Who Would Have Won the Chunin Exams? Fans Weigh In on the Ultimate Naruto Debate!

by

Among many memorable instances in Naruto, none surpasses the significance of the Chunin Exams. This storyline laid the foundation for character growth throughout the series, marking the initial official split between Naruto and Sasuke on their contrasting paths. During these exams, viewers are given a glimpse into the vast ninja world created by Masashi Kishimoto and witness as our beloved ninjas strive to advance from Genin to Chunin rank.

The original question posed by the Naruto and Boruto accounts on X was: “If the Chunin Exams had continued, who do you believe would have emerged victorious?” This thought-provoking query has been circulating among fans for quite some time now, and it seems there are several plausible answers. The Chunin Exams were nearing their end with only five ninjas still in contention: Gaara, Temari, Kankuro, Shino, Naruto, and Sasuke. Unfortunately, the final face-offs for these Genin weren’t officially concluded. It’s reasonable to argue that any of these candidates could have won, and fans are actively presenting their arguments in the comments. Let’s examine the matches and hopefully reach a convincing conclusion regarding the victor.

中忍試験本選が最後まで行われていたら、誰が優勝したと思いますか？#NARUTO

— NARUTO・BORUTO【原作公式】 (@NARUTO_kousiki) April 9, 2025

The Matchups Left Some Questions Unanswered in the Chunin Exams

one between Sasuke and Gaara, a match that disrupted the exams initially, and another between Kankuro and Shino. Regarding the first fight, Sasuke’s limited offensive abilities against Gaara, mainly relying on Chidori which drew blood but didn’t inflict significant damage, hinted at a challenging battle that might see Sasuke running out of energy, much like their previous encounter outside the exams. The second bout would feature Kankuro and Shino, two combatants who have clashed before, outside the tests. In this encounter, we saw Shino paralyze Kankuro but ultimately succumbed to poison. This battle could go either way; for our discussion’s sake, let’s assume they end in a draw, allowing one of the other contenders a pass into the final round.

In the upcoming battles, it will primarily focus on Naruto, Temari, and Gaara. These encounters might involve two Genin battling while one takes a brief pause, or all three engaging in a free-for-all like in Boruto: Naruto the Next Generations. Regardless of the format, the outcome would mirror their previous confrontation with Gaara and Sasuke, suggesting that the Leaf Genin cannot inflict significant harm on the Sand Shinobi. However, we have seen Naruto engage Gaara outside of exams; though he needed assistance from team 7, his determination was fueled by seeing his friends in peril.

The Strongest Genin

During the Chunin exams, Gaara outshines other young ninjas, indicating a level of skill far superior to most. Only against Naruto’s toughest adversaries might he face real challenges in the future. Throughout these battles, Gaara effortlessly overcomes numerous opponents and even manages to defeat experienced Shinobi sent to eliminate him. A more fitting question might be who comes in second place? Could Naruto beat Temari? Given their displayed abilities, it seems highly improbable that Naruto could touch the female ninja. So far, Naruto relies on shadow clones and taijutsu, and he often struggles against foes capable of attacking at a distance and damaging multiple targets.

Ignoring any potential advantage from storytelling elements that might enhance their powers, it’s clear that Temari and Gaara from the Sand Village stood out as the strongest ninjas during the Chunin Exams. They consistently demonstrated their power and dominance throughout the competition, rarely encountering opponents who could challenge them significantly. Lee had to resort to a physically taxing ability to fight against Gaara, while Shikamaru was evenly matched with the female ninja. In the end, none of the Genin from the Leaf Village could keep pace with the prowess displayed by the Sand siblings in a tournament setting.

Read More

2025-04-12 05:09