Naruto has always nurtured themes like family and friendship beyond the incredible abilities its characters possess. Like most anime, it is often believed that the best character development, abilities, relationships, and stories are given to the main characters. While this might be true when assessing Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke individually, they were never the team that truly embodied camaraderie and friendship. Their bond felt more circumstantial than deeply rooted, making them stand out from other teams in an unexpected way.

Though Naruto's main characters shared moments throughout the franchise, there were too few to define their true relationship. Naruto formed meaningful friendships outside of Sasuke, and Sakura did the same. Unlike other teams that relied heavily on each other, Team 7 often functioned as individuals rather than a cohesive unit. This lack of unity made them powerful, but not necessarily the best representation of teamwork and loyalty.

Team 7’s Strength Overshadowed Their Connection

Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura Didn’t Grow as a Team

Team 7, composed of Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, and their teacher Kakashi Hatake, was one of the most powerful teams in Naruto, but their strength often outshined their bond. From the very beginning, finding common ground was a struggle, something Kakashi noticed during their first meeting. While the bell-stealing exercise hinted at teamwork, their connection never truly deepened beyond that. Rather than exploring their daily interactions, Naruto primarily focused on Team 7 during missions, the Chunin Exams, and their individual pursuits of power.

As the series progressed, each member became remarkably stronger, earning well-deserved recognition. Naruto mastered Sage Mode and later unlocked Kurama’s full power, Sasuke awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan and trained under Orochimaru, and Sakura refined her medical ninjutsu and monstrous strength under Tsunade. However, while their individual abilities flourished, their connection as a team remained stagnant.

Sasuke’s decision to become a rogue ninja in Naruto Episode #109 severed what little bond they had, as he left Konoha to seek revenge against his brother, Itachi. While he briefly considered staying due to the teamwork he experienced, Naruto’s rapid growth only pushed him further away. Perhaps this is why some may argue that Sakura was a better friend to Naruto—contrary to the popular belief in the fandom that Sasuke held that role.

Sasuke’s Departure Disrupted Team 7’s Genuine Growth

Sasuke Leaving the Team Showed How Their Individual Goals Mattered More

Sasuke left Konoha early in the series, severing his ties with Team 7 to pursue his own path to power. While his decision fueled his growth, it also pushed Naruto and Sakura to train harder, leaving behind an incomplete team dynamic. The issue was not just about their strength but the lost opportunity to deepen their friendship. It wasn’t only Naruto and Sakura who felt the weight of his absence—many of their comrades risked their lives during the Sasuke Retrieval Arc, which spanned from Naruto episodes #107 to #135, in hopes of bringing him back.

The Sasuke Retrieval Arc remains the most impactful arc in the series, showcasing the potential of Naruto’s generation and the bonds they built beyond their assigned teams. Characters like Rock Lee, Choji Akimichi, and Neji Hyūga put everything on the line to save Sasuke, emphasizing how much he meant to them. Despite their efforts, Sasuke continued down a darker path, becoming a major threat to both his former friends and Konoha itself. In Naruto: Shippuden episode #51, he made it clear that he severed his ties with Team 7, believing their bond held him back from achieving his true goal.

The Fourth Great Ninja War Was an Empty Reunion

The Reunion Was Epic, But Lacked Depth in Team 7’s Connection

The war was one of the greatest highlights of the entire Naruto franchise. The finale showcased intense battles and characters reaching their peak, such as Might Guy, who nearly lost his life unlocking the Eighth Gate against Madara. Among the many thrilling moments, one of the most anticipated was Sasuke’s reunion with Naruto and Sakura, officially reforming Team 7. In Naruto: Shippuden episode #373, while Sasuke did not return to rekindle their bond, even other teams felt nostalgic seeing them fight side by side once more.

Their reunion was celebrated, especially when they showcased the Three-Way Deadlock, mirroring their masters, Jiraiya, Tsunade, and Orochimaru. However, despite the spectacle, their bond remained unresolved throughout the war. It wasn’t until Sasuke’s final battle with Naruto that their connection was finally settled, though his redemption felt rushed. While he was forgiven easily, showing how much Naruto, Sakura, and Kakashi cared for him, his self-imposed punishment—refusing the Hashirama cell to restore his arm and not allowing himself to be imprisoned—felt too swift, especially considering how often Sasuke played the role of a villain rather than a friend throughout the series.

Other Teams in Naruto Had Better Bond

Ino-Shika-Cho Is the Team That Truly Set the Standards

While Team 7 was the strongest of their generation, their connection always felt weak compared to other teams. Ino-Shika-Cho, for example, showed the best teamwork and friendship, working together smoothly in battle while staying close outside of missions. Their teamwork was ed down through generations, making their bond feel natural and unbreakable. Unlike Team 7, which often struggled with personal issues, Ino-Shika-Cho trusted each other completely, making them a true team. Even outside of combat, their friendship remained strong, ing each other in ways Team 7 never did.

In the end, being strong wasn’t what made a team great—it was the bond they shared. While Team 7 had moments of working together, their friendship never felt as deep as other teams. Groups like Ino-Shika-Cho proved that teamwork and trust were just as important as power. Even teams like Hinata, Kiba, and Shino had a closer dynamic, often working together as a unit. Naruto's Team 7 may have been legendary, but they never truly showed what it meant to be a real team, making their strength feel hollow in comparison.