Ho Yay / Naruto

Naruto: Shonen manga + numerous Bishounen characters + close "brotherly" bonds + numerous suggestive scenes, dialogue, songs, manga covers = Much homoerotic subtext/text naturally.

And the yaoi fangirls went wild.

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Examples

Naruto and Sasuke

• Naruto and Sasuke had plenty of this to begin with, although the dubbed version of the anime took it to new heights in an early episode, where Naruto is sizing Sasuke up, sitting on Sasuke's desk and staring straight into his eyes. (Metaphorical) bits of lightning fly from one's eyes to the other. In the original anime, Sakura and the other girls tell Naruto to sit down; a guy in the front row reaches back and hits Naruto with his elbow, Naruto loses his balance, falls forward, and accidentally kisses Sasuke. Amusingly, the author said the whole reason he did this was "just so fans would have it out of the way". And let us not forget Sasuke telling Naruto (in the english dubbed version) "I'm gonna screw YOU up if you don't watch it, Naruto!" You can see the infamous moment for yourself, as it happens to be the page image for Accidental Kiss.
• In the Crossroads OVA there's a part where Sasuke tackles Naruto to save him from an attack and when the smoke clears he's shown to have landed with his face in Naruto's lap. You can picture the resulting image.
• Chapter covers:
  • The manga cover to chapter 411. It features Naruto and Sasuke side by side again and wearing matching necklaces with the other's picture on them. The text reads "And so they fought. And so they laughed. Friends. Before they knew it they were inseparable."
  • The manga cover to chapter 364. You see Naruto and Sasuke appearing to be naked side by side and also see them having a battle. The text reads "Those feelings, those wishes, have without fail...made it our fate to meet once again."
  • The cover for chapter 485 gives us a picture of Naruto and Sasuke standing just a few inches away from each other looking straight into each other's eyes with an intense gaze. The title reads "So close, yet so far."
    • That chapter was called "Fists;" which some fans interpreted in a rather humorous way using word play.
      "We can understand each other with our fists, and there's nothing wrong with that!"
  • And then there's this cover page for chapter 293 where it looks like they're holding hands...
• Anime openings and endings:
  • There's the 6th ending song of the Shippuuden anime which has Naruto and Sasuke facing off against each other to the lyrics "please kiss me...please kiss me...all night." Or the 1st opening song of the pre-Time Skip anime ("Rocks" by Hound Dog) which has Naruto beating some thug in the river, and Sasuke approaching him on the "fighting and loving another" line. They both share a grin, bump each other's fists together, and Sasuke helps pull him out of the water.
  • The 4th ending of the Shippuuden anime. The first frame is a drawing of Naruto and Sasuke. Surrounded by chains. Then out comes the text underneath the drawing. SASUKE x NARUTO.
  • The "Distance" song in particular is full of this:
  You are my friend
  Aah, you still remember the dream we had that day, don't you?
  You are my dream
  Aah, we'd just gotten started, you are my long lost friend
  Whoa, it's time to get moving!

  Every day, lit up by the shine ahead
  I wanna see you, it lights my soul on fire
  But now we've bid farewell to those fun days
  To be the future, I'll try to take over, so that's why I'll dream on!

  I'll go the distance, gazing at a sky so full
  I'm just now starting
  I'll use my greatest power, Full Tilt!

  You are my friend
  Aah, you still remember the dream we had that day, don't you?
  You are my dream
  Aah, we'd just gotten started, you are my long lost friend
  Whoa, it's time to get moving!

  Thank you my friend
  Aah, I haven't forgotten what happened on that day
  You are my dream
  Aah, next time I'll protect you my way!
  Whoa, the distance!

  The lie I've told is too big for me to keep hiding
  So I'll swallow the truth, this is the end of my trip
  I can't keep losing this game, my one dream has begun

