Naruto : Hidden Secret Behind Shadow Clone Jutsu Part 1

In the large complex world of shinobi which is a home to element manipulation, genjutsu illusions, and supreme martial arts few techniques are put forth as being as iconich or as tied to a single person as the Shadow Clone Jutsu (Kage Bunshin no Jutsu). For Naruto Uzumaki the dynamic and dense brained ninja of the Hidden Leaf Village this technique is not just what he uses in battle; it is the base of his identity, his fighting style, and his path to becoming Hokage.

The back story of how Naruto obtained this technique which was at that time the village’s best kept secret and which he stole in the middle of the night sets the stage for the great story that follows. This article goes in to great detail about the technique’s origin, it’s functions, it’s narrative value, and it’s growing use in battle.
In the telling of the tale which details Naruto’s acquisition of that technique which he stole in the middle of the night from the village’s best kept secrets we are set up for the epic which follows. In this article we look at the background, the how to’s, the narrative value, and the strategic growth of the Shadow Clone Jutsu which saw a outcast village boy become a legend from use of a forbidden scroll.

The Night That Changed Everything: The Book of Seals:

At the start of Naruto Uzumaki’s journey he was a different sort of case. He played host to the Nine Tailed Demon Fox (Kurama) which made the village turn it’s back on him, also he did not have inborn talent for the skills which would gain him that village’s respect. Also he failed the Ninja Academy graduation exam3 times over which it is known that his worst subject was the basic Clone Jutsu (Bunshin no Jutsu). The standard Clone Jutsu which that name suggests produces only2 illusory images.

Due to the presence of the Nine-Tails inside Naruto, he was not able to generate a mere afterimage as it interfered with his chakra control which was particularly very bad. Actually, the jutsu he tried to use turned out to be a couple of sad, sad-looking illusions that were deflated. Hoping to graduate from the Academy School, the devious instructor Mizuki, Naruto broke into the Hokage’s residence to acquire the Scroll of Seals (Fūin no Sho). More importantly, this scroll, which consists of the deadliest and forbidden jutsu of the village, better known as kinjutsu, is the First Hokage Hashirama Senju’s creation.

Naruto was in a hurry and was flinging aside many world-destroying elemental techniques and complex seals in the Scroll of Seals hoping to learn at least one jutsu graduation. The first technique that he makes contact with on the scroll deep in the forest is the Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu (Tajū Kage Bunshin no Jutsu). Isnt it strange? The boy who couldn’t create a single clone, to start with, was about to learn the most advanced, nevertheless physically demanding clone technique in existence. When Mizuki nearly killed Naruto’s true mentor Iruka Umino.

With his fingers crossed into an iconic plus sign hand seal, Naruto called on not one, but a thousand solid clones to potentially overwhelm a chunin level threat. He is on his way to starting true path as ninja.

Origins and Authorship: The Genius of Tobirama Senju:

The First Hokage possessed the Scroll of Seals. Most importantly, The Second Hokage Tobirama Senju was creator of the Shadow Clone Jutsu, brother of the First Hokage. The shinobi Tobirama was quite practical for his age. Moreover, he lived during the Warring States Period; therefore, his youth was spent in the dark and brutal age. His somewhat mechanical, cool intelligence gives the impression of a craftsman’s mindset and likely for this reason also his techniques are almost exclusive conspiring for lethal effect / tactical advantage over the Uchiha clan and never for idealistic or philosophical resonance.

Tobirama invented the Shadow Clone Jutsu to use it to gather intelligence and spy on enemies. During that period, sending a scout almost ensured that they would never return. In particularly sending a rather large clone to risk life and limb to scout enemy territory was very handy. The user remains unaffected where the clone gets destroyed. What was most significant was that Tobirama designed the Clone such that the experience gained or the information or the knowledge that the Clone would gain itself will transfer directly to the original’s mind once dispelled. After he created his first technique, Tobirama soon realized how dangerous it is. As a result, this technique along with its Multi variant was sealed in the scroll so it can be considered more of a kinjutsu. The Shadow Clone Jutsu is just too weak (or perhaps too human) to create all kinds of famous clogs throughout history.

The Mechanics of a Shadow Clone:

A rather famous technique is the Shadow Clone Jutsu. You have to appreciate that this technique is an A-rank technique, and in its multi-form, an A-rank Kinjutsu. We have to analyze how it works and its uses.

Corporeal Substance:
The Shadow Clone Jutsu is completely different from other clone techniques, and that’s due to several unique properties. Usually, the anime Shonen imposes upon us Jutsu types that easily penetrate just an average old run-of-the-mill illusion. What this means is that all my fellow novices battle-mages can stand around freely and insulting this guy in front of me without any worries as he cannot really attack or interact with his environment. Let them think whatever they want.
Chakra Distribution:
When a user makes a Shadow Clone, they equally divide their chakra reserve with the clones and with themselves. If a ninja with a chakra of 100 makes a clone, they will have 50 chakra. Similarly, the clone will have 50 chakra units. An Explanation of How Shadow Clone Works in a Step Beyond series The final form of Shadow Clones resemble a chakra-imbued onion. Each of the four bodies will have 25% of the original chakra if they make three clones.Due to the fact that the chakra is distributed perfectly evenly, even the most advanced dōjutsu, including the Byakugan and the Sharingan have difficulty discerning the original from the clone. The chakra network looks the same in every distinct body
Autonomy and Capability :
The shadow clones each have the same character, memory, and ability as the original at the time of copying. They can make their own plans and speak but most importantly, their own jutsu.The chakra of a shadow clone can use hand seals to release a fireball or use a weapon.