Senjutsu: One Of Naruto’s Major Abilities and Strongest Powers Explained
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Naruto and Jiraiya in Sage Mode standing side by side. Behind them, the Toad Mountain can be seen. Custom Image by Rodrigo Sandoval Lahut.
The world of Naruto has no shortage of incredibly complex and fascinating techniques. By utilizing Chakra, the powerful individuals from the various Hidden Villages can do anything from walking on water to creating massive energy balls capable of destroying mountains.
Among these special abilities, one stands for its power and resourcefulness, Senjutsu. This technique allows the user to harness energy from the world around them, which can be used to increase their physical capabilities and enhance their senses.
Senjutsu is used by a score of powerful characters in the series, and it also becomes Naruto’s signature way of fighting, starting from the Pain Assault Arc. Other notable users include Naruto’s master, Jiraiya, the legendary First Hokage, Hashimaru, and the ultimate villain Madara Uchiha.
Senjutsu, which roughly translates to Sage Jutsu in English, is a special technique that can only be used by humans trained to sense and absorb natural energy. This energy comes from all the corners of the Naruto world, as even the planet itself possesses Chakra. A user then blends natural energy with their own chakra, creating senjutsu chakra, which not only enhances all the physical attributes but also allows the use of techniques normally inaccessible to shinobi.
To learn this ability, those interested must contact either the toads of Mount Myōboku or the snakes of Ryūchi Cave, who can utilize this technique by nature. Still, not everyone interested will be able to utilize Senjutsu, as it requires the user to have a naturally vast Chakra reserve. This is fundamental for any willing student, as the technique will otherwise result in the human becoming an animal statue. To prevent this tragic ending, the user needs to have a perfect balance of natural energy and Chakra in their body at all times.
If senjutsu chakra is generated correctly, the person will enter a state known as Sage Mode, in which their overall abilities are increased drastically. However, this technique is arduous to maintain in combat, as the individual needs to constantly absorb natural energy to maintain it, a feat that can be achieved only by sitting perfectly still. Clever shinobi came up with ways to counter this drawback.
Jiraya summoned Fukasaku and Shima, two elderly toads, who fused with his body and handled sage chakra while he fought. Naruto, instead, prepared in advance shadow clones who would absorb nature and energy and, once released, would transfer that to Naruto’s original body. Later, he used Kurama’s help to handle senjutsu chakra. Kabuto, on the other hand, implanted Jugo’s DNA in his body, which allowed him to absorb natural energy while moving.
Throughout the series, these individuals make use of the Sage Mode to differing degrees of success. Nonetheless, the most iconic example of this ability being utilized is during Naruto’s iconic battle against the Six Paths of Pain during episodes 163 to 169. This battle perfectly demonstrates how powerful this ability can be, as thanks to it, the future Seventh Hokage was able to defeat opponents
While Senjutsu has often been used as a power-up to help the heroes during critical moments, it has also been featured in many creative ways throughout the franchise. One of the best examples of the imaginative ways Sage Mode has been implemented was introduced by one of Sasuke’s allies, Jugo. The former member of Taka is a member of a clan whose members have the particular ability to subconsciously absorb natural energy. Despite how strong this special power may seem, it comes with a severe drawback. If the energy is not utilized, they can turn into rampaging monsters.
Besides Jugo’s clan, characters like Kabuto and, most recently, Mitsuki, Orochimaru’s clone and adopted son, can use a version of Sage Mode that actively gives them animal traits. Their capabilities while in this state seem to be stronger than those of a regular Senjutsu user, although they are exceedingly unstable and hard to maintain. Kabuto’s version of the technique turned him into a human-snake hybrid, with a large reptile growing from his stomach, undoubtedly one of the series’ most disturbing designs.
Mitsuki Boruto sage mode manga and anime
The most recent and intriguing version of Senjutsu was introduced in chapter 2 of the Boruto Two Blue Vortex manga series. During his battle against Code, Naruto’s son absorbs the energy coming from the planet’s rotation, instead of that of the living creatures around him, to power up a technique known as Rasengan Uzuhiko. This Jutsu is strong enough to destroy an opponent’s body at maximum power. When not completed, the technique still deals a great amount of damage, while also causing the opponent to feel a perpetual sense of vertigo until the planet’s energy kills them.
Senjutsu is without a doubt one of the Naruto franchise’s most powerful and intricate abilities. While difficult to use, it is still one of the best tools a ninja can have by their side in a fight. This technique has cemented itself as an iconic part of the series’ world, and it is almost guaranteed to continue impacting the story moving forward.
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