Naruto is an anime and manga series that has become wildly popular throughout many countries. It follows the path of a young man named Naruto Uzumaki who is carrying a nine-tailed fox within himself. He dreams of becoming respected and hopefully even the Hokage, or leader, of his village the Hidden Leaf Village.
Following a ninja through his teens is a sure way to find a lot of action and some of the coolest weaponry this side of the Pacific. The battles consist of some really awesome martial arts as well as tools such as smoke bombs and explosive tags. Many of the swords and blades are things you might find in the real world, but what makes Naruto’s world so special is the concept of chakra.
Chakra can be manifest in many different forms as it is controlled by the user, typically by using hand seals, which are specific configurations of one’s hands. The effects of chakra are many, though it is created by two distinct energies. One is physical energy arising from a person’s body and the other is spiritual energy that comes from a person’s consciousness.
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Who is Asuma Sarutobi?
Asuma Sarutobi is a member of the same village as the protagonist Naruto, the Hidden Leaf Village. He was a young ninja at the time of the nine-tailed demon fox’s attack, making him older than Naruto and his friends. At some point before Naruto’s story, Asuma fought with his father and left Hidden Leaf Village to live his own story.
Throughout his journies, he became friends with a monk named Chiriku, fought to protect the Land of Fire’s leader as one of the Twelve Guardian Ninja, and amassed a great bounty on himself. He was very proud of his adventures when he returned home to the Hidden Leaf Village. Even the fact that his bounty was higher than his friend Chiriku brought him pride as he felt it meant he was more skilled.
Back at home, Asuma became a jōnin, an elite ninja leader and teacher. He was greatly respected as a great shinobi who was exceptionally skilled in close range combat. This was partly due to his special weaponry, knives that could be worn like brass knuckles, as well as have chakra energy infused within them.
Asuma had a daughter that he never met, due to his passing before she was born. The mother of this child was a fellow jōnin that he had been close with since childhood. Their daughter can be seen carrying his special chakra blades later in the series.
What Do Chakra Blades Look Like?
Asuma’s special chakra blades appear to be modified trench knives. A trench knife is a simple knife with brass knuckle-esc finger slots built into the hilt. With sharpened knuckle peaks, these weapons are dangerous without adding any chakra energy.
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These blades are not made from normal metal, however. They are created with special material that allows the flow of chakra through them. This allows the user to infuse them with their elemental skill, the effect manifesting differently depending on the type of chakra the user was skilled in.
In the case of Asuma Sarutobi, the blades were used to channel wind chakra. This allowed him to cut through sturdy materials such as stone and metal. He had no issue powering through opponents with his level of skill and these high powered weapons.
Using a special technique called the “Flying Swallow”, Asuma was able to extend the range of his blades several feet. Sharp pseudo-knives made of wind chakra energy would stretch past the end of the physical blade, giving additional reach for Asuma’s attacks. By adjusting the length of these weapons at will, Asuma was able to keep his enemies on their toes.
Why Are Chakra Blades Special?
The blades that Asuma Sarutobi carries are special due to the material they are made out of. This metal that allows the chakra to course through the weapon easily allows for some seriously awesome special techniques. Since each wielder has a different kind of chakra, each one of them will have a different result when using these weapons.
Shikamaru Nara trained himself to use Asuma’s chakra blades and produced a very different effect. The Shadow Imitation Shuriken Technique was formed from this training, a new ninjutsu. By storing his chakra in the blades prior to battle, the blades are given the ability to pierce an enemy’s shadow, something that Shikamaru himself can do by touching his shadow to theirs.
By piercing an enemy’s shadow with the chakra infused blade, the enemy is rendered immobile, paralyzed by the wound. The effect would remain until the weapon was removed from the shadow, or the shadow no longer existed. It’s important to note, however, that Shikamaru was not limited by his own abilities and could also perform Flying Swallow with Asuma’s chakra blades.
Asuma did not have the only chakra blades used in the world of Naruto. Several other ninja have their own versions of these powerful weapons. Including the White Light Chakra Sabre and several owned by Nowaki (also known by Fūshin).
How Are Chakra Blades Used?
Many of the chakra variations utilized alongside these blades are nature-based. Wind, lightning, earth, fire, water, and yin-yang are all options while infusing weapons with chakra. The ability of putting chakra into a tool is known as “chakra flow”.
- Wind increases the surface area, strength, and sharpness of blades. This is the type of power that Asuma utilizes to perform Flying Swallow.
- Lightning powers a weapon with the ability to numb an opponent. It also increases the strength of the blade, allowing it to cut through seemingly impossible objects.
- Earth is a strengthening chakra. It increases the durability of things, proving to be very useful in defense.
- Fire lights a flame upon the infused item. This allows for the burning of targets, inanimate and foe alike.
- Water is also a defensive chakra. It can enclose an item or person, forming a barrier around them.
- Yin-Yang is a copy-cat of sorts. It does not necessarily have its own power, but rather reproduces the power of the person using it. This is how Asuma’s chakra blades are able to take on shadow piercing abilities when brandished by Shikamaru.
Though the awesome power of chakra blades are not solely possessed by Asuma Sarutobi, he is well known for his abilities while wielding the pair of his. He passes on this information as a sensei, allowing Naruto to try and channel chakra through this very set of blades. His prowess as a ninja is only increased by the use of these fantastic tools.