The history of Naruto often goes into depressing territory, with its protagonist often reflecting on his past, shunned by his village, no friends in sight, and beaten for his dreams of becoming Hokage. As the series progresses, Naruto Uzumaki builds his abilities, defends his home and the world, and wins over even his harshest critics as he becomes Konoha’s beloved hero. But while Naruto amasses an incredible circle of friends throughout the series, his dedication to winning over Kurama and bringing Sasuke Uchiha back to the light pushes him. His true best friends, like Shikamaru Nara, Behind Sasuke’s shadow.
Shikamaru is one of many characters in Naruto who repeatedly demonstrate their loyalty and admiration for the protagonist. Shikamaru’s contributions are possibly the most long-lasting and impactful, a sharp contrast to his original adolescent desire to lie low. in many ways, Naruto’s influence greatly benefited Shikamaru, and vice versa. While Naruto’s golden heart made it impossible to let Sasuke’s hatred and rage isolate him, it did not excuse how poor of a friend Sasuke was to him, with Shikamaru, among others, bringing a fundamental connection even Kurama could not match.
Shikamaru Nara stepped up as a friend and ally in nearly every major Naruto arc
A dark horse and emerging role model
Shikamaru starts the series by being dismissed by Naruto as one of the laziest ninjas of his generation, but he, among the rest of what has become Naruto’s Famous Konoha Eleven, is recommended to join the Chunin exams. Along with smaller moments like helping Ino protect Sakura in Naruto Chapter #54, Shikamaru later begins to impress Naruto with his cleverness in his preliminary fight against Kin Tsuchi. by Naruto Chapter #106, when it comes time for Shikamaru’s fight against Temari, where he would impress everyone with his brilliant tactics, Naruto is the first to cheer Shikamaru while excitedly pushing him into the ring.
But Shikamaru truly steps up after becoming a Chunin, and takes on the difficult task of stopping Sasuke from defecting and defeating the Sound Four. It’s a bold move, and even with the help of the Sand Siblings, Naruto, Neji, Chōji and Kiba, Sasuke gets away while many of the team are left in critical condition. Shikamaru is ironically the only one left with minor injuries, and His dedication to his friends, including Naruto, accelerates his survivor’s guilt. Yet, following advice from his father, he vows not to let it happen again in chapter #235.
Sasuke, meanwhile, only reflects on his positive experiences with Naruto until the end of the series, with the mildest glimpse of recognizing Naruto as a rival, not a friend. As is made painfully clear in Naruto Chapter #698, Naruto was a better friend than Sasuke deservedWith their bond as Naruto saves his wayward surrogate brother from wandering down a dark path. As for Kurama, whose presence with Naruto was tumultuous for much of the series, their friendship was born out of circumstance and a developed kinship, with Kurama at multiple points going on destructive rampages with Naruto’s body.
Shikamaru is always bound to be a loyal friend to Naruto
The slacker and the class clown
Shikamaru’s bond with Naruto doesn’t end after the Sasuke recovery mission, with events in Part 2 often bringing them together on vital operations. Naruto is often most comfortable with ShikamaruJust like he is around Sakura when he returns to Konoha. The two have compatible personalities, each handling responsibilities differently in their childhood, with Naruto being a prankster and Shikamaru being a slacker. However, as Naruto and Shikamaru matured as young adults, their friendship deepened as teammates and as they endured horrific trauma in Naruto.
Shikamaru would be the first to test this when he assembled a joint effort between Team 10 and Team 7 to defeat Hidan and Kakuzu, hiring his mentor, Asuma Sarutobi. It would be a direct case for fans to observe Shikamaru’s strict dedication to preventing a loss like the Sasuke recovery mission And a strong display of his leadership skills. He isolates Hidan from Kakuzu, creating one of the best fights of all NarutoAnd entrusting him to Naruto and his teammates is a significant show of trust, but it’s yet another more subtle example of Shikamaru’s friendship.
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The strongest case preceding the Fourth Great Ninja War Arc was easily when Shikamaru was the last character to pull Naruto out of his pit of despair after losing Jiraiya in Naruto Chapter #406. Shikamaru appeals to the mutual loss of their masters, along with how Shikamaru learned he would be tasked as the teacher of Asuma’s child to remind Naruto that they are growing up and need to prepare to help in future generations. Shikamaru says that they each need to become cool shinobi like their mentors, which is A beautiful, understated moment in their friendship finally made Naruto smile.
Sparing a thought for another of Naruto’s best friends
A vital mention of another key ally to the protagonist
While Shikamaru is a fascinating candidate for Naruto’s best friend, Sakura Haruno is one of the strongest alternative options many can reasonably stand by. To go without mentioning her growing admiration of Naruto is To overlook one of the most wholesome friendships in the seriesTheir bond is a case of deep platonic love with ultimately no romantic entanglement. Sakura began to see Naruto as a worthy ally in the Chunin Exams arc, begged and depended on him to bring Sasuke home in Part 2, and constantly fought alongside him throughout the series.
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Sakura’s friendship with Naruto grows less prominent throughout the epilogue and Boruto. Still, her advocacy for her friend never goes away. She desperately calls for him to save Konoha in Pain’s assault and emotionally embraces him when he succeeds. Boruto Readers won’t see the dynamic as much; Instead, they will mostly see Naruto and Shikamaru continue to cooperate closely through the present. however, Naruto Fans will always know how indispensable Sakura is to Naruto.
Shikamaru shared Naruto’s responsibilities as advisor to the Hokage
A sense of purpose was born
Consider Shikamaru’s one-time desire to live and die an unremarkable life without serious responsibility Naruto Chapter #119, It is clear that his friendship with Naruto caused a significant change. At the height of the Fourth Great Ninja War Arc, with Shikamaru on the brink of death, he recalls telling his father, Shikaku, that Naruto has a bright future ahead of him. In chapter #659, Shikamaru even remarks that Naruto, unlike Hashirama Senju, “doesn’t have an adoptive brother like Master Second to be his advisor.” He defines a high purpose as Naruto’s right-hand man.
When I’m with Naruto… he makes me want to walk with him, by his side.
-Shikamaru Nara
Shikamaru did, meaning that the jealous boy who wanted the least amount of responsibility would soon aspire to have one of the hardest jobs in his village, believing that no one else was fit for it. . At this point, Shikamaru not only asserts himself as Naruto’s best ally out of anyone in the village, but his friendship motivates him to rally instead of dying in that moment. In many ways, Shikamaru was the best friend Naruto could have because, despite his lazy origins, he put his best foot forward every moment when the cards were dealt. Naruto.