A master of the Sharingan and a legendary shinobi of the Hidden Leaf Village, Kakashi Hatake has fought in countless battles throughout the Naruto series. From his early days as a ruthless ANBU child operative to his time as the Sixth Hokage, Kakashi’s fighting skills are legendary. His strategic mind, chakra control, Sharingan, and ability to copy any jutsu make him a shinobi that even the most fearsome villains do not want to engage with.
These are the moments where Kakashi’s skills truly shine, proving that he earned his reputation as one of the most dangerous shinobi of his time.
10) Kakashi vs. Hidan
After Asuma’s death, Kakashi led Team 10 to avenge their sensei against the Akatsuki duo, Hidan and Kakuzu. The battle with Hidan was particularly challenging because of Hidan’s immortality and his unique abilities. Kakashi had to rely on his speed and tactical thinking, as any direct hit could be used against him in Hidan’s blood ritual.
He skillfully used his Lightning Blade to decapitate Hidan, but the immortal ninja simply reattached his head. The fight was a strategic masterclass for Kakashi, as he had to not only fight an unbeatable opponent but also coordinate with his team. He created an opening for Shikamaru to carry out his final plan, ultimately leading to Hidan’s defeat.
9) Kakashi vs. Itachi Uchiha
During the initial search for Tsunade, Kakashi and a few other Leaf shinobi confronted Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki of the Akatsuki. This fight reminded the audience that, while Kakashi and his fellow Leaf shinobi were impressive, Itachi was on a level of his own. Kakashi was quickly overwhelmed by Itachi’s Mangekyo Sharingan, falling victim to the powerful genjutsu, Tsukuyomi.
Despite the short-lived fight, it left a lasting impression. Kakashi was left comatose due to the impact of the Tsukuyomi, making it clear that even the strongest shinobi in the Leaf Village wasn’t immune to harm. The battle also served to re-establish Itachi as a major threat that, at the time, seemed impossible to beat.
8) Kakashi vs. Zabuza
Kakashi’s fight with the feared “Demon of the Hidden Mist” rogue ninja, Zabuza, was the first major encounter in the series. Being the first major battle where the full extent of Kakashi’s skillset was on display, it was a pivotal moment that established his reputation for the rest of the series. Kakashi and Team 7 faced off against Zabuza and his young apprentice Haku. The fight gave audiences the first proper introduction to Kakashi’s iconic Sharingan and his ability to copy his opponent’s jutsu—an ability that earned him the nickname “Copy Ninja Kakashi.” The battle was a test of wits and skill, with Zabuza’s Silent Killing technique forcing Kakashi to rely on his speed and perception.
The fight went deeper than just jutsu and punches, digging into the ethical struggles of the shinobi world, as Kakashi was forced to choose between completing his mission and protecting his students. Ultimately, his compassion for his team allowed him to overwhelm Zabuza. But this battle served as an important lesson for Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura, teaching them about the harsh realities of being a ninja and the importance of teamwork.
7) Kakashi vs. Kakuzu
As part of the mission to hunt down the Akatsuki, Kakashi and a team of shinobi faced off against Kakuzu. As Kakuzu was a near-immortal shinobi with five hearts and an impressive arsenal of jutsu, this battle was far from a walk in the park. Kakashi upheld his reputation by quickly dispatching one of Kakuzu’s hearts. He then worked with his allies, including Naruto, to take down the remaining hearts.
The high-stakes battle against Kakuzu was a prime example of Kakashi’s leadership and tactical skills. He coordinated his team, using their individual strengths to overcome Kakuzu’s power. The climax of the fight saw Kakashi team up with Naruto, with Kakashi creating an opening for Naruto’s newly developed Rasenshuriken to finish the battle. The fight proved that Kakashi was truly a team leader who trusted his students with his life.
6) Kakashi vs. Orochimaru
When he was a young Anbu operative, Kakashi was tasked with a mission that brought him face-to-face with the rogue ninja, Orochimaru. The battle was short and one-sided, showing just how big a power gap there was between a young prodigy and one of the legendary Sannin. Kakashi used his speed and the Lightning Blade, but Orochimaru effortlessly evaded his attacks, leaving Kakashi paralyzed in fear.
This fight taught the young Kakashi a difficult lesson, humbling him by showing him just how far he still had to go to be on par with someone like Orochimaru. The fleeting flight also reinforced Orochimaru’s position as a truly elite ninja, one who could easily handle even a top-tier Anbu operative.
