Thursday, July 12, 2007

Kekkei genkai~ Blood line Trait


In the Naruto anime and manga series, a kekkei genkai , kekkei genkai?literally "blood inheritance limit" or "[an ability] limited to blood inheritance," also called a "bloodline limit," "advanced bloodline," or "bloodline trait") is any property passed down genetically through a specific clan that cannot be imitated or duplicated by any normal method, although it might be possible to copy it using genetic manipulation or organ transplantation. Kekkei genkai are often beneficial, and are employed commonly by shinobi to improve their chances in battle or other challenging situations.
The eagerness with which the rulers of nations have taken advantage of shinobi with kekkei genkai for the purposes of furthering war efforts has taken its toll on their reputation, to such a degree that many in the Naruto world automatically associate kekkei genkai with war and pain. It eventually reached the point of outright fear and hatred, resulting in witch-hunts and systematic murders of families and individuals with kekkei genkai.

Byakugan~ ( Neji's Eye)

The Byakugan (, Byakugan? literally "White Eye," Viz "Evil Eye") is a special pupil condition (, Dōjutsu?, literally "eye technique") that naturally occurs in members of the Hyuga clan (and thus only characters from the Hyuga clan possess it). Byakugan users are characterized by their lavender, pupil-less eyes. When the Byakugan is activated, their pupils somewhat appear and the veins near their temples bulge.
A person with the Byakugan has a nearly 360 degree field of vision except for a small blind spot behind the first thoracic vertebra (near the back of the neck), which is its only known weakness. Byakugan users can detect anything around them within a 50-meter radius (although Neji Hyuga manages to increase the radius to over 800 meters during the timeskip), making them close-range combat experts. The Byakugan also gives the user the ability to see through basically any matter over extremely long distances. This seems to be a combination of x-ray and thermographic vision, as Hinata Hyuga notes in the Bikochu filler arc that objects can be difficult to see if their temperature is the same as the objects around them. A small degree of telescopic vision is also present, as a Byakugan user can focus on a single object at any point within their range of vision. The degree of focus seems to be dependent on the skill of the user. The Byakugan's sight cannot be blocked, except in the case of something like Ranmaru's kekkei genkai ability, unlike the Sharingan, which can be blocked by any sufficiently opaque substance. It is however, possible to impede it slightly through the use of certain powerful seals. The Byakugan's insight capacity makes it useful for searching, tracking, and identifying targets.
One of the most powerful aspects of the Byakugan is the ability to see the inner chakra coil system, which is the key aspect of using the Gentle Fist style to attack said system. If sufficiently developed, the Byakugan is able to see individual chakra points, potentially allowing the user to shut off the opponent's chakra flow completely, such that the opponent cannot perform techniques that require chakra. However, the user can increase chakra flow as well. Seasoned Byakugan users are even capable of killing with a single blow.
Protection of the Byakugan ability is very important to the Hyuga clan, and has led to the development of an elaborate family hierarchy. The Hyuga clan is divided into two houses: the main house (, sō-ke?) and the branch house (, bun-ke?). The branch house's main purpose is to protect the main house and the secrets of the Byakugan. Branch house members' abilities and freedom are restricted through the means of a cursed seal that is placed on every branch house member's forehead. Through the means of a special technique that only main house members know, the seal can be activated, destroying the brain cells of the person branded with the seal. This allows the main house to make the branch house subordinate to its wishes. In addition, whenever a branch house member dies, the cursed seal will also seal the Byakugan ability so that enemies will not be able to discover the secrets of the bloodline limit if Konoha's hunter-nin are unable to find and dispose the body before the enemy finds it.
There are several techniques developed specifically for Byakugan users, which complement and make use of the Byakugan's abilities – most notable among which are the defensive barrier technique Eight Trigram Palms Heavenly Spin and the high-speed precision attack Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms.



