Which Character do you think has the most potential

[Jessper]

Enigmatic_Paragon saying that Haku had to be ANBU is an assumption, you can learn about the bodys lay out in places other than ANBU training. Kakshi belived he was ANBU but that doesn't make it a fact. Also Zabuza closed his eyes in the mist as well giving him a disadvantage still because when they got close they could see each other, or rather Kakashi could see him making it worse close range than Gai's (if your using hand to hand only then the ability to see his feet from far away vs not seeing anything wouldn't make a huge difference either.)

Naruto has working brains, you just don't seem to get it(ironic eh?) he may be loud and noisy some times but there is a reason he is the #! ninja at suprising people.

[miaka]

how sad... V_V how come nobody is voting for gaara and shika

[Eurasian]

yea, really? who voted for sakura???!!!

i voted for naruto. just look at him before and look at him now. it's a big gap.

[RekkaShinen]

I didn't vote for sakura

[ShinobiNeko]

mystery

[miaka]

yes indeed... who did!!! show yourself... come forth and stop hiding

[Uchiha Barles]

Naruto. He has the nine tails which seems to be the most powerful demon chakra wise, bar none (as far as we know), and he's learning certain techniques which are forcing him to improve his basics, including chakra control, chakra output, ect. His ninjutsu is going to be no joke, I have confidence that he'll be awesome at stealth things cuz he is a trickster. I'm just hoping his damn taijutsu doesn't stay so ugly. There's no doubt in my mind that naruto is going to learn a substantial number of techniques before the show ends, many of which most people would not be able to master, making naruto above average even without the demon chakra. However, as was stated before...he is the main character...

[Stoopider]

Putting Naruto isn't fair though. Heh.

Naruto has unlimited chakra, he can practically learn everything.

Sasuke probably is probably second to him. He has the sharingan, to be able to copy everything, and use them at his own disposal. Thats why Oro wants him.

I don't think Neji has much potential. He'll probably be the best hand to hand fighter amongst them all. But that'll be it. Just a tough soldier for the Konoha ninja's.

[Enigmatic_Paragon]

Jesper>>>

Enigmatic_Paragon saying that Haku had to be ANBU is an assumption, you can learn about the bodys lay out in places other than ANBU training. Kakshi belived he was ANBU but that doesn't make it a fact. Also Zabuza closed his eyes in the mist as well giving him a disadvantage still because when they got close they could see each other, or rather Kakashi could see him making it worse close range than Gai's (if your using hand to hand only then the ability to see his feet from far away vs not seeing anything wouldn't make a huge difference either.)

Point one: True, we dont know for certain that Haku is an ANBU member. However we have comments pointing towards that direction on which basis I make such an assuption. This is an anime - when trying to interpret something, the most likely explaination is the one we are positioned to view, and I'd say its quite clear how we are positioned to see Haku - that is as a former Mist ANBU.

Point 2: Yes, Zabuza closed his eyes hence putting him at an apparent disadvantage. The flip side is that the zero visibility mist essentially meant Kakashi may as well have had his eyes closed too. As long as they both lose out on a particular aspect, it is valid to say that they are fighting "On equal footing".

Naruto has working brains, you just don't seem to get it(ironic eh?) he may be loud and noisy some times but there is a reason he is the #! ninja at suprising people.

What? You mean like he surprised Zabuza and Haku? Or you mean like he completely failed to discern the meaning of the first exam, nor figure out a way to cheat? Or perhaps youre talking about the time he had the brillient idea of opening up the earth scroll in the 2nd exam without considering that the examiners arnt so stupid as to faili to have measures regarding those who break rules?
The fact is, we are positioned to see Naruto as not all that bright. If youve managed to see this some other way youve evidently been watching a different Naruto - I mean its all nice and good to take a resistant reading - You'll probably get some marks in an essay if you can properly justify your position - of something but while were discussing something like this, its a safe bet to go with what the author positions us to see.
Oh yeah, and surprising people has absolutely nothing to do with how smart/intelligent someone is. Unless of course you happen to believe that trying to attack Ebisu in desperation is somehow an indication of astute intelligence as opposed to the unpredictable and impulsive charactersitics of Naruto, in which case I'd be rather worried about your good judgement.

