Naruto Columns
10/10/2023
[Birthday Column] Celebrating Naruto's Birthday on 10/10 (Part 2)! Looking Back on the Ninja Whose Shinobi Way Led Him from a Child with Grand Dreams to the Seventh Hokage!
A column celebrating the birthdays and achievements of everyone's favorite ninja!
Today we'll be reminiscing about the boy once famous for his failures who doggedly pursued his shinobi way and became the Seventh Hokage: Naruto Uzumaki!
In this second part, we'll be covering from the events of the Fourth Great Ninja War to the final chapter where he takes up the mantle of Hokage!
▼Read part 1 here!▼
[Birthday Column] Celebrating Naruto's Birthday on 10/10 (Part 1)! Looking Back on the Shinobi Way of the Boy Who Went From "Failure" to "Hero"!
Today we'll be reminiscing about the boy once famous for his failures who doggedly pursued his shinobi way and became the Seventh Hokage: Naruto Uzumaki!
In this second part, we'll be covering from the events of the Fourth Great Ninja War to the final chapter where he takes up the mantle of Hokage!
▼Read part 1 here!▼
[Birthday Column] Celebrating Naruto's Birthday on 10/10 (Part 1)! Looking Back on the Shinobi Way of the Boy Who Went From "Failure" to "Hero"!
■Naruto Uzumaki
・Birthday: October 10th (Libra)
・Favorite Foods: Ichiraku's ramen, oshiruko
Naruto's Promise to Stake His Own Life at Team Seven's Bitter Reunion
While Konoha is still attempting to rebuild from the devastation wrought by Pain, shocking news arrives: Sasuke has kidnapped the Eight Tails' Jinchuriki from the Hidden Cloud, who are calling for a Gokage Summit to be held.
The summit is interrupted not only by Sasuke and his group, "Taka", but by a masked man calling himself "Madara Uchiha".
This mysterious figure proceeds to declare the start of the Fourth Great Ninja War.
This mysterious figure proceeds to declare the start of the Fourth Great Ninja War.
Following the summit, Sakura, Kakashi, and Naruto finally track down Sasuke after his duel with Danzo, and a deadly battle between the former members of Team Seven begins...
"WHEN TWO SHINOBI ARE OF A HIGH ENOUGH LEVEL, THEY CAN READ EACH OTHER'S THOUGHTS, THROUGH NO MORE THAN A TRADE OF BLOWS."
During the battle, Naruto and Sasuke realize that if they go all-out against each other, it will mean both their deaths.
Accepting this outcome as inevitable, Naruto expresses his determination to put his life on the line the next time they fight, and bear the burden of Sasuke's hate.
During the battle, Naruto and Sasuke realize that if they go all-out against each other, it will mean both their deaths.
Accepting this outcome as inevitable, Naruto expresses his determination to put his life on the line the next time they fight, and bear the burden of Sasuke's hate.
"I'M NOT WORTHY OF BEING HOKAGE IF I CAN'T SAVE A FRIEND.
I'LL...FIGHT SASUKE!!"
Having resolved to face each other another day, the two part ways once more.
New Growth Spurred by a Mother's Love!
As each village prepares for the looming war, Naruto is spirited away to an isolated island controlled by the Hidden Cloud on the pretext of a mission, in order to keep the Nine Tails safe. The Eight Tails' Jinchuriki, Killer Bee, is there as well—inspiring Naruto to begin training to control Biju chakra.
However, what awaits him is a face-to-face confrontation with the Nine-Tailed Fox...
However, what awaits him is a face-to-face confrontation with the Nine-Tailed Fox...
As he's about to be overwhelmed by the fox's hatred, a red-haired woman appears in the world of Naruto's subconscious!
She is revealed to be none other than Naruto's mother...Kushina Uzumaki.
Kushina tells Naruto the truth about the Nine-Tails' attack all those years ago. Bolstered by the realization of how much his parents loved him, Naruto pushes back the fox's hatred, and gains a new ability: Nine Tails' Chakra Mode!
Naruto begins training to use Biju Bombs to develop his Nine Tails' Chakra Mode abilities, but when he realizes the world outside the island has been swept up in the Fourth Great Ninja War, he can no longer stand idly by. Unable to be stopped by even his former teacher Iruka, Naruto makes for the front lines!
Savior on the Battlefield—Naruto's Unstoppable Charge!
To join the war Naruto must first get past the Fourth Raikage, Ay, who wants to keep the Jinchuriki safely away from the fighting. Naruto overcomes that obstacle only to be waylaid once more, this time by Itachi and Nagato, who have been revived with the Reanimation Jutsu! He proves victorious against them as well and continues onward.
Arriving at the front lines, he throws himself into the ongoing battles against reanimated past Kage such as Second Tsuchikage Mu and the Third Raikage!
He also sends his shadow doppelgangers to each battleground to aid the Allied Shinobi Forces!
Leaving the newly-arrived Madara Uchiha to the Five Kage, Naruto takes on the masked man, who has also claimed to be Madara!
