In the world of Naruto, there are many instances of dangerous encounters, especially during the era of great wars. And of course, there are also numerous moments that reveal the dark side of the Naruto universe, showing that it is not as peaceful as it appears on the surface.
1. Children Being Trained to Become Assassins

Before the establishment of the ninja villages, wars among clans saw the involvement of children. It wasn’t until the ninja system was formalized that this practice was improved.
Although Hokage Tobirama created a Ninja Academy system to provide training and education for these children, the outcomes were still quite grim. Many of them were trained to become ninja assassins.
Later on, the training system improved significantly in the Naruto era. They could choose to become ninjas and receive training before engaging in any conflicts.
2. Chuunin Exams Could Endanger Young Participants
In the era of Boruto, Chuunin exams have become much more regulated, with strict rules in place to ensure the safety of participants.
However, in the Naruto era, Chuunin exams were where children from the age of 10 and above could face life-threatening dangers at any moment. To become a Chuunin, one had to possess the ability to make crucial decisions in survival situations, which made the exams incredibly perilous.
3. Experiments on Humans
During the era of the ninja world wars, ordinary humans found it challenging to live in peace within the Naruto universe. This was due to powerful ninjas, such as Orochimaru, conducting experiments on people. Naturally, such experiments were forbidden, yet they still occurred in the shadows, resulting in many unfortunate victims.
4. Criminal Organizations Operating Freely

This notion may seem absurd, but it truly existed in the world of ninjas. Unfortunately, these criminal organizations were not held accountable for their severe crimes.
Some of these notorious criminal organizations have been known to “turn a blind eye” to their misdeeds, contributing to the chaos and aiding the ninjas in conflicts. However, the undeniable truth is that the severity of their crimes has caused immeasurable suffering.
Take Orochimaru’s case, for instance, who was responsible for the deaths of many individuals, or Kabuto, who caused the Fourth Great Ninja War, leading to countless fatalities.
5. Frequent Assassinations of Prominent Clans

The assassination of an entire clan, regardless of how many people were involved, is a horrifying decision that leads many to face tragic fates. This dark reality frequently unfolded in the Naruto universe, with notable examples including the Uchiha, Uzumaki, and Kaguya clans.
6. Many Instances of Discrimination and Persecution

Discrimination and persecution are recurring themes in the Naruto universe from the very beginning of the story. Even the main character, Uzumaki Naruto, had to endure a difficult childhood, ostracized by his village simply for being the host of the Nine-Tails. Similarly, the tragic tale of Hatake Sakumo—Kakashi’s father—highlights the severe ramifications of societal rejection.
7. The Role of Villages and Leadership in Creating Conflict
The leaders of these villages, particularly the larger ones, often exacerbate conflicts by making ill-fated decisions, leading their people into dire straights. The root causes are the historical grievances that linger, and these leaders’ failure to quickly address issues can lead to prolonged disputes and violence.
A pertinent example is the Uchiha clan massacre. Although Danzo played a pivotal role in this event, it was the Hokage’s indecision that allowed the situation to escalate, leading to the unfortunate outcome of the Uchiha clan.