  Thank you my friend
  Aah, I haven't forgotten what happened on that day
  You are my dream
  Aah, next time I'll protect you my way!
  So I'll go the distance
  • In the eighth Shippuden opening "Diver" there's a brief scene where Naruto's floating underwater and Sasuke floats close to him with his head just above Naruto's so that he looks into Naruto's eyes.
  • In the second Shippuden ending emphasis is put on Naruto and Sasuke holding hands as Sasuke helps Naruto up from the ground.
  • In the first Shippuden ending Sasuke is nice enough to give a sweating Naruto a towel while smiling.
  • The third Shippuden opening "Blue Bird" (See it here) features Naruto crying and staring in anguish at Sasuke who looks coldly back at him and then walks away with Naruto on his hands and knees watching him. Then there's the image of Naruto floating downwards side by side with Sasuke who floats upwards and looks back at Naruto.
• Then there's the fact that Naruto seems to act like a battered girlfriend pining after her abusive love whenever Sasuke is brought up. It also really doesn't help that when Sasuke leaves the village to join Orochimaru, Naruto responds like a jealous boyfriend who just found out his significant other is leaving him for another man...
• Not to mention how bad Naruto has it for wanting to bring Sasuke back to Konoha, despite Sasuke almost killing him several times.
• After Naruto said he needs to master some jutsu to prove something to someone (Sasuke) and Haku interpreting it as Naruto wanting to impress Sasuke, because he's precious to him (Naruto). Haku once mentioned that wouldn't the person who acknowledges you from the bottom of their hearts be your most important person- case in point: Naruto wants Sasuke's acknowledgement
  • A scene in one the fillers involved them both panting (from running), naked with towels wrapped around their waists, while leaning on each other.
  • The scene where Sasuke is "killed" by Haku in episode 16 and chapter 27 has him risking his life against Haku to save Naruto. Haku mentions later on "he... to protect an important person and knowing it was a trap, he was still able to jump in." And before Sasuke "dies" he is seen standing in front of Naruto in a protective stance and Naruto asks him why he saved him. Sasuke says "How should I know?" and behind him suddenly appears past memories that he shared with Naruto, humorously including a stilled image of Naruto and Sasuke's Accidental Kiss in plain sight. Sasuke then smiles as he remembers all these memories and says, "I don't know. My body just moved on its own." He then falls backwards and Naruto catches him while putting a hand on his face. Sasuke glances at Naruto sadly before saying "Don't you die too..." and then finally "dies". Tears appear in Naruto's eyes and (in the anime) he hugs Sasuke's body close to him while crying. What takes the cake is how Sasuke's "death" made Naruto go into his first Unstoppable Rage of the series, in order to take revenge on Haku for wounding and "killing" his friend.
  • Chapter 34 page 3: Following the Land of Waves arc Sasuke and Naruto act awkward and outwardly hostile around each other after both risked their lives to save one another .
• In one Shonen Jump interview, Kishimoto mentions that he doesn't think there has ever been a manga where two rivals kissed and, curiously enough, "Sakura, who had intended to be the first one to kiss Sasuke, has it stolen by her rival Naruto".
• Naruto ignores one confession of love and outright rejects a second which he correctly figured out to be fake, in either case done because he was too busy chasing after his best friend. While he states that it isn't about Sasuke and more about showing that the cycle of revenge can be ended, it is clear his motives are deeply personal and have to do with their brotherly bond.
  • Actually, in terms of Sakura's confession to him, her ultimate goal is to dissuade him from chasing after their teammate and put himself in danger by, which Naruto quickly figures out. Naruto says his actions have nothing to do with the promise and that he just wants to save/help Sasuke.
  • During Sakura's "confession" to Naruto she tells him "It's Sasuke this and Sasuke that!" Considering that this is Sakura saying this who loves Sasuke so much, this is quite telling.
• Naruto allowing Karui to beat him up, because she is angered at Sasuke for attacking Killer Bee. He does so in the hopes that she can take out some of her anger on him, which is meant for Sasuke. Also, before that Karui pressured/threatened him into telling her everything he knew about Sasuke and he refuses, firmly stating that "I can't do it. I can't betray him."
  • Naruto getting down on his knees and begging the Raikage to spare Sasuke's life. The Raikage refuses and leaves Naruto, who appears to start crying a bit and remains curled up on the ground until Kakashi tells him to get up.
• Before his fight with Kyuubi!Naruto, Orochimaru provokes Naruto by referring to Sasuke as "my" Sasuke. Naruto gets PISSED and releases waves of chakra. He then says to Orochimaru with a look of pure rage on his face (in the manga) "In my presence, don't you ever dare speak of Sasuke as though he belongs to you!" and (in the anime) "Don't talk about Sasuke like he's some toy that you own!!!"
  • And Kabuto even says that Naruto was willing to go into his three-tails state and more just to rescue Sasuke.
• From Manga Chapter 333: Yamato and Naruto are training. They are discussing that Naruto has wind element chakra and Sasuke has fire and electricity element chakra. Yamato mentions that Naruto's wind won't work on Sasuke's fire but it will be able to beat Sasuke's lightning. Naruto then says "So I'm the perfect match for Sasuke..." Yamato agrees with "Right, only wind can beat lighting." And Naruto shakes his head and says: "No, I mean... The only thing that can save a fire from dying and give it even more power, is wind."
• On Page 6 of Chapter 285 Sakura and Naruto are discussing Sai and Sasuke. Sakura states that Sai looks like Sasuke and Naruto responds: "Yeah right! They don't look anything alike! Sasuke looks tons better! Err... no wait, he doesn't look as bad I mean!" Sakura is shown smiling and saying "You're right, Sasuke-kun is a little cooler." Naruto disagrees with "A LITTLE"! Sasuke doesn't look anywhere near that bad!" And in another translation Naruto tells Sakura that "Sasuke's cooler...no...he's just better!" When Sakura says that Sasuke is "somewhat cooler than Sai" Naruto disagrees with "What do you mean "somewhat"?! Sasuke's way better!!"
• From the Third Naruto Databook found under Sasuke's info: "In the past, parting from Naruto had been as painful as ripping off half of his own body."
• Sometime during the chuunin exams, when Orochimaru is talking to Kabuto, he says that Sasuke is different than he expected - not as evil or something. He says that Naruto has influence over Sasuke and is changing Sasuke's heart and goals. Orochimaru then says their best course of action is to separate the two as soon as possible.
• There's an infamous scene from the "Konoha Sports Festival" OVA where Naruto and Sasuke are competing in a relay race and Naruto's waiting for Sasuke to hand him the baton. Sasuke comes up behind Naruto and shoves the tip of the baton up Naruto's clothed butt. The next scene shows Naruto laying on the ground in pain with the baton stuck in his ass and Sasuke standing above him (either not realizing what just happened or ignoring it).
• In the Shippuden anime, during the Sora arc, Naruto is asked if he had been kissed before. He firmly states that he has, as he remembers his accidental kiss with Sasuke, and says "I know it was with a guy, but still..."
• Not to mention that more than one fan pointed at the similarity of Naruto's dialogue with Sasuke in chapter 485 (and perhaps 486) and Hinata's love confession to Naruto in chapter 437, to the point that one fan replaced the lines and they still fit.
• Sakura gets very pissed off at Sasuke when he tells Naruto his life is none of his business and tells him to shut up. Sakura promptly yells to him, "Do you know how Naruto feels about you...?!"
• In chapter 486, Naruto says he'd die for Sasuke. He'd die with Sasuke, for Sasuke. And Naruto seems to be the only person in the Narutoverse Sasuke has a strong emotional bond with (or any sort of human emotional interaction), besides Itachi.
• Naruto and Sasuke's entire battle at Valley Of The End had some instances which can be interpreted as Ho Yay. Dubbed!Sasuke makes it even more apparent. Shortly after meeting up with Sasuke at Valley Of The End Naruto tackles Sasuke to the ground, straddles him and punches him across the face. Sasuke then spits blood at Naruto's face and they grab each other by the shirt pulling their faces close to the others. Then Sasuke laughs and, in the dubbed version says "Remember how ''thrilled'' you were at the thought of beating me to a bloody pulp? What's wrong? Where's your smile now?" And, in the anime only, there's a scene where Sasuke finds the real Naruto out of a group of shadow clones, grins, rushes at him, grabs his wrist and hand, and gets really unnecessarily close before kicking him away.
  • The above image which depicts the scene at the end of their fight where the pain from Sasuke's curse seal makes him fall to his knees above an unconscious Naruto, with his head hanging just above Naruto's so that he's staring at Naruto's closed eyes in the rain.
  • Then there's how Naruto's laying unconscious on the ground after their fight and Sasuke is shown standing above him looking at him and not leaving. He says "Naruto...I..." but stops when it starts raining. And there's also that flashback to when they were younger where they link fingers and Naruto is shown smiling causing a frowning Sasuke to smile back at him while the wind blows in their hair.
  • And then there's chapter 228 where we see a flashback of a young Naruto and Sasuke sharing a secret smile and how Naruto cries Berserker Tears at having to fight Sasuke. And in chapter 229 we get another scene of Naruto straddling and pinning down Sasuke when trying to convince him not to go to Orochimaru.
  • Or how Naruto is shown looking at Sasuke with a very upset expression on his face and thinking "Can you kill me calmly...Sasuke?"
• When they have their first reunion after the Time Skip Sasuke appears to be half-hugging Naruto as he whispers in his ear and attempts to plunge his sword through Naruto's back.
• Here's◊ an image from an official Naruto Shippuden calendar.
• In one scene when Naruto progresses in his waterfall training Kakashi muses "The training method isn't the only reason for all this progress. Sasuke is what makes him so determined."
  • When Naruto is asked why he wanted to fight Kakuzu alone, he asks for Kakashi "not to do anything to remove that bridge" as Naruto thinks about Sasuke with a slightly dazed look as seen in the bottom right panel.
• In Shippuden episode 181 (a filler) Naruto and Sasuke briefly intertwine fingers when trying to push the job of babysitting an ostrich onto the other.
• In chapter 403 there's a scene where during a night, Naruto is laying on his bed, pressing himself against his mattress as well as hugging his pillow, while thinking about Sasuke. "Sasuke...what are you doing now? Are you okay?"
  • In chapter 459 there's a scene where Naruto is shown lying down and thinking of Sasuke again.
• In the fourth OVA (Finally a clash! Jōnin vs. Genin!! Indiscriminate Grand Melee Tournament Meeting!!) Naruto and Sasuke briefly get this close◊ to each other's faces when arguing.
• In the manga when Naruto and Sasuke meet again Madara tries to get Sasuke to leave but Sasuke tells him to wait and actually stays to listen to Naruto when Naruto wants to tell him something.
• In a filler episode Kabuto (who's actually Kagerou in disguise) tries to kill both himself and Naruto by squeezing his heart that's connected to Naruto's and before doing so says "Time to leave this mortal coil then you can finally see your beloved Sasuke."
• The Accidental Kiss was featured in filler episodes about two times and it also reappeared in screenshots during the show's fifth opening which ran for 24 episodes.
• Chapter 515: Naruto says he has to get back to Konoha to wait for Sasuke because he made a promise to him.
