The following contains a mention of suicide.

Over the decades in the Naruto franchise, there have been plenty of sinister villains who loved to cause trouble. However, some heroes have also had dark arcs in their formative journeys. These stories saw them at their lowest point. Fortunately, they overcame it and made amends.

Many fans felt that atonement had become a cliché in this property. But it’s a very human theme. Obtaining absolution speaks to the aspirations of some of these warriors. That’s why these redemption songs, no matter what, will always be among the best parts of the franchise. With that in mind, here are the most captivating redemption arcs in the series. Naruto-Verse.

10 Gaara of the Sand Found the Light

The Jinchūriki was prepared by hatred

• Gaara debuted in Naruto Chapter #35 in 2000.
• Gaara debuted in Naruto Episode #20 in 2003.

Gaara was a very likeable character. He had a rough upbringing. He was conditioned by his estate, Sunagakure, to wage war on Konoha. To make matters worse, he was turned into a vessel for Shukaku, the One-Tailed Beast. Gaara let this anger grow. It all boiled over into an alliance that saw his father work with Orochimaru to attack the Hidden Leaf. This attack killed the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi.

Gaara gave in to his bloodlust and tested himself against Naruto. He lost, with Naruto not choosing to kill him. After this kind act, Gaara and his village learned that war was not the solution. They became allies, forming partnerships in the war against Kaguya. Gaara eventually became the Kazekage, someone Konoha could trust, and the brother Naruto always wanted. In fact, when the other Kages doubted Konoha, Gaara defended the region. His sister, Temari, married Shikamaru and moved there as well. Gaara is essentially Konoha's family and the rock Naruto often leans on in times of trouble.

9 Nagato reprimanded the anger within

Akatsuki leader revives Konoha

• Nagato debuted in Naruto Chapter #372 in 2007.
• Nagato debuted in NarutoShippuden Episode #128 in 2009.

Nagato was one of the young shinobi trained by Jiraiya. When Jiraiya left him, Konan and Yahiko formed Akatsuki to spread peace, justice, and protection. The rigors and pressures of the kingdom took their toll on them. They made many enemies who wanted to ensure that they would not harm the business of terrorism and mercenary activity. Yahiko's death pushed Nagato over the edge. Nagato became a terrorist, using the group to try to enslave the kingdom and create order.

This war led to Jiraiya's death and Pain's drones destroying Konoha. Fortunately, Naruto used his Talk No Jutsu to convince Nagato to forget his tragic past and use his Rinnegan to resurrect the citizens of Konoha. It was a quick but nuanced redemption, to say the least. Nagato sacrificed his life to undo the genocide, reminding Naruto how valuable second chances can be in this cruel world. In his final moments, Nagato remembered the dream he had and how happy he was to learn from Jiraiya.

8 Konan cuts ties with chaos

The Akatsuki General tried to kill Tobi

• Konan debuted in Naruto Chapter #363 in 2007.
• Konan debuted in NarutoShippuden Episode #125 in 2009.

Konan decided to honor Yahiko and Nagato's memories by going after the person who manipulated Akatsuki from the shadows, Tobi. Konan tried to kill him, letting him know that she also wanted to wipe the red from her ledger. She was tired of the constant fighting. Plus, Naruto's unwavering optimism rubbed off on her.

Her redemption was short-lived and ended on a dark note. Tobi killed her, but her actions left a lasting impression on him. She planted the seeds that no one should be anyone's pawn. Naruto showed her and Nagato the light. And ironically, Tobi would remember this when it came time to redeem himself. This made Konan even more important to the franchise than she first realized.

7 Lady Tsunade was lost beyond repair

Senju Hashirama's granddaughter became a heroine

• Tsunade debuted in Naruto Chapter # 139 in 2002.
• Tsunade debuted in Naruto Episode #83 in 2004.

Now, Tsunade was not a villain, but a heroine who threw her career away. She lost loved ones in several wars, so she decided to ignore the legacy of her grandfather, the First Hokage. She became a louse, forgetting everything that Hashirama had passed on. She became obsessed with drinking and gambling. To her, the dark life offered more pleasure and less pain. But once Hiruzen died, Tsunade was sought after to replace him. She didn't want the job, but she soon realized that she needed to become the Fifth Hokage for the greater good.

Tsunade kicked her bad habits, improved her acting, took her role seriously, and helped prepare Sakura for battle. Tsunade also fought alongside Naruto's coalition. Without her medical prowess and high chakra count, the alliance would have fallen. Thanks to Tsunade finally believing in herself, the coalition gained a huge boost in the war against Kaguya's minions. Hers was a story about love, belief, and the power of the heart and soul within. To this day, Naruto often jokes that she went from being a grumpy old lady to the best "grandma" he could have asked for.

6 Yakushi Kabuto found a higher purpose

Kabuto became an important teacher

• Kabuto debuted in Naruto Chapter #39 in 2000.
• Kabuto debuted in Naruto Episode #23 in 2003.

Kabuto loved to imitate Orochimaru's experiments. He also became a snake ninja. Unfortunately, he was manipulated by Kaguya's minions, resurrecting elite soldiers for Madara's army. Over time, Kabuto realized the error of his ways and helped people like Sasuke. Without Kabuto, the war would not have been won. Kabuto needed to repent even more in order to complete his new mission.

