The elemental chakra modes are a type of jutsu where the ninja changes the nature of their chakra and flows it through their body. The exact effect this has on the body depends on which chakra nature is used, essentially giving the caster abilities based on the properties of the element itself. Using ninjutsu to supplement the body’s power in this way is an example of nintaijutsu.

It is a more common for ninja to develop jutsu which are meant to focus nature transformed chakra into just one part of the body such as the fist or foot or briefly affect the body as a whole. However this style instead circulates the chakra throughout their entire chakra pathway system to continuously empower every part of them with the effects of that nature. This can have both internal effects as the chakra flows through flesh, muscles and organs, and external effects as it is released from the chakra points to wrap around the caster like armour.

The jutsu is relatively simple in concept but difficult to use. Because the effect is sustained throughout the entire body it requires high chakra levels to maintain, especially as increasing the amount of chakra used increases the the effect it produces. As such, those who wield this nintaijutsu style expand chakra at a far faster rate than most other shinobi.

Furthermore, constantly flowing nature transformed chakra can stress the chakra pathway system as it is only truly meant for chakra in its regular state and even casting elemental jutsu involves quickly transforming chakra when needed rather than keeping it that way inside the. Not everyone has the fortitude overcome the pain and fatigue this causes the body whereas others are able to adapt and make the jutsu their own.

These are the chakra modes of the five basic nature transformations:

Lightning Release Chakra Mode – This flows lightning chakra throughout the body to electrically stimulate one’s nervous system to increase their nerve transmission, reaction speed and reflexes. At the same time, their body is wrapped in lightning with a durability like that of armour to provide them protection. Together, it raises the individual’s combat power considerately as they are able to push their body to their physical limits in speed and strength, moving faster than what the naked eye can perceive and reacting to danger with unnatural ease.

Earth Release Chakra Mode – This flows earth chakra throughout the body to harden their skin, muscle and bones to a level of toughness greater than diamonds. It raises their defensive capabilities to the absolute limit that makes them practically invulnerable to harm while the hardness of their body makes any physical attack they unleash far more dangerous to their enemies. Other chakra modes may increase one’s defenses but this jutsu is the closest to being unbreakable.

Water Release Chakra Mode – This flows water chakra throughout the body to surround them in a layer of water. This can be shaped to aid them in combat such shields to block incoming attacks, lances to pierce through objects and other such shapes. Any water lost is immediately replenished, it doesn’t restrict their movements or breathing and underwater allows one can move as if flying, making them faster than any swimmer.

Fire Release Chakra Mode – This flows fire chakra throughout the body to raise their core temperature to inhuman degrees and literally set themselves aflame. They become wrapped in a layer of flames as fire is constantly produced from their body, increasing the heat around them and allowing them to burn others on contact.

Wind Release Chakra Mode – This flows wind chakra throughout the body to surround them in a field of sharpened air. It shreds anything that makes contact with the winds to cut through enemies and obstacles like a jagged blade, turning them into a human weapon, and is one of the few jutsu that can grant its caster flight by manipulating the air currents around them to generate propulsion.

Even advanced elements can be wielded as chakra modes, though not all of them are equally useful.

Famous Users

Sarutobi Sasuke – A legendary ninja of the Warring States Era who took his clan’s mastery of fire ninjutsu to the next level with his Fire Release Chakra Mode, once described as a firestorm in human form as he set his enemies ablaze and left scorched battlefields in his wake. Had he lived in an era without superpowers like Senju Hashirama and Uchiha Madara, he may have even been considered the strongest shinobi of his age.

Ishikawa – Even as an old man, the First Tsuchikage was a monster that few could match in close quarters combat. His Weight Rock Jutsu could make him lighter than a feather or heavier than a building and his Earth Release Chakra Mode made his entire body as hard as diamonds. Before even becoming a Kage, his greatest feat was the assassination of daimyo in the centre of the most protected and fortified castles of its time. He succeeded by dropping down on his target’s location from several hundred meters in the air at his heaviest weight and hardened to the highest level, landing with enough force to not only crush the daimyo but bring down the castle at the same time. Ishikawa’s Fall was the very reason that he become known as the Meteor.

Roushi – The Four-Tailed Jinchuuriki of the Iwagakure, he possessed the Lava Release kekkei genkai further enhanced by the monkey’s chakra and made him exceptionally gifted in that regard. He won his battles by coating his entire body in chakra like magma with the Lava Release Chakra Mode which left third-degree burns with just the barest touch and melted the earth beneath his feet.