• Shippuden episode 194 (a filler) has a second SasuNaru kiss, the two boys glued together by their hands, peeing together, Naruto straddling Sasuke and getting very close to him as he shouts about going to save Sakura, a scene were they are sopping wet and panting side by side. To top it off, the two boys then fight together in perfect sync, and finish the episode off by being told that they will have to stay like that for two or three days, much to their dismay.
  • There's also phallic rock under the waterfall and the water that forms a heart-shaped splash.
  • To make the scene even more humorous, Naruto's sexy music plays when they realize they're stuck together.
• In chapter 3 after their Accidental Kiss Sasuke defends Naruto when Sakura dismisses Naruto for being an orphan and speaks lightly of what it means to be without parents.
• In chapter 8 (and in the anime) Sasuke shares food to Naruto along with Sakura.
• Also, Naruto reacts quite fiercely when Sai insults Sasuke, even more so than Sakura.
• Sasuke occasionally thinks of Naruto. The most poignant moment is when in The Land of Waves he looks at the bridge named after his friend, suddenly looking all serious.
• In the first official character databook, there is a picture of the kiss with the caption, "Will Naruto bittersweetly relax Sasuke's obstinate heart...!?" Also, Sasuke calls Naruto "usuratonkachi" in canon, which essentially means "dumbbell." It's claimed in the Official Databook that Sasuke has began using it as a "pet name" or "in an affectionate way".
• Taken out of context, every conversation Sasuke has with Naruto in Shippuden (and their behaviour towards each other) plays out like a bad break-up or the fighting of jilted lovers (the few canon love confessions in the manga are incredibly similar to said conversations and can in fact be easily swapped in for the dialogue.) Any conversation Naruto has with Sasuke before Shippuden has the distinct impression of Slap-Slap-Kiss. Any conversation Naruto has with Sasuke after the time-skip is oddly reminiscent of someone who just got dumped and is trying to win their lover back. Also, Naruto seems to have a "broken heart" thing going on after Sasuke leaves.
• Sasuke accidentally shoved a baton up Naruto's ass during Konoha Sports Festival OVA.
  • In Konoha Gakuen Den Naruto grabs Sasuke by the shirt when pissed at him while Sasuke smirks and Naruto calls him "iro otoko" which means "pretty boy, lady-killer, sexy guy".
  • Not to mention the following lines at the end of Konoha Gakuen Den:
  Sasuke: "You're the only one. Just you, my only..."
  Naruto: "Sorry I kept you waiting, Sasuke."
• In the Crossroads OVA there's a part where Sasuke tackles Naruto to save him from an attack and when the smoke clears he's shown to have landed with his face in Naruto's lap. If you replay that part it looks like he's giving Naruto a blow-job.
• Sasuke getting worried for Naruto's safety when he learned Itachi was in town and was after Naruto.
• This motivational poster highlights some nice scenes quite well.
• In Part I there were moments where Sasuke would constantly worry about where Naruto was and would even worry about him.
• The Sasuke x Naruto dynamic was the focus of the 2nd Shippuden (Bonds) movie with Naruto constantly chasing after Sasuke, Naruto and Sasuke fighting together, and Naruto destroying the part of the fortress that Sasuke was on to get him to leave and smiling fondly at him was oddly reminiscent of a certain romantic scene between Rose and Jack in Titanic (1997) when Rose got on one of the last lifeboats and was looking at Jack much like how Sasuke looked back at Naruto. Also, there's a scene where Naruto and Sasuke run past each other and have a Held Gaze moment.
• In part II there's a scene where Kabuto shows up and when Naruto mentions Sasuke Kabuto quips: "It's always about Sasuke with you, isn't it?" Yes. Yes it is.
• Practically almost everyone has commented on Naruto's persistence to bring Sasuke back to Konoha/redeeming Sasuke making it seem like they think that Naruto's just obsessed with Sasuke in general.
• Naruto seemed to have a thing for putting his arm around Sasuke in the past and then there's that time in Part I when they returned from training and Sasuke was helping Naruto walk, supporting him.
• In chapter 133 there's that fight against Gaara where Gaara hit Naruto with an attack that sent him flying and Sasuke appeared to shield him with his body so that he wouldn't slam into a tree. Note that Sasuke was heavily injured when he shielded Naruto from hitting the tree. Sasuke also says about Naruto that he doesn't want him to die, describing him and Sakura as "those dear to him".
• In episode 29 Naruto saves Sasuke from Orochimaru's attack and Sasuke worries about Naruto's safety.
• In Part I Sasuke acknowledging Naruto as his equal and saying that he really wants to fight him with a smile on his face and Naruto agreeing that he wants to fight Sasuke too.
• Shippuden episode 48 has Naruto respond to Sai's question of why he's trying so hard to bring Sasuke back to Konoha when he thinks so little of him with a smile and "Back in the day, I couldn't stand Sasuke. Even though neither of us had families, he was an elite and I was last in the class. But it really was a lot of fun when we were together. He...He acknowledged me more than anyone else ever did. Sasuke is my friend. Someone who I was finally able to form a bond with. I don't care who I have to fight! If he rips my arms off I'll kick him to death. If he rips my legs off I'll bite him to death. If he rips my head off I'll stare him to death. And if he gouges out my eyes I'll curse him from beyond the grave. Even if I'm torn to shreds, I'm taking Sasuke back from Orochimaru!"
• After Sasuke leaves Konoha Naruto's constantly thinking about him and in Part I Sasuke would constantly save Naruto and Naruto would sometimes return the favor.
• Sasuke and Naruto's japanese voice actors once recorded a scene where Sasuke confesses his love for Naruto.
• Naruto once glared at Sai and told him "If it's to save Sasuke, I'll do anything. I'll even work with you."
• In chapter 237 Jiraiya orders Naruto to give up on Sasuke and Naruto refuses saying he'd rather be a fool and chase after Sasuke.
• How Naruto and especially Sasuke tend to act like a sort of Tsundere towards one another.
• Naruto angsts about Sasuke almost nonstop, even to the point of going into an Angst Coma.
• Some of the moments they have together are very suggestive and it looks more like they're having sex. Like if you replay any part where Naruto is straddling Sasuke while they're fighting at the Valley of the End it looks like they're having sex. Seriously.
• Some of the official art/manga covers featuring the two is very Ho Yay-tastic, like this one◊ where it looks like they're trying to kiss but there's a barrier between them.
• And now in chapter 572 Kurama brings up that infamous Sasuke/Naruto kiss while also musing that Naruto has yet to kiss a girl...
  • Not only that, the infamous kiss is a) used to remind you of Sasuke and b) a chapter or so after that, close enough to the reference, Sasuke appears again... thinking of certain things, and... Naruto. Hmm...
• Karin says "ah... so this is Naruto." upon encountering Naruto. Obviously, *someone's* been mentioning Naruto (or having singular enough reactions to mentions of Naruto for Karin to take note.)
• Yuri Lowenthal, (voice of English dub Sasuke) seems to ship Sasuke/Naruto. He once stated at a panel: "Naruto, you're not a loser. I love you. Maybe if you aren't doing anything later..." And in another pulled video he did a shout out to Sasuke/Naruto by saying "I love you Naruto, you loser..."
  • Crispin Freeman (Itachi) and Maile Flanagan (Naruto himself) also seem to ship the two together. This panel has a fan asking Maile which one she preferred: Hinata or Sakura and she doesn't even hesitate in saying "Sasuke". And then Crispin says "That's just a no brainer."
• Shippuuden ending 21 features Naruto and Sasuke fighting and getting very close to each other's faces indeed as well as a scene of them walking to each other and sitting next to one another on a hill enjoying the breeze and the nice sunny day.
• This scene◊ was added in the recap episodes of Shippuden.
• In the Shippuden anime (filler) at one point in an episode Naruto thinks about Sasuke "I'll be the one he can come home to."
• In a scene at the hospital from the first anime someone blocked out the word "fight" used between Sasuke and Naruto so that it sounded like "fuck". It sounds like instead of Sasuke ordering Naruto to fight him he wants him to fuck him and Naruto ends up agreeing. See it here.
• There's a picture of Sasuke and Naruto laying side by side on the ground sleeping on a dvd cover.
• They sure do like to stare at each other a lot and sometimes have No Sense of Personal Space in regards to each other despite the fact that Sasuke Hates Being Touched.
• At the Valley of the End fight Naruto informs Sasuke, while sitting upon him and straddling him and pulling him close, that he would never let Sasuke go after Orochimaru and throw away his entire life in the process.
• When Naruto and friends lose Sasuke's trail again Naruto is shown standing in the rain with a very upset expression on his face.
• In chapter 538 Naruto gives the Kyuubi an extremely terrifying Death Glare when the Kyuubi lectures him about how he's never been able to do anything for Sasuke and in a flashback Sasuke is shown straddling Naruto at the end of their fight with a fist in his face. They both also look at each other with an intense gaze. And when picking a fight they grab each other's shirts and get really close to each other's faces.
• Naruto considers it his greatest failure that he has failed to save Sasuke from his hatred as of yet.
• In the earlier chapters, Naruto begins training from early morning way into the night so he usually doesn't have time to eat. Sasuke would go out of his way to make sure he would eat.
• They have a tendency to stare at each other which some fans have said looks like they're having eye sex.
• In chapter 591 Tsunade and Dan, a married couple, enter into the White dream world to talk. Naruto and Sasuke have done so plenty of times as well.
• The cover for Chapter 631. Sasuke's Chidori and Naruto's Rasengan seem to be all that stands between them holding hands as they reach backwards. For violent attacks like those, they both have very soft expressions, as well.
• The Tagline for Chapter 696 reads: "A Conflict of Love and Power".
• Chapter 698: Basically, they slept together, exchanged fluids, and lost a part to each other. And the blood from their stumps of an arm almost form a heart.
  • The trails of blood of the wounds are mixing together, with Naruto and Sasuke in such position that it is like they are holding hands.^*That one's actually intended, as it looks like they're making the Unison Sign, which is a sing that's made before a battle meaning it's a friendly battle or something like that: 1. it is explained in the same episode (or one before); 2. they're lying atop the destroyed remains of Hashirama and Madara's statues' hands, which also end up making the Unison sign; 3. "The Unison Sign" is the name of the episode.
  • The words they exchange as they are lying on the ground are basically comprised of Sasuke declaring his admiration for Naruto which seems kind of similar to Hinata's Love Confession. At one point he warns him "I may come after your ass again."
• For added hilarity, chapter 700 shows that Sasuke's daughter is attracted to Naruto's son.
  • In the Naruto Gaiden manga Naruto has nothing but praise for Sasuke when talking about him with Sasuke's daughter and its revealed that Naruto and Sasuke have been keeping in touch during Sasuke's travels.
• Naruto looks upset in the anime filler when Orochimaru mentions "Sasuke will have the power he desires and I will have him."
• There's a preorder for a drama CD of the reworked NaruSasu fanfiction. It even has Takeuchi Junko and Sugiyama Noriaki on their respective roles. Heck, they did not even bother to even alter the appearance of the pair, only their names.
• Naruto looks a little too eager to strip Sasuke down when Sasuke refuses to join him and Sai in the Reverse Harem Jutsu in Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 4.
• The third version of 19th opening of Naruto Shippuden is just one long tribute to Naruto and Sasuke's "friendship" right before their Final Battle.

