<p>It says in season 3 that Naruto is Sasuke's best friend. Naruto saw that Sasuke was alone at the time just like him. Instead of talking to Sasuke becoming his friend, he became a rival.</p>

<p><em>However</em>, as the time passed through, they started becoming friends. Just like at the dock when they smiled back at each other. It's just that since they were getting along better through their time together in team 7, they had become friends. In this episode, he clearly states that Naruto is his best friend because of the time they spent together.</p>

<p>Showing that Naruto is his real friend, he didn't kill him. Instead, he left him behind. From what Itachi had said, "kill your best friend for the Mangekyou Sharingan power". He had to kill a friend, which in his reaction he had to choose Naruto. Instead, Sasuke walked away telling himself there had to be another way other than killing his best friend (Naruto).</p>

<p>So how they became best friends is through what they did in team 7.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-12-24T00:46:29.637Z
2017-12-24T03:25:25.183Z
2017-12-24T03:25:25.183Z
Olmea
<p>Naruto and Sasuke have something closer to brotherhood not friendship. </p>

<p>The Naruto plot needed there to be an underline friendship between the two of them(to facilitate the underling Asura and Indra plot). I always felt that their brief time together could never have fostered such a great bond. But, I guess they could have each seen each as the other but for a different set of circumstances. They both have the same origin story; their paths just diverged. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-12-21T14:28:31.817Z
"to facilitate the underlying Asura and Indra plot" But wouldn't this imply that the author had that plot in mind from the very beginning? Is there proof of that?
Shaymin Gratitude
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-12-22T00:50:57.917Z
Yes you're right that seemed kind of retconed in towards the end. But, throughout the story there was orochimaru and jiraiya and obito and kakashi that followed a similar pattern. My point is that the friendship didn't seem fully developed, but they had a kind of bond, because of their similar upbringing.
Darv
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-12-11T18:05:20.810Z
2017-12-11T18:39:46.437Z
2017-12-11T18:39:46.437Z
Darv
<p>Sasuke feels that there is no one else like Naruto in the whole ninja world who has felt the same loneliness and pain as he had. Hence, he considers him to be his best friend.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-11-30T06:53:43.570Z
This might be a good starting point for an answer. Could you improve it by adding some references to back up your answer?
Aki Tanaka
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-11-30T06:28:46.283Z
2017-11-30T06:53:00.860Z
2017-11-30T06:53:00.860Z
Yami Kanashi
<p>Naruto is Sasuke's best friend because he is actually his only real friend. I'm going to cover the initial character development and the final leading upto shippuden and try to explain the crux of the relationship between Sasuke and Naruto. This is going to be a long answer, hence apologies in advance if I go off rails a bit. :) </p>

<p>From his childhood he was as much of a loner as Naruto was. Both had no real kinship to anyone. Naruto's fixation towards Sasuke was a similar hindrance as that of the girls' crush on him. He cares only for strong and it can be seen as his interest in only the strong Genin such as Lee, Neji and Gaara. This changed with Team 7. From their first real mission (Land of Waves Arc), he realized what the "teamwork" could do that Kakashi talked about. Nothing helps forge kinship in a way than facing an adversity together. <br></p>

<p>If we look at the Land of Waves we see Sasuke's Character development:<br>
1. Disdain for Naruto
<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/CmuIe.png" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/CmuIe.png" alt="enter image description here"></a><br>
2. Realises Teamwork and Synergy: Defeating Zabuza 1st time
<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/DxVON.png" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/DxVON.png" alt="enter image description here"></a><br>
3. Training Together: Satisfaction
<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/VfZMW.png" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/VfZMW.png" alt="enter image description here"></a><br>
4. Saving Naruto's life by sacrificing his own (He doesn't know he has plot Armor)
<a href="https://i.sstatic.net/4SYuk.png" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/4SYuk.png" alt="enter image description here"></a><br></p>

<p>In the first three images, we can see Sasuke has a very similar facial expression, but through the context we can see that his attitude has changed a lot! For the first time in his life he is experiencing the feeling of camaraderie.</p>

<p>The first part of Naruto is Sasuke's journey as much as that of Naruto. We see Sasuke form actual bonds with Team 7 before they deteriorate again. Sasuke had always chased "strength" to defeat and kill Itachi. When he saw Naruto's growth he tried to break his "bonds" by belittling him and trying to undermine his self respect. Naruto however never gave up and followed him even when he left with the Sound Four. </p>

<p>The battle at the valley of the end is actually a realization on Sasuke part. </p>

