This is also why naruto becoming obsessed with sasuke just makes sense to me. He lashed out and was openly envious and petty and competitive with sasuke at every turn but sasuke still gave him food, still saved his life, still acknowledged him as a capable fighter. Sasuke doesnโt take him picking fights personally and also instinctively grasps narutoโs issues (he points out how alone he is in both vote fights whereas someone like, idk, shikamaru, literally only realizes how isolated naruto was when everyone sees his memories in the final arc of the series). With nearly everyone else, naruto had to prove his worth, often through risking his life and safety. He had to extend empathy to neji first. He had to extend empathy to gaara first. He had to comfort Sakura over sasuke then promise to bring him back for her, risking his life, before she fully acknowledged him as a friend. Not that any of these are bad friendships, but itโs so obvious naruto needed someone who doesnโt expect him to be their hero. Like itโs obviously intentional and symbolic that sasuke is the only one fighting side by side with naruto while everyone else relies on and channels their hopes and fears into him.
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