Thread: Naruto isn't stupid?

It seems like every topic that is read has a least one person referring to Naruto as an idiot. Though he may be lacking in common knowledge of the Ninja world (due in part to allowing the reader to learn along with him), he has shown a mind for combat. This type of intellect would be of the demand type, rather than academic, meaning that Naruto's smarts are triggered by need, rather than by want. Below are some of his moments of brightness:

Zabuza - Using a mass amount of Shadow Clones to hide his true objective, which was to disguise himself as a Fuuma Shuriken and get it to Sasuke, in a way that allowed Sasuke to understand the plan, without letting Zabuza in on it. This demonstrated both an understanding of Sasuke's psyche, to know how he would react, and the ability to think ahead multiple moves, forseeing even as far as Zabuza dodging the shuriken, allowing Naruto's surprise attack to free Kakashi from the water prison.

Neji Hyuga - Planned out moves and psychology were also seen in this fight as well, using shadow clones for misdirection once again. By intentionally keeping one clone back, Neji was drawn to attack it, believing that it was the true Naruto, keeping his distance from danger. In doing so, Neji left himself open to the real Naruto, by giving up sure footing for what he believed was the final blow. Naruto also used the uppercut from below the ground as a method of countering Neji's Byakugan; while Neji could have seen through the ground if he focused, his mind was instead focused on his 360 degree line of sight, which he had been using all battle long.

Rasengan Training - Due to his lack of talent in chakra molding, Naruto is seen as a having poor intelligence, but displayed creativity in using a Shadow Clone to assist in the stabilization of a Rasengan. This method, seen as a poor imitation, allowed Naruto to make a stronger form in the Odama Rasengan, and to accomplish what even the Fourth Hokage and Kakashi, both genius Shinobi, were unable to by combining nature manipulation to his Rasengan.

Kakuzu - Using a pair of Shadow Clones, which were easily dispatched, the real Naruto was able to judge the form by which the opponent fought, without causing any harm to his own body. This provided him with an estimate of the range that Kakuzu had with the tentacles sprouting from the masks on his body, giving him some clue as to how distant he needed to remain. He then created more Shadow Clones in order to use the new Rasengan without placing himself in danger. The outcome remains to be seen.

i say ...itz the kyubbi thats smart

Hail to jhodder! That ought to be said long ago. But title might be with dot at the end, not question mark.

Also there was the fight with Kiba, where he used the replacement justs in a clever way.

of course not! he is the most sensible ninja in a real battle/fight. while sasuke fears zabusa in the mist arc naruto thought the perfect idea to henge himself in the form of a big shiriken,for sasuke to be able to throw it to zabusa and free kakashi in the ice prison made by zabusa. he also thinks ahead in defeating his rival..,using his kagebunshin to fight for him and experimenting it to know his opponent's ability,like the fight w/neji,kiba in a very funny way.

Originally Posted by 000_

Hail to jhodder! That ought to be said long ago. But title might be with dot at the end, not question mark.

The reason I put a question mark in the topic is because im allowing people to draw their own conclusion; im simply presenting some example of his intellect,. since plenty of people point out his dumb moments.

While your points are valid take a look at these also valid points:

Sasuke Retrivial: If not for Shikamaru's intellegence they would've all failed. Look at Naruto trying to fight Kimimaro and then lose to him until Rock Lee steps in.

Deidara: Rushing at a guy who can fly usually doesn't work

Gaara: Good thing he listened to the frog because he probably would've been royally screwed without him

Orochimaru: Yeah he said "Sasuke" you don't have to get all emo about it

Sasuke: Refusing to treat him as an enemy until too late. You don't stare at him with a blank look and give him time to pull out to his sword; you attack and break his arms and legs and drag him back like you said you were going to before

Mizuki: Why are you trusting him in the first place and then continuing to trust him until he fills Iruka's back with a giant shuriken

Itachi: When a shady guy in a robe with clouds tells you to come with him you don't stand around and wait for his emo brother to attack him especially not with a giant sword wielding shark behind him.

In the part where Ori deals with the team seven to hand over the seal in the forest of death. Sasuke was scared to death and was about to hand it over when Naruto came and saves the day with his common sense.

In battles, naruto tense to stay cool under pressure and thinks calmly unless the guy goes fox.

Originally Posted by mystic_guard_sinoel

While your points are valid take a look at these also valid points:

Sasuke Retrivial: If not for Shikamaru's intellegence they would've all failed. Look at Naruto trying to fight Kimimaro and then lose to him until Rock Lee steps in.

Deidara: Rushing at a guy who can fly usually doesn't work

Gaara: Good thing he listened to the frog because he probably would've been royally screwed without him

Orochimaru: Yeah he said "Sasuke" you don't have to get all emo about it

Sasuke: Refusing to treat him as an enemy until too late. You don't stare at him with a blank look and give him time to pull out to his sword; you attack and break his arms and legs and drag him back like you said you were going to before

Mizuki: Why are you trusting him in the first place and then continuing to trust him until he fills Iruka's back with a giant shuriken

Itachi: When a shady guy in a robe with clouds tells you to come with him you don't stand around and wait for his emo brother to attack him especially not with a giant sword wielding shark behind him.

