Naruto is often remembered for Naruto and Sasuke, their journey, character growth, and iconic battles, yet surprisingly, some of the most memorable battles ever seen in Masashi Kishimoto’s series happened without either of them involved in it. Instead, the best Naruto fights gave the side characters a chance to shine using powerful emotional moments, great strategy, and awesome fighting choreography.
From heart-wrenching losses to jaw-dropping taijutsu battles, these fights actually show why the side characters are loved even after so many years. Let us get into the list, then.
10. Asuma’s Final Battle With Hidan Changed Team 10 Forever
The battle between Asuma Sarutobi and Hidan in the Akatsuki Suppression Mission is one of the saddest battles within the series. This fight started right at chapter 323, where the viewers witnessed the terrifying immortality of Hidan and the weird Jashin practices as Asuma desperately tried to protect his team members, knowing the true threat of the enemy.
Asuma Sarutobi from Naruto Shippuden. | Credit: Studio Pierrot
What made this battle unforgettable was not just the action, but its emotional impact on Team 10, especially Shikamaru. Asuma Sarutobi’s death was used by Kishimoto to grow the younger generation of ninjas, and the emotional cigarette lighter scene afterward still stands among Naruto‘s most emotional moments.
9. Minato Outsmarted Obito in Seconds During the Nine-Tails Attack
Minato Namikaze’s confrontation with the masked Obito during the Nine-Tails attack on Konoha in Chapter 502 remains one of the most iconic. This fight perfectly showed why Minato was feared as the Yellow Flash. The confrontation ended quickly, but each second was tense since one wrong move would have caused the destruction of the whole village.
Minato and a masked Obito from a still. | Credit: Studio Pierrot
What made the fight interesting was how quick and calculated it was. In his usual style, Kishimoto created a fight that was focused not on brute force but on intellect, since Minato instantly figured out Kamui’s weakness and beat Obito using the Flying Raijin technique.
Even years later, fans still consider this one of the cleanest examples of tactical combat in Naruto.
8. Hiruzen’s Last Stand Against Orochimaru Shook Konoha
The confrontation between the Third Hokage and Orochimaru in the Konoha Crush arc is considered the very first big battle in Naruto. Starting from Chapter 116, Hiruzen had to confront not only his former student but also the resurrected First and Second Hokages using the Edo Tensei technique.
Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, fighting a reanimated version of the Second Hokage, Tobirama Senju. | Credit: Studio Pierrot
This fight becomes even more important because this is where forbidden jutsu, summons, and the frightening Reaper Death Seal were introduced properly into the story. But above all, the reluctance of the Third Hokage towards his student Orochimaru made the battle feel deeply personal instead of just another flashy showdown.
7. Konan Nearly Defeated Obito With Years of Preparation
Konan’s surprise attack on Obito in chapter 509 is undoubtedly one of the best and underrated battles in the Naruto series. Having watched Obito’s abilities for many years, Konan set up an incredibly large paper bomb trap that would target Kamui’s time limitation.
Konan and Obito from the Naruto Shippuden anime series. | Credit: Studio Pierrot
What made this battle remarkable was how Konan appeared to be very systematic in her tactics. She was never portrayed as physically stronger than Obito, but she almost killed one of the most dangerous villains in the show through planning and intelligence alone. It also gave Konan one final chance to honor Yahiko and protect Nagato’s ideals.
6. Shikamaru Took Revenge on Hidan With Pure Intelligence
The battle between Shikamaru and Hidan in Chapters 338 and 339 perfectly showed how intelligent Shikamaru truly was. The fight did not involve brute force but rather the careful manipulation of the battle terrain and the use of Hidan’s arrogance to turn things around.
Shikamaru is utilizing his signature Shadow Possession Jutsu to restrain Hidan. | Credit: Studio Pierrot
The fight was unique because it seemed very realistic compared to the later large-scale Naruto battles.
Everything seemed well-thought-out, and the emotions felt by Shikamaru following the death of Asuma brought an additional layer of satisfaction with each move made by Shikamaru.
5. Sakura And Chiyo Outsmarted Sasori With Perfect Teamwork
The fight between Sakura and Sasori in the Kazekage Rescue arc from chapter 264 was among Sakura Haruno’s most impressive feats in the Naruto storyline. Working alongside Lady Chiyo, Sakura had to face off against Sasori’s dangerous puppet army while dealing with poisonous and deadly attacks.
Sakura teamed up with Granny Chiyo to fight the Akatsuki member Sasori. | Credit: Studio Pierrot
The reason why this battle is among the best in the Naruto storyline is that the fight balanced strategy, emotion, and brutal close combat. This battle marked the point where Sakura demonstrated that she could stand alongside Naruto and Sasuke. In addition, Chiyo’s expertise was an excellent match for Sakura’s power.
