In the world of Masashi Kishimoto's Naruto, battles are all about deception and misdirection. The outcome of a fight depends on studying your opponent's moves, looking for weaknesses in their defense, and coming up with surprising tactics to defeat them. This approach set Naruto apart from other series, especially in the early stages.
Despite the focus on strategy, there were times when some fights in Naruto were extremely one-sided. While these moments provided some humor, they also resulted in battles where one fighter clearly outmatched the other. Let's take a look at some of the most uneven match-ups in Naruto.
Hinata Hyuga Vs. Neji Hyuga
Winner: Neji
Neji Hyuga vs Hinata Hyuga Naruto Chunin Exams - Winner: Neji - Hinata Hyuga Vs. Neji Hyuga
Manga Chapters | 78-80 |
Anime Episodes | 46-47 |
Right after the funny end to Naruto and Kiba's fight, the next match in the Chunin Exam Preliminaries featured two Hyuga clan members battling each other. This match was crucial for their character development. Hinata, the heiress of the main Hyuga family, had always struggled to meet her father's expectations, overshadowed by her cousin, Neji.
Neji, seen as a prodigy, was highly skilled in the Hyuga's Gentle Fist Style taijutsu. He was determined to prove himself, driven by his resentment towards the discrimination within the Hyuga clan. Neji wanted to show Hinata that she was no match for him. Despite Hinata's determination, influenced by Naruto's perseverance, she could only hold on for so long. It took the intervention of some jonin to stop Neji from going too far.
Itachi Uchiha Vs. Sasuke Uchiha
Winner: Itachi
Itachi and Sasuke in Naruto - Winner: Itachi - Itachi Uchiha Vs. Sasuke Uchiha
Manga Chapters | 146-148 |
Anime Episodes | 84-85 |
Upon his return to Konohagakure with Kisame Hoshigaki, Itachi Uchiha wasted no time in showcasing his immense power. He swiftly defeated two skilled shinobi and then began to track Naruto and Jiraiya. As he closed in on Naruto, the host of the Nine-Tails, Itachi was suddenly confronted by his younger brother Sasuke, who was filled with anger and determination.
Sasuke, seeking revenge for Itachi's role in the Uchiha Clan Downfall, charged at his older brother with his newly acquired jutsu, Chidori. However, Itachi effortlessly overpowered Sasuke, demonstrating the vast difference in their strength. Itachi then used Tsukuyomi on Sasuke, forcing him to relive the tragic deaths of their parents and clan members. This traumatic experience left Sasuke deeply affected and ultimately contributed to his decision to leave the village at the end of Part I.
Tenten Vs. Temari
Winner: Temari
Tenten vs Temari Chunin Exams Naruto - Winner: Temari - Tenten Vs. Temari
Manga Chapters | 73 |
Anime Episodes | 43 |
Kishimoto had previously set up a battle between Sakura Haruno and Ino Yamanaka during the Chunin Exam Preliminaries, showcasing the complexities of their relationship. However, the following match between Tenten and Temari did not have the same level of balance.
Tenten faced the challenge of defeating Temari, the strongest Wind Release user in the Chunin Exams. Despite her expertise in bukijutsu, Tenten's barrage of shuriken and kunai was easily countered by Temari's Giant Folding Fan. Temari ultimately trapped Tenten in a whirlwind, rendering her unable to continue the fight. Adding insult to injury, Temari forced Tenten to land on her fan, demonstrating her superiority in combat.
Kakashi Hatake Vs. Naruto Uzumaki
Winner: Kakashi
Naruto Kakashi One Thousand Years Of Death - Winner: Kakashi - Kakashi Hatake Vs. Naruto Uzumaki
Manga Chapters | 4-6 |
Anime Episodes | 4 |
Kakashi initiated the famous bell test, a tradition in which most notable shinobi in the series have taken part. He challenged Team 7 to retrieve the bells he carried by noon to determine who was worthy of becoming a genin. Naruto, opting for a direct approach, launched an attack on Kakashi, only to realize his mistake soon after. Kakashi effortlessly handled Naruto's assault while leisurely reading his Icha Icha book, then began playing with the young ninja.
In one of the series' most iconic comedic scenes, Kakashi criticized Naruto for his lack of strategy and excessive confidence. Despite Naruto pulling out all the stops and creating numerous shadow clones, the power gap between him and Kakashi was too vast. The young genin stubbornly refused to learn from his errors. Kakashi tried various tactics, from outsmarting Naruto's clones to setting a bell as a trap, in an attempt to teach Naruto a lesson, but his efforts were in vain.
Itachi Uchiha Vs. Kurenai Yuhi
Winner: Itachi
Itachi Uchiha vs Kurenai Yuhi Genjutsu Naruto - Winner: Itachi - Itachi Uchiha Vs. Kurenai Yuhi
Manga Chapter | 140-141 |
Anime Episode | 81 |
Itachi Uchiha was known as one of the most skilled genjutsu users in the series. In his first real fight in Naruto, he demonstrated his abilities by defeating a jonin-level shinobi without even using his Mangekyo Sharingan. When Itachi and his Akatsuki partner Kisame returned to Konohagakure, they were met by Kurenai Yuhi and Asuma Sarutobi, who questioned Itachi's audacity in showing his face in the village once again.
During their brief battle, Kurenai attempted to use a genjutsu technique to immobilize Itachi. However, Itachi's Sharingan proved to be too powerful, allowing him to see through the illusion and turn it back on Kurenai. If Kakashi had not intervened at the right moment, Kurenai and Asuma may have faced dire consequences due to their underestimation of Itachi's skills. Despite the seriousness of the situation, this moment has since been remembered as a humorous event in the series.
Editor's P/S:
The article highlights the strategic battles in the Naruto series, where deception and misdirection are crucial. However, it also presents a different perspective by showcasing some extremely one-sided matches. These fights, while entertaining, expose the vast power gaps between certain characters.
The examples provided, such as Neji vs. Hinata and Itachi vs. Sasuke, illustrate the dominance of skilled shinobi over their inexperienced counterparts. It's a testament to the complex power dynamics in the Naruto universe, where characters grow and develop at different paces. These one-sided battles not only shape character arcs but also remind us of the importance of training and preparation in the face of formidable opponents.
