2. Inuzuka Kiba

Since their time at the Academy, Kiba had known Naruto as a student often regarded as hopeless. One of the reasons was that Naruto repeatedly failed to use Henge no Jutsu to transform into the likeness of the Third Hokage, Hiruzen. Even with a basic-level jutsu like Henge no Jutsu, Naruto’s results were so poor that Iruka was often frustrated, while the entire class laughed at him.

However, with unwavering determination, Naruto declared to all the students who were mocking him that one day he would become the Hokage of Konoha Village. This statement made Kiba even more doubtful that Naruto’s dream could ever come true.

During the preliminary round of the Chūnin Exams, Naruto finally faced off against Kiba. Naruto felt overjoyed, thinking Kiba was an easy opponent to defeat. However, this attitude offended Kiba. In Kiba’s opinion, he was the lucky one for getting an opponent like Naruto, as he believed there was no way he could lose to someone considered a failure.

As the fight commenced, Kiba and Akamaru combined their strength to launch the Taijutsu Gatsuga attack. The attack sent Naruto flying and crashing hard onto the floor. Naruto sustained severe injuries and even coughed up blood. Despite lying in pain, Naruto refused to give up. He even rambled with fierce determination that he would become Hokage and would not lose to Kiba.

Seeing Naruto’s condition, Kiba mocked him as a weakling with lofty dreams of becoming Hokage. Even so, Kiba sarcastically promised that if Naruto failed to become Hokage, he would take the position for him.