Naruto and his rivals, friends, enemies

• Naruto and Shikamaru. They were always quite close, even going back to the chuunin exams. But things escalated in Shippuden. In chapter 443, Shikamaru tells his father that Naruto makes him want to walk alongside him. The fact that Hinata said almost the same thing during her epic Love Confession a few chapters earlier was certainly interesting.
  • And Shikamaru's father mentions that "Shikamaru, who rarely praises people, said that to me. There really must be something special about Naruto."
  • And back in an early episode of Shippuuden Sai shows up to attack Naruto, Chouji, and Shikamaru with his lifelike drawings and Shikamaru's immediate response is to protect Naruto by tackling him to the ground and staying atop him for a couple of moments.
  • Their Odd Friendship and seemingly normal relationship (compared to Naruto's other relationships) has made this one of Naruto's most popular yaoi pairings in Japan.
• Naruto and Sai. They have bit of this in Shippuuden, episode 57-58, though it might be due to the latter's complete lack of understanding of social behaviors. And preoccupation with penises. Still, it seriously looked like Sai was trying to kiss Naruto. And hilariously, when he's tells Naruto he didn't mean it in 'that way', he's on his knees and reaching out a hand to him like he's proposing to him or acting like he's the Romeo to Naruto's Juliet.
  • In the scene where Naruto is being beaten up by Karui Sai shows up to physically stop one of Karui's punches and tells Naruto "There's no need for you to get beat up for Sasuke's sake. Sasuke's done nothing but hurt you. If it were me, I..."
  • In the scene following that he even sits by Naruto's side and personally tends to the injuries he got from Karui's beating.
  • In the beginning of the third Shippuden movie Naruto carries an injured Sai bridal-style after going back to help him.
  • In the beginning of the 8th Shippuden opening when Sai reaches his hand up to help push Naruto to the waters surface, it looks like it's practically touching Naruto's ass.
  • After the Time Skip when Team 7 has their first reunion with Sasuke, Sasuke half-hugs Naruto while whispering in his ear and attempting to penetrate him with his sword and Sai comes up and saves Naruto from Sasuke's attack.
  • Shippuden episode 201 (and the manga) features Sai telling Sakura about how Naruto let Karui beat him up because he wouldn't sell out Sasuke and Sai acts worried for him stating in a concerned voice that Naruto was "bruised and battered all over" after the beating. He also tells Sakura about Naruto's feelings for her, and acts like he's acting for Naruto's sake/benefit when he says that both she and Sasuke cause him pain.
  • Shippuden episode 238 features much emphasis on a painting of Naruto and Sai holding hands that Sai painted.
  • Shippuden episode 90: Sai trying to feed Naruto ramen when his arm was injured.
  • Earlier when Sai joined the group Yamato told Naruto he was going to be working with Sai and Naruto was then shown staring rather intensely at Sai who stared back at him.
  • In Konoha Gakuen Den the new hot transfer student Sai keeps following Naruto around.
• Naruto and Gaara. They seem to have this going on during the Rescue Gaara arc at the beginning of Part II. It must be the way Naruto constantly insists, "I've got to save him!" I know his reasons are clear in the manga, but even so...
  • Also Naruto's anger and sadness at seeing Gaara dead and seeing Sasori and Deidara sitting atop him. "You bastards! I'M GONNA FUCKING KILL YOU!" indeed.
  • Manga chapter 467. The part where Gaara and the other Kages refused to give Madara the Hachibi and the Kyuubi and go along with Madara Uchiha's "Moon's Eye Plan". More specifically, it was when Gaara declared rather fiercely to Madara "I won't let you take Uzumaki Naruto!"
  • There's a later chapter right before Naruto faints where Gaara meets up with Naruto, places his hand on Naruto's shoulder and gives him advice on how if he's really Sasuke's friend he'll know what to do for him. He also states that he's going to protect Naruto with everyone else and if Sasuke, a member of Akatsuki, should try to attack Naruto then he won't hold back.
  • That heartwarming scene in Part II where Gaara uses his sand to shake hands with Naruto.
  • When Gaara comes back to "life" Naruto is the first one he sees who has his hand on his shoulder and is smiling warmly at him. Gaara also is shown to have fangirls during this and they react almost jealousy towards Naruto when they see him by Gaara's side when the latter wakes up, and rush to be by Gaara while knocking Naruto out of the way in a catty manner. Naruto appears dejected by this and says it makes sense as he's still a Genin and Kankuro reassures him that it's always the girls that moon over the cool guys that are the weakest. Of course, Naruto is doing some Heroic Self-Deprecation over still being a low rank Genin and thinks that makes him weak considering the fangirls were able to effortlessly knock him out of the way. If one looks at it another way however, one could also interpret it as Naruto feeling bad about himself because he doesn't feel like he's good enough to stand by Gaara's side as his friend considering how amazing and cool Gaara is considered by everyone as the Kazakage, and the fangirls clearly brushed him aside like he was a piece of trash. Considering his low self esteem tied to his lonely past of being ignored by the entire village the idea is not unlikely. This ties into the hand shaking scene later, where Naruto acts awkwardly and states he doesn't know how to act in these situations as he's not used to it. Gaara's using of his sand to lift Naruto's hand to shake hands with him could also be his way of affirming to Naruto he considers them close friends and equals.
  • Gaara thinking back to past moments with Naruto in chapter 516, his heartwarming speech about his friendship with Naruto and mentioning how much he wants to save Naruto.
  • In chapter 553 Gaara acts really upset that Naruto would put himself in harms way and states that he worries about him.
  • In chapter 558, Edo Mizukage comments "You (Gaara and Naruto) make a nice duo".
    • And Gaara responds "Really?" with a SMILE.
    • Not to mention Naruto worries whether Garra's okay or not and so does Gaara about Naruto.
  • And in chapter 562 Gaara supports an exhausted/hurt Naruto (or clone of Naruto) in his arms.
  • Chapter 678: when everyone is trapped inside Infinite Tsukuyomi, most of them dreamed about being with their Love Interest. Gaara dreamed about his family and Naruto.
  • Hell, Naruto was just as determined to save Gaara and bring him back to life as he was in his quest to bring back Sasuke. He even, rather angrily, chases after Deidara (one of those responsible for Gaara's death) and beats him to a pulp.
  • In Konoha Hiden Gaara worries himself over finding the perfect wedding present for Naruto and Hinata but his main priority seems to be whether it would make Naruto (Hinata isn't mentioned at all here) happy. Rock Lee says Gaara should probably expect to dance at the wedding and Naruto might join in. Gaara thinks about it, while having a Imagine Spot of the two dancing with slightly revealing flashy costumes and bubbles dot the scene before he is shown blushing and the tattoo meaning love on his forehead turns into a red heart.
  • Gaara's page on the Naruto Wiki gives us this gem under his personality section:
  Gaara eventually formed a close friendship with Naruto, viewing the Kohoha ninja as his first true friend, and became very loyal to his decisions, and protective over him as a companion. Gaara also came to view meeting Naruto as the greatest event of his life and believed any price, even the painful life of a jinchūriki was worth the experience. Gaara even forgave Shukaku for his miserable childhood, claiming that it was only because of such a life that he was able to meet Naruto.
• Naruto and Sora (anime filler character). As you◊ can most likely tell◊, there's◊ some between◊ Naruto and Sora in the "Fire Temple" Filler arc.
• Naruto and Menma (anime filler character). In the "Menma" Filler arc. In episode 213 Naruto saves an unconscious Menma and brings him to the hospital so Sakura can take care of him. Later back at the village, Naruto finally had the special ramen he was waiting for Ichiraku to prepare and ate it in memory of Menma.
• Naruto and Kakashi. They have so much of this in the third Shippuuden movie that Kakashi gets Mistaken for Gay towards Naruto by the end of the movie.
  • There's one translation of a scene in chapter 330 that has Kakashi telling Naruto "I think I'm starting to fall in love with you!" Others have him say how much he's starting to like/admire Naruto and Naruto interprets it as a come on and promptly freaks out.
  • Also, after the Valley Of The End battle if I remember Kakashi carries an injured Naruto in a Bridal Carry in the rain and later gives him a piggy back ride.
  • And in Chapter 566 we get a Big Damn Heroes moment from Kakashi (and Guy) as they ambush Tobi just when he's about to take down Naruto.
  • Kakashi holding Naruto who had fainted from being cut by Sakura's poisoned kunai.
  • Kakashi ending up being the one to feed Naruto ramen when his arm was injured in Shippuden episode 90.
  • Kakashi carrying an exhausted Naruto on his back to the village following the battle with Pain(Nagato).
• Naruto and Rock Lee. One Shippuden movie has a scene where Naruto gives a drunk Rock Lee a piggyback ride through the forest.
  • And the ending of the 15th Shippuden ending has Naruto and Rock Lee getting really close to each others faces following a fight.
  • Filler episode 193 is also surprising in this coupling. Certain scenes has Rock Lee saying to Naruto "Please be my first!" and "Let's shed the sweat of our youth together!".
• Naruto and Haku. Naruto called Haku "cuter/prettier than Sakura-chan" following finding out he's actually a guy.
• Naruto and Neji. Neji once saved Naruto from an attack in Part I and told him in chapter 193 that his eyes are even better than his, which is a pretty big compliment coming from Neji. Also in chapter 198 Neji says that "Naruto only you can save Sasuke from the darkness because you saved me from the darkness" and gives a heartbreaking smile. All for Naruto.
  • Also, during their fight in Part II Neji gets really close to Naruto's face at one point before hitting him with an attack.
  • And during the fight against Madara and Obito, Neji dies shielding Naruto (and Hinata) from an enemy attack. He spends his final moments flashing back to how Naruto changed his life. He also manages to hug Naruto before he dies, and confess his love. But seriously, compare it to Hinata's confession during the Pain arc. It's not hard to interpret it as Neji was in love with Naruto, and ships naruhina becaus he thinks it'd be for the best of everyone involved.
• Naruto and Killer Bee. They seem to get along well and have a lot in common, plus in chapter 552 Killer Bee says he swears to protect Naruto. And in chapters 564 and 565 Killer Bee repeatedly saves Naruto.
• Naruto and Kabuto. Kabuto smiles and smirks a lot around Naruto, has called him 'cute' (in episode 93), is generally polite to him, and appears to possess a peculiar fixation on him. Naruto is also genuinely upset when Kabuto betrays him and the others and reveals he's been working for Orochimaru all along. He makes a point to reveal in part 2 before disappearing, after the extent of the rate his body is being changed from absorbing Orochimaru is revealed, that he wants to return to fight Naruto again one day. When Naruto shows how powerful he has become with Kyuubi's power after the Time Skip Kabuto looks very intrigued after taking a beating from Naruto.
• Naruto and Itachi. Itachi seems genuinely interested in Naruto and his power and has even smiled around him. He also trusts him completely to take care of Sasuke in his place for him, something he doesn't trust anyone else with.
  • The crow-job that Itachi gave Naruto. A lot of people had fun with that one. It doesn't help that if you replay that part in the anime it really looks like Naruto is giving Itachi's crow a blowjob.
• Naruto/Pain(Nagato): Nagato comes to believe in Naruto and they get along following their battle at Konoha. Also, there's that suggestive scene where Pain crouches down in front of a pinned down Naruto and how Naruto thinks "Pain's chakra...is inside me..."
  • Right when Naruto gets pinned down by Pain's Chakra rods, Pain asks, "Will this make you a little more accommodating(Kyuubi)?" Combined with the fact that Pain's crouching down and seems to be staring near Pain's crotch, if someone just randomly found that, this troper thinks that they would be thinking Pain had plans for raping Naruto.
• Naruto and Kiba. Given their Hot-Blooded natures they fight often, but have moments where they work together and get along. Even though Naruto doesn't notice, Kiba considers him his rival.
• Naruto and Jiraiya. They bicker and get along well at times and Naruto is utterly depressed and upset after Jiraiya's death. In the anime at one point Naruto falls asleep against Jiraiya's back. And there was another instance in episode 53 of the first anime where Jiraiya was training Naruto (who was just wearing his boxers) and while Naruto was concentrating on his chakra energy Jiraiya stares at him rather intensely before saying, "You're quite sexy when you get naked." Even better in the english dub where Jiraiya says almost seductively to Naruto: "Amazing! You know...you have quite a tight sexy little body."
• For that matter, there's Obito and Naruto. The former tries to pull a We Can Rule Together on him and is determined to break his ideals down since he used to be a lot like him. The Naruto wiki even refers to it as a "fixation". There's also how, after he defeats Obito, Naruto gushes about how cool Obito is for helping them against the enemy.
• Kyuubi/Kurama's relationship with Naruto has a combination of tsundere and yandere vibes. The Fox Demon spends the majority of its screen time obsessively trying to get Naruto to rely on its powers. By itself that can easily be construed as self interest but Kurama's excessive attention to detail about Naruto's pain and how the fox wants Naruto to rely on the demon's power, in order to protect Naruto from harm, gives the implication of a motivation born out of affection for Naruto. It practically screams the vibe of an obsessive lover who won't let anyone near their partner and will tear all of their lover's enemies to pieces just to make them happy. The vibe shifts to tsundere when Kurama acts extremely embarrassed to admit that it feels any deep feelings of friendship/companionship with Naruto after Naruto learns to master the fox's powers. Even at the end of the story where Kurama has been reunited with Naruto, in the aftermath of the war with Madara, the fox demon, with a blush on its face, refuses to admit that it missed Naruto when they were separated.

