In Naruto, a shinobi achieves greater power after rigorous training and life-threatening experiences. As the cast undergoes various transformations and dedicates themselves to improving their various jutsu, they unleash everything they have on the battlefield during the do-or-die Fourth Great Ninja War. While everyone experiences deep character development and power-ups, some have become stronger than others when the war concludes. Here's why Naruto's titular character outshines them all by the end of the series.
As the series follows Naruto Uzumaki's journey as a shinobi, fans watch him grow both as a ninja and a person. While he starts out as a troublemaking and immature kid looking for attention from the villagers who despise him, Naruto has unwavering Konoha pride and will protect its people with his life. Despite being laughed at in school for being weak and unable to make a simple shadow clone, he shocks his peers when he can suddenly make hundreds of shadow clones. His training increases from this point forward as he learns to master and control the Nine Tails' chakra living inside of him, and he later learns Sage Mode from Jiraiya Sensei.
By the time the world falls into the Fourth Great Ninja War catalyzed by Obito and Madara Uchiha, the shinobi world has increased faith in Naruto to protect them after he saves all of Konoha from Pain. While the Allied Shinobi Forces originally hide Naruto away and refuse to tell him about the upcoming war because he's the enemy's target, he rushes to the battlefield, where he discovers his friends are fighting for his sake. Between his Sage and Tailed Beast Modes, Naruto is able to outmaneuver the Raikage himself so he can join the frontlines.
After he and Sasuke meet Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki, also known as the Sage of the Sixth Paths, Naruto is granted chakra that allows him to achieve his ultimate form and surpass all other shinobi. Unleashing Six Paths Sage Mode, Naruto is able to optimize and enhance his lethal combination of Nine Tails' chakra and Sage Mode. In this form, he can sense the world of Limbo that Madara and Rinnegan wielders can use and he also obtains universal knowledge. This mode allows him to surpass both Madara and even Kaguya herself, allowing him to play a vital role in ending the war and saving the world from the Infinite Tsukuyomi.
Not only does Naruto grow in physical strength, but he also learns to improve his mental and emotional strength. While he can be immature and oblivious, he learns to understand and empathize with others the more he journeys through life as a shinobi. His ability to motivate and persuade others gives rise to his well-known "Talk no Jutsu" he uses on the likes of Gaara and Nagato. Naruto's newfound wisdom and maturity also allow him to accept and reciprocate Hinata's love and even get married by the end of the series.
Many fans argue that Kaguya is the most powerful character in all of Naruto, as she possesses god-like power. Being responsible for the chakra empowering all of the shinobi world, her abilities and chakra levels initially seem unrivaled. Originally from the moon as a member of the Ōtsutsuki clan, Kaguya's backstory gives her a mysterious air that makes her seem even more powerful to viewers. Given her connection to the Sharingan, Rinnegan and Byakugan eyes, Kaguya is a nearly invincible adversary. While Naruto isn't able to seal her away on his own, he's still more powerful by the end of the series than the defeated Kaguya.
As notable runner-ups who helped Naruto defeat Kaguya, a case can be made for every member of Team 7 as the most powerful character by the end of the series. Naruto and Sasuke Uchiha had to combine their abilities to defeat Madara Uchiha with the chakra bestowed upon them by Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki. Sasuke develops the Rinnegan from this new chakra, which allows him to teleport across short distances and chase Kaguya to various dimensions with the help of Obito Uchiha. Meanwhile, Sakura Haruno's medical ninjutsu is vital during the Fourth Great Ninja War to keep comrades alive and healthy, severely reducing the number of casualties among the Allied Shinobi Forces. She also uses her super-strength and chakra control to cut off Kaguya's escape route, allowing Team 7 to seal her away.
While Naruto stars a cast of impressive and powerful shinobi whose abilities increase over time, some characters undergo more drastic transformations. As the members of Team 7 achieve greatness while pushing themselves to their limits, they closely follow Naruto as the most powerful character by the series' end. With an impressive supporting cast surrounding him, Naruto is able to realize his full potential. Given Naruto's unrivaled powerups and increased maturity while becoming the shinobi world's next greatest hero, it's no wonder the series was named after him.