Well in the kimimaru thing Naruto was losing his mind with the only goal in his mind being to get sasuke back and kimi was blocking him from chasing him.

The Deidera thing, Naruto knows almost no long range techniques, thus trying to get close to attack would be necessary.

The whole gaara fight was totally whack if you think about it.

Naruto was mad because Oro made Sasuke his sex slave, and when he uses sasuke's name possessively (Our Sasuke) Naruto got mad again, which if you think about makes sense =p

With the Sasuke thing, if you notice Naruto had to take a break from walking around the base, and he tripped as he ran to Sasuke, he could barely stand let alone kick Sasuke's ass.

With Mizuki well... it was all mind games, Mizuki led Naruto into thinking he was the good one by telling Naruto about the secrets everyone hid from him D:

With the Itachi thing honestly 2 guys show up all bad ass, the first thing you think is "Im fked" he also tried to help Sasuke but Pervy dude #1 stopped him from attacking D:

Forgive me for any grammatical errors, this being the Naruto forum I'm sure you can read almost anything by now.

Originally Posted by jhodder

It seems like every topic that is read has a least one person referring to Naruto as an idiot. Though he may be lacking in common knowledge of the Ninja world (due in part to allowing the reader to learn along with him), he has shown a mind for combat. This type of intellect would be of the demand type, rather than academic, meaning that Naruto's smarts are triggered by need, rather than by want. Below are some of his moments of brightness:

Zabuza - Using a mass amount of Shadow Clones to hide his true objective, which was to disguise himself as a Fuuma Shuriken and get it to Sasuke, in a way that allowed Sasuke to understand the plan, without letting Zabuza in on it. This demonstrated both an understanding of Sasuke's psyche, to know how he would react, and the ability to think ahead multiple moves, forseeing even as far as Zabuza dodging the shuriken, allowing Naruto's surprise attack to free Kakashi from the water prison.

Neji Hyuga - Planned out moves and psychology were also seen in this fight as well, using shadow clones for misdirection once again. By intentionally keeping one clone back, Neji was drawn to attack it, believing that it was the true Naruto, keeping his distance from danger. In doing so, Neji left himself open to the real Naruto, by giving up sure footing for what he believed was the final blow. Naruto also used the uppercut from below the ground as a method of countering Neji's Byakugan; while Neji could have seen through the ground if he focused, his mind was instead focused on his 360 degree line of sight, which he had been using all battle long.

Rasengan Training - Due to his lack of talent in chakra molding, Naruto is seen as a having poor intelligence, but displayed creativity in using a Shadow Clone to assist in the stabilization of a Rasengan. This method, seen as a poor imitation, allowed Naruto to make a stronger form in the Odama Rasengan, and to accomplish what even the Fourth Hokage and Kakashi, both genius Shinobi, were unable to by combining nature manipulation to his Rasengan.

Kakuzu - Using a pair of Shadow Clones, which were easily dispatched, the real Naruto was able to judge the form by which the opponent fought, without causing any harm to his own body. This provided him with an estimate of the range that Kakuzu had with the tentacles sprouting from the masks on his body, giving him some clue as to how distant he needed to remain. He then created more Shadow Clones in order to use the new Rasengan without placing himself in danger. The outcome remains to be seen.

Zabuza - Everything you said i agree with in this fight. It was an excellent battle with a lot of wits and cunning moves. Unfortunately Naruto (along with every fight scene from here in with the exception of Shikamaru) just keeps getting stupider and moves more towards who has raw power than is smarter. You don't see the substitution techniques anymore...

Neji - if i remember correctly it isnt that naruto intentionally left one of his clones behind, its that no matter what naruto did there would always be one clone who did less than the others. Neji read naruto wrong, it wasn't naruto's intelligence.

Rasengan Training - The Fourth Hokage and Kakashi, both genius Shinobi, were unable to by combining nature manipulation to his Rasengan? The fourth died before completing the tech, naruto resumed where he left off. Naruto also had the equivalent of several years training and isnt even all the way to the new tech yet. His need didn't help him during that time and he almost gave up if not for Kakashi.

Kimimaro - He didn't realize from the Kimimaro fight that it would be useless? Naruto essentially fought Kimimaro hundreds of times and never gained an inch. He could have easily just made enough clones to mask his escape to pursue sasuke but he wasnt that smart. I thought you said he learns through need? Didn't he need to go after sasuke?

Kakuzu - It took Naruto what, 4-5 years (not counting the experience the shadow clone training/fights gave him) to finally BE TOLD by Kakashi how to properly use shadow clones for recon and training?

I shatter your moments of brightness with the clawing shadow of stupidity that is consuming the series.