Jutsu (Naruto)

Jutsu is a technique that features in Naruto.

History

Jutsu (Japanese: 術, lit. "technique" or "skill") was a supernatural ability possessed by a ninja in the Ninja World. Its use was tied to that of Chakra (チャクラ, chakura) that was the natural life energy that could be harnessed to achieve various effects. Early in humanity's history, their world was visited by Kaguya Ōtsutsuki of the Ōtsutsuki Clan where she was to harvest the world of its chakra by using the God Tree. She instead decided to remain on the planet where she mated with a human and had children. However, the violent nature of humans resulted in her placing the world under an Infinite Tsukuyomi (無限月読­, Mugen Tsukuyomi). She would later have two children with these being Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki and Hamura Ōtsutsuki. Whilst growing up, the two would learn of the history of the world and their mothers tyrannical actions over it. Hagoromo would come to learn to harness the natural energy of the world and come to find out that its chakra was being stifled by the God Tree. Thus, he and Hamura would come to rebel against their mother after developing the practice of jutsu. Kaguya would come to merge with the God Tree thus turning into the Ten-Tails (十尾, Jūbi) which went on a rampage. In response, the two brothers worked together to defeat the creature which came to be sealed within Hagoromo thus becoming the world's first Jinchūriki. In the aftermath, he would wander the world to teach the art of Ninshū (忍宗, Viz: Ninja Creed, literally meaning: Shinobi Sect) to people around the world thus spreading the practice of jutsu to the people. The peaceful way of life eventually gave rise to ninjutsu (忍術, English TV: Ninja Art, literally meaning: Ninja Techniques) that came to be one of the applications of jutsu which led to the emergence of shinobi society.

Overview

Chakra

Chakra (チャクラ, chakura) was the basic energy source necessary for ninja in Naruto to perform most jutsu. Millennia before the main story, people were originally born without chakra until a young woman named Kaguya Ōtsutsuki stole the fruit of the Shinju and ate it to obtain the power of chakra to end a war in her time. Her son, the Sage of the Six Paths, was born with the ability to produce chakra by combining physical energy (身体エネルギー, shintai enerugī), drawn from the trillions of cells that make up the human body, and mental energy (精神エネルギー, seishin enerugī), gained through experience and meditation. Once created, chakra moves throughout the body in a manner similar to the circulatory system and is delivered to one of 361 chakra release points.[8] By performing a sequence composed of any of twelve different hand seals, chakra can then be manipulated to create supernatural effects, such as walking on water. The method of chakra production is passed on to the sage's various descendants, both direct and indirect, along with other ninja.

During Part II of the series the concept of nature transformation (性質変化, seishitsu henka), altering the quality of chakra, is introduced. Nature manipulation allows ninja, following certain training, to convert their chakra into one of five elements: earth, water, fire, wind, and lightning.[9] Each element is predominant and subordinate to different elements; for example, fire is weak against water, but can easily counter and even gain strength when used against a wind-based jutsu and earth is weak against lightning based jutsu. Most ninja have a natural affinity for one of the five elements, allowing them to use jutsu of that type with greater ease. Ninja with an affinity for fire, for instance, will be able to breathe fire much sooner than they will be able to manipulate water.

Skilled ninja can learn how to use other elements; ninja of the Jonin (lit. "high ninja") rank are typically able to manipulate at least two elements. Kakashi Hatake has been shown using all 5 different elements in the Naruto series. Although these ninja can use their different elements separately with little effort, combining the two elements is impossible for ninja who do not have a genetic predisposition for it. Ninja with one of these genetic abilities can mix two specific elements to create an entirely new one. Haku, an antagonist introduced at the start of the series, can mix water and wind to create ice. Wood Style, a combination of earth and water unique to the First Hokage, Danzo, and Yamato, allows the user to produce wood. There is also the Yin-Yang Style and its splintered forms, Yin Style and Yang Style, that only few master, which can counter the other chakra natures.

The Eight Gates (八門, Hachimon, English anime: "The Eight Inner Gates") are eight specific points along the chakra circulatory system that limit the overall flow of chakra within a person's body, which prevents the body from expiring too soon. Ninja devised the Eight Gates Released Formation (八門遁甲の陣, Hachimon Tonkō no Jin, English TV "Eight Inner Gates Formation") to surpass their own physical limits at the cost of various levels of damage to their own bodies. Each additional gate grants the user new levels of strength with additional injuries; by opening all eight gates the user will become invincible in battle, but their body will be so damaged in the process that they will die afterwards. Having learned the release technique from his father, Might Guy taught Rock Lee to open his first five gates during Part I of the series; according to Kakashi Hatake, this is a very remarkable feat as he himself can only open the first gate. Guy goes further by activating all the way to the eighth gate during Part II, although he states that activating it would kill him. In the Naruto Shippūden 2: Bonds movie, the villain Shinnō mentions opening the eight gates when gaining the "perfect body" from his dark chakra transformation.

