Naruto explains how Kakashi actually got stronger after the Ninja War

Kakashi Hatake, also known as Copycat Ninja of the Leaf, is a central character for Naruto story. First introduced as the aloof and lazy mentor of the titular protagonist, the white-haired genius from Konoha quickly became one of the most popular characters, as he was not only incredibly interesting, but he was also among the strongest ninjas in the franchise. When the Fourth Great Ninja War began, Kakashi was one of the few characters who could face the strongest villains in the series.

Nevertheless, due to his participation in the series being almost non-existent by the time the last arc reached its finale, many fans believe that Hatake allowed himself to become complacent. This is by no means true, as the following story likes Sasuke Shinden and Boruto proving that the Sixth Hokage grew beyond what fans saw during the end of the original series. From creating new techniques to mastering what he already knew, Kakashi evolved in many ways once Naruto was over.

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Kakashi has learned to live without the Sharingan

Kakashi after the war, without the Sharingan, standing inside the Hokage office.

One of Kakashi's hallmarks throughout Naruto series was one of the strongest Sharingan users, despite not being an Uchiha. Fans spent years not knowing the reason, until his backstory revealed that he was given this powerful Ocular Jutsu by Obito, his best friend, who supposedly died when they were children. When the long-lost Uchiha reveals himself to be the mastermind behind the powerful criminal organization Akatsuki, he and Kakashi have a prolonged duel, ending in Obito's death and the destruction of their two Sharingan eyes.

For many fans, this meant that Kakahi's power was completely gone, as he not only lost the abilities that made him so famous as a ninja, but also access to the Mangekyo Sharingan ability known as Kamui, one of his most powerful techniques. The loss of his Dojutsu also made it impossible for him to use his Raikiri, a Lightning Release Jutsu that created a blade of energy that could penetrate almost anything. However, Kakashi proved that he never needed these techniques to be a respectable and feared ninja.

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As evidenced by his contributions during the Sasuke Shinden Arc, as well as his brief fights during Boruto anime filler arcs, Kakashi has proven that he has overcome his limitations and reached a point even higher than when he had the Sharingan. His Taijutsu is precise and effective, with no waste of energy or openings. The fact that his chakra reserves increased drastically without the Dojutsu constantly draining them also greatly helped his Jutsu become more deadly and potent. His stamina also grew exponentially, turning him from a dangerous opponent into a one-man army.

Kakashi's Jutsu also evolved

As most fans would agree, one of the most difficult aspects of losing his Sharingan for Kakashi was the sudden inability to effectively use his Raikiri. Without the enhanced vision and quick reaction time that the Dojutsu granted, using the technique became almost a suicide mission. Instead of moving on and transitioning to a lesser power set, Hatake took it upon himself to grow as a ninja and push himself to even further horizons than the Sharingan had ever allowed him to traverse.

His intense training and determination culminated in the creation of a powerful and deadly Jutsu known as Purple Electricity. This technique was best seen under Boruto anime, where the Sixth Hokage uses Jutsu against the newly graduated Genin. It works similarly to Raikiri, as it is a blade of electricity that can pierce through the opponent, but the main difference lies in the fact that this ability can be expanded. Purple electricity can shoot bolts of energy at an opponent, as well as grow larger to reach further distances.

Rearrange the casings in the correct Japanese release order.

Light (5)Medium (7)Hard (10)

Thanks to this technique, Kakashi no longer needs to use the Sharingan to attack opponents, as he can now use the distance as an advantage. His new signature Jutsu also appears to be stronger than Raikiri, though its true limits have yet to be revealed. The fact that he was able to develop this powerful Jutsu without the Sharingan still speaks volumes for how much power Kakashi gained once the Fourth Great Ninja War was over.

Konoha became stronger thanks to Kakashi

Kakashi as Hokage, wears the typical hat and cloak for the position.

When Naruto's most famous mentor was first introduced, he was depicted as a lazy man who would do anything in his power to avoid his responsibilities. As the story progressed and fans learned about his past, one of the most tragic backstories in the franchise, it became clear why Kakashi acted this way. He was afraid to care again, only to lose everything as it had happened several times before. His time as the leader of Team 7 helped him overcome his trauma, allowing him to become a true and respectable leader.

Once Tsunade stepped down as Hokage, the people of Konoha wasted no time before offering the position to Kakashi, who reluctantly accepted. Despite his initial hesitation, he proved to be one of the best Hokage in history, as he led his home to an era of development and peace never seen before. Hatake invested in technology and helped create powerful Ninja tools and medical equipment. He also expanded the village and created homes and jobs for travelers who wanted to start a life as part of the hidden blade.

boruto introduced kakashi hatake return hokage

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Thanks to his leadership, Konoha enjoyed a long period of peace, with no major conflicts breaking out between the main hidden villages. Kakashi fought hard to preserve the peace that he and his allies sacrificed so much to maintain. Although he may never have reached the power level of monsters like Hashirama or Naruto, two of the most powerful Hokage in history, he ruled with the best interests of the village at heart. Kakashi's growth went far beyond just physical training. He grew as a person, and that growth led his home and his citizens to an era of real prosperity.