5) Kakashi vs. The Six Paths of Pain
When Pain launched his attack on the Leaf Village, Kakashi was at the forefront of the defense. He faced off against Pain’s Deva Path, using all of his techniques and brilliant strategic mind to fight a losing battle. The fight was a desperate struggle for survival, with Kakashi using his Lightning Blade and even Kamui in an attempt to defeat an enemy that even Jiraiya—another one of the Sannin—could not.
Kakashi’s desperate fight against Pain was more a testament to his unwavering determination to protect his home and Naruto, as he was willing to sacrifice his own life to protect the village. He used his last reserves of chakra to warn his allies of Pain’s overwhelming abilities, even as his own life was slipping away. This fight was a love letter to Kakashi’s heroic spirit.
4) Kakashi vs. Sasuke Uchiha
During the search for Killer Bee, Kakashi faced off against his former student, Sasuke. This fight was an emotional rollercoaster, with Kakashi trying his hardest to bring Sasuke back to the Leaf Village and away from his path of revenge. He was forced to fight a young man whom he believed he had failed; a tragic turn of events for the leader of Team 7.
This fight was a prime display of Kakashi’s love for his students, no matter what terrible decisions they made. Despite Sasuke’s dark path, Kakashi still saw the boy he once knew and tried to reason with him. The fight was also a clash of their complementary abilities, with Kakashi’s Sharingan clashing with Sasuke’s Mangekyo Sharingan and both using Chidori—a technique that Kakashi had personally developed and taught Sasuke. The fight was a sad reminder of Sasuke’s choices and his inability to see that his former sensei would never give up on him.
3) Kakashi and Team 7 vs. Kaguya Ōtsutsuki
During the final moments of the Fourth Great Ninja War, Kakashi and his team were faced with the ultimate otherworldly threat, Kaguya Ōtsutsuki. In a truly epic display, Kakashi, with the help of Obito’s chakra and the power of the Six Paths, unlocked a new level of power. He briefly gained the ability to use the Mangekyo Sharingan in both eyes, and with it, the perfect Susanoo.
Thanks to Obito’s sacrifice, Kakashi’s power was astronomical. He flew with a Susanoo that rivaled the power of a Tailed Beast. He even used a Kamui Shuriken to sever Kaguya’s arm—a task that would have been impossible for him before. This fight was a final, brilliant display of Kakashi’s skills and a culmination of all his training.
2) Kakashi vs. Might Guy
Though not traditional fights to the death so frequently seen in Narutothe various “fights” and competitions between Kakashi and Might Guy are legendary in their own right. These friendly sparring sessions were a constant recurring thread throughout the series, showing a playful side of Kakashi. While most of these fights are shown in brief glimpses, they reveal the mutual respect between the two friends.
Through these silly skirmishes, from Rock, Paper, Scissors to handstand-walking around the village, the two shared a constant drive to improve and challenge each other. These clashes were a perfect blend of comedy and skill, sometimes with Guy’s wild Taijutsu clashing with Kakashi’s refined Jutsu. Their “rivalry” was a major factor in both Guy and Kakashi’s early childhood development that would shape the ninja they would become, as both were ostracized children, finding friendship in each other’s solitude.
1) Kakashi vs. Obito
During the Fourth Great Ninja War, Kakashi finally confronted his long-lost friend turned enemy, Obito Uchiha. This battle was an inevitability, slowly building to what was easily one of the most poignant and beautifully animated moments in the entire series. The fight was filled with emotion and a brilliant display of their very different fighting styles. Kakashi spent his whole life training in the Leaf Village, while Obito, after he was presumed dead as a genin, was trained by Madara Uchiha. Kakashi’s strategic brilliance and lightning-based attacks clashed with Obito’s Kamui.
The fight was a psychological and emotional heartbreaking struggle, with both ninja reliving their shared past, diverging paths, and the tragic circumstances that befell both of them after Obito’s “death.” It was not simply a battle of skill, but a fight for Obito’s soul. Kakashi’s stubborn and unrelenting belief in his friend, even after all the darkness he was forced to endure, was what ultimately allowed him to win. This fight was a highlight of Naruto as a whole and a powerful statement about the bonds of friendship and the enduring love that Kakashi refused to let Obito forget about.
What do you think? Leave a comment below and join the conversation now in the ComicBook Forum!
