The Naruto series is brimming with shinobi that possess unfathomable power, from the likes of Madara Uchiha to the God of Shinobi Hashirama himself. However, only a few shinobi have ever received the privilege of being branded as a flee-on-sight ninja. True to its namesake, this order instructs other shinobi to flee almost immediately if they are to encounter a ninja with this status.

While several characters might seem like viable contenders for such a title, only two in the entire series have ever received this distinction. While Minato’s status is already quite renowned, which serves as a testament to his power, another shinobi from the Leaf has also been deemed a threat large enough to force enemies to retreat without a fight, albeit only in Naruto’s non-canon episodes.

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What Is the Flee-On-Sight Order?

The order itself is quite straightforward, as it bars other shinobi from engaging with a flee-on-sight ninja, with instructions forcing them to retreat immediately from the battlefield. This order was issued for the very first time during the Third Great Ninja War, where the main belligerents were the Hidden Leaf and the Hidden Stone Villages. The Hidden Stone Village was the first to issue such an order against Minato Namikaze, a shinobi renowned for his deadly speed.

Knowing that any regular shinobi that crosses paths with Minato would be slain instantly, the Hidden Stone Village branded him as a flee-on-sight shinobi, with the sole purpose of minimizing the loss of life in their end. While the flee-on-sight status is an extreme measure, it’s done solely to reduce unnecessary bloodshed on the battlefield. Being branded as a flee-on-sight ninja is a tribute in itself, but for those standing on the other side, encountering one would surely be their worst nightmare.

What Are the Prerequisites for the Flee-On-Sight Order?

While the Naruto series has never exactly outlined the details that account for issuing a flee-on-sight order, a few plausible prerequisites can still be speculated from the two examples. The common element in both examples seems to be related to the speed of the shinobi, which would automatically deem them skilled assassins.

As the two fastest shinobi of all time were both granted this status, it’s logical to assume that speed is a primary element, as it would be impossible for opponents to perceive their attacks or form countermeasures. However, this speed has to be accompanied by unrivaled strength as well, which would essentially make the shinobi almost impossible to defeat. For instance, Minato’s Flying Raijin was a threat on its own, but his mastery in other jutsu, such as the Rasengan, made him an even bigger threat.

The Two Recipients of the Flee-On-Sight Order

While there’s only one canon instance of a shinobi receiving this status, another example can be found in one of Naruto’s filler arcs. At one point, Shisui Uchiha was deemed a threat large enough to force an entire squadron of Hidden Mist shinobi to retreat. However, this instance was only witnessed in a non-canon episode, as it has no roots in the original manga.

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In Shisui’s case, it was never explicitly stated that he had officially been branded as a flee-on-sight shinobi, but the circumstances were all too similar to Minato’s case. There is no other instance where shinobi are ordered to retreat at the sight of an enemy ninja, meaning it is implied that Shisui’s strength was already renowned, and his status was equivalent to that of Minato.

Minato’s Flying Raijin Deemed Him a Flee-On-Sight Threat

Minato’s all-powerful abilities need no introduction, and his god-like status is revered throughout the shinobi world. Minato is known for his Flying Raijin Jutsu, a technique that allows him to teleport instantly to any object that has his seal.

Such an untraceable technique further made Minato a threat to most shinobi, something that the Hidden Stone immediately recognized and issued a flee-on-sight order. While the Flying Raijin is one of the primary reasons behind his flee-on-sight status, his other techniques have also played a role in attaining such a distinction.

Shisui’s Sharingan and Body Flicker Technique Make Him an Unbeatable Ninja

Shisui’s flee-on-sight status isn’t exactly official, but the circumstances surrounding his case are fairly similar to Minato’s example. During Shisui’s face-off against a squad of Hidden Mist ninja, Ao was able to detect Shisui’s presence, and he immediately ordered the entire squad to retreat.

Ao clearly stated that it would be impossible to take on Shisui, despite possessing an entire squad. While Shisui’s Kotoamatsukami is largely the reason behind such a status, his Body Flicker Technique is another deadly jutsu that makes him an untraceable fiend on the battlefield. While this instance of a flee-on-sight order isn’t exactly canon, it’s still in line with Shisui’s reputation and immense strength, making it a viable example of this rare order.

Naruto is available to stream on Prime Video.

Naruto

A popular shonen anime based on Masashi Kishimoto's manga, Naruto follows its eponymous shinobi's journey as he goes from his town's outsider to its hero.

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