Summary
As some of themost popular and revered anime of the 2000s,NarutoandNaruto Shippudenhave brought iconic characters and moments that have been etched into anime history. As the yellow-haired protagonist goes on his journey to become the most powerful ninja in his village, the Hokage, he meets a lot of people, making friends and enemies everywhere he goes.
With emotional storylines,Narutohas been responsible for setting up relationships and characters that are dear to people around the world. Yet, it has also depicted some heartbreaking betrayals that are central to the story and the protagonist’s growth. In particular, the anime has some big traitors that either have no loyalty or have in some way double-crossed their allies, friends, senseis, and entire villages.
10Itachi Uchiha
Killed His Family And Clan To Avoid War
Starting with one ofNaruto’s biggest apparent traitors, Itachi Uchiha is Sasuke’s older brother who betrayed his whole clan by killing all of them, including his family, leaving only his little brother alive. After that, he became a branded traitor for years, joining the biggest group of rogue ninjas, the Akatsuki.
While this may warrant him a higher place on the list, Itachi is revealed to have done it for the village, serving as a spy to the Hidden Leaf village. Despite being a secret hero, he did have to betray his family and clan to avoid an all-out war, taking all of that upon his shoulders and embracing the title of traitor.
9Mizuki
A Ninja Teacher Who Tried Killing Naruto And Stealing A Scroll
To start Naruto’s journey from a mischievous child to a powerful ninja, Mizuki is the first villain that the protagonist has to beat. Before trying to kill Naruto and steal the Scroll of Seals, Mizuki was a beloved member of the village’s ninjas who quickly turned against a child.
Being responsible for training children, Mizuki’s betrayal seems plainly evil as he attempts to kill the young, clumsy Naruto. Despite being one of the series' first traitors, he did not stay long, making his deviousness and vileness less shocking, despite its impact on the protagonist.
8Kabuto
A Friendly Face Turned Orochimaru’s Greatest Spy
When Kabuto first appears, he seems like one of the few friendly participants in the Chunin Exams, helping out Naruto and his friends throughout the competition. However, it is not long until he is revealed to be Orochimaru’s spy, trying to gain intel on Sasuke.
Besides trying to kill Tsunade, and fighting the protagonist multiple times, he absorbs Orochimaru’s power, joins the Akatsuki during the Fourth Great Ninja War, and tries to make a name for himself. Although he does some horrible things, he is also a product of his tragic past.
7Nagato/Pain
Becomes Part Of The Akatsuki And Kills His Master
One of thegreatest villains inNaruto, Nagato, or Pain, has an incredibly emotional backstory, filled with tragedy, heartbreak, and betrayal. Although he ends up doing a lot of damage, nothing might be as callous as killing his former master, Jiraya.
Nagato’s main motivator is pain, which makes it so his actions are in some way justified, yet his attempt on the Hidden Leaf and his work with the Akatsuki shows how far he fell. Misguided by tragedy, Nagato does get a beautiful redemption, but the death of his sensei will forever mark him as a traitor.
6Danzo
Attempts To Control The Village From The Shadows In A Quest To Become Hokage
Danzo is one of the most vile characters inNaruto, carrying out crucial orders from the shadows, seeking more power to the point where he betrays the Leaf, despite saying he does it all for the village’s sake. From attempting to kill the Third Hokage to using Itachi for his ploy, there is very little that Danzo is not willing to do to get power.
Moving all the pieces without anyone seeing, Danzo is treacherous and disloyal to a fault, seeking to become Hokage, regardless of the village’s fate.
5Sasuke Uchiha
Leaves The Village And Betrays All Of His Allies In Search Of Revenge
Initially one of Naruto’s closest friends and rival, Sasuke has a list of betrayals and deceptions that make him ahorrible friendbut also one of the biggest traitors. Not only does he leave Naruto and the rest of the Hidden Leaf to train with Orochimaru, but Sasuke’s thirst for revenge makes him deceitful to the point of having no loyalty.
By stabbing Karin, trying to destroy his entire village, and double-crossing Orochimaru, Sasuke is a traitor to most of the people he meets. Even though he has some redemption, his multiple betrayals and attempts at killing Naruto mark him as one of the biggest traitors in the franchise.
4Obito Uchiha
Killed His Sensei And Joined The Villain
With a similar personality to Naruto, Obito as a child was compassionate and energetic, bringing heart to his team and his comrade, Kakashi. Yet, he joins the Akatsuki and becomes Madara’s right hand, making him a prominent part of the plan of destroying the ninja world in one of thebiggest betrayals inNaruto.
Throughout the many years working for Madara, Obito became a villain who accomplished a myriad of cruel acts, including being responsible for Minato’s death, who was not only Naruto’s father but also Obito’s sensei. His betrayals carved a path filled with destruction, despite him having redeemed himself to an extent and understanding where he went wrong at the very end.
3Black Zetsu
Manipulated Everyone To Accomplish His Goals
Although he might not be one of the good guys, Black Zetsu betrays Madara in trueNarutostyle, revealing that he has been using the ninja to revive Kaguya. While it may not feel as horrible as some of the other deceptions, Black Zetsu stabbing Madara in the back is definitely an unpredictable twist.
Behind it all, Black Zetsu is a traitor like no other as he is capable of deceiving Madara but also manages to stay low-key among the Akatsuki until the final moments to step into the role of traitor.
2Orochimaru
Kills, Deceives, And Betrays In Search Of Immortality
When it comes to betrayals, Orochimaru might be at the center of some of the most pivotal twists inNaruto. Betraying the entire village, trying to destroy it multiple times, and killing his former teacher, Orochimaru’s deceptions permeated the entire anime.
He does all of that to gain immortality and power, having a very self-centered desire that deeply affects the entire ninja world.He does have a redemption of sortsat the end, but it does not take away his title of traitor, especially since he had a strong connection to the Third Hokage, Tsunade, Jiraya, and the village.
1Madara Uchiha
Pulling The Strings For Years As The Village’s First Traitor
As the Leaf’s first traitor and one of the last villains inNaruto Shippuden, Madara Uchiha is one of the most well-known names in the ninja world, especially since he controlled so much of the narrative inNaruto. Pulling the strings of so many other characters and villains, Madara becomes the TenTail Jinchuriki,betraying his student Obitoand almost dooming the human race.
Initially founding the village with Hashirama, Madara betrays the village and his best friend as he launches the Uchiha on a separate path. Although his story is filled with conflict and regret, in the end, he does not redeem himself, making all these betrayals a lot worse. Madara had a big role in creating the village while also being resented for his clan’s history, yet he chose to follow a path of hatred rather than staying on the right path with Hashirama.
