Naruto has quite a diverse cast of characters to help tell the titular character's remarkable tale of becoming the Hokage. Alongside Naruto are the likes of Sasuke Uchiha, Sakura Haruno, as well as teammates, mentors, rivals, and even antagonists that helped him reshape the Ninja World as they knew it.

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Unfortunately, the sheer number of characters in Naruto meant certain figures had to take a backseat in favor of others. Some minor members of the Naruto roster may have had more things to share if they were allowed to shine a bit more frequently. Just which of these characters are the most underrated in the Naruto franchise?

10 The Konoha Council

Whenever anything too political happened within the Hidden Leaf, it's the Konoha Council that often gave objective advice to the Hokage. In the case of the Third Hokage and his successors, this Konoha Council had always included Homura Mitokado and Koharu Utatane. And while they seem like two old-timers who give often-disregarded advice, they have a more important role than readers realize.

Interestingly, even Danzo noted that both Homura and Koharu aren't exactly notable shinobi. In fact, he said the two were still alive simply because of luck and their insights towards allying with the right people. It's this small tidbit that makes the Konoha Council such an underrated faction in the franchise. After all, Homura and Koharu prove that combat prowess isn't all that it takes to become a shinobi.

Theoretically, the Konoha Council could represent the hidden politics amongst Konoha's many shinobi families. And sadly, the lack of stories directly involving them had also meant there's no way to look into the way internal politics work within Konoha.

9 Kurenai Yuhi

Kurenai is perhaps the only Jonin Team Captain of Naruto's batch to not have a substantial impact on the franchise's story. Sadly, her sole association as Asuma's love interest and her rather unremarkable combat performance in the series had understated her prowess as a kunoichi.

It might surprise fans to learn that Kurenai actually specializes in Genjutsu. In fact, Kurenai is perhaps the best Genjutsu user in all of Konoha. Sadly, Kurenai's first serious fight had her face Itachi – a Genjutsu prodigy who can far outclass her with his Sharingan. Her inevitable loss proved to cement Itachi's combat potency but had also resulted in the series shelving Kurenai's story.

This fact is unfortunate, given Kurenai's skill as a Jonin. Thanks to her Genjutsu mastery, Kurenai can see through illusions and even simultaneously cast different Genutsu to different enemies. Moreover, she can fight without breaking concentration and is proficient in Fuinjutsu to seal even the kekkei genkai of another shinobi.

8 Hiruzen Sarutobi

Hailed as a "God of Shinobi," Hiruzen's tutelage under the First and Second Hokage helped him become a powerful shinobi in his own right. However, the lack of backstory to cement this title is frustrating.

After all, it's only implied that Hiruzen held back in his dying battle with Orochimaru. In turn, readers could only feel the genius of sealing Orochimaru's arms in the aftermath of the battle. Had Hiruzen received more opportunities to showcase his battle prowess, then his title could've been more convincing. For instance, fans should remember that Orochimaru fought Hiruzen when he was past his prime and was already hesitant to go all-out.

Others admire Hiruzen primarily for his wisdom. This is something he consistently shared not just with the Sannin but with others near him. Ultimately, more slice-of-life stories with Hiruzen would have helped showcase his wisdom as the Hokage.

7 Chiyo

Despite her fame as Sunagakure's famed poison and puppeteer expert, Chiyo didn't last long enough in Naruto to cement her influence over the likes of Kankuro and Sasori, both puppet masters in their own right. After her introduction as an ordinary old lady, Chiyo showed she was an outright badass as she and Sakura went toe-to-toe against a seemingly unbeatable Sasori of the Akatsuki.

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Chiyo's final sacrifice to resurrect Gaara is also an unforgettable moment in Naruto. Additionally, Chiyo's forbidden technique, One's Own Life Reincarnation, established her remarkable skill as a Medical-nin. However, a deeper look into her puppeteering may have provided a better understanding of Kankuro's fighting style.

As such, Chiyo could have cemented her proficiency as the famed "Honorable Grandma Chiyo" of the Sand if Naruto gave her more time to elaborate on her puppeteering expertise.

6 Shino Aburame

Shino serves as Naruto's prime example of a well-exposed character who didn't get to maximize said exposure. In the series, Shino serves as the Konoha 11's resident insect expert. Essentially, this mastery established Shino as an espionage expert, capable of gathering information. He's no pushover either, as his insects can be used offensively as well.

However, where Shino falters is his rather stereotypical foundation and his lack of follow-through. After all, Shino serves as one of many "quiet geniuses" among Konoha 11, including Neji and Sasuke. Sadly, Shino is quite "ordinary" compared to the likes of the Byakugan and the Sharingan.

