It has been nearly twenty years since the iconic anime Naruto made its way to our screens. While a handful of shows in the anime genre run out of content after a season or two, Naruto, on the other hand, managed to keep the audience entertained for years. Even today, the Masashi Kishimoto original is a hot topic among the masses. One cannot help but credit the incredible story arcs in the show that never failed to leave the viewers hooked. However, what if we tell you that one of the most iconic storylines in the anime was never meant to happen?

It might surprise you to know, but the tournament or the Chunin Exams arc in Naruto was never meant to happen. We are no strangers to the fact that the storyline is among the manga-turned-anime’s best. Not only was the arc incredibly entertaining, it introduced us to a number of new characters and other shinobis from the hidden leaf villages. It focused on the iconic Team 7’s entry into the Chunin exams.

However, as per CBR, mangaka Masashi Kishimoto revealed during an interview that he never wanted to write the arc. Kishimoto added how the editors at Shonen Jump forced him to pen it down. Meanwhile, Kishimoto had an interesting reason behind why he never wanted to write it.

As per the creator, he never wanted the story to focus on Naruto’s classmates. He had wanted to go for a slower-paced approach towards the arc and wanted to focus on Naruto. Meanwhile, the heads at shonen jump rather preferred to have a more momentous approach and wanted more fights in the manga.

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As surprising as it sounds, the editors asked Kishimoto to write it even if it kills him when the mangaka mentioned how it would kill him to write the tournament arc. Owing to the requirements, Kishimoto decided to take a different approach, and the result was one of the most iconic arcs from the series.

What is the most iconic arc in Naruto?

Throughout the years, Naruto introduced the audience to a number of incredible arcs. To this day the story arcs are etched into the minds of viewers. As we all know, there are innumerable arcs in the entirety of the manga and the show. However, there are a handful that helped build the story in a way like no other.

Fitting the bill is the Sasuke Retrieval Arc. It is perhaps one of the most definitive arcs in the show’s entire run. Not only did it help in the plot progression, it also gave the fans some top class action scenes. Sasuke Retrieval Arc followed Naruto and his friends as they are out a dangerous mission to rescue Sasuke. Moreover, towards the end of the show takes place the iconic clash between Naruto and Sasuke.

What do you think about the mangaka’s confession? Let us know in the comments below.