Naruto’s legacy is filled with acts of bravery, selflessness, and profound emotional exploration. The story of Naruto Uzumaki, the once-outcast child who evolved from a rejected nobody to the village’s beloved Hokage, is the central theme of the Naruto series.
Though one of the most fascinating things about the story is its transformation, a darker theory that veils Naruto’s path has emerged among the fandom. Fans now wonder if the village’s authorities; especially the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, intentionally turned Naruto into a tool for their own purposes.
Since Naruto was the son of one of the Hokage, it does seem strange that he was just ignored by everyone, even the Third Hokage. This compelling reference has sparked concern on whether the Third Hokage’s actions were truly as benevolent as they appeared on the surface or not.
The Tragic Childhood of Naruto Uzumaki
Naruto had a traumatic and rejected upbringing. He was abandoned to live alone despite being the son of Minato Namikaze, the Fourth Hokage as well as one of the best ninjas in Konoha’s history. Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, knew about Naruto’s lineage and the huge price that Minato had to pay to keep the village safe. And yet, he did little to ease Naruto’s suffering, even as he was ostracized by villagers who saw him as nothing more than a vessel for the Nine-Tails.
It indicates that this wasn’t a failure of leadership but rather done intentionally. By keeping Naruto isolated and deprived of love, the village leaders may have wanted to instill in him a deep desire for approval and connection. This would, in turn, lead Naruto to seek recognition by striving to become Hokage; a position that would align him with the village’s ideals and ensure his loyalty to Konoha.
There’s another possibility that the Third Hokage deliberately wanted Naruto to face adversity and rejection that would turn him into an empathetic individual instead of growing up with a sense of entitlement.
The Questionable Stance of The Third Hokage in Terms of Naruto’s Upbringing
Within the Naruto fanbase, Hiruzen Sarutobi has always been considered a controversial figure. Even though he is often portrayed as a kind and wise leader, his decisions throughout the series have received flak several times.
Not only did he fail to protect Naruto from the mockery and humiliation of the villagers, but he also allowed other unethical decisions to take place during his time, including the massacre of the Uchiha clan. Fans have long viewed Hiruzen as an incompetent leader who failed to take decisive action when it was needed most, but this theory paints him in an even darker light.
If Hiruzen’s neglect of Naruto wasn’t just a byproduct of poor leadership but rather a calculated move to shape Naruto into the perfect weapon for the village, this would paint Hiruzen more in a dark light. He was not only weak but also a manipulative leader willing to sacrifice a child’s happiness to serve the greater good.
If this theory proves to be true, it would reveal a much more sinister side to the village and its leadership, particularly the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi. Naruto’s journey from outcast to hero has always been one of the most inspiring aspects of the series, but if it turns out that his life was engineered to serve the village’s interests, it would turn Masashi Kishimoto‘s legendary series into one tragic tale.
Naruto is currently available to watch on Crunchyroll.