<ul>
<li>He finally accepts that Naruto is his friend (Best by being virtue of only because he accepted no one else, even Kakashi or Sakura). </li>
<li>He makes a conscious decision of "breaking" the friendship for fulfilling his self proclaimed destiny of revenge.</li>
<li>He leaves Naruto alive because he didn't want to follow Itachi by killing his "best friend".</li>
</ul>

<p>From the flashback we know the significance of "friend" for Sasuke and his final decision</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/caoBz.png" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/caoBz.png" alt="enter image description here"></a><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/93vnn.png" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/93vnn.png" alt="enter image description here"></a><br></p>

<p>It is interesting to note he finally acknowledges Naruto, and faces his own feelings for him as a friend. This brings an end to the first part of Naruto leading upto Shippuden</p>

<p><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/OOctp.png" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/OOctp.png" alt="enter image description here"></a><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/fPQOd.png" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/fPQOd.png" alt="enter image description here"></a><a href="https://i.sstatic.net/2JYnI.png" rel="noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/2JYnI.png" alt="enter image description here"></a></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-12-20T14:10:33.297Z
Long, yes, but very well explained!
Wondercricket
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-12-20T23:50:44.340Z
Yes, I was wondering the same thing, but this made me remember, thanks!
John D
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-12-20T11:03:22.353Z
2017-12-20T11:03:22.353Z
Arcane
<p>I don't remember exactly which episodes they were, but there were several points where Sasuke clearly indicates that he thinks Naruto is his best friend. <strong>Why is that?</strong> They never really come off as close friends - more as co-workers with a competitive spirit (and eventually straight up enemies). Sasuke always seems to be focused on Itachi rather than Naruto and constantly expresses jealousy for Naruto. I can kind of understand why Naruto would be so fixated on Sasuke (they have similar backgrounds and he is the first boy that Naruto can get to know and have constant interactions with) but Sasuke seems to show this fixation later when Naruto suddenly gets good. At no point does Sasuke ever treat him like a best friend or close person.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-11-30T06:33:58.940Z
*At no point does Sasuke ever treat him like a best friend or close person* is not true, they both think each other as raibaru and Sasuke doesn't express explicitly but Naruto does, I think watching the last episodes where they recall their past after they collapse and can't move may give you some information
mirroroftruth
CC BY-SA 3.0
2017-11-30T06:58:32.057Z
The final fight showed some connection between the two but not so much to say friends. Empathy is not friendship although it is often present in such a relationship. Also, they have different types of loneliness. Sasuke even points that out by saying that he had a family but they were all killed whereas Naruto never had one in the first place so although it seems like they are in a similar situation, it is essentially different. As such, I'm not sure if that reason really works.
PGODULTIMATE
<naruto>
Why does Sasuke consider Naruto to be his best friend?
# Why does Sasuke consider Naruto to be his best friend?
Posted by: username_0 on 2017-11-30
I don't remember exactly which episodes they were, but there were several points where Sasuke clearly indicates that he thinks Naruto is his best friend. **Why is that?** They never really come off as close friends - more as co-workers with a competitive spirit (and eventually straight up enemies). Sasuke always seems to be focused on Itachi rather than Naruto and constantly expresses jealousy for Naruto. I can kind of understand why Naruto would be so fixated on Sasuke (they have similar backgrounds and he is the first boy that Naruto can get to know and have constant interactions with) but Sasuke seems to show this fixation later when Naruto suddenly gets good. At no point does Sasuke ever treat him like a best friend or close person.
**Tags:** naruto
> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: *At no point does Sasuke ever treat him like a best friend or close person* is not true, they both think each other as raibaru and Sasuke doesn't express explicitly but Naruto does, I think watching the last episodes where they recall their past after they collapse and can't move may give you some information  
> **username_0**: The final fight showed some connection between the two but not so much to say friends. Empathy is not friendship although it is often present in such a relationship. Also, they have different types of loneliness. Sasuke even points that out by saying that he had a family but they were all killed whereas Naruto never had one in the first place so although it seems like they are in a similar situation, it is essentially different. As such, I'm not sure if that reason really works.  
---
## 4 answers
### Answer by username_7 on 2017-12-20. Score: 11 | Accepted answer
Naruto is Sasuke's best friend because he is actually his only real friend. I'm going to cover the initial character development and the final leading upto shippuden and try to explain the crux of the relationship between Sasuke and Naruto. This is going to be a long answer, hence apologies in advance if I go off rails a bit. :)

From his childhood he was as much of a loner as Naruto was. Both had no real kinship to anyone. Naruto's fixation towards Sasuke was a similar hindrance as that of the girls' crush on him. He cares only for strong and it can be seen as his interest in only the strong Genin such as Lee, Neji and Gaara. This changed with Team 7. From their first real mission (Land of Waves Arc), he realized what the "teamwork" could do that Kakashi talked about. Nothing helps forge kinship in a way than facing an adversity together.

If we look at the Land of Waves we see Sasuke's Character development:  
1. Disdain for Naruto
[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/CmuIe.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/CmuIe.png)  
2. Realises Teamwork and Synergy: Defeating Zabuza 1st time
[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/DxVON.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/DxVON.png)  
3. Training Together: Satisfaction
[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/VfZMW.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/VfZMW.png)  
4. Saving Naruto's life by sacrificing his own (He doesn't know he has plot Armor)
[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/4SYuk.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/4SYuk.png)

In the first three images, we can see Sasuke has a very similar facial expression, but through the context we can see that his attitude has changed a lot! For the first time in his life he is experiencing the feeling of camaraderie.

The first part of Naruto is Sasuke's journey as much as that of Naruto. We see Sasuke form actual bonds with Team 7 before they deteriorate again. Sasuke had always chased "strength" to defeat and kill Itachi. When he saw Naruto's growth he tried to break his "bonds" by belittling him and trying to undermine his self respect. Naruto however never gave up and followed him even when he left with the Sound Four.

The battle at the valley of the end is actually a realization on Sasuke part.

* He finally accepts that Naruto is his friend (Best by being virtue of only because he accepted no one else, even Kakashi or Sakura).
* He makes a conscious decision of "breaking" the friendship for fulfilling his self proclaimed destiny of revenge.
* He leaves Naruto alive because he didn't want to follow Itachi by killing his "best friend".

From the flashback we know the significance of "friend" for Sasuke and his final decision

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/caoBz.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/caoBz.png)[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/93vnn.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/93vnn.png)

It is interesting to note he finally acknowledges Naruto, and faces his own feelings for him as a friend. This brings an end to the first part of Naruto leading upto Shippuden

[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/OOctp.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/OOctp.png)[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/fPQOd.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/fPQOd.png)[![enter image description here](https://i.sstatic.net/2JYnI.png)](https://i.sstatic.net/2JYnI.png)
> **Comments:**
> **username_8** (2017-12-20): Long, yes, but very well explained!  
> **username_9** (2017-12-20): Yes, I was wondering the same thing, but this made me remember, thanks!  
---
### Answer by username_2 on 2017-12-24. Score: 1
It says in season 3 that Naruto is Sasuke's best friend. Naruto saw that Sasuke was alone at the time just like him. Instead of talking to Sasuke becoming his friend, he became a rival.

*However*, as the time passed through, they started becoming friends. Just like at the dock when they smiled back at each other. It's just that since they were getting along better through their time together in team 7, they had become friends. In this episode, he clearly states that Naruto is his best friend because of the time they spent together.

Showing that Naruto is his real friend, he didn't kill him. Instead, he left him behind. From what Itachi had said, "kill your best friend for the Mangekyou Sharingan power". He had to kill a friend, which in his reaction he had to choose Naruto. Instead, Sasuke walked away telling himself there had to be another way other than killing his best friend (Naruto).

So how they became best friends is through what they did in team 7.
---
### Answer by username_3 on 2017-12-11. Score: 1
Naruto and Sasuke have something closer to brotherhood not friendship.

The Naruto plot needed there to be an underline friendship between the two of them(to facilitate the underling Asura and Indra plot). I always felt that their brief time together could never have fostered such a great bond. But, I guess they could have each seen each as the other but for a different set of circumstances. They both have the same origin story; their paths just diverged.
> **Comments:**
> **username_4** (2017-12-21): "to facilitate the underlying Asura and Indra plot" But wouldn't this imply that the author had that plot in mind from the very beginning? Is there proof of that?  
> **username_3** (2017-12-22): Yes you're right that seemed kind of retconed in towards the end. But, throughout the story there was orochimaru and jiraiya and obito and kakashi that followed a similar pattern. My point is that the friendship didn't seem fully developed, but they had a kind of bond, because of their similar upbringing.  
---
### Answer by username_5 on 2017-11-30. Score: 0
Sasuke feels that there is no one else like Naruto in the whole ninja world who has felt the same loneliness and pain as he had. Hence, he considers him to be his best friend.
> **Comments:**
> **username_6** (2017-11-30): This might be a good starting point for an answer. Could you improve it by adding some references to back up your answer?  
---