Team 8, Team 10, Team Gai, and Gaara

• Shikamaru and Asuma. Hidan kills Shikamaru's sensei Asuma. This provokes Shikamaru to chase down and engage Hidan, an immortal, in battle and he defeats him by blowing his body to pieces and burying him alive.
• Shikamaru and Chouji. They're best friends, and someone insulting Shikamaru is one of Chouji's biggest Berserk Buttons. Almost all of Chouji's flashbacks are related in some way to Shikamaru. He has yet to have a single not-Shikamaru related important character moment. And he has no female love interest... (but, to be fair, not all male characters in this series have)
• Shikamaru and Kiba. When they interact in the anime there are heavy amounts of Red Oni, Blue Oni and The Smart Guy with the Idiot Hero.
• Kiba and Shino. See above with the added element of them being teammates and not seeing eye to eye on everything. Sometimes a by-product of Pair the Spares when Hinata is paired with someone outside of her team.
• Gaara and Sasuke. Gaara believes they aren't so different, and actually cries at one point in Shippuden when he's forced to fight Sasuke after failing to get him to see reason.
• Gaara and Rock Lee. Lee seemed to be one of the first people to touch Gaara after their fight and confuse him about his own feelings of hatred. Later Gaara comes to Lee’s rescue which only added fuel to this pairing.
  • When Guy just opened the eighth gate, a stronger version but fatal of what Lee did during their battle, Gaara remember's Guy saving Lee. Gaara then gives a soft glance at Lee and tries to console him.
  • In Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3, Gaara plans to apologize to Lee for nearly crippling him during the Chunnin Exams. Lee tells Gaara that he holds no grudge against him for that because it helped him get stronger and overcome that challenge. After Lee leaves, Gaara then says that like Naruto (whom he is own share of Ho Yay with), Lee is "one of the people who saved me when I was still in darkness."
• Rock Lee and Neji have shades of this, especially in the Springtime of Youth spin-off (in which Lee has Neji crossdress in their skits a lot because he finds it cute, and peeks on Neji in the toilets in order to compare dick sizes). In the main series, Lee's main motivation for improvement involves one day beating Neji, something that was compared early on to Naruto's desire to defeat Sasuke - in Shippuden, it's revealed that Neji swore to be eternal rivals with Lee, with Lee being distraught at Neji's death.
  • To expand on that Lee is seen cradling Neji's corpse while crying for his death.
  • Rock Lee goes on a rampage after Neji's death, leading him to kick Madara IN HALF.

