Why did Naruto end up marrying Hinata? As a married man, I understand deeply: when looking for a wife, don’t look for someone you love; find someone who loves you. Chasing a goddess for a long time and finally marrying her often turns into a nightmare after many years. Only a girl who is ordinary but loves you truly can make you feel what a warm harbor is.

Many say Kishimoto doesn’t understand love; on the contrary, after watching Naruto for over a decade, I realize Kishimoto is drawing while experiencing life. At the beginning, he admired Lee for his talentless but hardworking spirit, fate was sealed for him, but Naruto’s mouth kept fooling Neji into believing he could break free from his shackles, and Zabuza drew his sword for his loyal subordinate to his employer. Kakashi considered those who couldn’t complete their missions as trash, and abandoning comrades was even worse than trash.

During this phase, Kishimoto was often frustrated and unfulfilled, harboring resentment in his mind, wanting to rebel against authority and challenge it, hoping to change his fate through effort. Lee, Neji, Zabuza, and Naruto are all reflections of Kishimoto himself.

As time passed, Kishimoto transformed from an unknown, unfulfilled young man into a renowned manga artist known across Japan and even worldwide. He matured, elevated his perspective, and saw the world differently.

Jiraiya’s death was a turning point. Jiraiya, who spanned the eras of the Fourth Hokage, Nagato, and Naruto, was rebellious yet loyal and brave—he was Naruto’s master and also gave him paternal love. The original story depicts Jiraiya’s desire to change the ninja world, eliminate hatred, create bonds, and forge a future. The essence of the ninja tradition is the Hokage.

Then Jiraiya died. After his death, the Hokage no longer displayed rebellious, resistant, striving, or indomitable spirits; instead, despair filled every corner. During this phase, Kishimoto faced life upheavals or setbacks—basically, he “matured.”

Naruto, who fought against fate, accepted it and embraced it. The caged bird seeking liberation chose death as its release. Lee was just an ordinary person. Behind many glorious and magnificent ninja world wars, there was only a game of shadows, pawns planning behind the scenes. Such dark, despairing plots are deeply ironic and tragic.

Therefore, Haruno Sakura and Naruto cannot be together. During the Valley of the End battle, Naruto unsealed the Four-Tails, his entire body burned and he lost his senses in extreme pain. Sakura’s gaze at Naruto was undoubtedly full of love—any woman would refuse a man willing to endure such pain for her. Yet, a few episodes later, when Sakura found Sasuke at Orochimaru’s base, she immediately forgot about Naruto, who had just burned his own skin for her, and embraced Sasuke.

Do Sasuke and Sakura have emotional exchanges? No. Did Sasuke like Sakura? No. Did Sasuke treat Sakura well? No. Why does Sakura like Sasuke? Just because Sasuke was handsome at age six. Many women are superficial like this—superficial to the point of being laughable. Sakura is such a woman: superficial, lovesick, persistent, straightforward, naive—unworthy of the world’s beauty.

Contrast that with Hinata: noble family background, proper posture, gentle, generous, and serious personality. These are not the most important. When Naruto was pinned to the ground by Pain’s black rods, the entire village watched—including Sakura. Only this timid, insecure, shy girl, biting her lip and standing stubbornly in front of Pain, boldly confessed her love, even if it meant risking her life to help her beloved boy pull out the rods. From that moment on, Naruto and Hinata became a canonical pair—no doubt.

Kishimoto’s view of love is correct: being able to maintain a good friendship with your unrequited love is a blessing; being able to stay with a lover willing to face life and death together is true happiness.