4. Rock Lee Nearly Broke Gaara During the Chunin Exams
Rock Lee versus Gaara in the Chunin Exam is probably the fight that shaped the early episodes of Naruto. From the very start of Chapter 81, the clash was surprising because Lee removed his training weights and revealed speed that completely overwhelmed Gaara’s automatic sand defense.
Rock Lee against Gaara during the Chunin exam. | Credit: Studio Pierrot
However, what really made the fight memorable was the emotional side of it. The fact that Rock Lee represented all the dedication and hard work while living in a world dominated by bloodline abilities and natural talent gave the scene its epic touch. Witnessing how he unlocked his Inner Gates despite all odds is definitely the best moment in any anime series, even if the fight ultimately ended in tragedy.
3. Jiraiya’s Final Battle With Pain Changed Naruto Forever
Jiraiya’s infiltration of the Hidden Rain Village in Chapters 369 to 383 was one of Naruto‘s darkest turning points. As he uncovered the truth behind Pain’s multiple bodies, the battle slowly shifted from a standard mission into a heartbreaking confrontation between master and student.
Jiraiya of the Legendary Sannin being confronted by multiple Paths of Pain. | Credit: Studio Pierrot
What made this fight extraordinary was its atmosphere. The rain-soaked setting, Pain’s overwhelming power, and Jiraiya’s determination to continue fighting despite impossible odds made every moment feel dangerous. His death completely changed Naruto‘s emotional journey and forced him to mature as a shinobi.
2. Might Guy Pushed Madara Closer to Death Than Anyone
Might Guy’s battle against Six Paths Madara during the Fourth Great Ninja War reached its peak in Chapters 669 to 672. After opening the Eighth Gate of Death, Guy unleashed overwhelming taijutsu powerful enough to bend space itself and nearly kill Madara.
This fight became iconic because it turned a comic-relief character into the strongest warrior on the battlefield.
Guy’s willingness to sacrifice his life for the future of the shinobi world made the battle emotionally powerful, while the animation and choreography elevated it into one of Naruto‘s most visually spectacular fights.
1. Kakashi Fighting Obito Became Naruto’s Most Emotional Battle
Kakashi versus Obito inside the Kamui dimension in Chapters 636 and 637 is widely considered the greatest fight in Naruto. Unlike most large-scale battles in the series, this fight relied on raw emotion and deeply personal hand-to-hand combat instead of giant explosions.
Kakashi and Obito fight against each other in a Kamui dimension. | Credit: Studio Pierrot
The brilliance of the fight lies in how seamlessly it blends present-day combat with flashbacks from their childhood. Every punch carried years of regret, betrayal, and unresolved friendship.
Even without massive destruction or flashy transformations, the battle delivered more emotional impact than almost any other fight in the franchise.
Here is a quick overview of the memorable battles we have mentioned above.
RankFightKey Highlight1Kakashi Hatake vs Obito UchihaNaruto‘s most emotional hand-to-hand fight2Might Guy vs Madara UchihaThe Eighth Gate nearly killed Madara3Jiraiya vs PainA heartbreaking master vs student battle4Rock Lee vs GaaraThe fight that defined early Naruto5Sakura and Chiyo vs SasoriPerfect teamwork against the Akatsuki6Shikamaru Nara vs HidanIntelligence defeated immortality7Konan vs ObitoKonan nearly defeated Obito with preparation8Hiruzen Sarutobi vs OrochimaruNaruto‘s first truly massive battle9Minato Namikaze vs ObitoMinato outsmarted Kamui in seconds10Asuma Sarutobi vs HidanTeam 10’s most tragic turning point
Here are some of the questions fans may have –
Why is Kakashi vs Obito considered Naruto‘s best fight?
Many fans consider Kakashi vs Obito the best Naruto fight because of its emotional storytelling, smooth choreography, and connection to the characters’ shared history.
Which Naruto fight had the best taijutsu?
Might Guy versus Madara and Rock Lee versus Gaara are usually considered the best taijutsu fights because they focused heavily on hand-to-hand combat and physical speed.
Did Konan almost defeat Obito in Naruto?
Yes. In Chapter 509, Konan nearly killed Obito using billions of paper bombs specifically designed to counter Kamui’s five-minute limit.
Now the big question – which Naruto fight without Naruto or Sasuke is your personal favorite? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.
Naruto and Naruto Shippuden are both currently available to watch on Crunchyroll.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