The different Gates included:

• Gate of Opening (開門, Kaimon) : located in the brain, the gate removes the brain's restraints on the muscles to use 100% of their strength.
• Gate of Healing : (休門, Kyūmon, English TV "Gate of Rest"): located in the brain, it forcibly increases one's physical strength and temporarily empowers the body.
• Gate of Life (生門, Seimon) : located on the spinal cord, its release causes the skin to turn red from increased blood flow.
• Gate of Pain (傷門, Shōmon) : located on the spinal cord, its release increases the user's speed and power at the cost of potential tearing in muscle tissue.
• Gate of Limit (杜門, Tomon, English TV "Gate of Closing") : located in the abdomen, its release further increases the user's speed and power.
• Gate of View (景門, Keimon, English TV "Gate of Joy") : located in the stomach, its release further increases the user's speed and power to the point that bodies of water would converge around the user due to the enormous amounts of chakra being emitted. The technique associated with this gate was Asakujaku (朝孔雀, Morning Peacock), kicking an opponent in the air to deliver a barrage of punches so fast that the air around the fist is set ablaze and a peacock-like fan of flames is formed around the opponent.
• Gate of Wonder (驚門, Kyōmon, English TV "Gate of Shock") : located below the stomach, its releases causes every pore of the user's body to emit a turquoise-colored sweat that instantly evaporates and gives the illusion of a chakra coating. The side effects of opening the seventh gate are that the user's muscle fibers become fragile to the point that anything can rip them to shreds. The technique associated with this gate is Hirudora (昼虎, Daytime Tiger), a single punch that creates air pressure around the fist in the form of a tiger to land a death blow.
• Gate of Death (死門, Shimon) : located at the heart, its release expends all of the body's energy while the sweat becomes a crimson color. With the heart pumping at maximum power, this gate makes the user the most powerful figure in a battle yet kills them shortly after. The two techniques associated with this gate are Sekizō (夕象, Evening Elephant), a series of punches in which the shockwaves produced resemble giant elephant feet, and Yagai (夜ガイ, Night Guy), in which the user manifests a dragon-shaped aura and performs a kick which obliterates the targets.

Jutsu Types

Jutsu are ranked in terms of how difficult they are to perform, an E-rank denotes basic techniques while an S-rank indicates jutsu that require years of practice to master. An S-rank jutsu is not necessarily more effective than an E-rank ability, as a jutsu's effectiveness is largely based on individual skill. In addition to the six letter ranks, jutsu can also receive one of two informal ranks. "Secret" (秘伝, hiden) jutsu are passed down from generation to generation within a clan. These jutsu are not ranked because no one outside the clan knows how to perform them. "Forbidden techniques" (禁術, kinjutsu), on the other hand, fall into one of the six main ranks, but are an exception because they are forbidden to learn or perform. A technique can be categorized as forbidden if it either causes great harm to the user.

Jutsu was divided into three main categories that included:

