Happy endings often come at a cost , especially in the world ofNaruto . The shinobi cosmos maintained its peace and history through the strength and forfeit of unnumbered shinobi , with Naruto and Sasuke lead the fight against unnerving opponent . Many give their life to ensure the selection and future of their world , but some death have go fans to call into question the author ’s conclusion .

Naruto , in particular , deserved his happy closing — finding love and peace after a lifespan of struggle . Yet , even his joy come with sacrifice , as some fans consider thathis love story unfold only after the death of Neji Hyuga . This semisweet reality led some to wonder whether Naruto would have reciprocate Hinata Hyuga ’s feelings had Neji ’s sacrifice not pass .

Neji Hyuga Had Greater Potential Than Some Survivors of the War

A Renowned Shinobi Since the Beginning

Neji Hyuga was regarded as a presage from a young age , standing adequate to or even surpassing his peer within the Hidden Leaf Village . InNaruto ’s early years , Neji ’s accomplishment with the Byakugan and his mastery of the blue fist made him a renowned shinobi , both among his genesis and within the esteemed Hyuga clan . His natural power promptly made him a genius , a deed rarely hand to anyone , especially within a kinship group as traditional as the Hyuga .

Despite his talents , Neji ’s role inthe Hyuga clanwas limited by the rigid hierarchy between the branch and the master families , which fueled his belief in a bias fate . As a branch kin member , he was trammel to protect and serve the principal family , specially his full cousin Hinata , reinforcing his belief as a fact even more . These circumstance made Neji finger circumscribe and powerless despite having the abilities that let him surpass the others .

Neji could have accomplish supremacy that rivaled the strongest shinobis within his clan and beyond .

Illustration of Kakashi, Minato, Jiraiya and Hiruzen

However , during his climactic fight with Naruto in the final rounds of the Chunin Exams , Naruto ’s resolution and optimism dispute Neji ’s fixed feeling in luck . Neji ’s potential to grow might have surmount those who survived the Fourth Great Ninja War . His innate attainment with the Byakugan , modern agreement of Hyuga techniques , and astute strategic mind were rarefied among his generation , making him a powerful asset on any field .

The Love Story of Naruto and Hinata Flourished Through Neji’s Sacrifice

An Unnecessary Death to Further a Love Story

One of Neji ’s responsibilities as a member of the branch family of the Hyuga clan was to look after Hinata Hyuga . Despite not get the best family relationship with her at the beginning of the series , his views shifted dramatically after his battle with Naruto . Neji ’s perspective changed through their fight , extend him to see Hinata in a new light . Having keep an eye on her since childhood , Neji was solely aware of her deep admiration for Naruto Uzumaki .

Hinata was a unsure and soft - spoken fille who rarely express her true feeling , often letting her actions talk for her , particularly regarding Naruto . Although the Seventh Hokage was largely oblivious to her tenderness during their youth , Neji was not . As her cousin , he understood Hinata ’s unanswered love life for Naruto . He recognized that her motivations stanch from these touch , and he also witnessed the force per unit area she faced growing up in a menage that miss warmth and support .

During the Fourth Great Ninja War , inNaruto Shippudenepisode # 364 , Neji dies to make unnecessary Naruto and Hinata . His sacrifice stand for his deep admiration and deference for them . While some fans viewed Neji ’s words as guilt trip - tripping , his aim was far from that;he wanted to ensure that Naruto survived to protect the shinobi world , making Neji ’s ritual killing not only a catalyst for Hinata and Naruto ’s love story but also a significant act of selflessness .

Itachi Uchiha

However , the true motivating behind that scene , as expose byNarutocreator Masashi Kishimoto , made fans question if Neji really needed to pop off . According to Kishimoto ’s quarrel in a 2014 consultation with Fuji TV , he killed Neji to solidify the future sweetener - up between Naruto and Hinata . Having decided that Hinata would be Naruto ’s love pursuit , he wanted a sequence where Naruto would " consciously see that she is by his side and give thanks her for that . " Kishimoto even went as far as describing Neji as the twosome ’s " Amor " , cook his death even more refutable .

Neji’s Legacy Inspires the Next Generation of Shinobi

Naruto and Hinata Cherish His Memory Forever

Neji Hyūga was a buff - favorite character , deeply admired for his attainment and determination . His ultimate sacrifice during the Fourth Great Ninja War had a lasting wallop on his family , friends , and the fan who had follow his journeying . Fans sure enough did not appreciate that Neji had to die only to furtherone ofNaruto ’s controversial romances . At least , Kishimoto did not forget about Neji later and his storage transcended beyond his death . Neji ’s presence was honored at Naruto and Hinata ’s marriage ceremony . Hinata ’s young sister carried a picture of him , symbolize his family ’s unwavering desire to keep him close , even if only in spirit .

The impact of his life is feel deeply by the next generation , andthe names Naruto and Hinata opt for their children both honor Neji ’s memory . Boruto ’s name can be translate to have in mind " bolt " , as Neji ’s name means " have intercourse " . The couple ’s daughter , Himawari , is appoint after the Japanese word for " sunflower , " Neji ’s favorite flower . Himawari and Boruto are aware of their uncle ’s bequest through stories share by their parents and extended family , reflecting Neji ’s influence waver into their lifespan .

The Uzumaki shaver are particularly close to their female parent ’s side of the family , strengthening their connectedness to Neji ’s memory . A glimpse fromBoruto : Naruto Next Generationseven shows Hinata and Himawari confab Neji ’s grave , pay their respects and keeping his tone alive through their remembrance .

Naruto in a battle pose, throwing a kunai while he holds three more. Behind him, Kaguya and Madara can be seen.

With a cast of beloved Italian sandwich and villains alike , Naruto has some very emotional death scenes . Which fictitious character were the hardest to say goodbye to ?

Still , Neji ’s bequest could have continued to flourish in new agency had he lived to guide the next coevals of Hyuga . As a powerful omen of the kin and a deeply perceptive someone , Neji could have bring even more to the shinobi world , potentially guiding vernal shinobi , such as Boruto and Himawari , with his wisdom and strength . Neji could have been a capital prospect to follow Naruto as Hokage after the latter is incapacitated inBoruto : Two Blue Vortex .

The decisiveness to vote down Neji will always be among the most controversial taken byNaruto ’s Jehovah , as surely Naruto could have ground another direction to bring in the importance of Hinata in his biography . AlthoughNeji did n’t deserve to cash in one’s chips , his passage will always remain one of the most excited scenes in the franchise , as he wanted nothing more than for Hinata to receive a beautiful and peaceful life with Naruto .

The Uzumaki Family featuring Naruto, Hinata, Boruto, and Himawari edited in one picture

Custom image by Jeanne Mariz Fetalco

Naruto is a franchise spawn from the manga serial write by Masashi Kishimoto that set about in 1999 . Generating several telecasting series , games , movies , and more , Naruto follows the exploits of a young castaway ninja harboring the spirit of a demon fox who seeks to become the Hokage , the leader of his ninja village , to conk out the brand against him . Upon the conclusion of the initial serial publication , Naruto expanded into Boruto , following many serial protagonists ' children and returning face .

Naruto (2002) TV Show Poster

Naruto is a franchise spawned from the manga series penned by Masashi Kishimoto that began in 1999. Generating several tv series, games, movies, and more, Naruto follows the exploits of a young outcast ninja harboring the spirit of a demon fox who seeks to become the Hokage, the leader of his ninja village, to break the stigma against him. Upon the conclusion of the initial series, Naruto expanded into Boruto, following many series protagonists' children and returning faces.

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