Naruto Wisdom

"My body, it has no strength. I'm pulling everyone's feet. I'm always being protected. It's so frustrating." In episode 32, Sakura heroically cuts her hair off to free herself from one of Orichimaru's comrades.

"I always act as if I'm a full fledged ninja...I'm always behind." Sakura realizes that she's always on the side, and is protected, she's never returned the favor and so she gets inspired by her colleagues and protects them.

This instance is an example of a person realizing their lack of ability and dependence on others and realizing they need to change themselves. It reminds me of this quote that really resonates with me:

In episode 31, one of Orichimaru’s people say to Lee. You may work very very hard and do everything right and still not become who you thought you would. You may still not succeed. You may still lose that opportunity you had. Sometimes life just doesn’t treat you the way you deserve to be treated.

“What’s important [of a Shinobi] is to exist merely as tools.” And to be emotionless. 

Kakashi, Naruto, Sakura and Susuke discuss what it means to be a Ninja after their battles with Haku and Zabuza in Episode 19: The Demon in the Snow.

Those are the expectations that society has of those that are, and inspire to be, ninjas. Naruto admits to the team that it’s a way of living that he doesn’t really want to pursue but then states these famous words:

“I’m going to pursue my own Way of Ninja! I’m gonna sprint straight ahead and pursue a way that I absolutely won’t regret!” 

This makes me think of how a person should do what they want to do and not be extremely influenced by what others say, or what the guidelines are supposed to be. Otherwise, you may end up living a life with regrets and chances missed. 

Just because you may not like a certain aspect of your pursuit for something, doesn’t necessarily mean you have to conform to it and go through hardship, you can change it around a little and make it more catered to how you’d like it. 

You can have your own Way of Ninja just like Naruto does.

This post contains mild spoilers if you haven’t watched past Naruto Episode 20.

“What I thought of myself was, the most painful thing, that my existence didn’t matter to anyone in the world.” Haku realizes after his family is gone.

This is a really interesting philosophy and takes place during:

- Episode 14: The Number One Hyperactive, Knucklehead Ninja Join the Fight! to - Episode 18: The Weapons Known as Shinobi

It hints on humans’ desire to want to do something for people. A lot of times, people get motivation by wanting to achieve a goal for someone they hold dear to themselves. A parent works long hours, though they may not enjoy it, to provide food and shelter for their family and make them happy. Haku risks his life to protect Zabuza. People are fueled by their desire to make others happy.

Similarly, people also get motivation or will by wanting to be acknowledged. Like Naruto and Haku. Naruto works hard to become the Hokage because everyone will listen to his word and he’ll be an important figure in the village. Haku was almost killed for his abilities, and more predominantly, being who he was. But he has the desire to live because his companion (moreso owner) acknowledges and appreciates his power.

Real life examples to this phenomenon are athletes and business men that train and work long hours respectively because they look forward to that acknowledgement when they achieve their goal. There is the self-satisfaction as well that comes along with finally getting through. But praise can also be a really big contributor.

"Zabuza counts on me, even if I’m worthless. He made me feel needed. But now, I have lost my usefulness that affirmed my existence. Zabuza no longer needs me." Haku says after he fails to keep up his jutsu as Naruto breaks through it.

Here, Haku has lost the desire to live and has let go of all motivation because he feels that, once again, he has lost that acknowledgment and care that Zabuza may have provided. 

Because of this aspect, this kind of thinking can be dangerous as if an individual loses contact with the one that influences them. Because there’s this sense of dependency, and without them, the individual ends up feeling lost.

There is a moment in this episode where the kid, Inari, tells Team 7 that they are wasting their time trying to be strong to face Zabuza, and that they will get killed. The weak always gets defeated by the young.

In anger, Naruto gives him a harsh response of “so you’re just going to cry all day like the lead in a tragedy? An idiot like you can cry cry all day. You crybaby!”

And later on, Kakashi tells Inari of the hardships Naruto has faced, and how he might understand Inari’s pain the most. “I’ve never seen him sulk, by timid, or cry...He’s probably tired of crying. He knows the true meanings of the word strong. What Naruto said earlier, there’s no mistake that he’s said that to himself over and over again.”

This whole interaction shows a really important message. Just because there is hardship in your life, doesn’t mean you sulk and cry about it. Because doing that won’t help you get anywhere in life. In order to grow, you need to have courage and stand up to your problems. Be brave. Work until the pain or hardship goes away.