The masked "Madara" leads the reanimated Jinchuriki of the Two through Seven Tails against Bee and Naruto, the Jinchuriki of the Eight and Nine Tails!
While fighting for his life, Naruto confronts his fate, one that has been entrusted to him since the day he was born...and begins to find his answer!
Team-Up with Kurama!
Struggling to hold his own against the Jinchuriki who have completely entered their Biju States, Naruto is offered help from an unlikely source...the Nine Tails!
Having witnessed all Naruto's words and actions since the day the boy was born, and having seen him live out his shinobi way, Kurama agrees to help, and finally hears Naruto call him by name as the two become partners!
His deeper bond with Kurama allows Naruto to activate Kurama Link Mode!
Wielding this immense power, Naruto and Kurama take on all the transformed Jinchuriki at once, before finally confronting the masked man head-on after Itachi and Sasuke undo the Reanimation Jutsu!
Naruto's Words and Will Inspire the Allied Shinobi Forces!
The masked man seeks to plunge the entire world into a never-ending dream via the Infinite Tsukuyomi genjutsu, but Naruto confronts him with his trademark fierceness and determination.
"I...HAD PA! AND MA! ...AND PERVY SAGE TOO!
KIDS LOVE LOOKING UP TO THEIR HEROES!
THAT'S WHY I'M ABLE TO RUN FORWARD WITHOUT HESITATION!!
I WILL BECOME THE GREATEST HOKAGE OF THEM ALL!!"
As the fight goes on, Naruto finally gets a hit in with Rasengan!
The mask breaks, revealing the man behind it to be none other than Kakashi's childhood friend...Obito Uchiha.
The mask breaks, revealing the man behind it to be none other than Kakashi's childhood friend...Obito Uchiha.
Things appear to be shifting in Naruto and the others' favor, but then Madara joins the fight, having defeated the Five Kage!
To make matters worse, Obito succeeds in reviving the Ten Tails, and the situation quickly turns dire...
However, the remaining members of the Allied Shinobi Forces begin pouring in one after another!
To make matters worse, Obito succeeds in reviving the Ten Tails, and the situation quickly turns dire...
However, the remaining members of the Allied Shinobi Forces begin pouring in one after another!
Naruto continues to lead the shinobi against the Ten Tails, even in the face of grave losses that include Shikaku Nara and Inoichi Yamanaka—who had been directing the forces from HQ—and his friend Neji Hyuga...
As if in response to their fierce charge, strong reinforcements join the fray: Sasuke and the reanimated previous Hokage!
Words as Weapons—Obito's Defeat
The reanimation of the previous Hokage and the reunion of Team Seven raise the morale of the Allied Shinobi Forces!
They face Obito, who absorbs the Ten Tails to become its Jinchuriki.
They face Obito, who absorbs the Ten Tails to become its Jinchuriki.
To counter this powerful foe, Naruto and his father Minato team up, using Kurama Link Mode together!
Sasuke joins them and uses Susano'o to cloak Kurama, recreating a legendary jutsu!
With the combined strength of his comrades from the Leaf Village and the rest of the allied shinobi, Naruto succeeds in entering the world inside Obito's mind, and the two begin to talk.
"WHAT I WANT TO KNOW ISN'T THE EASY PATH...
...BUT HOW TO NAVIGATE THE RUGGED ONE."
"THERE'S NO SHORTCUT TO BECOMING HOKAGE!
AND THERE ARE NO WAYS OUT FOR THE ONE WHO BECOMES HOKAGE!!"
Struck by Naruto's blunt words and his shinobi way, Obito wavers, allowing the Ten Tails to be pulled out of him!
This seals the allied forces' victory against the Ten Tails' Jinchuriki.
This seals the allied forces' victory against the Ten Tails' Jinchuriki.
Escaping Death's Clutches and Gaining the Six Paths' Power!
Unfortunately, their triumph is short-lived. Madara fully resurrects and dominates the battlefield with overwhelming force.
Naruto has Kurama pulled out of him, and his life quickly fades as a result.
Naruto has Kurama pulled out of him, and his life quickly fades as a result.
While his comrades desperately try to keep him alive and stall Madara, Naruto awakes in the world of his inner mind and meets a figure straight out of shinobi legends—the Sage of Six Paths.
As the two talk, Naruto reaffirms his shinobi way, and the path he intends to walk.
Then upon receiving incredible power from the sage, Naruto returns from the brink of death!
Then upon receiving incredible power from the sage, Naruto returns from the brink of death!
Naruto joins Sasuke, who simultaneously experienced a similar encounter with the Sage of Six Paths, and the two combine their strength to go toe-to-toe with Madara, who has now become the Ten Tails' Jinchuriki!
Sakura and Kakashi join them as well, and the reunited Team Seven faces off against the ancient Uchiha together!
However, Madara takes advantage of an opening and activates Infinite Tsukuyomi.
Aside from the members of Team Seven, who were protected by Sasuke's Susano'o, everyone is trapped in a world created by genjutsu.
