The show is called "Naruto", so of course everything is going revolve around the character with that name. He's the king piece.

Have you ever noticed that pretty much every character Naruto comes in contact with has some startling revelation about themselves? Look and Neji, Gaara and even the 5th Hokage herself. These people change for better after an encounter with Naruto. It doesn't matter how clumsy and goofy he is, everyone eventually respects and admires him in some way or another.

And we know that strength isn't likely an issue because he manages to defeat or at least compete with enemies that seem to outclass him. Kakashi has told him that he may be the only ninja to surpass the 4th, the strongest known ninja of their village.

He's the hope of the village. He's the "king" piece that must be protected. He'll be the next Hokage.

I mean really, the show doesn't have that much depth.