He opened an orphanage and took in at-risk children like himself. He didn't want the disillusioned young man to fall into crime like he did. Kabuto even started taking care of Shin Uchiha's clones. Naruto trusts him in the Boruto was, because he knows Kabuto is genuine about this higher emotional calling. It helps with his karma, since he's caused a lot of destruction and collateral damage. But Kabuto has always been misguided. Now, he can be what he never was: a loving father and mentor to the new ninjas of Konoha. As well as all the lost souls wandering the village.

5 Orochimaru learned to believe in hope

Snake Ninja is now an inspiring scientist

• Orochimaru debuted in Naruto Chapter #45 in 2000.
• Orochimaru debuted in Naruto Episode #27 in 2003.

Orochimaru made many mistakes after breaking away from the legendary Sannin trio that included Jiraiya and Tsunade. In addition to murdering his teacher, Hiruzen, Orochimaru joined the Akatsuki. He also nearly killed Sasuke on a few occasions after trying to control his power. But then came the Kaguya drama, Orochimaru came into his own as Kabuto.

He selflessly offered his services to the alliance. Once the battle was over, Naruto offered him mercy and a chance to use his science for good. Orochimaru has been advancing his work, especially in medicine, to create a safer and more progressive era. He even fathered Mitsuki, assuring Naruto that he wants to see Konoha flourish and prosper into something better and more hopeful. Its evolution is his priority now.

4 Kakashi has accepted his position as a father.

Warrior Hatake never thought he would love again

• Kakashi debuted in Naruto Chapter #3 in 1999.
• Kakashi debuted in Naruto Episode #3 in 2002.

Kakashi was bitter when his father, Sakumo, killed himself. Konoha mistreated the man, so Kakashi was left soulless. He worked as an assassin in the ANBU and continued to objectify people. This is why he hated Obito, only to kick dominoes that would culminate in Rin's death and Obito's transformation into the evil Tobi. Not even his mentor, Minato (Naruto's father), could take the darkness out of Kakashi after that.

Fortunately, Kakashi would put an end to all the agony after Minato's death and realize that Konoha needed him to be at his best. Kakashi grew up to become a father figure to Team 7. It was ironic since he had been fatherless for all the major moments in his life. Yet, he assiduously took care of Sasuke, Naruto, and Sakura. Not to mention, he became best friends with Might Guy and a jovial Hokage after succeeding Tsunade. It was a complete turnaround as Kakashi realized that love was the best fuel for a shinobi. He stopped running from responsibility and started embracing his position as the ultimate caretaker.

3 Itachi went a long way to heal Sasuke

He helped restore the fire of the Uchiha clan.

• Itachi debuted in Naruto Chapter # 139 in 2002.
• Itachi debuted in Naruto Episode #180 in 2004.

Itachi became an anti-hero when he massacred the Uchiha clan, including his own parents. They wanted to stage a coup, so Itachi committed the act, fled, and took the blame so that Hiruzen wouldn't be accused of genocide. It was all public relations. Itachi later joined the Akatsuki as a secret agent and oversaw many deaths. His intentions were great and his heart was pure, but in trying to protect Sasuke, he incurred the wrath of his younger brother.

Itachi continued to beat Sasuke, but he later atoned. He was only raising Sasuke's level so that the teenager could restart the Uchiha Clan and transform it into something heroic. After Itachi died, he too was resurrected and helped Naruto's alliance win the war. Itachi gained closure on a personal level, while also ensuring that he helped achieve the vision that his mentor, Hiruzen, desired: that of unity. Sasuke learned a lot about sacrifice from Itachi on this long journey. He realized what family meant, which is why he had Sarada with Sakura. Without Itachi's lessons, he would never have understood this concept.

2 Uchiha Obito lost Tobi's poison

Obito became an unofficial Hokage

• Obito debuted in Naruto Chapter #239 in 2004.
• Obito debuted in NarutoShippuden Episode #32 in 2007.

Obito was like Naruto: a bright-eyed young man who wanted to become Hokage. However, Rin's death broke him and sent him down a corrupt path. He became Tobi, a replacement for Madara. Little did they both know that Kaguya's Zetsu was using them as pawns so she could enslave the world. After Naruto convinced Obito to shed Tobi's personality, he really went overboard.

Obito protected Kakashi and Naruto's crew, eventually sacrificing his life against the Rabbit Princess. He earned the forgiveness of Minato, who – as the Fourth Hokage – was happy to see Obito doing everything a Hokage would do. Obito's change of heart helped keep Kakashi and Naruto alive. Both eventually became Hokage, using Obito as a cautionary yet exemplary tale of how to recover from the abyss.

1 Uchiha Sasuke transformed into a paragon of virtue

Sasuke became the beacon that Naruto knew he would be.

• Sasuke debuted in Naruto Chapter #3 in 1999.
• Sasuke debuted in Naruto Episode #1 in 2002.

Sasuke wanted to punish Itachi and Konoha for playing judge, jury, and executioner against his clan. He put aside their differences, helped stop Kaguya, but then tried to kill Naruto and enslave the planet. Fortunately, Naruto beat him into submission, instilling common sense. Sasuke decided to be the hero Itachi wanted. He burned to learn, though. Itachi put him through mental pressure and emotional fire to understand ethics, morals, and how to be objective as a savior.

Sasuke eventually became a Ranger, married Sakura, and had Sarada. He mentored Boruto and partnered with him in arcs like Time Slip. Sasuke continued to save the world alongside Naruto from the many Ōtsutsuki aliens that would land. He transformed into a gentle giant, which is why, as cruel as he is, fans want him to be revived in Boruto: Two Blue Vortexes. He deserves a happy ending, reunited with his family after knowing loneliness, loss and pain all his life.