Jutsu types

Jutsu in Naruto are divided into three categories: ninjutsu, genjutsu, and taijutsu. Ninjutsu also has two sub-categories: sealing jutsu and cursed seal jutsu, which are used to create seals for various purposes.^[14] Senjutsu, a concept introduced in Part II of the series, 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.^[15] Kekkei genkaiabilities are genetically inherited traits that allow the user to perform unique techniques.^[14]

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, such as opening the Eight Gates or the execution of Naruto's Rasenshuriken, or if the techniques are dark or sinister in nature, such as those used by Orochimaru.^[14]

^Ninjutsu

Ninjutsu (忍術, lit. "ninja techniques") is 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).^[14]

^Genjutshu

Genjutsu (幻術, lit. "illusion 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.^[16] 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.^[17]

^Taijutsu

^{Taijutsu (体術, lit. "body techniques") is 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.}

^{Kakkei genkai}

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.

Kekkei genkai such as the Sharingan that work via the user's eyes are called Dōjutsu (瞳術, "eye techniques").^[14] This particular type of jutsu was derived from Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, the mother of the Sage of the Six Paths and originator of the Three Great Dōjutsu, with the Uchiha, Uzumaki, and Hyūga Clans her descendants. Other kekkei genkai such as Wood Style revolve around a simultaneous combination of two separate chakra elements to create an entirely new one. Kekkei Genkai have an advanced variation called Kekkei tōta (血継淘汰, lit. "bloodline selection"). There is only one example of this variation, Particle Style, which involves the combination of fire, wind, and earth elements. An even more powerful variation is Kekkei mōra (血継網羅, lit. "bloodline encompassing"), which combines all elements of nature, including Yin-Yang Style. An example of kekkei mōra is Rinne Sharingan, an ancient dōjutsu possessed by Kaguya Otsutsuki and the Jinchuriki of Kaguya's monstrous form, the Ten Tails.

Dojutsu

Dōjutsu (瞳術, lit. "eye techniques") is 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.

Fuinjutsu

Sealing jutsu (封印術 Fūin jutsu) are 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.^[14]

^Senjutsu

Senjutsu (仙術, lit. "sage techniques") is a form of jutsu introduced during Part II of the series that is taught from summons who have obtained the title of sage, two of which are the Great Toad Sage and the White Snake Sage.^[15] 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. 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.