Hyoton~ (Haku)

Young Haku manipulating water
Haku's kekkei genkai, Hyoton , Hyōton?, literally "Ice Release," dubbed "Haku's Secret Arts of Water" by Viz) allowed him to combine wind and water-based chakra to create ice, which he could manipulate through willpower alone, as seen in the anime from a flashback where he was manipulating water in his hands and again when he uses water to create a field of icicles through his house by freezing water. The ice Haku created was largely immune to fire-based attacks, only melting slightly when coming into contact with flames. Using his special ability, Haku developed the Demonic Ice Mirrors (, Makyō Hyō Shō?, English TV "Crystal Ice Mirrors"), which allowed him to create any number of mirrors made of ice to use as a shield or trap an opponent. Haku could enter these mirrors and move between them almost instantaneously, allowing him to easily attack others and not worry about being countered.
In the first Naruto movie, several of the Yukigakure ninja also had the ability to use Hyoton techniques. However, this was not the product of a similar kekkei genkai, as demonstrated by Kakashi's ability to replicate one of these jutsu with his Sharingan. In addition, unlike Haku, who could create his own ice, the Hyoton jutsu used in the movie required the users to manipulate already existing ice.

Kurama clan's kekkei genkai~
Every few generations a member of the Kurama clan will be born with an incredible talent for genjutsu. The clan member's talent in that field is such that their genjutsu is completely irresistible, so much so that only knocking a person out cold has any chance of awakening them from it. Furthermore, the genjutsu is so powerful that it causes the brain to make anything that happens to the victim within the genjutsu physically real, allowing the clan member to potentially kill their opponents with genjutsu. Such frightening power is not without its drawbacks, however. The user can rarely control the full extent of their abilities, and as such their subconscious will often regulate that power, leading to the creation of a second personality in control of that power. This personality then overwhelms the original, turning the individual into a monster that's a danger to everyone around them.




Mokuton~

The First Hokage utilizing a Mokuton technique.
The Mokuton (, Mokuton? literally "Wood Release") jutsu are techniques that combine earth and water-based chakra to create wood. Mokuton techniques can be produced from anywhere, including the user's body, as the user's chakra is literally converted into a source of life. The First Hokage was the originator of this ability, evidenced by the fact that none of his relatives have been shown capable of using Mokuton. The First's ability to use Mokuton was the reason for his being given the title of Hokage, and with Wood Release Secret Technique: Birth of Dense Woodland (, Mokuton Hijutsu: Jukai Kōtan?, English TV "Secret Earth Jutsu: Deep Forest Creation") he was able to grow the trees that served as the foundation of Konohagakure.
Orochimaru desired the First's Mokuton abilities, and injected the First's DNA into 60 test subjects in an attempt to replicate the ability. Yamato was the only test subject to survive, and is the only known living user of Mokuton. Yamato has been shown to be quite adept with the ability, and has performed a number of Mokuton abilities since his introduction. With the Wood Clone Technique (, Moku Bunshin no Jutsu?), Yamato can create a copy of himself made of wood to carry out tasks he is unable to do at the moment. He can also perform Wood Locking Wall (, Moku Jōheki?) to create a half-dome used either to block attacks or capture others. The Four Pillars Technique (, Shichūrō no Jutsu?) can serve a similar purpose, as it creates a large wooden cage with which to confine the opponent. Yamato has also been shown to use his abilities for creature comforts, such as using Four Pillars House Technique (, Shichūka no Jutsu?) to create a house for him to camp out in.
A possibly unrelated technique, but unique to the First and Yamato, is the Hokage-Style Sixty-year-old Technique: Enclosed Hermitage Return to Society (, Hokage Shiki Jijun Jutsu: Kakuan Nitten Suishu?). This jutsu produces a seal (, "seat") on the user's hand that can suppress a tailed beast's influence over its host. This is done by producing wooden dragons from the ground that attach to the host and force the tailed beast's chakra to recede. The First Hokage's crystal necklace aids in this technique's execution, but its exact role is unclear.


Ranmaru's kekkei genkai~

Ranmaru has a kekkei genkai ability similar to the Byakugan and Zetsu's spying technique. Its powers allow him to see through solid objects, nightvision, and create illusions with chakra circulatory systems. It also allows him to interfere with the workings of the Byakugan, and has other vaguely defined powers regarding vision. When activated, Ranmaru's eyes momentarily glow red. Not much else is known about his kekkei genkai





Sharingan~

Kakashi's Sharingan.
The Sharingan (, Sharingan? literally "Copy Wheel Eye," Viz "Mirror Wheel Eye") is a special type of pupil condition that naturally occurs in all members of the Uchiha clan, though not all of them gain the ability to use it. Itachi hints at some dark ultimate purpose behind the Sharingan, which both he and Sasuke apparently know, but the series has yet to reveal exactly what that purpose is. The Sharingan is thought to be descended from the Byakugan, but grants the user different abilities and a different insight.
The Sharingan's first and most well known ability is to memorize any technique that it witnesses. It can memorize ninjutsu, genjutsu, and taijutsu with perfect accuracy, allowing the user to use the techniques as his own. In order to reproduce copied jutsu, however, one must have the necessary skill or ability to perform them. A prime example is Rock Lee's Strong Fist taijutsu. While Sasuke was able to copy some of Lee's moves, they put a much more significant strain on him since he hasn't trained nearly as hard as Lee has. In addition to physical skill, the Sharingan cannot allow the user to reproduce other kekkei genkai since the Sharingan user doesn't possess the same genetic trait. Additionally, Sharingan users cannot summon a creature which they have not made a contract with.
The Sharingan also grants the user incredible clarity of perception, allowing them to track fast-moving objects with ease and even predict the subsequent movements of those objects. The ability to track and predict movement is largely based on individual skill, as unskilled users have much more trouble tracking fast-moving objects. A fully-evolved Sharingan eye can track all but the quickest opponents, even if the user can't move at the same speed. This perception is also great enough to see through genjutsu, depending upon the skill of the user, and the ability to observe the movement and flow of chakra, but not to the same extent or clarity as the Byakugan. Additionally, the Sharingan grants the user exceptional analytical powers, allowing them to instinctively pick up on various visual clues with little difficulty. In one instance, Kakashi had to shut his eyes to avoid accidentally reading Naruto's lip movements while he was spoiling the ending of one of Kakashi's Icha Icha books. Sasuke was also able to reproduce answers on another person's test by watching their pencil movements during the Chunin Exam.
Finally, the Sharingan is capable of a unique brand of hypnosis that involves suggesting actions and thoughts to the opponent. When used in conjunction with the aforementioned aspects of the Sharingan, this allows the user to perfectly mimic every move their opponent makes, even before they do, making it appear as if the user can see the future. It also allows for other forms of hypnotism, such as putting an opponent to sleep or relaying memories to someone else.
The Sharingan does not automatically appear from birth in a user; instead, it will usually appear when the user is in a life-threatening situation, where the power of the Sharingan could save the user. After this first appearance, the user can then call up the Sharingan any time he or she pleases. (Due to its unique nature, Kakashi's Sharingan cannot be deactivated, and thus he usually covers it to conserve chakra.) The power of the Sharingan is judged through the number of tomoe in the eye, known as the "tomoe seal". It is not unheard of for a Sharingan user to have different amounts of tomoe in each eye. For example, Sasuke's Sharingan initially had two tomoe in one eye and one in the other. Upon his first regular activation of it, it had evolved to two tomoe in each eye. He evolved it to three in each eye during his battle with Naruto at the Valley of the End. A fully-matured Sharingan has three tomoe in each eye.
It is possible to transplant Sharingan eyes from one person to another, as occurred with Kakashi and his deceased comrade Obito Uchiha. However, transplanted eyes do not work as well in a non-Uchiha body, causing more strain on the user, as is the case with Kakashi – extended use of his Sharingan will cause him to collapse. Uchiha clan members are not burdened with this weakness; while activation of the Sharingan does consume chakra, the drain is so small as to be almost insignificant. Itachi in particular seems to have no trouble keeping his Sharingan activated near-constantly.
The characters who currently possess the Sharingan include Sasuke Uchiha, Itachi Uchiha, and Kakashi Hatake. Kakashi's eye was given to him by Obito Uchiha, one of his teammates in his original three-man ninja team. Obito developed it in a battle against a camouflaging Rock shinobi. During this battle, Kakashi lost his left eye when he was attacked, hence his scar. Near the end of the battle, the right side of Obito's body was crushed under a giant rock, and as his last act Obito had Rin, a medical ninja, remove his left eye and implant it in Kakashi's empty eye socket, thus allowing Kakashi to use the Sharingan even though he does not have Uchiha blood. This is also why only his left eye is a Sharingan eye.


Mangekyo Sharingan~

The Mangekyo Sharingan (, Mangekyō Sharingan?, literally "Kaleidoscope Copy Wheel Eye") is a heightened form of Sharingan. The Mangekyo Sharingan is distinguished from a normal Sharingan through its appearance, which changes the form of the tomoe seal. However, unlike the Sharingan, it may have a different appearance between the users, as Kakashi's version is significantly different than Itachi's. Those who have the potential to obtain it must make a great sacrifice in order to obtain it—according to Itachi, they must kill their closest friend. Itachi does in fact do this to obtain his version, but Kakashi has noted that everyone he cared about had died long before the start of the series, so how he developed his own variant is unknown. It has also been implied that use of the Mangekyo Sharingan may deteriorate the user's normal eyesight.
In the long history of the Uchiha clan, only a few have been able to obtain the Mangekyo Sharingan. At present, there are only two people who are known to possess the Mangekyo Sharingan, Itachi being one and Kakashi being the other. At the time of the Uchiha massacre, Itachi told his younger brother Sasuke that, if he was to obtain the Mangekyo Sharingan, there would be three people capable of using it. Itachi's statement may suggest that there is (or was at that time) another Mangekyo Sharingan user somewhere; however, he could also have meant that there are only three people left who are capable of acquiring the Mangekyo Sharingan. Given that Itachi had just killed every other member of the Uchiha clan, this statement could simply be taken as a matter of fact: Kakashi, Sasuke, and Itachi were the only known characters left alive with Sharingan eyes, so no one else had the potential to obtain it.


Itachi's Mangekyo Sharingan~

Itachi's Mangekyo Sharingan.
Itachi Uchiha gained the Mangekyo Sharingan by killing his best friend, Shisui Uchiha. With the Mangekyo Sharingan, Itachi is able to use the two most powerful jutsu of the Uchiha clan. The first is Tsukuyomi (, Tsukuyomi? literally "Moon Reader"), named after the Shinto moon god, Tsukuyomi. Upon making eye contact with an opponent, Itachi can use Tsukuyomi to transport them to an illusionary world where days amount to mere seconds in the real world. Because Itachi is in control of this world, he can torture an opponent in any way imaginable, leaving them crippled and in a state of mental collapse. The second jutsu is Amaterasu (, Amaterasu? literally "Shining Heaven"), named for the Shinto sun goddess, Amaterasu. While the jutsu has only been performed offscreen, it is shown to be capable of burning through the strongest of materials by creating a jet-black flame said to be as hot as the sun and capable of burning for seven days and seven nights.



