Naruto vs Sasuke: Why Naruto was the better warrior at the end of shippuden

Time of India

02-05-2025

Naruto vs Sasuke: Why Naruto was the better warrior at the end of shippuden (credit- IMDb)
The iconic battle between
Naruto Uzumaki
and
Sasuke Uchiha
is a favorite among fans of the anime. Their last battle, as the show's two protagonists, was the most emotional portion of the anime. Although both heroes became more or less unstoppable, what did occur in the anime, particularly in their last battle, reaffirms one: Naruto was the superior fighter.
Naruto's strength stops Sasuke's final assault
The final fight between Naruto and Sasuke is not just a fight between two powerful ninjas. It is a testament to years of dedication, suffering, and perseverance. Sasuke, having stored up all the power of the nine Tailed Beasts, was incredibly powerful. With the Rinnegan and his most powerful attack, Indra's Arrow, he was nearly unbeatable.
Naruto would be able to access Kurama's powers and chakra and become extremely skilled. He never utilized the other Tailed Beasts' chakra. He formed a bond with Kurama and utilized his Sage Mode abilities to rival and even surpass his opponents. Naruto being able to deflect Sasuke's strongest strikes while restraining him demonstrates how skilled he really is.
Remaining strong while holding back
One of the largest reasons that Naruto is superior to the show is that he fought to save others, not to kill. When Naruto was in battle, he restrained himself and did not try to finish off battles, but instead tried to reach out to Sasuke emotionally. Even with all that, though, he still managed to defeat Sasuke numerous times.
Naruto's refusal to apply his power was not a weakness but a sign of his confidence and control. He did not desire to apply all his power since he had to save his friend. If all his power were applied by Naruto, the outcome would have been worse.
Power Balance in Boruto: A new generation
Naruto and Sasuke have to defend the Hidden Leaf at the beginning of Boruto: Naruto Next Generations. But they both lose a lot of strength. Naruto loses Kurama when he is battling with Isshiki, and Sasuke loses his Rinnegan when he is attacked by Boruto through Momoshiki's body.
These losses greatly reduce their fighting capabilities. In Boruto, they don't engage each other in combat, but when they fight against outside foes, they appear to have the same capabilities and experience. However, the enormeus power imbalance from Shippuden is moot because both are forced to use their brains, agility, and skills they still possess.
More than strength: The emotions behind the competition
While the discussion is about how tough they are and how much they can fight, the real heart of Naruto and Sasuke's battle is in their emotions and development. Naruto's willingness to help Sasuke despite everything they have been through makes their tale worth viewing. Sasuke's development from wanting revenge to being able to accept Naruto's friendship is intriguing because of this dynamic.
Their last meeting was not a race to see who was stronger. It was about peace, about understanding each other, and about forgiving. Naruto's great dedication, compassion, and inner strength finally help save Sasuke from danger.
By the time Naruto: Shippuden rolls around, it's obvious. Naruto was physically stronger than Sasuke, but he also matured more emotionally, became wiser, and adapted better. Though Sasuke had better vision and powerful jutsu, Naruto's physical strength, stamina, and compassion made him a better human.
Their journey from enemies to friends is one of the most powerful in anime. Naruto and Sasuke's past is not about being powerful, but about friendship, second chances, and never losing hope.