• Ninjutsu (忍術, lit. "ninja techniques") : a vague term referring to almost any technique that uses chakra and allows the user to do something that they otherwise would be incapable of doing. The ninjutsu that most contemporary ninja use is successor to what was called Ninshu (忍宗, Ninshū, lit. "ninja sect"), teachings created by the Sage of the Six Paths that allowed people to use chakra so they might connect with each other; however, as time went by, people began to channel their chakra to their physical and spiritual energies instead, which weaponized the chakra into something they can inflict upon others. Unlike genjutsu, which makes the opponent see illusions, the effects of ninjutsu are real. They vary greatly in purpose, with the simpler ninjutsu serving such tasks as transforming the user or allowing them to evade attacks. These techniques are often second-nature for experienced ninja, who can use them at will. More complex ninjutsu manipulate the user's surroundings or utilize the elements, respectively serving such tasks as healing others or manipulating basic elements. Techniques that involve the manipulation of elements are called Nature Transformation. However, advanced elements can only be accessed by ninjas with that kekkai genkai (genetic or clan ability)
• Genjutsu (幻術, lit. "Illusionary Techniques") : are techniques that use the victim's mind system to create illusions. The most commonly seen in the series is the simple creation of phantasms – causing the targeted person(s) to hear, see, smell, taste, or feel sensations that are not actually there in order to manipulate them. Most genjutsu affects the five senses, though other applications of genjutsu exist. Those under the influence of genjutsu usually freeze in place or lose consciousness, depending on how capable they are in recognizing and defending against it. Depending on the purpose of the genjutsu, one could be running or jumping while under the genjutsu (as seen when Itachi uses genjutsu on Naruto in Part II, when he used the Rasengan on Itachi, only to find out it had been genjutsu and he had used it on air). A genjutsu can be broken in one of three ways. The first is "genjutsu cancel" (幻術解, genjutsu kai), a disruption of the victim's chakra flow either by themselves or their allies. Pain that is not a result of the genjutsu, such as stabbing oneself, is a second method of countering genjutsu. Finally, if the user of the genjutsu loses focus for whatever reason, the jutsu will end and the victim is freed.
• Taijutsu (体術, lit. "body techniques") : any technique involving the martial arts or the optimization of natural human abilities. Taijutsu is executed by directly accessing the user's physical and mental energies. It relies on the stamina and strength gained through training. Because chakra does not need to be produced, taijutsu can typically be performed much faster than ninjutsu or genjutsu techniques. Rock Lee and his teacher Might Guy are examples of ninja who specialize in taijutsu.

In addition, there were:

• Kekkei genkai (血継限界, lit. "bloodline trait") are abilities passed down genetically in ordinary clans. Most of these clans have developed special techniques that rely on their genetic abilities, as it gives them an advantage in battle that cannot be taught to or copied by opponents.
• Dōjutsu (瞳術, lit. "eye techniques") : a form of kekkei genkai that utilizes the eyes. It grants the user with ocular abilities that may be ninjutsu, genjutsu, or something else. Because of the physical nature of eyes, dōjutsu can be transplanted to another individual and still be functional, though if the user is not of the same family as the donor, they may have little control over the dōjutsu's activation or have their chakra taxed more than usual. In the Ninja World, there exists the "Three Great Dōjutsu": the Byakugan that allows the user 360-degree view within a certain distance and an individual's chakra pathway system; the Sharingan that allows the user to copy others' jutsu and movements as well as a multitude of genjutsu and other abilities; and the Rinnegan, the most "exalted" of the three that gives the user control over the Six Paths. There is also the Rinne Sharingan, the primeval form of the Sharingan and the Rinnegan, and the Tenseigan, a heightened form of Byakugan which is very similar to the Rinnegan in power. There is only one individual who possesses all three of the Great Dōjutsu: Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, who possesses both the Byakugan and the Rinne Sharingan.
• Senjutsu uses three types of energy: the mental and physical energies of the shinobi and the energy of nature. By channeling the energy of nature, the senjutsu user can greatly increase the power of his or her other jutsu. It was taught from summons who have obtained the title of sage, two of which are the Great Toad Sage and the White Snake Sage. A user can master Senjutsu by combining their chakra with "natures energy", a task that can only be completed by ninja with particularly large chakra reserves who learn to harmonize with nature by remaining perfectly still – anyone else who tries is quickly overwhelmed by this natural energy, as seen when Jugo's Clan rendered mentally unstable with fits of rage. For those who learn under the Great Toad Sage, the overdose of natural energy turns them into giant stone toad statues though this effect can be neutralized with the sage's beating stick. If the user is able to use Senjutsu, they only have a certain amount of time before the natural energies are expended, as the user will need to move around the battlefield and Senjutsu requires to user to remain still. Workarounds for this shortfall include summoning frog assistants or using shadow clones to help gather the energy but it worth noting that the first hokage-Hashirama, Orochimaru, Kabuto and Mitsuki did not struggle when using senjutsu. Those who master Senjutsu are able to enter a state called "Sage Mode" (仙人モード, Sennin mōdo) where user adopts the physical features of the animal mentor. Because of the difficulty in maintaining the natural energy, only a few people have been able to properly master Senjutsu; Naruto Uzumaki is stated to be the first Senjutsu user under the tutelage of the Great Toad Sage, Gamamaru, who has achieved this feat. Ninja who are able to use Senjutsu include Jiraiya, Minato Namikaze, and Hashirama Senju; Kabuto Yakushi are also able to use Senjutsu, seemingly without the aid of an animal mentor. Because the chakra utilized is from the natural world, Senjutsu is an effective weapon against the Ten-Tails and Yin-Yang Style users.
• Fūinjutsu (封印術, Fūin jutsu) : sealing jutsu were techniques developed by the Sage of the Six Paths to seal something inside objects or living beings. The developing of new sealing jutsus was continued by the Uzumaki Clan, a branch of Senju Clan who are descendants of the sage; among their works is a jutsu that seals Tailed Beasts into their Jinchuriki to be. The most common application of this is sealing weapons or other objects within scrolls to efficiently carry a large number of items. Sealing jutsu are also utilized to restrict access to things, such as chakra or entry to a building. The "Reaper Death Seal" is a unique sealing jutsu as the target's soul is sealed with the Reaper, who is neither living nor an object

