NATURE TRANSFORMATION / RELEASES

[☆ F ☆]

Nature Transformation is an advanced form of chakra control that entails the moulding and defining of one's chakra into an innate kind of chakra nature, altering its properties and characteristics for use in techniques. Nature transformation is one of two necessary components for creating or modifying a technique, the second component being shape transformation. While nature transformation changes the nature of the chakra, shape transformation changes the actual form and movement, altering its abilities.

The Five Elements Nature Transformations are the most fundamental chakra natures, which are the foundation of all elemental ninjutsu. They are so vital to the shinobi lifestyle that each of the Five Great Shinobi Countries is named after one of the five. Each nature is naturally weaker than one nature and stronger than another. Basically, if an elemental technique is put against another elemental technique of the same level, but of a stronger nature, then the technique with the superior nature will prevail. However, a technique with a weaker nature can overpower a technique with a stronger nature if the former is of a higher level.

A similar principle applies in how technique of the same element interact, what is called counterbalancing. If two techniques of the same nature and the same level are used against each other, they will cancel each other out. However, if the two techniques have different levels, the higher-level technique will not only prevail but also grow stronger from interaction with the weaker, thus adding on the weaker technique's power onto the prevailing one.

In the next few posts, more information shall be shed on basic and advanced release. Keep in mind these following rules when reading:

• Kekkei-Genkai can only possess basic releases, unless their bloodline grants an advance release, or the advanced release in question is granted through other extraordinary means, such as bijuu.
• Bloodlines born with a unique control over a certain release, basic or advanced, are bound to use them, and only therm, until death.
• If one has the opportunity to start with an Advanced Release, the player can only ever learn that release, as well as the basic releases that comprise it.
• Under normal circumstances, one may never have more than one Advanced Release!

[☆ F ☆]

In general, every person's chakra has an affinity towards one of the five basic nature transformations. Affinity can at times be genetic. One's affinity can be determined using pieces of paper made from a special type of tree that is grown and fed with chakra. When the paper is exposed to even the slightest hint of chakra, it will react according to the chakra's latent nature -  for fire, the paper will ignite and turn to ash;  for wind: the paper will split in two; for lightning: the paper will wrinkle; for earth, the paper will turn to dirt and crumble away; for water, the paper will become wet/damp. As sound is a newer addition, it has no identification source via the special paper.

Shinobi have an easier time learning to create and control chakra natures that match their affinity, although even then it may take any number of years. Shinobi are not limited to the nature they have an affinity for, and it is in fact common for skilled ninja to have mastered two natures. Although it is technically possible to master all five natures, it is very rare because of how much of training is involved.

• Katon (Fire): Katon, or Fire, takes the form of fire and flame attacks. These can be fire balls or extended flame throwing. Fire is typically a specialised offensive element.
• Fuuton (Wind): Fuuton, or Wind, takes the form of wind based attacks. These can be huge gusts or sustained wind storms. Wind is typically a specialised offensive element, good for close to mid-range attacks.
• Raiton (Lightning): Raiton, or Lightning, takes the form of electrical and lightning based attacks. When used in conjunction with metal based weapons, the power becomes amplified. Lightning is good for middle to long-range attacks.
• Doton (Earth): Doton, or Earth, takes the form of earth and mud based attacks. These can be walls made from mud or the ninja maneuvering himself below ground to attack his opponent from below. Earth can change the hardness composition of objects, making something hard as steel or soft as clay.
• Suiton (Water): Suiton, or Water, takes the form of water based attacks. These can be walls of water used as shields or water formed into large striking jets. In this regard, Water is very diverse when it comes to shape modification.
• Ototon (Sound): Though sound is just a property of air it has given birth to a whole new class of techniques that exist solely to manipulate it.

[☆ F ☆]

With everything basic comes something advanced. Essentially, by combining elements to form new ones, the user no longer has corresponding strong/weak relationships. The ability to mold these advanced releases is a genetic trait passed down from one to another, though there appears to be no need for a relationship between users.

By using two basic natures simultaneously, one can create a completely new nature with unique properties that wouldn't exist on its own. These are known as either Advanced Releases, or Advanced Nature Transformation. Some are granted solely through bloodline inheritance, while some can be trained up through time by having the right elements. Some can even be granted by bijuu!

• Hyouton (Ice): Hyouton, or Ice, takes the form of Ice based attacks and defenses.Due to the versatility of ice and snow, most attacks of this release have an area-of-effect to them. Hyouton is formed through the simultaneous usage of Water and Wind styles.
• Mokuton (Wood): Mokuton, or Wood, takes the form of wood attacks and defenses. Hard, solid, and ever present, wood provides a plethora of defensive techniques, and even extreme shelter. Mokuton is formed through the simultaneous usage of Water and Earth styles.
• Youton (Lava): Youton, or Lava, takes the form of melting attacks and defenses. Extremely offensive, the molten rock and magma produced by the Lava release is enough to decimate most defenses. Youton is formed through the simultaneous usage of Fire and Earth styles.
• Saton (Sand): Saton, or Sand, takes the form of Sand based attacks and defenses. Given the loose, adaptable nature of sand, and the precise control a Sand master can wield over each grain, this releases is excellent for both defensive and offensive warfare, as long as enough sand is present. Saton is formed through the simultaneous usage of Earth and Wind.
• Ranton (Storm): Ranton, or Storm, takes the form of laser-like attacks. Extremely offensive, this release delivers laser like ninjutsu strikes meant to shock and devastate the target, making it extremely offensive. Ranton is formed through the simultaneous usage of Water and Lightning styles.
• Bakuton (Blast): Bakuton, or Explosion Element, takes the form of explosive attacks. Though extremely offensive, this style of attack has little regard for those around, and tends to destroy large areas rather than specific targets. Bakuton is formed through the simultaneous usage of Thunder and Earth styles.
• Shakuton (Scorch): Shakuton, or Scorch Element, takes the form of evaporating attacks. By using fire and adding a rapidly enhancing element, a regular flame is turned super in a near-instant. Shakuton is formed through the simultaneous usage of Wind and Fire styles.
• Futton (Boil): Futton, or Boil Element, takes the form of boiling attacks and defenses. Although it has been mistaken for Lava in the past, it's must quicker and more versatile, retaining more of a liquid property in order to provide quick, hot attacks. Futton is formed through the simultaneous usage of Fire and Water styles.
• Shouton (Crystal): Shouton, or Crystal, takes the form of Crystal attacks and defenses. Given the density of the crystals, this release provides excellent defensive capabilities, and with the sharpness of the special rock, it can also provide offensive devastation. Shouton is formed through the simultaneous usage of Fire and Earth styles.
• Jiton (Magnet): Jiton, or Magnetic Element, takes the form of small metal attacks and defenses. By magnetizing non-metallic items via touch, they gain control over them just as well as if it were true metal, resulting in a highly dangerous defense and offense. Jiton is formed through the simultaneous usage of Lightning and Wind styles.

[☆ F ☆]

Beyond the advance releases exists another category of chakra manipulation, the likes of which is unprecedented in complexity and power. These elite category of elemental manipulation, known as the Kekkei Touta (Blood Limit Expansion), involves the combination of three elements to form a new, fourth, element. Currently, there exists only one.

• Jinton (Dust): Jinton, or Dust Element, takes the form of small and large vaporizing attacks. By creating energy-based constructs, the user entraps their opponents and causes their interior to fill with incredibly powerful explosions, pulverizing their enemy into nothingness. Jinton is formed through the simultaneous usage of Fire, Earth and Wind styles.