Introduction to Chakra
Please click the Chakra Pathways image to toggle the appearance of the eight inner gates. To perform techniques, ninja need to use their chakra. Chakra comes from two places: (1) the body energy inherent in the trillions of their cells and (2) the mental & spiritual energy gained from exercise and experience. To perform a jutsu, the ninja will bring out and release these two energies. The amount of chakra required for a technique will vary depending upon its size and complexity. Each ninja has the potential to better utilize an elemental Ninjutsu style. For more on elemental chakra and jutsu, click here. For Taijutsu the ninja does not need to necessarily use chakra, as some attacks merely use the stamina required to carry out the attack. For Ninjutsu the ninja's chakra control will determine how much chakra is used on the technique. For ninja with excellent chakra control, they will use the minimum amount with nothing wasted. For ninja with poor chakra control, they will expend more chakra than needed to accomplish their jutsu.
Chakra flows through the body's chakra circulatory system. On a more microscopic level is these channels connecting all the vital points on the body. These small channel pathways travel between the cells of the body. They carry the generated chakra and allow the ninja to mold it. If these channels are severed, it is beyond the ability of even skilled medical ninja to repair. On the large scale the chakra circulatory system travels throughout the body and around the internal organs also responsible for creating chakra. This system includes 361 tenketsu, which are tiny pin points through which the chakra flows. The chakra flow can be increased or decreased by manipulating these tenketsu. The chakra circulatory system is only visible through the use of the Byakugan. The Sharingan can see general chakra flow, but not the internal system itself. The Byakugan and the Hyuuga clan's Juuken (Gentle Fist) attack style allows them to eject their chakra from their hands into the tenketsu of their opponents. This pressure will cause the tenketsu to close and block the flow of chakra. With enough tenketsu closed, the ninja's chakra flow will be almost nothing, eliminating their ability to use jutsu. Also because the system travels throughout the body and around the internal organs, pressure done against the tenketsu will also damage nearby organs. Because a ninja can not train and strengthen their internal organs, such attacks can be devastating.
Using Chakra
Focusing an equal and constant amount of chakra to a portion of the ninja's body allows them to attach their body to the touched object. This would allow them to walk up vertical surfaces. By expelling a continuous set amount from their feet in proportion to their body weight, the ninja can walk on water. Ninja can also focus chakra to specific limbs, which will increase the muscles' power and strength.
Chakra can also be extended from the body for attack and defense. This can take the form of the chakra strings used to manipulate puppets in Kugutsu no Jutsu. It can also be focused to a fine point for cutting, such as in Kabuto's chakra scalpel. It can also be used to form a defensive barrier in Chakra no Tate.
The chakra in the brain and sensory organs are also the primary target of Genjutsu. Genjutsu is created when a ninja extends their chakra flow through the cerebral nervous system of their opponent to control their minds chakra, thereby affecting their five senses. To combat the effects of Genjutsu, there are two options. The first option is for the ninja to stop the flow of chakra in their body, and then apply an even stronger power to disrupt the flow of the casters chakra. The second option is to have an outside ninja unaffected by the Genjutsu make body contact, and use their chakra to disrupt the casters flow.
The Eight Gates
In addition to the tenketsu, the chakra circulatory system houses eight valves responsible for regulating the flow of chakra. The Hachimon or eight gates are located along the spine, the heart and in the ninja's head. It is possible to force the body to open these gates, which allows the ninja to release ten times the usual amount of power. Unfortunately such power comes at a price, as each subsequent gate is opened, the ninja increases the damage to their body and comes closer to death. For this reason gate opening has been deemed Kinjutsu. If all eight gates are opened, the ninja gains power that surpasses the Hokage at the cost of their own life. Also even if the ninja opens fewer gates, if they do not strike a finishing blow against their opponent, they will be severely weakened and very defenseless to a counter attack. It is also unclear whether the ninja has to open all the gates in order, of if they can open a later gate and bypass the previous ones.
[1] Kaimon (Opening Gate)
Releases the brains restraints allowing full power usage of the body's muscles. This is opened to prepare the body to use Omote Renge. This gate is located in the head.
[2] Kyuumon (Rest Gate)
Raises stamina and assists in recovery after being weakened. This gate is located in the head.
[3] Seimon (Life Gate)
Body enters Ura Renge phase, turning their body a shade of red. This gate is located along the spine.
[4] Shoumon (Wound Gate)
Further increases speed and power, usage will begin to tear the body's muscles. This gate is located along the spine.
[5] Tomon (Limit Gate)
Further increases speed and power. This gate is located along the spine.
[6] Keimon (View Gate)
Further increases speed and power, body becomes able to use Asakujaku technique. This gate is located along the spine.
