Many people use clones. Itachi uses crows, gaara uses sand, Kakashi has used water and lightning, Yamato uses wood, etc etc. Naruto is not the only who uses clones and just cuz dimwit eldest uses clones doesn't means naruto influenced them smh
But naruto has influenced Gaara since he beat him during the chunnin exams. Naruto has influenced many people.
Yup, Naruto has influenced Gaara. But I don't think he can ever influence him to much, because it's a positive influence. Naruto and Gaara would be awesome brothers if they were imo.