Naruto: All 8 Senseis Who Trained Team 7, Ranked Weakest to Strongest

In Naruto, Team 7 did not become one of the strongest groups in the series because of just one teacher. Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura had Kakashi as their official sensei, but their journey also brought them under the guidance of some of the strongest shinobi in Masashi Kishimoto‘s world.

Each mentor helped a member of Team 7 grow in a different way. With that said, for this ranking, we are looking at eight major mentors who directly trained Naruto, Sasuke, or Sakura and played important mentor roles in their growth.

8 Ebisu Had Skills, But He Couldn’t Match the Others

Ebisu might not be the first name that comes to mind when talking about Naruto’s teachers, but he did play an important role early in the story. He was a skilled Tokubetsu Jonin who was chosen to train Naruto. His specialty was teaching young ninja, and he quickly noticed that Naruto needed better chakra control.

Ebisu’s training did help Naruto improve, but his time as Naruto’s teacher was short. Compared with the powerful mentors who came later, Ebisu simply did not have the same strength, experience, or impact, which is why he takes the eighth spot.

7 Yamato Was Key to Controlling Naruto’s Nine-Tails

Yamato had a very different job from most of the people on this list. He was not simply trying to make Naruto stronger. His Wood Release ability allowed him to suppress the Nine-Tails’ chakra, making him extremely useful whenever Naruto started losing control.

This became especially important after the time skip, when Naruto’s growing power made the Nine-Tails problem harder to handle. Still, his role was more about control and support than teaching Naruto a completely new level of power. That keeps him at 7th.

6 Fukasaku Taught Naruto the Power of Sage Mode

Fukasaku may have trained Naruto for a much shorter time than some of the others, but what he taught him was huge. After Jiraiya’s death, Naruto travelled to Mount Myoboku and began learning Sage Mode from the old toad.

The training takes place during one of the best Naruto arcs, the Pain Arc, and Naruto eventually learns how to gather natural energy and use it in battle. This becomes one of his biggest weapons against Pain. Fukasaku ranks above Yamato because he gave Naruto a powerful new ability that changed the way he fought.

5 Killer B Taught Naruto How to Fight With a Tailed Beast

Killer B brought something very different to Naruto’s training. Unlike most people around him, B actually knew what it was like to live with a tailed beast and use its power in battle. As the Eight-Tails’ jinchuriki, he had already achieved the kind of control Naruto desperately wanted.

Their training helped Naruto understand how to use the Nine-Tails’ chakra instead of simply fighting against it. B was also a strong fighter himself, but the mentors above him on this list had a bigger effect on Team 7’s overall journey.

4 Kakashi Took Team 7 to a Whole New Level

Kakashi is the easiest name to place on this list because he was the actual sensei of Team 7. He trained Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura from the very beginning and helped them understand what it really meant to work as a team.

His influence can be seen throughout Part I. During the Chunin Exams, Kakashi taught Sasuke the Chidori and helped him prepare for his fight with Gaara. He also pushed Naruto and Sakura to improve in their own ways. Kakashi may not have been as powerful as Jiraiya or Orochimaru at their peak, but unlike them, he directly shaped all three members of Team 7. That gives him the edge over Killer B.

3 Tsunade Turned Sakura Into a Powerful Medical Ninja

Sakura’s biggest jump in strength came after she started training under Tsunade. The Fifth Hokage taught her advanced medical ninjutsu and helped her develop the incredible physical strength that would later become one of her biggest weapons.

The difference was clear when Sakura returned after the time skip. During the Kazekage Rescue Mission, she fought alongside Chiyo against Sasori and showed just how much she had changed. Tsunade did not simply make Sakura stronger; she gave her a fighting style that suited her perfectly. She ranks 3rd because her training mainly shaped Sakura, while the other 2 had a much wider influence on Naruto‘s story.

2 Jiraiya Helped Naruto Reach His True Potential

Jiraiya was one of the most important teachers Naruto ever had. He taught Naruto how to summon toads, helped him deal with the Nine-Tails’ chakra, and most importantly, taught him the Rasengan.

Jiraiya also travelled with Naruto for more than two years before Shippuden, giving him some of the most important training of his life. Naruto still had plenty to learn afterward, but Jiraiya gave him the foundation he needed. Fukasaku helped Naruto master Sage Mode later, but Jiraiya’s influence lasted across much more of Naruto’s journey. That is why he takes the second spot.

1 Orochimaru Turned Sasuke Into a Much Stronger Shinobi

Orochimaru may have been one of the most dangerous villains in the Naruto world, but there is no denying the effect his training had on Sasuke. After leaving Konoha, Sasuke spent his time training under Orochimaru.

During that time, Sasuke became much stronger and learned how to use several new techniques. He also improved his swordsmanship, speed, chakra control, and overall fighting ability. Sasuke eventually became strong enough to turn against Orochimaru and defeat him, but that only makes the training more interesting.

Orochimaru also had an enormous amount of knowledge about ninjutsu, forbidden techniques, and the human body. That combination of knowledge, power, and influence puts Orochimaru at No. 1.

Now the big question: Which mentor do you think had the biggest impact on Naruto, Sasuke, or Sakura? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

Naruto and Naruto Shippuden are currently available to watch on Crunchyroll.