Summary
Elemental ninjutsu is one of the pillars ofNaruto’spower system, encompassing a substantial portion of the techniques used by the series' main cast. From the initial appearance of the Uchiha clan’s treasured Fireball Jutsu,to the debut of Sasuke’s Chidori, or even Naruto’s first use of his now signature Rasenshuriken, this class of ninjutsu techniques has consistently been used to signify escalating power levels. Even Naruto and Sasuke’s development as shinobi throughoutNarutopartly revolved around advancements in their respective ability to use elemental ninjutsu, particularly in the latter half of the series.
The underlying principle that guides shinobi in their usage of elemental techniques is that of Nature Transformation, which entails the infusion of a particular chakra nature into a technique, giving it various properties that enhance its effectiveness. Mastering a particular chakra nature can take years of dedicated practice, to yield techniques whose sheer scale and scope exceed the limits of human imagination. As such, ninja who can use one or more forms of Nature Transformationare highly coveted among the hidden villagesof the Five Great Shinobi Countries. The diversity of techniques yielded by this process is near infinite, with even a single chakra nature possessing innumerable jutsu which are applicable in a broad range of combat scenarios.
RELATED:The Most Cynical Naruto Characters, Ranked
The Foundation Of Elemental Ninjutsu
In essence, the concept of Nature Transformation hinges on the five basic chakra natures, whose importance in the world of shinobi cannot be understated. Each of the Five Great Shinobi Countries is named after a particular chakra nature, andninja from these regions generally specializein elemental ninjutsu that aligns with it. The five basic natures include Fire, Wind, Lightning, Earth, and Water, with the system having its roots in the Chinese philosophy of wuxing as well as Onmyodo — an independent Japanese school of thought that was itself based on wuxing to some degree.
All five natures interact with one another based on a cycle that defines their relative weaknesses and strengths. For instance, Fire is weak against Water but strong against Wind. In turn, Wind is weak against Fire but strong against Lightning. Whereas Lightning trumps Earth and succumbs to Wind, the chakra nature of Earth is inferior against Lightning but superior to Water. Finally, Water can overcome Fire but fails against Earth. Whencomparing jutsu of equal scale and quality, this order of precedence holds true in practically every situation.
The only time a chakra nature can overcome this hierarchy, is when a higher level technique of one chakra nature, is used against a less powerful jutsu belonging to a chakra nature that is higher up in the cycle. In this scenario, the higher level technique can overcome the relative weakness in chakra nature on the basis of the power it possesses, either due to the higher volume of chakra it is imbued with,or the quality of the shape transformation involved.
If two techniques of the same chakra nature and level are pitted against one another, they will mutually negate one another. Alternatively, if one technique is of a higher level than the other, it will absorb the chakra of the inferior technique and grow even stronger in the process, as seen in howItachi’s Amaterasu was able to absorbSasuke’s Fireball Jutsu, since Blaze Release is the highest form of Fire Release.
Natural Affinity And Kekkei Genkai
Shinobi generally have a natural affinity for one or more chakra natures, which makes it easier for them to perform and master techniques associated with a particular Nature Transformation. Members of the Uchiha clan often have a natural affinity for Fire Release, as evidenced in howit is a rite of passage for them to masterthe hallowed Fire Release: Great Fireball Technique. A shinobi’s innate chakra nature can be determined by means of a special variety of paper known as Chakra Induction paper, which reacts uniquely to each chakra nature.
As mentioned earlier, it is far easier for a shinobi to acquire techniques associated with a chakra nature that aligns with their own affinity. However, it is also possible to learn and masterjutsu that utilize other chakra natures, as most jonin from the Five Great Shinobi Countries are expected to be able to use at least two or more Nature Transformations. It is quite rare for shinobi to master all five basic chakra natures, and only a select few such as Hiruzen Sarutobi, Kakashi Hatake, Orochimaru, Mu, Hashirama Senju, and Tobirama Senju, were able to do this by normal means.
RELATED:Naruto: The Many Forms Of Chidori, Explained
This is due to how some shinobi may be less inclined towards certain chakra natures, which makes mastery all the more difficult. Conversely, some shinobi can master all five through other means, such aspossessing the Rinnegan, acquiring Six Paths Senjutsu, using the Bashosen, or employing the Earth Grudge Fear technique. That being said, the number of shinobi who have done so through these methods is extremely low.
Beyond this, it is also possible to combine two chakra natures at a time to create new elemental natures with properties that exceed the scope of the five basic types. This is only possible for those who possess a kekkei genkai — a genetic trait which grants an affinity towards two chakra natures at a time, allowing a user to blend them into a new one. Moreover, some can even combine three chakra natures at a time to create a kekkei tota. The only shinobiknown to be capable of doing so are Onokiand his predecessor in the role of Tsuchikage Mu, who were able to use Dust Release, combing Earth, Fire, and Wind Release. Taking this one level higher beyond kekkei genkai and kekkei tota, Truth-Seeking Balls are the pinnacle of elemental ninjutsu, and combine all five basic chakra natures at once, which makes them capable of nullifying any Nature Transformation they are pitted against.
Nine distinct kekkei genkei were showcased over the course ofNaruto, beginning with Haku’s Ice Release, which merged Water and Wind Release. Hashirama Senju’sWood Release is one of the most coveted kekkei genkaiin history, combing Earth and Water Release to create vegetation that can alter the terrain of a battlefield. Storm Release blends Lightning and Water Release, while Magnet Release uses Wind and earth chakra natures, and is a signature ability of the One-Tail Shukaku. Lava Release is another kekkei genkai associated with the tailed beasts, used by the Four-Tails Son Goku, which simultaneously employs Fire and Earth Release.
Manipulating Imagination And Reality
For techniques that exist outside the scope of the five basic elemental chakra natures, there are two additional classes which govern abilities that alter imagination and reality, termed Yin Release and Yang Release respectively. Where the former relies on a shinobi’s spiritual energy, the latter focuses on their physical energy.Most genjutsu fall under the umbrella of Yin Release, due to how they alter reality through the manipulation of chakra. One of Konohagakure’s hiden jutsu, the Shadow Imitation Technique of the Nara clan, has its foundation in Yin Release.
Yang Release has been explored in very limited terms throughoutNaruto, with its most prominent applications lying in the Multi-Size Technique of the Akimichi clan and the Six Paths Yang Powerthat Hagoromo bestowed upon Naruto. Its most well-known usage was seen in combination with Yin Release, which results in Yin-Yang Release, serving as the basis for the Sage of Six Paths' Creation of all Things Technique, which produced the tailed beasts, along with the Six Paths — Chibaku Tensei, which was used to seal Kaguya Otsutsuki in the Fourth Shinobi World War.
