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Index

GUIDE TO ALL THINGS NARUTO
(AND FALLEN LEAVES)


INDEX

Here's a quick, rough, alphabetical index to explain the general basics of Naruto. Comments relating to Leaves' theory are marked in red.

Bloodline limits (Kekkai Genkai) -- A special ability passed down genetically within families. It cannot be stolen or used by anybody outside of the family, except in very special cases (see Kakashi's Sharingan eye). Key examples are the Uchiha's Sharingan, the Hyuuga's Byakugan, and the Inuzuka's ability to communicate and bond with dogs.


Kimimaru with his distinctive bloodline limit.

Chakra -- Essentially life force, composed of spiritual and physical energy. Common theory (because it's not actually explained) is that every living person has chakra, but only ninja are actually trained to use it. Chakra flows through a series of intricate pathways within the body, much like blood, and is used to power jutsu and various other ninja-y things. The more chakra you have, the longer you'll last in battle.

Chakra exhaustion is just as dangerous to the health as losing five or six pints of blood would be, but is probably more easily treated--provided you have a buddy around willing to lend you a bit.


The human chakra pathways.

There are five elemental types of chakra, named after the five great lands: Fire, Wind, Earth, Water, and Lightning. All ninja possess an inclination towards one type of chakra, and many have two. A special elemental detecting paper taken from trees specially grown with chakra is used to determine one's type. When the ninja imbues the paper with a portion of their chakra, the paper will alter to reveal one's type. It will rip in two for Wind, burn for Fire, become wet for Water, fall apart for Earth, and crumple for Lightning.

* Fire (katon) -- As the name suggests, fire chakra lends itself to fire attacks. Fire balls or extensive flame-throwing are common examples. Fire is typically an offensively used element, though a creative and highly-skilled user could come up with fire-based defenses, too.
* Wind (fuuton) -- Takes the form of wind-based attacks. Huge gusts or sustained wind storms are common examples. Wind is a specialised offensive element, good for close to mid-range attacks.
* Lightning (raiton) -- 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.
* Earth (doton) -- Takes the form of earth and mud-based attacks. Walls made from mud or the ninja maneuvering himself below ground to attack his opponent from below are common examples. Earth can also be used change the density of objects, making something hard as steel or soft as clay.
* Water (suiton) -- Takes the form of water based attacks. Walls of water used as shields or water formed into large striking jets are common examples. Water is generally considered the most malleable type of chakra.

Common theory is that all ninja have each of these types of chakra, but are naturally inclined towards one or two elements. Using this logic, many jutsu (see below) can be achieved by mixing various chakra styles together. For example, Ryouma uses both water and fire chakra combined with the Monkey, Hare, Dragon, Ox, Bird, Boar, Horse, Dragon, Monkey, and Dog hand seals (see below) to create an attack capable of melting clean through human flesh.

Fuuinjutsu -- A branch of ninjutsu (see below) composed of sealing techniques. Ninja often use them to contain the elements, or demons.


An example of a written seal.

Genjutsu -- An illusionary technique commonly used as a form of mental attack. Could also be viewed as a kind of hypnotism. Genjutsu is created with hand seals, and involves a ninja extending their chakra flow through the cerebral nervous system of their opponent (and yeah, we know this makes no freakin' sense whatsoever, but it's magic, so go with it) and using that to effect any combination of the five senses. The victim of such an attack can be forced to see things, hear things, smell things, etc.

To combat the effects of genjutsu, there are four options. A weak genjutsu can be broken with a 'kai', which is in itself a jutsu and uses the ram hand seal. The second is for the attacked ninja to stop the flow of chakra in their body, and then apply an even stronger power to disrupt the flow of the caster's chakra. The third option is to have an outside ninja unaffected by the genjutsu make body contact, and use their chakra to disrupt the caster's flow. Fourth and finally, a strong-willed ninja can use physical pain to break the hold of a genjutsu. Breaking a finger, for example, will often do the trick.


Itachi demonstrating a genjutsu that makes
the victim believe he's melting into birds.

