Ranking Naruto Deaths That Changed the Series Forever

Naruto provided us with many great storylines and characters, which drove the storyline and characters forward. Of course, in true shōnen fashion, the story of Uzumaki Naruto was very inspiring, but that journey wouldn't be anything without supporting characters who have been very loved by the fans. Tough battles and hardships marked Naruto's journey, which meant that some of his closest allies sacrificed themselves to help their friend. This is the ranking of deaths in Naruto that changed the series forever.

Rin

Rin Nohara is still hailed as one of the most important characters in the Naruto universe because she was the bridge between Hatake Kakashi and Uchiha Obito. The girl was the Duo's teammate in the team led by Fourth Hokage Namikaze Minato, who was secretly kidnapped by Kirigakure and forcibly made into the jinchuriki of the Three-Tailed Beast. Desperate to stop the imminent destruction of Konoha Village, Rin 'makes' Kakashi deal her a devastating blow, saving the village, but not knowing that presumably dead Obito is watching from the shadows. Rin's death ineluctably changed the future of the Ninja World—making Obito the enemy and a dangerous foe and pushing Kakashi towards darkness.

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Third Hokage

Sarutobi Hiruzen, the Third Hokage, was one of the most powerful shinobi in the world. His role in Naruto's life was enormous, from training the three legendary Sannin to simply influencing the boy's journey. When one of his former students, Orochimaru, attacks the village, the Third immediately tries to stop him. However, knowing that Orochimaru is too powerful, the Third Hokage uses his last energy and seals Sannin's powers, saving Konoha from imminent destruction. This death foreshadowed an impending danger threatening the Ninja World.

Asuma

Asuma Sarutobi was one of the fan-favorite characters in the Naruto universe. The leader of the Ino-Shika-Cho formation and an incredibly cool personality, Asuma was one of the strongest Konoha shinobi. Asuma was a skilled Jonin who wanted to help Konoha Eleven more than anything, so his surprising death shocked the fans. During the battle against the member of Akatsuki, an immortal Hidan, Asuma sacrificed himself to save his students. His death greatly impacted Shikamaru's character but also the whole village, portending the great threat of a group like Akatsuki.

Neji

This death was one of the most heartbreaking moments in the Fourth Shinobi World War arc. Neji's death was so sudden because he was mostly a supporting character whose storyline revolved around his fate as being part of the branch Hyūga clan. He sacrificed himself for Naruto and Hinata, fulfilling his duty as a branch family member, but it confirmed that his role in the series was put aside for others to shine. Neji deserved much better.

Itachi

The legacy of the Uchiha family is founded on the fact that they were the sacrificial lambs of the Naruto series. Despite that fact, characters like Itachi left an enormous mark on the Naruto series. Sasuke's brother and a prodigy of the Uchiha clan, Itachi's story is one of the most tragic ones in the series—he had to kill his family to save the Konoha village. Still, he loved his brother too much, and in the final fight between the two heirs, Itachi tells Sasuke the whole truth and paves the way for the future of the series—Sasuke as the main villain.

Obito

 Another heir of Uchiha on this list is Obito, the antagonist and one of the most important characters of the series. His bond with team Minato was significant in his life, so when Obito witnessed the death of Rin, he became the pawn and ultimate weapon of Madara Uchiha. Despite being the main villain of the series, during the war, Obito meets Naruto and changes sides and ultimately saves Kakashi's life. In his death, he finally reunited with his only and first love, Rin Nohara.

Haku and Zabuza

The beginning of the Naruto series was marked by the prologue, specifically 'The Land of Waves arc,' where the newly formed Team 7, with the leadership of Kakashi, goes on their first mission. On their journey, they stumble upon Zabuza Momochi, the missing nin of Kirigakure, and his help, the boy named Haku, whom he used as his weapon. After seeing that Haku sacrificed for him, Zabuza finally realizes that he loves the boy, and with the last ounce of energy, avenges his death by killing the local crime boss. Two deaths that impacted Team 7 more than anything.

Jiraiya

The so-called Ero-Senin and the godfather of Naruto, Jiraiya's death was one of the most emotional moments of the Naruto series. After mentoring Naruto for years, the Icha-Icha series writer decides to investigate the threat of Pain himself and, in a tough battle, loses his life. Naruto and Tsunade's reaction to Jiraiya's death was so heartbreaking that it changed the path of the series for everyone in Konoha Village.

Kushina and Minato

Finally, the death of Naruto's parents, Kushina and Minato, is probably the most heartbreaking moment of the series. Of course, their death and sacrifice for their son and Konoha Village marked the main plot point of the series, the importance of Kyuubi in the series, and finally, it brought us the main and titular character of the series, Uzumaki Naruto.

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