[ShinobiNeko]

v_v I think everyone on that list has more potential than Sakura

[Jessper]

Originally posted by: Enigmatic_Paragon
What? You mean like he surprised Zabuza and Haku? Or you mean like he completely failed to discern the meaning of the first exam, nor figure out a way to cheat? Or perhaps youre talking about the time he had the brillient idea of opening up the earth scroll in the 2nd exam without considering that the examiners arnt so stupid as to faili to have measures regarding those who break rules?
The fact is, we are positioned to see Naruto as not all that bright. If youve managed to see this some other way youve evidently been watching a different Naruto - I mean its all nice and good to take a resistant reading - You'll probably get some marks in an essay if you can properly justify your position - of something but while were discussing something like this, its a safe bet to go with what the author positions us to see.
Oh yeah, and surprising people has absolutely nothing to do with how smart/intelligent someone is. Unless of course you happen to believe that trying to attack Ebisu in desperation is somehow an indication of astute intelligence as opposed to the unpredictable and impulsive charactersitics of Naruto, in which case I'd be rather worried about your good judgement.

You are only harping on the bad points, how about when he thought up using shadow replication and shadow windmill(i think it was..) on Zabuza, or using Kiba's extreme ability to smell against him, for using shadow replication to fake that the rest of his teammates were in the mess with him against those ninjas in the 2nd part of the chuunin exam that had tons of replications(when they were almost to the tower), or tricking Neji in their fight in the stadium ect... So he doesn't do that great on written test(neither does Shikamaru hohoho!) that doens't classify his completly, you have to look at the rest of him.

Also, what would you have done in the 2nd exam if you thought that everyone else had reached home base already and you were missing a heaven scroll and knowing that one was destroyed so you could be the odd one out and not have a chance at getting it. They had considered that there was fail safes and they were going about the opening slow and safely but they belived they had no other choice if they wanted to pass.

From what I saw with Kakshi vs Zabuza the second time he could see at least a couple of feet giving him an advantage when they get into hand to hand combat so I don't think they were on equal ground. Granted this was better than Gai's method but I don't think it would be good enough.

I still don't see why you would belive that we are supposed to assume that Haku was ANBU, Kabuto stole a mask from an ANBU, why couldn't Haku? Zabuza could have tought him what we are supposed to apperantly assume he learned while being an ANBU. I personaly get the impression he stayed with Zabuza the vast majority of his time after meeting him and Zabuza is exiled soooo.

[Enigmatic_Paragon]

Jesper>>>

You are only harping on the bad points, how about when he thought up using shadow replication and shadow windmill(i think it was..) on Zabuza, or using Kiba's extreme ability to smell against him, for using shadow replication to fake that the rest of his teammates were in the mess with him against those ninjas in the 2nd part of the chuunin exam that had tons of replications(when they were almost to the tower), or tricking Neji in their fight in the stadium ect...

This in part reinforces what I said about him getting anywhere by virtue of his main character status. If we were to examine it closely (and we arnt supposed to since this IS an anime for enjoyment as opposed to a literary text) we can find a distinct break in continuity between his actions outside the critical moment of a fight, and those during it. To put it simply, there is a very significant difference in the competence of Naruto which is arguably put in because Naruto as the main character must be able to resolve situations - wether it is a social situation (like how he responds to Konohamaru when they first meet) or a fighting situation.

Of course, the plan to free Kakashi from Zabuza was no doubt a good plan. A rare moment of insight indeed. Why do we not see corresponding intelligence from Naruto elsewhere in the anime? Dont get me wrong - Im not saying that Naruto is mentally challenged. Just that is below average in intelligence.
You gave Kiba's smell as an example. There were 2 instances that his sense of smell was used against him. The first, to get rid of Akamaru, and that is attrubited by the Hokage as an idea from his background as a prankster. Good idea, but given that particular background (as prankster), someone else in his situation would likely have come up with a similar plan. The fart was pure luck. I wont even bother debating you there if you attempt to challenge this fact.
The shadow replications before the end of the second exam - same explaination as your point about freeing Kakashi from Zabuza. Same with the Neji act.

Of course, you might argue this - you then I'll ask you to explain just *why* is it than in almost every fight Naruto enters - especially when he is fighting with his teammates against an enemy - he invariably announces he is going to do something only to have someone else tell him to "stop" because it is a stupid idea?
He does this during the first encounter with Zabuza, and during the 2nd encounter with Zabuza. During the exam, Sasuke relies on Naruto's below average intelligence to distinguish him from enemies (he cant remember password). During the encounter with Orichimaru, he fails to grasp the situation and blindly attacks.
At the end of the 2nd exam, Iruka uses Naruto as an example of someone who is lacking 'mind'.
During the 3rd exam prelims, he rushes in to fight Neji and is stopped by Lee.
During the 3rd exam, he rushes in for hand to hand combat and ONLY THEN realises that hand to hand is bad! And that after seeing Neji's fighting style and training for a month to defeat it!
Attack on Konoha: During the case after Sasuke - Naruto's idea is to go through a fight between 2 unknown opponents. The smart idea which Sakura and Pakkun have to explain to him is to go around.
Fight with Gaara: Threatening to beat Gaara up if he hurt Sasuke or Sakura while he could easily kill Sakura (Isnt the last thing you want to do in that situation provoke it?).
Encounter with Itachi: Im going to beat them up even though theyre after me and can Kill me without any problems!