Jutsu Techniques

A number of special jutsu techniques were developed by various shinobi that included:

• Nature Transformation (性質変化, Seishitsu Henka, English TV: Change in Chakra Nature) : a type of kekkei genkai which allows the users to manipulate elements other than the five basic chakra nature: fire, water, wind, lightning, and earth. The combination is usually achieved through mixing two (or three in the case of kekkei tōta) separate elements to create an entirely new one; thus the users are able to use the elements that composed the advanced element in addition to the kekkei genkai (such as Yamato being able to use water and earth in addition to the wood).[11] Due to the nature of kekkei genkai, ninja with no blood limit required to use the elements are unable to use them even when they had mastered the basic components of the element. Some advanced elements may be unique to one person in the clan, the most notable being the Wood Style, which is only present in Hashirama Senju. The known advanced chakra nature transformations are as follows:
  • Ice Style (氷遁, Hyōton, Ice Release) : mixes water and wind elements to create ice. It is possessed by members of the Yuki clan, one of the once-numerous clans with kekkei genkai in Kirigakure (lit. "Village Hidden in Mist") that has been exterminated to near-extinction during the Fourth Mizukage's reign. The only known members of the clan are Haku and his mother; following their deaths the technique's existence is left uncertain.
  • Explosive Style (爆遁, Bakuton, Explosion Release) : allows the users to imbue objects with explosive chakra to make them explode. It is possessed by members of the Iwagakure Explosion Corps, which include Gari and Akatsuki member Deidara, thus being one of kekkei genkai possessed by ninja without familial connection. Previously thought to be a variation of Earth Style, it was named long after its introduction.
  • Magnet Style (磁遁, Jiton, Magnet Release) : allows the manipulation of chakra to attract objects or magnetize an object through simple touch. Though present in the Hidden Sand Village, its Tailed Beast Shukaku able to manipulate sand, neither of the two users appear to be related. These two are the Third Kazekage, whose development of his Iron Sand fighting style from studying the One Tail led to his death by Sasori, and the Fourth Kazekage who mixed gold dust in his sand. The Fourth Kazekage's son, Gaara, who was once the host of Shukaku, is able to manipulate sand as well even after the Tailed Beast has been extracted from him. Naruto gained use of this chakra nature after a fragment of Shukaku is transferred into his body. Toroi of Kumogakure possessed a variation of the technique which is used to magnetize objects through skin contact.
  • Corrosion/Lava Style (熔遁/溶遁, Yōton, Lava Release) : mixes fire and earth elements for diverse purposes. This nature is possessed by Son Gōku, which manifests through both the Four Tails Jinchuriki Roshi and Naruto in the form of molten rock and lava. The Lava Style is of the kekkei genkai possessed by ninja without familial connection, seen in: the Fifth Mizukage Mei Terumī, Kurotsuchi of Iwagakure, whose lava takes form of quicklime; and Dodai of Kumogakure whose variation is said to take the form of vulcanized rubber.
  • Inferno Style (炎遁, Enton, Blaze Release) : an advanced variation of Fire Style, allows manipulation of the virtually long-lasting black flames of Amaterasu, regarded as the highest form of Fire Style techniques. Thus, it is only commanded by people who could cast Amaterasu: Sasuke Uchiha and his brother, Itachi.
  • Gale/Storm Style (嵐遁, Ranton, Storm Release) : mixes water and lightning elements to create energy beams which can be guided like water. It is possessed by Kumogakure ninja, most notably Darui. The third Shippūden film, Naruto Shippuden the Movie: The Will of Fire has a variation which allows manipulation of lightning clouds which are able to absorb chakra. The variation is possessed by Hiruko after stealing it from an unknown ninja.
  • Vapour Style (沸遁, Futton, Boil Release) : mixes fire and water elements to create powerful corrosive gas.[26] It is one of the two advanced chakra nature possessed by Mei Terumī.
  • Particle Style (塵遁, Jinton, Dust Release) : mixes fire, wind, and earth elements to create an expanding three-dimensional object capable of disintegrating anything it touches at molecular level. It is the only example of kekkei tōta, an advanced variation of kekkei genkai which mixes three elements instead of two. Two ninja are known to possess it: Ōnoki and Mū, who had no familial connection.
  • Scorch Style (灼遁, Shakuton, Scorch Release) : allows manipulation of chakra taking form of fire orbs capable of heating water inside a person's body until they evaporate, effectively mummifying them. The only ninja known to possess the technique is Pakura from Sunagakure, who had already died. However, the technique created from the combination of Naruto and Sasuke's wind and fire elements, respectively, is also named a Scorch Style technique by Minato Namikaze, though it might be attributed to it being a combination of two elemental natures and not due to being a genetic attribute.