Anything Orochimaru Related

• Orochimaru and Sasuke. There is much suspicion among fans that Orochimaru wants Sasuke's body for reasons more...personal than simply having a powerful new vessel. Calling Orochimaru a gay pedophile has become an accepted part of much Naruto fanon; the chapter 345 manga cover that featured a smiling Orochimaru literally wrapping his tongue and arms around Sasuke with the caption to the side reading "Within these arms. At the end of this tongue. The future that I raised", or the anime intro with a nude Sasuke wrapped in Orochimaru's pet snakes◊ with Orochimaru's eyes watching the image, didn't do anything to improve his reputation.
  • Neither did his apparent fondness for randomly caressing the faces of little kids (namely Anko and Kimimaro), or trying to wrap his ridiculously long phallic-looking tongue around people's bodies, or calling Sasuke "very beautiful" or thinking "Your body will be mine soon, Sasuke-kun". Then there's his final fight with Sasuke which had Sasuke approaching a ill Orochimaru resting in bed and penetrating him with his sword. Orochimaru sweats and struggles against being pinned against the wall before reverting to his true form, a giant snake comprised of a bunch of tinier snakes, and trying to wrap his snakes and curl himself around/smother a half-naked Sasuke while screaming "Give me your body, Sasuke-kun!" Also this line from hallucination-Orochimaru in one filler arc: "Sasuke will have the power he desires... and I will have him."
  • Orochimaru also provoked Naruto once by referring to Sasuke as "my Sasuke".
  • After being reincarnated Orochimaru spends the rest of his time in the manga aiding Sasuke and creeping him out with his comments of still wanting Sasuke's body.
    • Also some Naruto/Orochimaru. In episode 29 when Naruto was fighting the short-lived battle against Orochimaru who was on top of a giant snake in the Forest of Death, Orochimaru glances down at Naruto, leers at him and says "How very cute. What a cute prey" before wrapping him up in his ridiculously phallic looking tongue, pulling up Naruto's shirt and examining the seal on his stomach before slamming his hand onto it in order to block Naruto's chakra.
  • In Konoha Gakuen Den, "Orochimaruko" is portrayed as a transvestite ephebophile who's after Sasuke, which, in turn, ends up Squicking most of the cast.
    • Strangely enough, with the exception of Sasuke himself. He likes it. In THAT way, apparently (come on, he's drooling!).
  • Orochimaru putting the Curse Seal on Sasuke by biting him, vampire style.
• Orochimaru and Kabuto. It's not like Orochimaru's relationship with Kabuto looks anywhere near "wholesome".
  • Agreed, this troper is thinking of a particular scene where Orochimaru has a shower, (this being when his arms were suffering from severe necrosis because part of his soul was eaten by a shinigami) and Kabuto was apparently in the room the whole time watching.
    • Not just watching, almost downright pleading with Orochimaru to "Take him instead". It looked for all the world like a scene from a soap opera.
    • This◊ needs no explanation.
    • It's getting worse. Kabuto has absorbed Orochimaru's remains so Orochimaru is literally inside of him.
  • Being a Yandere is one explanation for Kabuto's behavior towards Orochimaru. After Orochimaru died, Kabuto had an existential crisis, but he claims that the person who inspired him to continue was Naruto. Notice that Kabuto's goal currently appears to be killing Sasuke, ostensibly for revenge, but he might be trying to Murder the Hypotenuse as well.
    • A scene where Orochimaru meets a young!Kabuto and almost looks to be flirting with him while leaning close.
• Orochimaru and Kimimaro. There's almost blatant Ho Yay when they first meet. "Maybe you can find something interesting to do while you are still alive. Like how you found that flower. Like how I found you." *caresses Kimimaro's cheek which results in Kimimaro blushing*
  • (From The Other Wiki): "Kimimaro's relationship with Orochimaru was similar to Haku's relationship with Zabuza, both having similar backgrounds, and both found a purpose in living for their respective master. His dedication to Orochimaru was so great, that, despite his body's failing strength, he was able to will himself into battle, and still proved himself as an extremely dangerous opponent for the likes of Naruto Uzumaki, Rock Lee and Gaara." Take from that what you will.
• Orochimaru and Itachi. VG Cats is wrong. Orochimaru left Akatsuki because Itachi turned him down.
  • If we look at the implications of this in relation to Orochimaru and Sasuke's relationship...
• Even his voice actor gets in on the act. "Just want you to know that Orochimaru loves you too <3" -kiss-
• Orochimaru and Jiraiya. They're a Generation Xerox to Naruto and Sasuke, as Orochimaru was seen as the talented one by Hiruzen, Jiraiya also tried to prevent Orochimaru from leaving by reminding him of the Sannin's bonds with each other, and Jiraiya's major goal (which Tsunade implies was the reason he refused to become Hokage) was bringing Orochimaru back. See also the Sannin fight where Orochimaru goes and bites Jiraiya's neck for far too long.

  Orochimaru: I'll take Jiraiya...

Anything Kakashi Related

• Kakashi and Iruka. Despite sharing very little screentime together, they've got an impressive fanbase. It doesn't hurt that their seiyu happen to make beautiful music together.
  • The scene where Kakashi saves Iruka from almost being stabbed by one of the Pain bodies is thought of by Kakashi/Iruka fangirls to be excellent fuel for the pairing.
  • They spend more time together in the anime.
  • In the anime, Iruka has been shown to blush around Kakashi before.
  • The three-episode filler flashback arc following Pain's invasion. At some point, the focus moves from the difference in the way the villagers treat Naruto to Kakashi bringing back the beauty he sees in Iruka's eyes.
    • From that same arc, in the third episode, we had this:
  Shikamaru: Naruto went to look for a corpse in the back hills, so Iruka-sensei went after him.
  Kakashi: *wide eyes* Iruka-sensei went after Naruto??
  Kakashi then runs off to the back hills.

  • What the above sounds like: "I must save Iruka-sensei! ... And Naruto."
  • Kakashi and Iruka stand next to each other in place of Naruto's parents in pretty much all the wedding scenes in The Last movie.
• Kakashi and Obito. It really says a lot when you become a pathological procrastinator because you stare at a name on a rock for three hours before you ever actually go anywhere due to your obsessive guilt.
  • The Ho Yay skyrockets after chapter 599. Kakashi and Obito spends a lot of time in Obito's private dimension where nobody can see them. There they talk about filling each other's holes. Can't get more Ho Yay than that.
  • Hell, Kakashi and Obito's relationship is one of the most Homoerotic Subtext-laden in the series, and that says a lot considering what they have to contend with. Obito is the most important person in Kakashi's life. Everything about Kakashi's personality and mannerisms is modeled after Obito as a tribute to him, and it's clear that the only thing that kept him going through all the tragedy he endured after Obito's death (including the deaths of the rest of Team Minato) is his promise to be Obito's eyes. It's obvious the one thing Kakashi seeks above all else is Obito's approval — so it's not surprising that learning Obito is Tobi almost robs him of the will to live. On Obito's end, though he never quite admits it, he values Kakashi almost much. His ideal world isn't just one where Rin is alive, but also one where Kakashi lived up to the ideals that drove him in his youth, the ideals he passed on to his best friend. Despite claiming that he no longer cared for Kakashi after Rin's death, when it comes down to it, Kakashi is almost as much of Living Emotional Crutch to Obito as Rin was.
  • In Obito's Infinite Tsukiyomi, basically his ideal world, Rin is still dead but Kakashi declares he'll stay by his side and support him while he becomes Hokage.
• Kakashi and Gai. From Gai's introduction, he's claimed to be Kakashi's rival who knows him very well, and over time it is shown that Kakashi does indeed acknowledge Gai as his rival and one of his closest, oldest friends.
  • There's also Gai's tendency to smile hugely when he's around Kakashi and the Berserk Button that results when Kakashi simply ignores him.
  • When Kisame and Itachi are about to kill Kakashi, Gai shows up just in the nick of time to rescue him, even lifting him out of the water and carrying him to safety. In fact, Gai rescues and carries Kakashi a number of times, and Kakashi returns the favor at times.
  • Episodes 32-33 of Shippuden have an immobilized Kakashi being carried on a gleeful Gai's back!
  • Shortly after Gai runs off with Kakashi on his back, Rock Lee attempts to do the same thing to Neji. He actually does give him a piggyback ride here.
  • Episode 219 amps it up with Gai handing flowers to Kakashi after Kakashi won the race and to congradulate him for becoming the next Hokage. In response, Kakashi smiles and tells Gai how much it means to him that he's always been there for him. Kakashi asks Gai to keep being there for him like he always has been, but Gai is crying tears of joy too much to give him an answer.
  • Episode 241 is full of these moments, but there is this one in particular: in a flashback showing how they became rivals, Gai catches a glimpse of Kakashi's...lower parts (while he's on the toilet, no less). Made even more blatant when Gai voluntarily shows Kakashi his own. Apparently, it's the size of an acorn.
    • In the same episode, Kakashi heavily implies that Gai is the person he trusts most implicitly in the entire world.
  • Episode 288 shows Kakashi and Gai fighting together in the present as well as in a flashback to a mission they went on with Rin. In the flashback, Kakashi grabs Gai by the collar and demands Gai follow his orders and not get himself killed. Even Rin is stunned at how angry Kakashi was.
  • Throughout the Fourth Shinobi World War arcs, especially after Obito is revealed to be alive, Gai is shown by Kakashi's side and visibly worries about Kakashi's physical and mental state, rousing him to attention and cheering him back up when he can. Similarly, when Kakashi notices that Gai starts to feel old when he sees how far Naruto has come, Kakashi awkwardly tries to return the favor by telling Gai that he is still in the Springtime of his Youth.
  • Episode 357 has a teenage Gai refer to himself as "Kakashi's partner" during his impassioned plea for Hiruzen to let him join ANBU to be with Kakashi.
  • In episode 359, Kakashi invites Gai to walk through the Uchiha district with him. It's a pretense for Kakashi to look into what's going on down there, but Gai enjoys himself so much.
  • In episode 469, Gai is the only one who seems to almost recognize Sukea and the only one Kakashi is worried will see through his disguise, despite the fact that Gai in particular has admitted he's not good with faces.
  • In episode 483, when they were still in the academy, Gai asked Kakashi to spend the "springtime of his youth" together with him and called him his eternal rival and his "man of destiny".
  • In the last chapter of the manga, everyone is shown at the end with their love interest. Kakashi is shown sitting with GAI.
  • In Kakashi Hiden: Lightning in the Icy Sky, Kakashi accidentally rams his face right into Gai's butt while they are sneaking through some air vents.
    • More seriously, throughout the first half of the book, Gai makes it clear that he still wants to be able to stand as someone just as capable as Kakashi despite his injury from the war, and continues his old habit of rescuing Kakashi just in the nick of time.
    • At one point, Gai is knocked out of the airship, and Kakashi rushes to catch Gai to try to keep him from falling, even as Gai begs him to let go so he doesn't fall too.
  • Konoha Shinden: Steam Ninja Scrolls has Kakashi and Gai go on the post-retirement trip they were discussing in the manga's epilogue (along with Mirai, their escort) and is full of moments like these. For example, Kakashi lets Gai eat food off his plate, they share a room and travel to hot springs together, and when Kakashi expresses his desire to find a way to heal Gai's leg at all costs, Gai simply tells Kakashi that the only thing he wants most is to be able to remain by Kakashi's side like this. Even Mirai mentally compares the two to an elderly couple.
• Kakashi and Kakuzu. "YOUR HEART IS MINE!!!" Seriously, as if this line from Kakuzu to Kakashi isn't enough, let's add some context: the former has the latter pinned to the ground with Combat Tentacles, is straddling him, and is about to literally rip his heart out to keep powering his immortality.
• In a filler a ramen waitress and her father are shown blushing and getting googly eyed when they catch a glimpse of Kakashi's true face.

