Since the very first episode of the Naruto anime, Naruto was shown to have a strong ambition to become Hokage. While eating ramen with Iruka at Ichiraku Ramen, Naruto told Iruka that one day, he would achieve his dream of becoming Hokage.

Although Iruka didn’t belittle Naruto’s dream, he was quite surprised to hear it. Iruka knew that Naruto wasn’t exactly a top student at the Academy and often caused trouble in the village of Konoha.

As a child, Naruto once tried to defend Hinata when she was being bullied by three mischievous kids. Facing them, Naruto boldly declared that one day, he would become Hokage. However, the bullies just laughed at him. This led to a fight between Naruto and the three kids. Afterward, Naruto firmly reiterated that one day, he would become a true Hokage and prove them wrong.

After becoming a Genin and joining Team 7, Naruto also shared with his teammates that one day, he—Uzumaki Naruto—would achieve his dream of becoming the Hokage of Konoha Village.

Here are six characters who once underestimated Naruto’s dream of becoming Hokage.

1. Tazuna

When Team 7, led by Kakashi and consisting of Sakura, Naruto, and Sasuke, was assigned a mission to protect Tazuna until he completed the construction of a bridge in the Land of Waves, Tazuna immediately doubted Naruto’s abilities.

He considered Naruto, with his short stature and goofy appearance, unfit to be part of his escort. This greatly angered Naruto, who almost felt like taking down Tazuna himself—despite his mission being to protect the man.

Even as Team 7 prepared to leave Konoha’s Aun Gate and begin their journey to the Land of Waves, Tazuna continued to doubt Naruto’s competence. Feeling underestimated, Naruto sternly told Tazuna not to belittle a Shinobi. With full confidence, he declared that he was Naruto Uzumaki, a remarkable Shinobi who would one day become the Hokage of Konoha Village.

However, Tazuna still couldn’t believe that a “foolish” Shinobi like Naruto could ever become Hokage.