Masashi Kishimoto, the creator of the Naruto series, has delivered some incredible fights over the years in his manga, but none have come even remotely close to the final battle between Naruto Uzumaki and Sasuke Uchiha, the protagonist and the deuteragonist of the Naruto series, respectively.
Naruto and Sasuke are the focal point of the vast majority of the Naruto series, and their rivalry is what made the story as beautiful as it ended up being. The exciting battles between these two friends propelled Naruto to immense heights of popularity, and it reached such a level that, even over a decade after the conclusion of the series, these two fights are considered to be some of the best that anime and manga in general have delivered to us all these years. Now, 12 years after the conclusion of the Naruto series, on November 10, 2014, in Weekly Shonen Jump Issue 50, Masashi Kishimoto is officially making a comeback with new Naruto content and, much to the surprise of the fans, a new Naruto vs. Sasuke battle. Having fought twice already, this third and final fight will decide once and for all who is stronger between the two, and that is something that we as fans are eagerly waiting to see.
New Masashi Kishimoto Manga Confirms Naruto Vs Sasuke Part 3
Masashi Kishimoto wrote Naruto for 15 long years as the series began its run in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump on September 21, 1999, in the 43rd issue of the year. Back then, few knew that the series would go on to become a phenomenon as big as it ended up becoming. Over the next 15 years, it completely dominated the world. Naruto became a global sensation alongside the likes of One Piece and Dragon Ball and reached incredible levels of popularity. The series eventually wrapped up on November 10, 2014, in Shueisha’s Weekly Shonen Jump issue 50, establishing a legacy for itself that endures to this day.
“It’s kind of like a prayer. To keep enduring until it comes to be, no matter what. And to those on whom that task falls… Perhaps that is what it means to be a ninja.” — Naruto Uzumaki, Naruto Chapter #699
While the Naruto franchise continued through Boruto, the sequel series, few fans consider it to be a quality continuation. Boruto leaves a lot to be desired, and that is one of the reasons why Masashi Kishimoto, the creator of the original Naruto series, is now making a comeback. Masashi Kishimoto’s comeback was officially confirmed on October 10, 2026, the very same day when Naruto celebrates his birthday. On this day, New York Comic Con 2026 was held, and Naruto had its own panel. There, Project Rasengan was officially unveiled, and the very last announcement that came at the end of it all was a new Naruto manga continuation by Masashi Kishimoto.
Kishimoto’s new manga doesn’t have an official release date yet, but the author revealed quite a few drafts to us, which confirmed that this new arc of the manga is set after the events of the 4th Shinobi World War. At the same time, it also confirmed to us that the third and final battle between Naruto and Sasuke will be held in this manga. Kishimoto even gave us a brand-new panel of these two clashing once again in the Valley of the End after years, which excites us to no end. With Naruto vs. Sasuke Part 3 officially set to begin, the Naruto world is going to enter a new era and expand upon an incredibly fantastic world more than it has already.
Why Naruto And Sasuke Are Fighting In The New Sequel Manga
Fans all over the world may be wondering why Naruto and Sasuke are fighting in the new Naruto manga. Unfortunately, this question cannot be answered now. If this series is consistent with what Masashi Kishimoto built towards the end of the original Naruto series, then we can say with certainty that this new battle is not going to be with these two fighting as enemies.
Naruto and Sasuke have always held a friendly rivalry, and at times, this rivalry has become incredibly serious, with them standing at two extremes of ninja ideology. That changed with the release of Naruto Chapter 699 on November 10, 2014, with Sasuke officially giving his hand to Naruto Uzumaki and helping him build a completely new ninja world. For there to emerge another conflict between these two is practically impossible, but that doesn’t mean Naruto vs. Sasuke cannot happen.
Sasuke: I will put an end to myself!
Naruto: You dying isn’t going to solve anything. If you’re willing to go that far, then help me instead!
— Sasuke and Naruto decide to build peace, Naruto Chapter #699
In fact, in the final battle between the two, Naruto Uzumaki wanted to fight Sasuke at his very best, but not against the version that was overtaken by the desire to revolutionize the ninja world by executing the Five Kage and killing the Tailed Beasts. Now that Sasuke has broken free of the curse of hatred, the actual battle between Naruto and Sasuke can finally be held, and that is precisely what Masashi Kishimoto’s new manga is going to deliver to us.
Naruto: I’m giving this [Shinobi Headband] back to you.
Sasuke: Sure! I’ll hold on to it until the day we have our real fight.
— Sasuke announces intention to fight Naruto again, Naruto Chapter #699
In other words, Naruto vs. Sasuke round 3 is not going to be a battle of ideologies or one where they still try to kill each other. Instead, it is going to be a battle where two friends test their abilities to the absolute limits against each other to see who the stronger of the two is.
Who The Stronger Between Naruto And Sasuke Is Going To Be Revealed
With Naruto vs. Sasuke round 3 officially underway, fans all over the world may be wondering as to who the stronger of the two is. The answer to that depends on how Kishimoto demonstrates their strength growth in the blank period. But, based on what the original Naruto manga showed us over the course of the 700 main chapters, it is Naruto Uzumaki who stands on top.
Even in the Fourth Great Ninja War, Naruto Uzumaki was largely equal to Sasuke in battle, despite the latter holding access to the power of the 9 Tailed Beasts. In fact, Naruto only had half of Kurama inside him during their battle, and he was still able to match Sasuke Uchiha and even take the upper hand. Eventually, Sasuke admitted defeat in his battle against Naruto Uzumaki, granting the victory to the protagonist of the series, despite the two being largely even.
After the war, Naruto received the second half of Kurama, which boosted his overall powers tremendously. Consistent with the power growth that Naruto experienced when he gained full mastery over half of Kurama, it can be said that in this new Naruto manga, he will be stronger than Sasuke Uchiha. That said, during his travels across the world, Sasuke Uchiha could have grown dramatically in terms of power as well and made up for the difference in strength between the two. By adulthood, Naruto and Sasuke are believed to be largely even, which means that Sasuke Uchiha must receive a significant power-up during this new manga, which we are eagerly waiting to see. More information on the new Naruto manga will be delivered to us on December 19 and 20, 2026, at Jump Festa 2027, and we are eagerly waiting for it.
All chapters of Naruto by Masashi Kishimoto are available for fans to read via Manga Plus and Viz Media.