Kakashi's Mangekyo Sharingan~

Kakashi's Mangekyo Sharingan.
Kakashi Hatake developed his own version of the Mangekyo Sharingan during the timeskip. Unlike Itachi's version, which is used to destroy a target, Kakashi uses his to create a localized interdimensional space-time warp, allowing him to target any object and send it to another dimension, achieving the same result. Kakashi used this new jutsu to warp a segment of Deidara's right arm into a different dimension. He immediately aimed at Deidara's head for a second attack, but missed. He subsequently uses it again in Chapter 278 to counter Deidara's ultimate move, which would otherwise level the entire forest they were fighting in. The attack requires considerable effort to aim precisely and appears to leave Kakashi's chakra significantly drained; he collapses after using the technique three times in a single day (compared to his other original move, Lightning Blade, which he can use four times a day).
The appearance of the pupil and tomoe in Kakashi's Mangekyo Sharingan differ from that of Itachi's; Kakashi's looks more like a pinwheel. Before this was shown, it was thought that one had to kill their best friend to acquire the Mangekyo Sharingan. This clearly isn't the case with Kakashi, who stated long before developing his Mangekyo Sharingan that everyone close to him was already dead. The only known now-deceased person that could be described as his "closest friend" was Obito, who died shortly after giving Kakashi his Sharingan eye. While Kakashi may have felt responsible for Obito's death at the time, he certainly didn't kill Obito himself, and it wouldn't explain why it took him so many years to obtain the Mangekyo Sharingan. Thus, the means behind its development and the actual meaning of the "requirement" are currently unknown.


Shikotsumyaku~

Kimimaro manipulating his bones
Shikotsumyaku (, Shikotsumyaku? literally "Dead Bone Pulse")2 is the kekkei genkai of the extinct Kaguya clan, which gave them the ability to manipulate their own skeletal structure. They had free control over the cells responsible for bone growth and replacement, allowing them to manipulate their bones at will. They could protrude their bones out through their skin, change their bone density, and could even completely regenerate a lost bone. An example of this is seen with the Finger Bullet Drill (, Teshi Sendan?), which fires the user's fingertip bones like bullets. All this makes their bodies virtually indestructible, and any point of contact on the body could become as sharp as a spear tip, giving them a nearly perfect defense. The ability seems to be rare amongst the clan members, as Kimimaro Kaguya was the only one to exhibit it out of his entire clan.
Most of the Shikotsumyaku abilities came in the form of bone-utilizing dances named after flowers. The most basic of these dances is the Dance of the Camellia (, Tsubaki no Mai?), which uses the humerus of either arm as a sword. The Dance of the Willow (, Yanagi no Mai?) uses extensions of bone from the body to attack the opponent, coupled with large amounts of acrobatics to increase the attacks' effectiveness. The defensive Dance of the Larch (, Karamatsu no Mai?) uses growths of the user's preexisting skeletal structure to ensnare the opponent and stab them as the bones are growing. The Dance of the Clematis (, Tessenka no Mai?) is an attack with two parts, the first being Vine (, Tsuru?) and the second being Flower (, Hana?). With Vine, the user rips out their spinal cord and use it to trap the opponent. Once immobile, the user uses Flower to form the body's strongest bones into a giant drill on the user's arm to crush the stationary opponent. The final dance, Dance of the Seedling Fern (, Sawarabi no Mai?), creates a giant forest of bone spikes that emerge from the ground and impale the opponent.

Soma no Ko~ (2 headed guy don't know his name)

Sakon and Ukon separating
Soma no Ko (, Sōma no Kō?, literally "Attack of an Evil Spirit Pair") is the unique ability of Sakon and Ukon that allows them to unify some or all of one's body with the other's body. Typically, Ukon is dormant in Sakon's body, with his head protruding from the back of Sakon's neck. When Sakon is in need of assistance, Ukon can bring out some of his body parts to aid Sakon in blocking or attacking. Examples of this are seen in the forms of Multiple Connecting Punches (, Tarenken?) and Multiple Connecting Kicks (, Tarenkyaku?), where Ukon's arms and legs emerge from those of Sakon to add force to his physical attacks.
If needed, Ukon can separate from Sakon's body so that the two can attack independently. While this can be an effective way of double teaming an opponent, Ukon is not used to being outside of or leading Sakon's body and is much weaker when he does so. Despite this, the separated brothers are capable of merging with the bodies of others through Parasite Demon Demolition Technique (, Kisei Kikai no Jutsu?). Once they have done so, Sakon or Ukon can destroy the host's cells from the inside, slowly killing them. While within another's body, however, they are vulnerable to whatever injuries befall upon the host, in theory allowing the host to commit suicide to kill either of the brothers.

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