Are you seeing a pattern? You should be. The above list covers just about EVERY fight that has taken place to date. The comment by Iruka should have been the equivalent of a sign with flashing lights and complementary bells and whistles.
No matter how you argue, it does not change reality. It is a FACT that Naruto isnt smart. Its his character weakness for goodness sake! If Kishimoto had wanted to think Naruto was smart like you seem to proclaim, he wouldnt have Naruto doing/suggesting something stupid at some point during ***EVERY*** fight! Its not like its an isolated incident you know!

If you choose to be blinded by some fanatical devotion to a particular, thats fine. But really - it isnt all that hard to open your eyes and see what should be blindingly obvious. Noone is denying that Naruto has come up with some smart ideas but as they say, 1 dog does not a pack make. (IE, it takes more than a smart idea to be called smart).

[Stoopider]

Heheh. His lack of intelligence sometimes makes him unpredictable....not unpredictable in his fighting, but rather unpredictable that after he gets beaten the shit outta him, he suddenly stands up and does something miraculous.

Well, but don't forget that all his battle's fought, he's lousy crap fighting is to make the show more dramatic as well. (Like vs. Neji, Zabuza, Haku, Gaara).

Instead of just labeling him 'stupid', I would consider him temperamental. Temparemental people are mostly doofus'es, but can sometimes show instances of brilliance.

But yeah, he's leaning more towards 'Stupid'.

Thats my 2 cent.

[oniorochi]

Naruto, even without the youma Kyubi, has the most potential. We see this in the first episode where he protects Iruka; the same massive chakra and the same mass shadow clone jutsu in the fight with Gara. Plus, in the fight with Gara he also summons Gamabunta with only his own chakra.
Naruto is battlesmart, he does great innovation in battles, and he also inspires people. Now, off battle Naruto is still a brat, but battlesmart is truly smart, once he comes of age he will show his brains; though I think he will end up a pervert just like Sarutobi and Jiraya.

As Naruto is mighty even without the youma chakra, I think it's logical if he ends up battling the Kyubi in the end.

[Stoopider]

Actually the Kyuubi's chakra is slowly leaking into his chakra. Although blue might be 'his' chakra, it's also because of the Kyuubi effecting it making it more. Well, thats what most people say. We all would love to think that Naruto did it all by himself. But we can't be certain about it though.

[Mut]

Originally posted by: oniorochi
Naruto, even without the youma Kyubi, has the most potential. We see this in the first episode where he protects Iruka; the same massive chakra and the same mass shadow clone jutsu in the fight with Gara. Plus, in the fight with Gara he also summons Gamabunta with only his own chakra.
Naruto is battlesmart, he does great innovation in battles, and he also inspires people. Now, off battle Naruto is still a brat, but battlesmart is truly smart, once he comes of age he will show his brains; though I think he will end up a pervert just like Sarutobi and Jiraya.

As Naruto is mighty even without the youma chakra, I think it's logical if he ends up battling the Kyubi in the end.

uhhh... you're wrong dude... i think this forum already had a long discussion on this. in the first episode, naruto uses kyubi chakra to summon all those clones. but against gaara he used all of his own chakra to do that mass kage bunshin. which is why he needed kyubi chakra to summon gamabunta. besides, kyubi chakra has been mixing with naruto's for a long time now, so it's not even really naruto's own chakra anymore.

this is what naruto says after he summoned his mass clones. notice how sand is surrounding him.

this is right before naruto summons gamabunta. notice his change in physical appearance.

[Jessper]

Originally posted by: oniorochi
Naruto, even without the youma Kyubi, has the most potential. We see this in the first episode where he protects Iruka; the same massive chakra and the same mass shadow clone jutsu in the fight with Gara. Plus, in the fight with Gara he also summons Gamabunta with only his own chakra.
Naruto is battlesmart, he does great innovation in battles, and he also inspires people. Now, off battle Naruto is still a brat, but battlesmart is truly smart, once he comes of age he will show his brains; though I think he will end up a pervert just like Sarutobi and Jiraya.

As Naruto is mighty even without the youma chakra, I think it's logical if he ends up battling the Kyubi in the end.

exactly. Naruto reminds me of vash in that he acts stupid alot but when it comes down to it he pulls something off.

Disclaimer:I was agreeing with him about battlesmarts not him summonging the frog boss with only his own chakara(which didn't happen).

[SofaKing]

Remember, Naruto is only about 13 years old. 13-year olds aren't know for their good judgment.

I say that once Naruto gets older he'll show better judgment.