Naruto, ten best friendships of the series, ranked. Many strong bonds of friendship humanize the story of Naruto, but which friendships are the most touching or consequential to the story. The story of Naruto is packed with classic shonen lessons. Storylines and fight scenes, and that includes the power of friendship. In this series, in addition to mighty summoning Jutsu and forbidden techniques, clever ninja Jutsu and cunning traps help define the combat system. But the best ninja are motivated to protect their friends from all harm. Indeed, many of Naruto's best and strongest characters fight with their friends and fellow villagers in mind. And some characters are also driven to impress their teachers or to protect their students from photos such as the Akatsuki organization and other roles. Some friendships even form between master and student. But those relationships are mainly professional. Which other friendships helped define the original Naruto-slash-shikuden franchise? Ten, Daedara, slash Toby, the dynamic Akatsuki duo. This friendship was a superficial one, since the persona, Toby, was a cover for a Bido Achiha, who later tried to pass himself off as Madara Achiha as well. When he first appeared, though, Toby, was the fun-loving replacement for Sasori the puppet master, who had fallen in battle. Daedara could hardly believe that this fellow was his new partner. But all these same, they struck up a mild friendship during their adventures together, and this added a bit of humor to the otherwise terrifying Akatsuki organization. It was a shame, they had to part ways. 9. Naruto Uzumaki, slash Iroka Yumano, once teacher student. For a time, Naruto Uzumaki and his academy teacher, Iroka Yumano, had a professional relationship. Once Naruto graduated from the academy. He began a more genuine friendship with Iroka as a fellow ninja. By the time Naruto Shippuden began, Naruto and Iroka were best buds rather than master and student. Iroka personally related to Naruto. Since he lost his parents to the nine-tailed fox and was largely ostracized. Iroka risked his life to protect Naruto from the scheming Mizuki, and this greatly inspired Naruto as a budding ninja. 8. Jiraya, slash Sunate, two fellow Sandin. Often, these two elder ninja clashed over their differing personalities, usually with Lady Sunate, fuming at her pure Jiraya the Toad Sage for being a total pervert. Still, these two Sandin greatly trust and respect one another, and at one point, Jiraya was actually Sunate's lover. It didn't pan out though. Now, Sunate and Jiraya have a platonic but solid relationship. And Sunate was greatly cheered up when Jiraya introduced her to the optimistic Naruto Uzumaki. Sunate and Jiraya always had each other's backs against Oro-Chamaru the Snake Ninja and the Akatsuki until Jiraya was eventually Kia. 7. Naruto Uzumaki, slash Sai, uneasy teammates at first. Partway through Naruto Shippuden, the missing slot of Team 7 was filled at last, with the pale and slightly awkward ninja named Sai. Who could summon ink animals with scrolls? At first, Sai thought little of the impulsive Naruto, and mocked him more than once. That changed over time, though, and Naruto and Sai learned to trust and respect one another as true teammates and friends. Eventually, when Kairui tried to beat Sasuke Achiha's location out of Naruto, Sai intervened, unwilling to let his friends suffer on Sasuke's account. 6. Shikamaranara, slash Chojiya Kimichi, slash Inoyamunaka, aka Inoshikacho. This three-way friendship is at the core of Team 10, led by the Joan and Asomasaritobi. These three ninja form a balanced team. With Chojiya Kimichi being the muscle, Inoyamunaka being the support and Shikamara being both a supporting fighter and the strategist. These three are famed for their Inoshikacho formation. Named after themselves and a reference to the Japanese card game Koi-Koi, and they also get along great as good friends. In particular, Shikamaran Choji, her excellent friends at the academy and often got into trouble together. Those were the good old days. 5. Hashirama Senju, slash Madara Achiha, who made history together. This historic friendship predated the hidden leaf village itself. A few generations ago, the world was an especially blood-soaked place. Wided into countless feuding ninja clans, who even sent children into battle. Hashirama Senju, who could perform would release, didn't like this situation. Neither did Madara Achiha. These ninja were enemies on paper, but both boys soon became friends and met in secret so their feuding families wouldn't find out. Later, as men, they broke out a truce between the Senju and Achiha clans and founded the hidden leaf village. Tragically, these friends and their respective families would later become enemies once again. 4. Kakashi Hataki, slash Abyto Achiha, who shared the sharring-gonnai. Over ten years ago, Minato Namikaze was the commander of a three ninja team made up of Rin, Kakashi Hataki, and Abyto Achiha. Abyto was the weakest link for a time, and he was scorned for his friends before duty, attitude. Eventually, though, Kakashi started to see things Abyto's way. Abyto was crushed under a boulder. But before Kakashi left, Abyto gave him a sharring-gonnai, and Kakashi mourned the death of his friend for years after that. Much later, they met again as enemies during the fourth great Shinobi War. But in the end, they became allies once again. Friendships aren't so easily broken by betrayal or time. 3. Kakashi Hataki, slash Mike Guy, the eternal rivals. Abyto isn't Kakashi's only friend. Later on, the Tijitsu-loving Mike Guy became Kakashi's sworn rival, and both ninja began to compete fiercely. If Mike Guy having the most enthusiasm for this rivalry, Kakashi one-uped him with the development of his own Jutsu, the Raikiri, or Lightning Blade. Mike Guy couldn't make a Lightning Blade. So he made up for it in other ways, and never stopped challenging Kakashi to any contest he could think of. In the present day, both Jonen are good friends, and have fine chemistry. And they clearly respect each other a great deal. 3. Kakashi Hataki, slash Mike Guy, the eternal rivals. Abyto isn't Kakashi's only friend. Later on, the Tijitsu-loving Mike Guy became Kakashi's sworn rival, and both ninja began to compete fiercely. With Mike Guy having the most enthusiasm for this rivalry, Kakashi one-uped him with the development of his own Jutsu, the Raikiri, or Lightning Blade. Mike Guy couldn't make a Lightning Blade. So he made up for it in other ways, and never stopped challenging Kakashi to any contest he could think of. In the present day, both Jonen are good friends, and have fine chemistry. And they clearly respect each other a great deal. 1. Naruto Uzumaki, slash Gara of the Sand, alone together. This relationship is a classic for many reasons. At first, a friendship between Naruto and Gara of the Sand seemed downright impossible. Sasuke may have been a self-absorbed genius, but he was at least a part of Naruto's village and team. Gara, meanwhile, was a bitter and lonely killer from the hidden sand village. And he and Naruto fought during Operation Kenoha Crush. However, these two boys have far too much in common to be enemies. They understand each other's pain of being alone and hated. At last, Gara had met someone who could connect with him on every level. Gara reformed himself and became a noble hero, inspired by Naruto's example. Gara later became Kazakage at age 15 or so. And he and Naruto personally forged strong bonds between the leaf and sand villages.