  • Crystal Style (晶遁, Shōton, Crystal Release) : allows the user to create crystals from moisture in the air as weapons, crystallize objects, or manipulate already available crystals. The only known user of this kekkei genkai is Guren, who appears in the anime-only Three Tails Arc.
  • Quick Style (迅遁, Jinton, Swift Release) : allows the user to move at instantaneous speed, making them unable to be hit by most Taijutsu attacks. It appears in the third Naruto Shippūden film Naruto Shippuden the Movie: The Will of Fire, possessed by Hiruko after stealing it from an unknown ninja.
  • Shade Style (冥遁, Meiton, Dark Release) : allows the user to absorb, manipulate, and release enemy's chakra through a pair of diamond marks in the user's hand. It appears in the third Naruto Shippūden film Naruto Shippuden the Movie: The Will of Fire, possessed by Hiruko after stealing it from an unknown ninja.
  • Steel Style (鋼遁, Kōton, Steel Release) : allows the user to transform the body into black steel, rendering it impenetrable. It appears in the third Naruto Shippūden film Naruto Shippuden the Movie: The Will of Fire, possessed by Hiruko after stealing it from an unknown ninja.
• Fire Style: Dragon Flame Jutsu (Katon Ryūka no Jutsu) : an evolved form of Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu that is a signature jutsu of the Uchiha clan. It was first used in part 1 by Sasuke Uchiha against Orochimaru disguised as Shiore in the forest of death. Sasuke also used it in his duel against Itachi in part 2 to produce a cumulonimbus cloud to perform his new technique to attract and release a real lightning bolt.
• Chidori (千鳥, lit. "One Thousand Birds") : created by Kakashi Hatake during his childhood, gaining its name when the channeling of strong lightning-based chakra in one's hand produces a sound reminiscent of chirping birds. Once enough lightning-chakra has been collected, the user rushes at their target and thrusts the Chidori into it; the speed of the attack and the amount of chakra used enable the user to penetrate most defenses easily.[18] During Kakashi Gaiden, a short flashback to Kakashi's childhood that divides Part I and II of the series, the Chidori is revealed to cause a tunnel vision effect because of the speeds at which the user moves, leaving them vulnerable to a counterattack.[19] Due to this disability, only ninja with a Sharingan eye can use the Chidori safely, as the Sharingan's ability to notice even the slightest details counteracts the tunnel vision. As a result, Kakashi is able to teach the Chidori to Sasuke. Due to the large amounts of concentration and chakra needed to collect and control the lightning-chakra, both Kakashi and Sasuke are initially limited to using Chidori only a few times a day.[20] They are shown to have increased their limits, but to what extent is unclear. As the creator of the Chidori, Kakashi has reached a level of control great enough that he can split a bolt of lightning, resulting in his version being called the "Lightning Blade" (雷切, Raikiri). Sasuke also reaches greater levels of control during Part II, which allows him to reshape the Chidori in his hand into a solid sword-like form with variations Chidori Stream, Chidori Needles, or Chidori Spear.
• Summoning: Reanimation (口寄せ・穢土転生, Kuchiyose: Edo Tensei, Summoning: Impure World Reincarnation) : a forbidden summoning jutsu that is used to revive the dead in a state of near-life. The process of this jutsu begins by obtaining a genetic sample from the deceased, either through grave robbery or blood stains and salvaged organs. A living person is then sacrificed for the deceased spirit to inhabit and serve as a slave to the user's will. However, the Jutsu can only function if the deceased soul is within the realm of Pure Land and not elsewhere in the afterlife like in the stomach of the Reaper. Though it was the Tobirama Senju who invented the Reanimation Jutsu for the purpose of creating an indestructible army used in suicide attacks, the jutsu was later completed by Orochimaru when he revived Tobirama Senju and Hashirama Senju. Kabuto perfected the jutsu to the point where he is able to revive dozens of ninja in one execution, needing to focus all his mental energy to fully control them. People revived through this process are almost invulnerable to even the most fatal attacks, as they will simply regenerate any damage taken (although it takes some time for especially damaging attacks like Rasengan and they can also be paralyzed by specific attacks, such as poison). Having already died, the resurrected expel any basic needs living people required; they have unlimited chakra and power due to not needing to replenish them. In addition, they cannot be subjected to genjutsu jutsu that affect living things like the Infinite Tsukuyomi. The only effective means to destroy a ninja brought back is with Yin-Yang Style techniques that damage the body beyond regeneration to the point of death. Despite Kabuto claiming that the technique is flawless, it does have several flaws, including that the reanimated can choose to leave their vessels to willingly drift back to the afterlife. Those who are paralyzed, sealed, or subjected to certain genjutsu, such as Komo Amatsukami: Koto, cannot take further action to free themselves until the technique is cancelled. Also, the reanimated can sever their link to the jutsu so they will remain among the living even after the jutsu is canceled, as shown by Madara Uchiha. Furthermore, if such a ninja who lost a body part while alive is brought back to true life with the Rinnegan's Samsara of Heavenly Life Jutsu, the living equivalent of that ninja's body part is absent.