Aside from the members of Team Seven, who were protected by Sasuke's Susano'o, everyone is trapped in a world created by genjutsu.
Overcoming a Deity: Team Seven's Final Mission!
The progenitor of chakra, Kaguya Otsutsuki, is revived and transports Team Seven and Obito to an alternate dimension.
A fight begins that will determine the fate of not only the ninja world but all living creatures!
A fight begins that will determine the fate of not only the ninja world but all living creatures!
Naruto and the others struggle to counter this enemy who can freely control various dimensions filled with hazards such as lava, ice, and sand.
Sasuke is split off from the group and isolated in a separate dimension, further diminishing their chances.
Sasuke is split off from the group and isolated in a separate dimension, further diminishing their chances.
Naruto takes on Kaguya alone, distracting her to allow Obito and Sakura to rescue Sasuke!
But next, their foe moves them to a dimension whose gravity is so powerful it renders them unable to move...
Obito sacrifices his life to protect them, using his own body as a shield.
But next, their foe moves them to a dimension whose gravity is so powerful it renders them unable to move...
Obito sacrifices his life to protect them, using his own body as a shield.
Naruto finds new determination from the Will of Fire he inherits from Obito, who also once dreamed of becoming Hokage.
With the support of all the Tailed Beasts, Sasuke, Sakura, and Kakashi, he goes to defeat Kaguya once and for all...
With the support of all the Tailed Beasts, Sasuke, Sakura, and Kakashi, he goes to defeat Kaguya once and for all...
...and finally succeeds in sealing her away!
Naruto also chases down the fleeing Zetsu.
"SHINOBI...HISTORY CONSISTS OF ALL SORTS OF NINJA'S LIVES...
...AND DEATHS!!"
Zetsu is sealed along with Kaguya!
Having accomplished their mission of saving the world, Naruto and the others are returned to their own dimension.
Having accomplished their mission of saving the world, Naruto and the others are returned to their own dimension.
Minato is waiting to greet his son, and finally gets to wish him happy birthday for the first time before the two must part as the Reanimation Jutsu cast on him is released.
Carrying a message from Naruto for Kushina, Minato departs for the world beyond.
The Duel Against Sasuke, with Everything on the Line!
The only thing left to do is release the Infinite Tsukuyomi genjutsu...
Or so it seems until Sasuke declares his intent to execute the Five Kage and force the Tailed Beasts under his control in a bid to reform the shinobi world through a violent revolution.
Or so it seems until Sasuke declares his intent to execute the Five Kage and force the Tailed Beasts under his control in a bid to reform the shinobi world through a violent revolution.
Seeking to put an end to the cycle of conflict and hatred that has spanned generations, Naruto faces Sasuke in the Final Valley once again.
"I LEARNED EVERYTHING I KNOW FROM THE PEOPLE OF THE PAST!
ESPECIALLY ABOUT HOW TO FIGURE OUT WHAT TO DO AFTER MAKING A MISTAKE!"
Their interpretations of the past, what they believe it means to be Hokage, and their shinobi ways are all at odds, but they are equally unbending in their convictions.
And so, the final showdown between Naruto and Sasuke begins.
And so, the final showdown between Naruto and Sasuke begins.
Both ninja possess powers from the Sage of Six Paths, the blinding intensity of their jutsu tearing through the sky and shaking the earth.
Through the fierce exchange of blows, their hearts are laid bare to each other.
After unleashing their strongest moves and draining their chakra, the match remains unsettled...
...shifting into hand-to-hand combat.
The brawl continues even as dusk falls, until the two dredge up their final reserves of chakra for one last strike.
Rasengan and Chidori clash once more!
Naruto and Sasuke both find themselves unable to move...and so they begin to speak.
Naruto and Sasuke both find themselves unable to move...and so they begin to speak.
"WHEN I SEE YOU TAKE ON STUFF AND GET ALL MESSED UP...
...IT KINDA...HURTS."
Sasuke hears Naruto out, and acknowledges him as the victor of their fight.
A "Unison Sign" is formed between Naruto and Sasuke, and their long history of conflict comes to a close along with the Fourth Great Ninja War.
"I NEVER GO BACK ON MY WORD."
Naruto stays true to his shinobi way, saving many people and nations in the process, as well as his closest friend, Sasuke.
Years later, his many accomplishments earn him the title of Seventh Hokage!
Naruto stays true to his shinobi way, saving many people and nations in the process, as well as his closest friend, Sasuke.
Years later, his many accomplishments earn him the title of Seventh Hokage!
But that doesn't necessarily mean his dreams have all been achieved...
After all, he did say he'd surpass all the Hokage before him.
Let's continue cheering him on as he strives to make that a reality!
That's all for Naruto's birthday column!
Take this opportunity to reread the manga and look back on the many exploits of Naruto Uzumaki!
Let's continue cheering him on as he strives to make that a reality!
That's all for Naruto's birthday column!
Take this opportunity to reread the manga and look back on the many exploits of Naruto Uzumaki!
Article and Composition: Yuichi Ohba (Caramel mama)
