Their relationship would likely become more of a friendly rivalry. Since they are the same age, they would constantly be comparing their progress in ninjutsu and other skills. Naruto would probably be more eager to prove himself against Itachi, and Itachi might see Naruto as an interesting opponent.
If they were the same age in a fanfiction, their relationship could turn into a strong friendship. They would grow up together, sharing experiences and training. Itachi might be more open about his problems, and Naruto could offer his unique perspective and support. They could also learn from each other's families. Naruto could introduce Itachi to the warmth of the Uzumaki family, while Itachi could share the secrets of the Uchiha clan with Naruto.
In this fanfiction scenario, their relationship might be a complex mix of admiration and competition. They would be aware of each other's potential at the same time. Naruto would admire Itachi's natural talent and cool - headedness, while Itachi would be intrigued by Naruto's unwavering determination. This could lead to a relationship where they push each other to become better ninjas. For example, Itachi might challenge Naruto to master a difficult jutsu, and Naruto would in turn encourage Itachi to be more social and open - minded.
Their relationship with Sasuke would be very different. Naruto might not look up to Itachi as much as in the original story, and Itachi might not see Naruto as a potential threat to Sasuke's growth. Instead, they could both be like older brothers to Sasuke, guiding him in different ways.
The story would be transformed in many ways. Naruto, being as old as Itachi, would have had different training experiences. He might have been trained by different people or in different ways. This would lead to different jutsu and abilities. In the political arena, Naruto could have played a more active role in preventing the Uchiha - Leaf Village rift. His relationship with characters like Kakashi and Jiraiya would also be different. For instance, he might have been more of an equal to Kakashi, and Jiraiya might have had different expectations of him. All these changes would create a whole new narrative for the Naruto story.
If Naruto was the same age as Itachi, their relationship could be complex. They might start as rivals, both being extremely talented in their own ways. Naruto's boisterous and determined nature could contrast with Itachi's more reserved and burdened self. Itachi might see in Naruto a different path for the Uchiha, one that doesn't involve the darkness he has known. Naruto, on the other hand, would probably be in awe of Itachi's power and at the same time try to understand his seemingly cold exterior.
If Naruto was born the same age as Itachi, the story would be drastically different. Naruto would be more mature and skilled earlier. He might have been involved in the Uchiha massacre situation. Maybe he could have even tried to prevent it, given his nature of not wanting to see people suffer. This would also change his relationship with Sasuke. Instead of being an older peer, he would be more of an equal in age, and their rivalry could take on a different dynamic, perhaps more of a mutual understanding from the start.
In this fanfiction scenario, Minato would not have the same kind of paternal - like relationship with Naruto. Instead, they could be rivals in love for Kushina's affection. Minato would also have to prove himself not just to Kushina but also to Naruto. Their relationships would be a web of competition, friendship and budding romances. It would be a completely different story from the original, with different power dynamics and emotional entanglements among the three characters.
Their relationship would deepen. Itachi becoming Hokage would mean that Naruto has someone he truly admires in the highest position. Naruto would be more eager to prove himself worthy in Itachi's eyes. Itachi, on the other hand, would see Naruto as a symbol of hope and the future of the village. They would likely have private conversations about the future of Konoha, with Itachi sharing his long - term plans and Naruto providing his unique perspective based on his own experiences. This would create a bond that is not just based on respect but also on a shared vision for the village.
Naruto's relationship with Jiraiya would be different. Instead of being his student in the traditional sense, they might be more like peers. Jiraiya would probably still see Naruto's potential but would also be training Minato at the same time. So, Naruto would have to compete for Jiraiya's attention. With the other Konoha ninjas, Naruto being the same age as Minato would make him a more respected figure right from the start. He'd be seen as part of Minato's generation and might be involved in more high - level missions earlier.
With Sasuke, Naruto's rivalry could take on a new dimension. Anko might be in the middle of their dynamic, trying to keep the peace or even fueling the competition in a different way. Maybe she would see potential in both of them and try to push them to be better in different ways, which could either bring Sasuke and Naruto closer or make their rivalry even more intense.
Naruto's relationship with Iruka might change. Since Kurenai is now the same age as Naruto, Iruka might see Naruto in a different light as he's interacting more with Kurenai. Also, Kurenai's relationship with Asuma could be different. Maybe there would be less of a mentor - student vibe and more of a friendly competition among the four of them.
Naruto's relationship with Sasuke would likely have a new layer of respect. Naruto, having been trained by Itachi, would understand the Uchiha clan more, which is a big part of Sasuke's identity. This could make Sasuke see Naruto in a different light too. Instead of just seeing him as a rival, he might start to view Naruto as someone who is also connected to his family in a way. They could start to communicate better, with Naruto being able to speak more knowledgeably about Sasuke's family and their history.