In Naruto, many characters see Naruto as a who reminds them of their lost person or the person they hold their dear memory to. Because of the Nine-Tails fox sealed inside him Naruto often grew up in the village as an isolated person who pulls random pranks to gain their attention. Throughout his journey, the people he comes across always see Naruto as their family.
1. Tsunade's belief on Naruto becoming the Hokage
During the Pain arc, Tsunade was on the verge of death trying to save Konoha. At that moment, Naruto saved Tsunade by defeating one of the Pain. At that time, Tsunade saw the spirit of Jiraya and Minato in Naruto. Their fighting spirit and boldness to fight for the village made her see those two in Naruto.
During the fight with Orochimaru and Kabuto, Her fear of blood made her weak and unable to attack or defend herself. When Naruto stood up for her at that time, Tsunade saw her Little brother Nawaki and her Love of the Life Dan spirit in Naruto. Both Naruto and Dan had the same thought about stopping the war by becoming the Hokage and Nawaki is just like Naruto who is brave and tries to stand in front of everyone if the problem arises and also wants to become a Hokage.
2. Minato entrustment of Naruto to Jiraiya
Jiraiya’s character was introduced during the chunin exam arc and he taught Naruto how to control chakra and use summoning jutsu. Jiraya is the mentor of Minato and when Naruto was able to master the fourth Hokage’s technique he was able to see Minato in Naruto. Minato named his son after the main character in Jiraya’s first novel and also gave him the honor of being a godfather to Naruto.
3. Nagato's belief on Naruto in fullfilling Yahiko's dream
Nagato was one of the strongest characters who possessed the power of the sage of six paths and learned under the guidance of Master Jiraya. During the pain arc, Nagato almost destroyed Konaha to gain possession of the Nine-Tail fox but after Naruto defeated him and promised him that after he became the Hokage he would change the way of the world. At that time Nagato sees Naruto as his lost friend Yahiko, who shares the same motive of stopping the war without violence to stop the cycle of hate.
4. Eternal bond of a Tailed Beast and a Jinchurukhi
Kurama was used as a tool to prevent and destroy the land. Madara and Obito both manipulated Kurama to destroy the village. Naruto was the first one to see Kurama as a Living Being unlike others who saw him as a power source for destruction. Naruto fought Madara during the war to prevent Kurama’s freedom from being taken. Kurama sees Naruto as the Sage of Six Paths Hogomoro who created all the tailed beasts and let them live peacefully. Like Hogomoru, Naruto also wanted the tailed beasts to be free.
5. Reflection of his Sensei
Kakashi was once a student of Minato and now a sensei for Naruto. Naruto always reminded him of Minato. The courageous behavior to always protect his friend even if it affects his mission reminded him about his friend Obito. Kakashi learned to put the mission behind his comrades from Obito and when Naruto did the save and went to the edge of the limit to protect his friends Kakashi saw his childhood friend in him.
6. A ray of hope and light
Sasuke has been through so my throughout his life. After killing his brother Itachi finding out the actual truth about how much his brother cared about him and the things he did to protect Sasuke pushed him into complete darkness. At one point everyone wanted Sasuke to be dead to prevent the village but Naruto swore to change Sasuke back. Itachi was the only person who loved Sasuke regardless of his decision and when Naruto did the same and pulled him out of the darkness he was able to see Itachi’s spirit in Naruto.
7. The will of the Leaf Village
The will of fire was believed to be the Hokage or someone who is in power by everyone and Shikamaru is also one of them but Sarutobi and Asuma believed that the will of fire is the people and the children of the country. After the death of Asuma, Shikamaru realized the true meaning of the will of fire. Naruto reminded him of Asuma they both have the same beliefs and thoughts about the will of fire.