• Puppet Technique (傀儡の術, Kugutsu no Jutsu, English manga: "Art of the Puppet Master", English anime: "Puppet Master Jutsu") : a style of combat originating from the Ōtsutsuki clan. The village of Sunagakure that utilizes strings of chakra to control objects, typically puppets. The puppeteer connects one of their fingers to part of a puppet's body with a chakra string, allowing them to remotely operate it in battle with the proper finger movements. Advanced puppeteers can control multiple puppets at once; for instance, the Sunagakure ninja Chiyo can control ten puppets at once by having each finger control a different puppet. However, Sasori can control up to 100 different puppets, with the strings connected directly to his heart;[37] he can do this because he turned himself into a puppet. Relying almost exclusively on the secret weapons and features of their puppets during battle, the puppeteers themselves are vulnerable and go to lengths to remove themselves from combat. Puppets normally cannot use chakra, though Sasori creates puppets from human bodies, preserving the chakra and unique abilities the body originally had. Kankuro is the most commonly seen puppeteer in Naruto, and he adds additional puppets to his arsenal as the series progresses
• Rasengan (螺旋丸, lit. spiral sphere, English manga: "Spiral Chakra Sphere") : a jutsu that Minato created, based on the Tailed Beast Bomb, and later taught it to his master Jiraiya. He spent three years creating the rasengan, which he intended to be the highest form of shape transformation. It is a spinning ball of compressed chakra formed in the user's hand that tears and grinds with great force at anything it contacts. The Rasengan is introduced in the series when Jiraiya, Minato Namikaze's teacher, teaches it to Naruto Uzumaki, Minato's son, to take the boy further in his training. Jiraiya teaches the difficult jutsu to Naruto in three stages: spinning the chakra, giving it sufficient force, and forming the chakra into a compressed spherical shape. Naruto struggles with the final step, and creates an alternative method using a shadow clone to mold the shape of the attack while he provides the chakra and controls it. New variants included the Giant Rasengan (大玉螺旋丸, Oodama Rasengan, Great Ball Rasengan) that is stronger than the standard version. Kakashi Hatake, Minato's student, and Konohamaru Sarutobi, Naruto's "apprentice", are also revealed to have been taught how to use the Rasengan. Later in Part II, having developed the Rasenshuriken and perfecting it with sage chakra to use the technique without any self-damage, Naruto uses the sage chakra to create an enhanced version of Rasengan, the Sage Art: Super Big Ball Rasengan (仙法・超大玉螺旋丸, Senpō: Chō Oodama Rasengan). After Naruto gains control over Kurama's chakra, in the form of the Nine-Tails Chakra Mode, many new variations are introduced, such as the Planetary Rasengan (惑星螺旋丸, Wakusei Rasengan), which places three regular Rasengan in synchronous orbit around a single Giant Rasengan similar to moons cycling a planet, the Rasen-Rampage (螺旋乱丸, Rasenrangan) which creates multiple Rasengan using chakra arms to attack multiple targets, and the Rasen-Absorption (螺旋吸丸, Rasenkyūgan) which uses the chakra arms to grab and smash his foes into a Giant Rasengan, creating the illusion of being "absorbed by Rasengan". All of these variations can be multiplied through the use of shadow clones. After Naruto gains the chakra of the other Tailed Beast, Naruto invents other variations of the technique such as Shukaku's Magnet Style for the Sage Art: Magnet Style Rasengan (仙法・磁遁螺旋丸, Senpō: Jiton Rasengan).
• Reaper Death Seal (屍鬼封尽, Shiki Fūjin, lit. "Dead Demon Consuming Seal") : a suicidal forbidden Sealing Jutsu where the user summons an entity called the Reaper (死神, Shinigami) behind him, thrusting its arm through the user's stomach to grab the soul of the target and drag it into the user's body. Once the sealing is completed, the Reaper would consume the souls of both the user and the sealed, sentencing them to be locked in combat within the Reaper's stomach for all eternity. However, in cases where only part of the target's soul is sealed, the corresponding body part is paralyzed and suffers from extremely painful necrosis. The Fourth and Third Hokage executed the Reaper Death Seal during their respective battles with Kurama and Orochimaru. In both cases, both Hokage were forced to only take a part of their opponents down with them: Minato taking the Yin aspect of Kurama while Hiruzen is forced take the part of Orochimaru's soul within his arms in an attempt to ensure his former pupil would never perform a jutsu again. Later, in the Part II during the events of the Fourth Great Ninja War, Orochimaru uses an Uzumaki clan mask to summon the Reaper in a risky move, and breaks the Reaper Death Seal by cutting the demon's stomach wide open. With the Reaper Death Seal undone, the souls of the previous four Hokage are reanimated while Orochimaru regains the part of his soul he had lost years earlier.
