In Naruto, many characters see Naruto as someone who reminds them of a lost loved one or someone they hold dear in memory. Because of the Nine-Tails fox sealed inside him, Naruto often grew up in the village as an isolated person who pulled random pranks to gain their attention. Throughout his journey, the people he comes across always see Naruto as their family.
1. Tsunade's belief in Naruto becoming the Hokage
During the Pain arc (Naruto Shippuden Episode 163), Tsunade was about to die while attempting to save Konoha. In that moment, Naruto saved Tsunade when he killed one of the Pain. In that moment, Tsunade noticed the spirits of Jiraiya and Minato in Naruto. Their courage to fight and show fighting spirit to protect the village led her to notice those two in Naruto.
In the battle against Orochimaru and Kabuto (Naruto Episode 96), her blood phobia weakened her, and she could not attack or defend. When Naruto defended her, Tsunade saw Nawaki, her young brother, and her lover, Dan, in Naruto. Both Dan and Naruto believed the same way in ending war through becoming Hokage, and Nawaki was also like Naruto—courageous, willing to confront issues head-on, and also had a dream of becoming Hokage.
Minato’s 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. Jiraiya was Minato’s mentor, 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 in Naruto fulfilling 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 Konoha to gain possession of the Nine-Tailed fox, but after Naruto defeated him and promised him that after he became the Hokage (Naruto Shippuden Episode 174), 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 Jinchuriki
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 Hagoromo, who created all the tailed beasts and let them live peacefully. Like Hagoromo, Naruto also wanted the tailed beasts to be free (Naruto Shippuden Episode 329).
5. Reflection of his Sensei
Kakashi was once a student of Minato and is now a sensei for Naruto. Naruto always reminded him of Minato (Naruto Shippuden Episode 329). The courageous behavior to always protect his friend, even if it affects his mission, reminded him of his friend Obito. Kakashi learned to put the mission behind his comrades from Obito, and when Naruto did the same and went to the edge of his limits to protect his friends, Kakashi saw his childhood friend in him.
6. A ray of hope and light
Sasuke has suffered a lot in his life. After murdering his brother, Itachi, Sasuke came to know what his brother felt for him and what he did for Sasuke’s safety, which drove him to total darkness. Everyone at some point wished Sasuke dead so that the village wouldn’t suffer, but Naruto promised to revive Sasuke. 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 thought to be Hokage or someone in authority by everyone else, and Shikamaru himself is one of them, but Sarutobi and Asuma thought that the Will of Fire is the people and children of the nation. At the time of Asuma’s death, Shikamaru understood the correct meaning of the Will of Fire. Asuma was reminded of Naruto—they both held the same beliefs regarding the Will of Fire.