Zabuza and Haku

• Zabuza and Haku. It doesn't help that Haku is a Villainous Crossdresser (or at least a Battle Butler who looks really girly). And what makes it even more obvious is when, after putting the man in a near-death state, Haku quips: I didn't want to scar your beautiful body, Zabuza-san. or "flawless body". (in the anime)
  • Haku very, very clearly states that he loves Zabuza in the same way that Naruto does to Sakura.
  • And on Zabuza's side, his true feelings for Haku are never clearly spoken out, but there is... subtext. It is heavily hinted that their relationship might have been more than mentor/student, especially when he requests to die next to Haku, wishes to go to the same place as him, and tenderly touches Haku's cheek before dying.
  Zabuza: "My dear Haku, are you weeping? You were at my side right from the start...and I'm at yours, now, at the end. If I could...if I were able...I would want to go...to the same place...on the other side...as you..."
  • Chapter 522: Haku finding out that Zabuza regards him as more than a mere tool.

Sakura and Her Rivals, Friends

• Sakura and Ino:
  • They seem to have a faint rivalrous version of this. Though viewing their interactions as a lost friendship rather than a lost love is sweet, there are numerous works detailing a more-than-friends relationship.
  • "You're going to be in more trouble then you've ever been if you don't get out of me right now!" And that's pretty much in context too.
  • They also get along well before they develop their interests in Sasuke and after their battle, Ino stands up against some girls that were bullying Sakura in Part I.
  • Konoha Hiden: The Perfect Day for a Wedding edges on Homoerotic Subtext. Sakura and Ino are described as such close Childhood Friends that they almost breathe in sync. When they arrive at the same store and reach for the same gift at the same time, it's mentioned that they would have fallen in love right there if one of them was a man.
• Sakura and Hinata. There's also a scene where Sakura heals Hinata by placing her hands over her chest... and her breasts (it's even in color).
• Sakura and Karin. Yuri shippers had fun with chapter 484. Sakura heals Karin by touching her chest, and cries while doing so, causing Karin to cry too.
• Sakura and Tsunade. Sakura really looks up to Tsunade and admires her greatly and in a filler arc once runs into her boobs and calls Tsunade "beautiful". Sakura also greatly worried about Tsunade when she was in a coma. On Tsunade's side, she greatly cares about Sakura as well and even went out of her way to train her to get stronger.

Hashirama and Madara

• Their general relationship starts by having the strongest Romeo and Juliet atmosphere and proceeds with the whole "this cruel world has torn us apart" energy.
• In the beginning of Edo Tensei Hashirama's long flashback during the war arch, he plainly says "to me, Madara was a gift from the divine" while a young Madara smiles in the background.
• They first met during their childhood, amidst the war betweens their clans, and started being friends right away. They'd spend the whole day together speaking of their shared dreams, training and playing despite knowing they were probably from enemy parties. After that, even when their friendship was torn apart by the overall circumstances, they'd frequently cross by each other one way or another.
• Despite having already lost three of his younger brothers and seen lots of people suffer and die during the raging war, Madara only awakens his sharingan when his friendship with Hashirama was broken after his father finds out about their secret encounters.
  • Their secret encounters, to start with. Hashirama's father, Butsuma Senju, had Tobirama follow him in order to find out why he was spending most of time away from home, and later on reveals to him "I know that you have been meeting with a boy."
• When Tobirama suggests that they should take the chance to slay a wounded, weakened and helpless Madara after the latter and Hashirama had their final quarrell before the peace agreement between the Senju and Uchiha clans, Hashirama gives his brother the most deadly look and says "don't you dare touching him".
  • At this moment, Hashirama tries again to set an agreement between their clans, but Madara states that he would only do that if the Senju killed himself or his own brother. Without any hesitation, Hashirama pulls out a kunai and points it to his own stomach, telling Tobirama to not harm Madara after he is gone. Madara, then, grabs Hashirama's hand and stops him from attempting against his own life.
• When they finally managed to build the village of their childhood dreams, they would often meet, walk around side by side and stand on the cliff they used to sit by for hours years before, gladly admiring what they constructed together.
  • There is a moment in Hashirama's flashback when he is standing with a bunch of people at some Konoha's alley and, when Madara shows up, he glances him with obvious delight and admiration. They proceed, then, to walk together rather close to each other.
• Hashirama asks Madara for suggestions on the village's name. The Senju complains a lot about the "obvious and superficial" name the Uchiha came up with, but uses it either way.
• Hashirama really wanted Madara to be Leaf's first hokage, getting the latter to be quite surprised and embarassed when saying he wanted to build a huge model of Madara's face on the village's cliff.
• Hashirama keeps on standing up for Madara in every opportunity he has, mainly when Tobirama very clearly talks about his distrust and concerns about the latter.
• When Madara reveals to Hashirama he will be leaving the village, the latter shouts "I can't do this without you!", even though Madara was pretty much by himself at the time, not having support even amongst his own clan - clearly, Hashirama's concern has nothing to do with political and/or strategical reasons.

Team Taka

• Sasuke and Suigetsu. Episode 115 could cement Suigetsu's sexuality firmly in the ambiguous territory. Never mind all of the loads of subtext he shares when he threatens Sasuke from behind while naked and dripping wet, there's plenty of subtext for fangirls to squee about in the entire episode.
  • Suigetsu gets mad at Juugo in 592 for getting in the way of him talking to Sasuke.
• Sasuke and Juugo. Try episode 125 with Juugo and Sasuke. It almost failed to stay sub.
  • Plus, Juugo's opinion seems to be the only one out of Taka that Sasuke will bother listening to, while he usually brushes everyone else off.
  • Post Deidara battle has some prime Sasuke/Juugo bait, since Juugo is shirtless for almost all of his screentime, and gets unusually close to Sasuke.
  • Juugo is living Hurt/Comfort fuel, and Sasuke is the only one who can calm him down...
  • And Juugo does save Sasuke from dying in the Killer Bee battle, so returning the favor there? He later tells him "I can't let you die. You're all I have left to remember Kimimaro." Sasuke looks almost touched at this response.