• Ninja Art: Mitotic Regeneration (創造再生, Sōzō Saisei, lit. "Creation Rebirth") : the absolute pinnacle of medical ninjutsu, created by Tsunade, who is regarded as the greatest medical ninja in the ninja world. The user must first store a substantial amount of chakra to form the Byakugo Seal (百豪の印, Byakugō no In, lit. "Strength of a Hundred Seal") at the forehead. To activate the technique, the user releases the seal to forcibly release the stored chakra to the body. Through the input of the user, proteins hasten the creation of new cells through cell division, which regenerates any injuries sustained by the user. Thus, as long as the user has enough chakra, they are able to regenerate even the most fatal injuries, essentially making them "invincible" in combat. However, because body cells can only divide a number of times in life, the user is basically shortening their lifespan by accelerating the process. Tsunade manages to counteract this to a certain extent through her long lifespan, thus she is able to live even after using the jutsu several times. The jutsu also has a variation, Mitotic Regeneration: One Hundred Healings (百豪の術, Byakugō no Jutsu, lit. "Strength of a Hundred Technique"). Though it has the same effect as the original, the user does not need to input chakra to activate, and injuries are automatically regenerated as damage is done. Tsunade made the rule that prohibits any medical ninja to directly participate in battles if they had not mastered this technique to assure their own safety. Tsunade's student, Sakura Haruno, became able to use One Hundred Healings after having stored her chakra for three years to form the Byakugo Seal.
• Shadow Clone Jutsu (影分身の術, Kage Bunshin no Jutsu, English manga: "Art of the Shadow Doppelganger") : one of Naruto Uzumaki's signature techniques, invented by Tobirama Senju with the instructions placed in a forbidden scroll that Naruto was tricked into stealing by a ninja named Mizuki. Unlike regular clone jutsus, the Shadow Clones are physical clones of the user capable of cohabiting with their surroundings, performing jutsu, and engaging in battle before dispersing in a puff of smoke when sufficiently damaged or at the user's discretion. When clones are created, the user's chakra is evenly distributed among them, making it easy for the user to quickly expend their chakra. While most ninja limit themselves to only making a few clones because of this, Naruto can create thousands of clones due to his large amount of chakra. He can also combine it with his "Sexy Jutsu" to produce the "Harem Jutsu". Naruto learns that any knowledge his clone possesses will be transferred to him at the moment that the jutsu is canceled. This fact enables Naruto to make use of the Jutsu in training to gain years of experience in days, and to cover more ground by using his Shadow Clones as scouts.
• Shikotsumyaku (屍骨脈, literally meaning "Dead Bone Pulse") : a genetic ability to manipulate the user's own skeletal structure by using chakra infusions to manipulate the growth and properties of their bones for combat use. The user thus recovers heavy injuries quickly and is not hindered at all if their bones are broken; in fact, the technique's usage encourages the user to break up their bones, which are hardened almost like steel, for offensive use. Most of this jutsu's techniques are named after plants, combined with a theme around "dances", including the Dance of Willow (柳の舞, Yanagi no Mai), Dance of Camellia (椿の舞, Tsubaki no Mai), and Dance of Seedling Fern (早蕨の舞, Sawarabi no Mai). The technique's progenitor, Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, uses an advanced variation called the All-Killing Ash Bones (共殺の灰骨, Tomogoroshi no Haikotsu): she manifests bones from her back and then fires bones from her palms at the intended target. When these bones hit a living organism, the target starts to deteriorate at a molecular level, reducing their bodies to nothing more than a pile of ash. She also used this attack in a variety of ways: as a projectile attack, incorporating the use of her dimension-manifesting abilities to land a two-sided attack as well as a close-range melee attack. Shikotsumyaku was a kekkei genkai of the Kaguya Clan, who became extinct due to the clan's barbaric and bloodthristy nature. Kabuto Yakushi used the DNA from a construct of the clan's last member, Kimimaro, to gain the technique.
• Summoning Jutsu (口寄せの術, Kuchiyose no Jutsu) : allows a ninja to summon anything to their side. One common use for Summoning Jutsus are calling creatures to fight by the summoner's side. Before such a summon can be performed, a ninja must first sign a contract with the creature in their own blood. Even after that they need only perform the proper hand-seals and press their hand to the ground, offering an additional donation of blood while providing an appropriate amount of chakra to bring the creature to their location. The Summoning Jutsu has been used by a number of different characters during the series, each of whom summons a different type of creature: the most common summons being the toads of Mount Myoboku and snakes. Other summons include tortoises, hawks, dogs, slugs, puppets, and various other creatures. Summoning Jutsu could work both ways with a creature bringing its summoner to its location.