As the "brains" of Team Kurenai alongside Hinata and Kiba, Shino's received enough screen time to establish his tactical prowess and genius, especially with his craft. However, the series didn't give Shino enough time to showcase new techniques or even memorable moments of growth.

5 Anko Mitarashi

Anko is remembered for two things: she's that proctor in the practical part of the Chunin Exams and she's a former apprentice of Orochimaru. Given the gravity of her involvement in Part I's story, it's surprising how the story sidelined Anko for much of Part II.

Anko's tutelage under Orochimaru separates her from other Jonin, particularly with her snake-themed attacks and immunity to poisons. As a Tokubetsu Jonin, Anko specializes in espionage and tracking. At some point, Orochimaru used Anko as a test subject for the Cursed Seal of Heaven – the perfected version of which he used on Sasuke. After that, Anko left Orochimaru and swore revenge.

Sadly, Anko's quest for vengeance remained unsatisfied as ultimately Sasuke got to exact his own revenge on Orochimaru. And since then, Anko has just "been there" for anything related to espionage.

4 Tenten

Tenten of Team Guy might not have Neji Hyuga's Byakugan or Rock Lee's Taijutsu genius. However, her weapon mastery and specialization in the sealing arts of Fuinjutsu should've set her apart from her Konoha 11 batchmates. In fact, Tenten's introduction immediately establishes her proficiency – and superiority – in using weapons and ninja tools.

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Additionally, Tenten is an avid weapons collector and remains unparalleled in her techniques with them. Sadly, it almost always takes Tenten dishing out all her weapon attacks before she even makes a dent against opponents.

To make it more frustrating, Tenten didn't receive any significant development past her "weapons user" stereotype. This is unfortunate, given Tenten's training in weapons is an accurate depiction of shinobi back then – that they're agents who specialize in stealth, martial arts, and using an assortment of tools.

3 Iruka Umino

Iruka is known best as Naruto's instructor at the Academy and the closest he has to a father figure. Given Naruto's graduation from the Academy, it makes sense for Iruka-sensei to lie low within the sidelines. Unfortunately, his status as "the instructor" (and eventually, the Headmaster in Boruto) does make fans disregard him compared to the likes of Kakashi and Guy.

Thing is, Iruka has a lot more to offer than just being "the instructor." As a Jonin, Iruka clearly displays proficiency across all shinobi skills. More importantly, his role as an instructor implies he's also in the best position to understand and teach young trainees. This helped the likes of Boruto and teammates Sarada and Mitsuki to understand their role as future shinobi.

Despite lacking a role in the frontlines, it's Iruka's influence as a teacher and mentor that kept Naruto on the good path whenever he felt lost. And a person holding that kind of influence has a power that no one easily sees. It's a good thing Iruka is always looking out for Naruto, but he lacks the exposure to cement his importance.

2 Ibiki Morino

Ibiki is the proctor for the written part of Naruto's Chunin Exams, where students have to cheat without getting caught. However, Ibiki remains largely unseen after this arc, only reappearing in short snippets or scenes. Thing is, Ibiki belongs to the Tokubetsu Jonin, aka a Jonin specializing in a particular field. In the case of Ibiki, he's the best interrogator of the Hidden Leaf Village. In fact, he's the head of the Konoha Torture and Interrogation Force.

Granted, Ibiki doesn't hold a candle to the likes of Kakashi and Guy in terms of combat prowess. However, Ibiki's intimate knowledge of the human mind and psychology makes him a terrifying interrogator. Moreover, his ability to face Pain's Animal Path head-on demonstrates his hidden strength. As the equivalent of a spec-ops officer, Ibiki specializes not just in fighting but also in hidden weapons.

The existence of the Interrogation Force implies that dark things happen behind the scenes in Konoha, perhaps even without the Hokage's knowledge.

1 Shizune

Shizune and her almost permanent stint as a glorified assistant to the Hokage can overshadow her worth as Tsunade's apprentice. Shizune hides a beast of a kunoichi beneath her unimposing secretarial appearance. In fact, where she shines is her proficiency in – and application of – medical ninjutsu.

For instance, Shizune has remarkable chakra control to the point that Tsunade can trust her to perform on complicated injuries. Moreover, Shizune can use her medical knowledge with keen observation to deduce relevant mysteries. With these, Shizune unraveled the nature of Pain's black receivers and the DNA of the White Zetsu Army. In fact, her combat prowess and specialization in poisons also helped her go toe-to-toe against Kabuto, Orochimaru's apprentice.

Ultimately, one shouldn't forget that Shizune's medical talents and latent organizational skills proved worthy of her leading the Medical-nin of the Medical Division in the Fourth Great Ninja War. Unfortunately, Sakura's status as Tsunade's more popular apprentice sidelined Shizune permanently. However, Shizune's experience alone should've granted her a more involved role in the series.

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