Within the vast narrative of Masashi Kishimoto’s Naruto anime and manga series lie several theories and mysteries that still excite the fandom even though the series ended 9 years ago on March 23, 2017. Because of the vast narrative, many mysteries were left unexplored and unaddressed.
If you are wondering what these mysteries are from the series that still demands exploration and answers, we’ve got you. From the mysterious origin of Kaguya Otsutsuki to the conclusion of the cycle of hatred, here are all the Naruto mysteries that are still unexplored.
1. How Powerful Was Prime Itachi Uchiha in Naruto?
Itachi Uchiha | Credits: Studio Pierrot
We all know that Itachi Uchiha was one of the most powerful Shinobi among the Uchiha Clan. But what we saw was mainly his time after the infamous Uchiha Clan Massacre and his life as an Akatsuki member, which piques our curiosity to know just how strong he was before that.
His loyalty and discipline were definitely unquestionable as he cared about the village’s orders more than his own blood, which is also evident from his position as an Anbu. While his Sharingan and Genjutsu were at their peak after the Massacre, he likely was the most proficient among the Uchiha, second only to a few like Shisui.
2. What Was the True Potential of the Uzumaki Clan?
The Uzumaki Clan temple | Credits: Studio Pierrot
The Uzumaki Clan was an essential part of the narrative, especially because of the legacy association with some of the most important and iconic characters, like Kushina, Nagato (Pain), and Karin. However, where Kishimoto failed was in drifting too far from exploring the clan roots in these characters.
Other than the iconic red hair and the enormous Chakra reserve, we were given nothing more significant enough to understand the full potential of the Clan. Being an iconic clan in the series, it still bugs us thinking about what their true strength was and just how powerful they were.
3. The Sharingan and Its True Limitations
This one is probably one of the most intriguing mysteries from Kishimoto’s story – the true limits of the Sharingan. As we all know, the Sharingan keeps evolving into stages if the special conditions are met, and they differ in power from person to person. But have you ever thought why they differ?
Sure, making the ability based on individuals adds more variety and also, in turn, adds more uniqueness to the Uchiha Clan’s Kekkei Genkai Dojutsu, but a logical and canonical reason for the indifference was never explored. Overall, the rules of the Sharingan almost feel too flexible sometimes.
4. Just How “Legendary” Was Minato Namikaze as a Shinobi?
Minato Namikaze | Credits: Studio Pierrot
In the series, the former Fourth Hokage and Naruto’s father, Minato Namikaze, is deemed a “legendary” individual. We know that he had mastered the Flying Raijin Jutsu as no one could ever do, and even was partially a Jinchuriki at the time of his death. However, the actual extent is unknown.
Despite the recognition and fame he was given in the series, nothing was shown of his life that could clarify his “legendary” status. A brief side story of his life could have easily benefited his name and even contributed to Naruto’s narrative.
5. What Would Have Happened to Naruto Without Kurama?
Naruto and Kurama | Credits: Studio Pierrot
While this one is completely a hypothetical situation, have you ever wondered what would have happened to Naruto if not for Kurama’s presence? What if, instead of sealing Kurama, Minato and Kushina defeated it? Naruto would have born as the son of a Hokage, instead of being the lonely boy who always suffered alone.
While it is still a case that his parents could have died while defeating Kurama, and he was still an orphan, this time, people would actually sympathize with him rather than ignoring and hating him. However, this will also mean we won’t have gotten a series at all, because the initial hatred and loneliness are what shaped Naruto.
6. Was the “Cycle of Hatred” Truly Ended by Naruto?
Naruto from Boruto: Naruto Next Generations | Credits: Studio Pierrot
The entire premise of the anime plot was largely based on Kishimoto’s Cycle of Hatred, which was supposed to be ended by Naruto and the others after the climax of the Fourth Shinobi World War. However, the bigger question here is whether it truly ended or just paused for all the other reasons other than what was actually intended?
After the war, the villages remain militarized, Anbu still operated in secrecy, and children are still trained for combat – what changed was that Naruto’s power and morality stabilized conflict, not abolished it. This is more of a confusing approach than a mystery that was left unaddressed by Kishimoto.
7. Who Truly Was the Strongest Akatsuki Member?
The Akatsuki | Credits: Studio Pierrot
Power scaling within the Akatsuki members was always a mess to begin with. No one truly could point out who was stronger than who or who was managing and leading the group. If we go by supremacy, Nagato had the Rinnegan, making him stronger, but Obito acted more as the decision maker from the shadows.
To top that, Itachi and Kisame never truly were playing with the group despite being members, and acted more like an independent wing. Was it because Itachi was stronger than either? While we can assess individual power levels, as a group, the Akatsuki’s power structure is still a mystery.
8. What Actually Happened in the Second and Third Shinobi World War?
The Fourth Shinobi World War in Naruto | Credits: Studio Pierrot
The Shinobi World Wars are significant chapters of history that defined the ruling and destiny of the Shinobi world and the future generations. While we know everything about the First War and the Fourth War, what about the Second and Third?
Despite being one of the most important events in the series, which also shaped every major adult character and made Jiraya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru famous, the narrative for two of the wars was missing completely. The significant events and outcomes remain a mystery even to this day.
9. Orochimaru’s True End Game in the Naruto Series
Orochimaru | Credits: Studio Pierrot
One of the most mysterious characters in the anime and manga series, Orochimaru, has been the centre of many events from the very beginning of the story. However, if we really think about it, his true goals were never revealed by Kishimoto, and remain a mystery.
Was it truly immortality, or knowledge, or evolution, or was he just simply bored from being a Sanin? Orochimaru survives, observes, and experiments – but never really explains why. Furthermore, being known for long-term planning, the truth of his intentions becomes more mysterious.
10. The Otsutsuki Clan’s True Origins
Kaguya Otsutsuki | Credits: Studio Pierrot
At the very end of the series, Kaguya Otsutsuki appears, and the narrative is taken to a completely cosmic level of progression. Kaguya cracked the world open and then vanished, leaving several unanswered questions, like where did the Otsutsuki come from, and how vast is their empire?
The series introduced cosmic gods but left most of the universe unexplored. And in terms of Chakra, while Hagoromo explained the basics, it was not everything. It is still unclear whether Kaguya was the only Otsutsuki involved or whether humans were evolving chakra naturally as well.
TITLENarutoSTUDIOStudio PierrotGENREAdventure, Martial ArtsRELEASE DATEOctober 3, 2002IMDb RATING8.4/10MAL RATING8.02/10WHERE TO WATCHCrunchyroll, Netflix
What are your thoughts on these Naruto mysteries that still demand answers and explanations? Let us know your opinion in the comments below.
All episodes of Naruto are available to watch on Crunchyroll and Netflix. You can also read the manga legally online on the Viz Media app and website.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
