This is not to undermine the Bijuu's role in the story, because Kurama is completely tied to Naruto's growth both in character development and in power across the series, it wouldn't have been the same if he was introduced as "just another Bijuu". But still, I realized something about Naruto I never noticed before: Naruto would have been one of the most powerful ninja anyway, regardless of Kurama.
Why you may ask? The answer is quite simple and it's been already established in the series: Because Naruto is Ashura reincarnated. Both Ashura and Indra were the most powerful guys in their era, not counting their father. They were both 1/4th Otsutsuki and they inherited their father's massive chakra and power. Indra was capable of using Mangekyo Sharingan, which allowed him to use Perfect Susano'o. And Ashura was so skilled with Six Paths Chakra he was capable of fashioning his own battle avatar.
So what's this gotta do with Naruto? Ashura and Indra's transmigrates have a history of inheriting chakra so powerful they become among the most powerful figures in history. One needs only look at Madara and Hashirama. One was considered "God of Shinobi" and was the greatest Wood Style user, to the point he could create a giant One-Thousand Arms Buddha to use in combat. He could also use Sage Mode. Madara, on the other hand, had an Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan and was capable of using Perfect Susano'o as well as being one of the greatest Fire Style users. They were both capable of taming Tailed Beasts.
Following that same line of thought, Naruto would have been able to become as powerful as them, perhaps even more, by virtue of being Ashura's reincarnation (and of course, by virtue of training and gaining skill). If you doubt it, just look at Sasuke. No Tailed Beast or outside source whatsoever and he's Naruto's equal in every way. Of course, I like Kurama, and the whole point of the series is Naruto being the Jinchuriki and learning how to cope with it. However, it came as a major revelation for me that, despite everything he went through with Kurama, Naruto would have been powerful anyway. Not thanks to Kurama, but rather thanks to Ashura.
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