[7] Kyoumon (Wonder Gate)
Further increases speed and power. This gate is located along the spine.
[8] Shimon (Death Gate)
Further increases speed and power, body attains Hokage-level power at the cost of their own life. This gate is located at the heart.
Chakra Types
Yellow/Blue Normal Chakra:
The normal chakra in a ninja's body has been shown two ways. In the manga the normal chakra has been referred to as a yellow color, while in the anime it's always displayed as a light blue.
Red-Orange Kyuubi Jinchuuriki Chakra:
Naruto had the Nine Tailed Demon Bijuu placed inside his body. When the Kyuubi chakra begins to emerge from Naruto, it takes on a red-orange color.
Green Shousen Chakra:
Shousen no Jutsu allows medical ninja to heal wounds by creating a healing chakra in their hands. If the ninja is highly skilled, they are able to heal more critical injuries. In the anime, when the chakra is used it takes on a green color.
Pink-Purple Kujaku Myouhou Modified Chakra:
Meditating around the Hidden Star meteor granted its ninja a special purple chakra. This chakra is reportedly the users own chakra which has been pulled out through training with the meteor.
Purple Orochimaru and Cursed Seal Chakra:
In the anime, Orochimaru's chakra and the chakra pulled out by his curse seals take on a purple color.
White Hatake Chakra:
Using the Hatake family tanto, white chakra would pour forth from both Kakashi and his father Sakumo.
Chakra Modifiers
Hyourougan (Soldier Provision Pill):
The soldier pill is a special medicine full of proteins and stimulants which allow a ninja to fight straight for three days and nights. The pill will temporarily increase their chakra reserves.
Akimichi Hyourougan Pills:
The Akimichi clan developed three pills to increase their chakra in battle. Ingesting each pill grants the clan member more chakra. By ingesting the third and final pill, the clan member will immediately burn off all the calories within their body turning it into chakra, granting them 100 times their normal strength.
Chakra leechers/consumers:
Various techniques and creatures feast on the chakra found in the body. The Aburame clan's Kikaichuu reside in their host’s body in exchange for their chakra. These bugs will also feast on the chakra of the ninja the clan members fight, reducing their effectiveness. Tayuya's Doki also consume the chakra of their targets. Techniques have also been developed to suck out chakra, such as those used by Akadou Yoroi and Jiroubou. Akatsuki member Hoshigaki Kisame wields Samehada, a sword which also pulls out and consumes chakra.
Jinchuuriki Creation:
"Jinchuuriki" meaning the "power of human sacrifice", are those individuals possessing tailed demons within their bodies. The bijuu are creatures of great power and destruction, and all the ninja nations coveted that power and sought to make it their own as weapons. The hope of Jinchuuriki creation is for the human and the tailed beast to resonate together, thereby granting the human some measure of their immense power and chakra. Each beast appears to interact with their host in unique ways, and grant their host power in different amounts.
Orochimaru's Cursed Seals:
As a form of control, the Sound ninja Orochimaru will place cursed seals on those he wishes to grant more power. The chance of surviving the placing of the cursed seal is one in ten. Once placed the seal will grant the wearer the ability to access their real power. By releasing chakra, the seal becomes active and begins to forcibly pull out more chakra. When the wearer releases the cursed seal to activate the extra chakra, they will lose all their free will permanently over time, transforming the user into Orochimaru's slave.
Hidden Waterfall Hero Water:
This special water from Hidden Waterfall allows a ninja to have a ten-fold increase in chakra for a short period of time. By drinking drops of the water, the ninja of the village could increase their fighting ability to compensate for their villages lack of a strong Kage leader. Unfortunately in exchange for the power, the water also eats away at your life.
Hidden Snow Chakra Control Device:
Hidden Snow developed devices to let them increase and regulate the usage of chakra. This device can suck out the chakra of a captured enemy combatant, eliminating their ability to use jutsu. Elite Snow ninja and Snow leader Dotou also wore armor which enhanced their normal chakra reserves.
Hidden Star Village Meteor:
Approximately 200 years ago, the chakra enhancing meteor struck the Bear Country. Meditating around a meteor grants the ninja a special purple chakra. This chakra is reportedly the users own chakra which has been pulled out through training with the meteor. This chakra will first take the form of feathers which extend from the back of the ninja. These "feathers" resemble that of a peacock. The feathers in turn can be shaped and moved to the ninja's will based upon their seal usage. Because the chakra proves hazardous to the health, few ninja have mastered these techniques, and those that do soon die. The training itself has gone through periods where it was practiced and then forbidden. With the stars eventual destruction, the training and usage of the technique will probably cease.
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