Play as core characters like Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, and Yamato. You can also use Season 1 & 2 characters for free, though you cannot equip their moves on your custom avatar without the DLC.
The "Lite" version is effectively a permanent demo that lets you play with the active community: Naruto to Boruto: Shinobi Striker Free Game Dow...
The game is not fully "free-to-play," but you can access large portions of it without purchasing: Play as core characters like Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura,