shimura

Naruto's Rasengan Vs Sasuke's Chidori

After the death of Danzo Shimura, Team Seven managed to locate Sasuke and Obito. Although the battle had left him fatigued, the villain had no compunctions about attacking his former comrades and nearly murdered Sakura.

Naruto stated his intentions to bring his friend back to the Leaf no matter the cost, much to Sasuke's derision. Predictably, they would clash again and demonstrate to each other what they had learned in the years they had been apart.

3 WINNER: Naruto Technically Triumphed Since Sasuke Retreated

Sasuke, Obito as Tobi, and Zetsu stand together in Naruto Shippuden

When it began to seem as if the conflict would escalate, it was surprisingly Obito who would put an end to it. He stated it wasn't the time to fight Team Seven and used his kamui to escort the villains to safety.

Although they technically completed their mission and had no reason to stay, this still counts as Sasuke's retreat since he made no objections to evacuating. As a result, Naruto reigned victorious at the battle for Samurai Bridge - even if his triumph was shallow and he had nothing to show for it.

2 Naruto & Sasuke Fought For A Final Time After Kaguya's Defeat

Final naruto sasuke fight

The final battle between Sasuke and Naruto would bring the series to a close and define the fate of the world. The former had mastered the Sharingan, perfected his Susanoo, and enslaved eight other tailed beasts. Meanwhile, the latter had learned sage mode, completed Kurama, and fully harnessed the potential of his Rasengan.

Each warrior was fueled by ideology, with Sasuke seeking to dominate the entire planet with his newfound power while Naruto yearned to work toward a brighter future for all. With Madara defeated and the kage dismissed, the rest of the world could only await their fate as the battle raged on.

1 WINNER: Although The Fight Was A Draw, Naruto Got What He Wanted

Naruto and Sasuke each missing an arm after their final battle

Having stored sage energy through a shadow clone, Naruto was able to match Sasuke's stolen power and fight him evenly despite holding back (as he didn't want to kill him). In the end, both young men were so battered that the last moments of their struggle were a crude fistfight.

Naruto and Sasuke ultimately destroyed one another's arms and fought each other until neither had the strength to stand. While the battle was technically a draw, Naruto got what he always wanted - his friend's return to Konoha.

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