Naruto was probably influenced by Saint Seiya's concept of lower class soldiers fighting and defeating those of higher hierarchy. The upper class soldiers notably underestimates their lower class opponents and are overcome.

If you like Epic battles, you can't go wrong with another of the most popular anime ever: saint seiya Naruto (specially the saga where they have to rescue Sasuke) was heavily influenced by the great 1 vs 1 fights of saint seiya, you will begin to notice the cool similarities right way!

Both anime teem with combats in which fighters rely on some inner strength that grows subsequently as the story develops. In Naruto, it is Chakra, while in Saint Seiya, it is Cosmos... Both anime do tackle similar themes such as: loyalty and brotherhood.