Users

• Hagoromo Otsutsuki : one of the two sons of Kaguya Ōtsutsuki with his father having been a human. He and his brother came to live in a world dominated by their mother's Infinite Tsukuyomi. During this time, Hagoromo learnt the art of jutsu from the natural world where he and his brother together defeated their mother when she merged with the God Tree to become the Ten-Tails. Hagoromo sealed the beast within him thus becoming its jinchūriki whereupon he taught the art of ninshū to humans and became known as the Sage of Six Paths.
• Hashirama Senju : a male shinobi of the Senju Clan who lived during the Warring States Period where his people were locked in conflict with the Uchiha Clan. He looked to end this war where he was responsible for creating the practice of ninja villages after establishing Konohagakure with him being its leader holding the title of the First Hokage.
• Madara Uchiha :
• Shinnō : a male medical-nin from the Land of Sky who in the past had taught Orichimaru several forbidden Regeneration Techniques and was the sensei of Amaru.
• Mei Terumi :
• Jiraiya :
• Orochimaru :
• Tsunade :
• Kakashi Hatake :
• Obito Uchiha :
• Naruto Uzumaki :
• Sasuke Uchiha :
• Sakura Haruno :
• Boruto Uzumaki :
• Sarada Uchiha :

Notes

• Jutsu was created by Masashi Kishimoto and featured in the setting of the Naruto universe.
• Series creator Masashi Kishimoto [1] said that he developed the concept of jutsu to explain the supernatural feats that ninjas perform in the series and to provide an illustrative image of ninjas in manga.
• Although the concept of chakra appears in the Indian mythology as well as in Buddhism and in some other belief systems, when asked in an interview, Kishimoto claimed that none of these influences were the basis for his use of the concept in Naruto. He further asserted that it was a term to apply a concrete definition to the ninjas' ability to use jutsu in the series and is comparable to the Force in Star Wars or to magic points in role-playing games.[1]
• T.H.E.M. Anime Reviews asserted that jutsu were the primary focus of Naruto and the source of its "highest accolades", but criticized the overly repetitive use of certain jutsu in fight scenes.
• Anime News Network agreed with this sentiment, calling the fights "repetitive to a fault", but praised the visual presentation of jutsu in both the anime and manga.

Appearances

• Naruto:
• Boruto: Naruto Next Generations:

External Links

• Naruto Wiki Entry
• Wikipedia Entry

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