Akatsuki

• Hidan and Kakuzu. Their bickering is full of this...
  Kakuzu: That scar on your neck is embarrassing. Cover it up.
  Hidan: Hey, look at that; it's my headband! You went to the trouble of picking it up and keeping it for me? I'm touched. You're a pretty nice guy, Kakuzu, you know that?
  Kakuzu: Shut up! Come on, let's go.
  Hidan: Hey! Wait up! Let me put it on at least! Come on, admit it. You like me a little, dont'cha?
  Kakuzu: Either you shut up or I'll kill you.
  Hidan: You're embarrassed; I understand...
  • We're told that Kakuzu has a hell of a temper and killed all of his other partners in a fit of rage. Except he never tries to kill Hidan on screen, despite the fact that Hidan could basically be his very own stress ball and is very annoying. And then he mentions:
  Kakuzu: I just can't kill him.
• Kisame and Itachi. They seem to be on pretty "friendly" terms compared to the rest of the Akatsuki. There have been what some might define as "concern" shown by Kisame for itachi.In one episode Itachi is standing in the rain. Kisame makes a comment about it "not being good for his body". There is also the fact that...Kisame's dying thoughts were about Itachi.
  • While each of the Akatsuki pairs have their rings on different fingers (Deidara and Hidan on index finger, Sasori and Tobi, both having partnered with Deidara, on their thumb, Orochimaru and Zetsu on pinky finger, and Konan and Kakuzu have theirs on the middle finger), Itachi and Kisame both have their ring on the ring finger, the finger known for marriage, but on opposite hands.
• Each Akatsuki member is partnered with another, whom it doesn't look like they are ever far away from, and in each pair (except for Sasori and Deidara - the former seemed pretty genuinely hostile toward the latter) each half seems to have at least a grudging affection toward the other. These being Kisame/Itachi (they seem to get along very well compared to the other pairs) , Hidan/Kakuzu, and Tobi/Deidara (With Tobi acting like the adorably idiotic Keet and Deidara being something like a violent Tsundere).
  • It doesn't help that Deidara looks like a girl.
  • "I'm just a schoolgirl in love with her senpai!"
  • The honorific used by Deidara when addressing his partner-in-crime Sasori got translated to English in Shippuden as "Sasori, my man" (and in some cases, "My man Sasori") and he uses this term at darn-near every opportunity. To older audiences, this line is dripping with bromance, which is probably a reason why it became a meme in the fandom.
    • Not to mention the fact that the honorific ("danna") has multiple translations. The most accurate in context would be "Sasori, my man" but an extremely common (but unofficial) translation is "master Sasori". It could even be translated as "husband"!

Other

• Kimimaro and Jugo◊. They have quite a bit of this.
  • Kimimaro to Juugo:
    'Yes. I'm going to absorb the enzyme from your body into my own.
  • It gets better. In Shippuden episode 118, Juugo looks back on Kimimaro very fondly. His memory of their first meeting was simply riddled with Ho Yay.
  • "Kimimaro...why did you have to leave me?!"
  • Not to mention the fact that the only times that we get to see Kimimaro smiling (which looks really good on him, by the way) is when he's with Juugo.
  • Then there's Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Generations and Naruto Shippuden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 where if you put them on the same team, the team name is "Camp Friends."
• Kisame and Killer Bee. Some fans have noticed Ho Yay between Kisame and Killer Bee. You see, both of them getting really close to each other's faces, Kisame's sword Samehada REALLY, REALLY likes Killer Bee, and Killer Bee did say that Kisame had "pretty eyes". Kisame goes shirtless during their fight and they both end up soaked with water and splattered with Killerbee's ink. Then one page has Kisame attempting to cut off Killerbee's feet so he won't be able to get away but the way it looks... with a shirtless Kisame standing overtop Killerbee who's on the ground struggling to get away...
• Madara and Itachi. When he's giving his big damn speech about Itachi to Sasuke, Madara sounds... angry. We can infer that he felt like Itachi threw his life away for Sasuke, the lesser brother. The whole scene shows how Madara even cared about Itachi a little, which from him is saying a lot.
• Madara and Sasuke◊. After Sasuke fights Itachi and Itachi dies, he collapses and wakes up with Madara by his side who tells Sasuke that he treated his injuries for him and proceeds to tell him the truth about Itachi. It proves too much for Sasuke to handle and he freaks out, foaming at the mouth. Madara gets close to the (shirtless) Sasuke, and grabs his face in his hands, telling him to calm down and breathe. Sasuke shoves him away and later Madara ties him up before telling him more about Itachi and the Uchiha clan.
  • Also, Madara was nice enough to carry Sasuke over his shoulder when he was injured and exhausted that one time...
• Seems to be a common theme with rivals that have opposing personalities/appearances and is hinted to have deeper roots extending back to the founding of Hidden Villages. To date we have:
  • Sasuke/Naruto (duh!)
  • Kakashi/Obito
  • Orochimaru/Jiraiya
  • Danzou/Sarutobi (via Flashback)
  • Madara/Hashirama
    • It doesn't help than whenever he talks about Hashirama, he will always use the term akogare to define how he feels about him (akogare, while usually denoting deep respect, has already become a staple of the Yuri Genre), despite always following up how much he HATES him. Though when you think about it, it does make it worse. Plus, with the way he goes on about how everyone else sucks compared to Hashirama, he comes across like a fanatical, obsessive lover.
    • Madara's epic Game Face when he first senses Hashirama's chakra looks very unsettling. This is a man who loves battle, but even his reaction to the prospect of fighting doesn't match the intensity of his reaction to Hashirama. True, it could be because Hashirama is the only one he can really fight on equal footing... Which just lends more fuel to the fire.
    • Plus his shy bladder. He says that he has it around anyone, but we only see him reacting this way when Hashirama is standing behind him.
• Can't forget Konohamaru's two Sexy no Jutsu's: the female version and the male version with Sasuke and Sai naked and locked in a very suggestive pose, to be exact.
• Kotetsu and Izumo. The Those Two Guys of Naruto. Shippuden episode 185 has an omake in which Kotetsu and Izumo are Mistaken for Gay.
• Tsunade and Shizune. In chapter 488, when Tsunade wakes up from her coma, Shizune cries and then hugs her. She also takes care of Tsunade when she's paralyzed over her fear of blood following the battle with Kabuto in Part I.
• In the video game, Naruto: Ultimate Ninja 3, Naruto can go on 'dates' with other characters which includes guys like Rock Lee and Sasuke if he gives them certain items in Ultimate Contest mode. Nothing can beat him going to the hot springs with Rock Lee and Lee later suggests they should do it again sometime.
• Sasuke and Kabuto. In chapter 581: Kabuto offering Sasuke a We Can Rule Together twice and saying he'll be his older brother and stay at his side. Sasuke refuses.
• Many people had found Hashirama and Madara's "friendship" to be much like a Romeo and Juliet relationship. They even "join hands" in a ceremony almost reminiscent of a wedding.
• Naruto's Harem Jutsu. He creates a number of shadow clones and then they all transform into naked women to rub on guys.
• Naruto's Reverse Harem Jutsu for that matter. He creates a number of shadow clones and then they all transform into various naked men. Theoretically its purpose is to seduce women, but Naruto explicitly says he's been practicing it in private...
  • It doesn't help the men he transforms into closely resemble some of the male characters we've already seen in the story. There is at least one that resembles Sai, and another that resembles Juugo.
• Udon got starry eyed to Sasuke after he saved him and his friends from Kankuro.

The New Era

• The next generation already seems setup to attract yaoi fans.
  • Shikadai Nara and Inojin Yamanaka are also mentioned as best friends who are always in each other's company. Inojin's bio even mentions how much he listens to and admires Shikadai.
  • Boruto Uzumaki and Mitsuki are mentioned as friends with very dissimilar personalities.
    • Boruto gets very upset when Mitsuki runs away, especially when he reveals he doesn't really know him that well. Sarada is upset for the same reason as well, but not as much as him.
    • Mitsuki has a single picture in his plain apartment. It's of Boruto and it's right next to his bedside.
  • Boruto, Shikadai, and Inojin also have their own bond as the three often hang out and play video games together.
  • Sarada Uchiha and Chocho Akimichi were showed as particularly close in Naruto Gaiden, giving yuri fans something to cheer for.

• There's a particular scene in Episode 25 where Shizuma Hoshigaki corners Boruto after the latter stands up to one of his underlings. The pose they end up in looks pretty much like a Wall Pin of Love. Shisuma even compliments Boruto's eyes.
  • Shizuma gets even more with Kagura, especially with their Senpai-Kohai relationship. The way Shizuma tries to get Kagura to join his side, reaching out to gently caress his cheek, comes of as him trying to woo Kagura.

    "No matter how much you change, you belong with me."