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Naruto's growth in the series is promoted primarily by his relationships with the others in his four-man cell, Team 7. Among the group were Sakura Haruno, Sasuke Uchiha and Kakashi Hatake, their Jonin squad leader. Naruto's motivation is often a combination of his desire to impress Sakura and his aspiration to surpass Sasuke.
Sakura Haruno
Naruto's relationship with Sakura begins on rocky ground. Sakura had been Naruto's long-time crush; unfortunately for him, Sakura did not think much of Naruto at first. Her judgment was partially influenced by his rivalry with her own long-time crush, Sasuke Uchiha. In addition to this, Naruto's childish attitude played a role in her initial dislike, and she was likely influenced by the other villagers' shunning of Naruto, as with most other children, even though she was unaware that Naruto was the demon fox's host until Part II. Sakura's view of Naruto improves after a while, however; she observes Naruto's growth throughout the series, occasionally even pointing out her desire to be as strong as he is, although she sometimes seeks to improve herself to avoid being inferior to Naruto, which she believes is particularly humiliating.
Naruto's relationship with Sakura seems to have matured after the time skip: though he still seems to have his deep crush on Sakura, he genuinely admires Sakura's healing abilities. Naruto and Sakura have a very easy time communicating with each other, despite the nearly three-year separation. They are capable of having a casual conversation together, and they seem to like spending time together. Regardless of their closer bond, Naruto and Sakura still have the same sort of childish disputes from before the time skip on occasion.
Sasuke Uchiha
Perhaps Naruto's most defining relationship, the bond between Naruto and Sasuke remains at the core of the series. The two are both rivals and friends, though more of the former than the latter. Their rivalry pushes them to outperform one another, which makes it a mutually beneficial relationship. The opinions of this greatly differ, however. While Naruto sees himself as an equal to Sasuke, or at least works his way up to that point, Sasuke sees himself as stronger than Naruto and frequently calls him a "loser". As such, whenever Sasuke finds that Naruto is either catching up to him or surpassing him, Sasuke feels as though he is inferior or weak. This opinion is not helped by the fact that Naruto is usually the most responsible for their team's victories, notably in the Invasion of Konoha Arc, when Naruto defeats Gaara after Sasuke fails to do so.
Sasuke's defection from the village leads to a grand battle between the two friends, during which their true sentiments are expressed. Naruto refuses to let Sasuke go, for fear that his greatest friendship will end. During this battle, Sasuke finally recognizes Naruto as an equal, and although Sasuke barely wins, he spares Naruto on a whim, realizing that killing him would be doing what his brother Itachi wants him to do. Naruto's drive to save and locate Sasuke remains at the core of early filler arcs and stays evident throughout several other episodes.
Sasuke's defection still affects Naruto and Sakura after the time skip; Sasuke is still a touchy subject for both of them. When Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke finally meet again, Sasuke greets them as he did when they became a team- with cold indifference- and even attempts to kill the two. Naruto and Sakura are clearly upset that he is no longer the Sasuke they knew. After his reunion with Sasuke, Naruto sinks into a deep depression. This is short lived, however. Even as an enemy, Sasuke still motivates Naruto; no longer is it through rivalry, but through the hope that they may one day be friends again. With his last encounter with Sasuke driving him, Naruto becomes more serious and focused than he's ever been.
Sakura Haruno
Naruto's relationship with Sakura begins on rocky ground. Sakura had been Naruto's long-time crush; unfortunately for him, Sakura did not think much of Naruto at first. Her judgment was partially influenced by his rivalry with her own long-time crush, Sasuke Uchiha. In addition to this, Naruto's childish attitude played a role in her initial dislike, and she was likely influenced by the other villagers' shunning of Naruto, as with most other children, even though she was unaware that Naruto was the demon fox's host until Part II. Sakura's view of Naruto improves after a while, however; she observes Naruto's growth throughout the series, occasionally even pointing out her desire to be as strong as he is, although she sometimes seeks to improve herself to avoid being inferior to Naruto, which she believes is particularly humiliating.
Naruto's relationship with Sakura seems to have matured after the time skip: though he still seems to have his deep crush on Sakura, he genuinely admires Sakura's healing abilities. Naruto and Sakura have a very easy time communicating with each other, despite the nearly three-year separation. They are capable of having a casual conversation together, and they seem to like spending time together. Regardless of their closer bond, Naruto and Sakura still have the same sort of childish disputes from before the time skip on occasion.
Sasuke Uchiha
Perhaps Naruto's most defining relationship, the bond between Naruto and Sasuke remains at the core of the series. The two are both rivals and friends, though more of the former than the latter. Their rivalry pushes them to outperform one another, which makes it a mutually beneficial relationship. The opinions of this greatly differ, however. While Naruto sees himself as an equal to Sasuke, or at least works his way up to that point, Sasuke sees himself as stronger than Naruto and frequently calls him a "loser". As such, whenever Sasuke finds that Naruto is either catching up to him or surpassing him, Sasuke feels as though he is inferior or weak. This opinion is not helped by the fact that Naruto is usually the most responsible for their team's victories, notably in the Invasion of Konoha Arc, when Naruto defeats Gaara after Sasuke fails to do so.
Sasuke's defection from the village leads to a grand battle between the two friends, during which their true sentiments are expressed. Naruto refuses to let Sasuke go, for fear that his greatest friendship will end. During this battle, Sasuke finally recognizes Naruto as an equal, and although Sasuke barely wins, he spares Naruto on a whim, realizing that killing him would be doing what his brother Itachi wants him to do. Naruto's drive to save and locate Sasuke remains at the core of early filler arcs and stays evident throughout several other episodes.
Sasuke's defection still affects Naruto and Sakura after the time skip; Sasuke is still a touchy subject for both of them. When Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke finally meet again, Sasuke greets them as he did when they became a team- with cold indifference- and even attempts to kill the two. Naruto and Sakura are clearly upset that he is no longer the Sasuke they knew. After his reunion with Sasuke, Naruto sinks into a deep depression. This is short lived, however. Even as an enemy, Sasuke still motivates Naruto; no longer is it through rivalry, but through the hope that they may one day be friends again. With his last encounter with Sasuke driving him, Naruto becomes more serious and focused than he's ever been.
