#but at the same time Hinata isn't really a very deep character herself

[awinterrosesstuff]

I wonder where the claim "Hinata is the one who understands Naruto the most/the best" comes from. I've seen many Hinata/Naruhina say that... and I know the need to make Hinata more important in Naruto's life/manga definitely plays a role in it. But still, Hinata is never allowed to understand him outside of the vision she has of him in the beginning of the manga.

In the chunin exams, we are told by Hinata that she identifies with him because like her, he's considered like a loser. But, she also admires him because he never gives up and constantly tries to better himself. And that's her inspiration. So, I'm going to make something clear there, that's not something very special to her. Basically, Lee could tell from a few interactions that Naruto was seen as a loser and he refused to be looked down. Something he can also understand quite well, since he's in a similar (even worse) situation.

But what did she understand outside of it ? That he doesn't abandon his friends ? Yes thank you, it's made clear by Naruto and the narrative to e v e r y o n e (from Obito to the Konoha 11 to every unnamed shinobi) during the war arc. Is it this scene where she says to Naruto that she can recognises him because of his eyes the cement of this claim ? I'm sorry, but I need more than that.

Hinata likes the bright side, his never give up attitude, his smile and well (idk) his kindness towards her (I think ?). But that's all she sees/understands. (You're free to interprete it the way you want. I just state what everyone would see with open eyes.)

When did she get his loneliness ? It's basically Sasuke's role, not Hinata. What about his struggles as a jinchuriki ? Enter Gaara and Killer B. His teammates (yes Sakura and Kakashi) are actually allowed to witness it, to see a bit of the horror that he's going throught because of his status.

Maybe his need to save Sasuke, the importance of their bond in his life ? Yeah sorry, but Sai did more efforts than her to understand the love Naruto has for Sasuke and Sai is said to be ignorant of feelings. When the Konoha 11 confront Naruto about it at the end of the Kage summit arc, she doesn't even question him. But her teammate Kiba does. Neji does, who is also allowed to support Naruto's need to save Sasuke in part 1.

Oh well, maybe she understands how depressed he was after Jiraiya death ? It was Shikamaru's role, not Hinata's. And Iruka was the other one who tried to console him. In this part of the arc, she's nowhere to be seen. I will not continue more, but I'm sure there's more examples of it.

So now, I'm asking again... where does this claim come from ? Because the Naruto's manga doesn't give the answer and neither Boruto. In the Boruto's movie, it's Sasuke who talks about Naruto's struggles as a child to Boruto, not Hinata (his mother). I know the anime tried with the "Naruto was a problem child... But I always thought he was cool" or something along those lines with Hinata, but that's kinda... shallow ?