Henge -- A jutsu the user can call upon to change their physical shape and appearance. It's unclear from canon (i.e. Naruto) whether this actually physically changes the individual, or if it just looks like it does. [Leaves' canon is generally that a henge causes an actual physical effect.]


For example, Naruto --^


Can become Naruko --^

Hitai-ate -- A headband with a metal plate attached. Worn only by ninja, the metal plate carries the insignia of the ninja's village, and is obtained when they graduate from the academy. If the insignia is scratched through with one broad line, its an indicator that the wearer has abandoned his or her village.


This example shows a Konoha hitai-ate.
Note the 'leaf' symbol.

Jutsu -- Naruto-verse's version of magical spells. Powered by a ninja's chakra and shaped by seals, jutsu can be called upon for a multitude of things, from making ice dragons that can rip apart a valley, to conjuring a matchstick sized flame on the end of the fingertips.


Kakashi performing a chidori.
A high level lightning-jutsu.

Kage bunshin -- A solid, substantial clone made from chakra that looks exactly like its caster. They're intelligent and reflect the caster's personality to a certain degree. Depending on how much chakra is used to make one, they can be very strong or very weak. When 'killed', they explode in a cloud of smoke. (Distinguish from a regular bunshin, an insubstantial clone.)


Naruto with several kage bunshin.

Kanji -- Ideographic form of writing, where a single character stands for a whole word or concept. Japanese is written with kanji, which derive from and are often identical to Chinese characters, and kana (hirigana and katakana), which are simplified letter forms that represent syllables rather than whole words or concepts. While a document could be written entirely in kana, it would generally be written with a mix of kanji and kana, with kanji used for nouns, verbs and the bases of adjectives, and kana used for conjunctions, inflections, conjugations, and spelling out foreign loan words.


Kanji.

Kunai -- A knife, of sorts. Crafted from one piece of metal, they're usually just shorter than the length of your forearm from elbow to wrist, with a triangular blade that widens out towards the handle, then narrows abruptly where the handle actually is. The handle itself is cylindrical, and usually bound in some sort of material (probably leather). They have a circular hoop at the end, often used when ninja want to spin one around their fingers. During battle these are often used as a sort of disposable throwing knife, with many ninja carrying several at once in a pouch strapped to the thigh. They can also be kept in the hand and used in a dagger-like fashion.


Kunai.

Ninjutsu -- Ninja arts. Basically any method of attack or defense (or anything else) that involves jutsu, seals, or chakra.


Sasuke demonstrating a fire jutsu, one
of the many ninjutsu techniques.

Scrolls -- Another method of working jutsu. Chakra can be channeled through scrolls to create, summon, or seal specific things.


Open scroll.

Seals -- A series of shapes formed by the ninja's hands that help shape chakra in order to make a jutsu. Each seal is named after a specific animal of the Chinese zodiac. There are 12 in total. Seals can also be painted on things to leave a permanent effect; in this instance, they're more likely to look like kanji. They usually glow when they're being used. [For a list of the twelve hand seals and useful pictures: click here]


Hand seal.

Shuriken -- A throwing star. Basically a flat piece of metal, usually star-shaped, that is lobbed at the enemy with the hope of doing damage. A 'Demon Wind' shuriken follows this principle, but is about sixteen times the size of a regular shuriken; the blades fold down into one in order to make carrying a weapon this size possible.


Several shuriken examples.

Summons -- Many ninja have a 'contract' with a specific species of animal that are summoned from a different dimension. These contracts are sealed on scrolls, usually when the summoner is quite young, and are passed down through generations (often within families). Using their contract scroll and some of their own blood, the summoner can summon any number of animals--depending on the amount of chakra they have--in order to do battle, track down enemies, or any number of other things. Summons can vary in size from very small to freakin' huge, and are often very intelligent, some of them speaking Japanese. Known animals are dogs, toads, slugs, turtles, and snakes.


Kakashi with his nin-dog summons.

Taijutsu -- Martial arts. Essentially any form of hand-to-hand combat utilized by ninja during a fight. Can be anything from drunken boxing to judo, and doesn't require hand seals.


Rock Lee demonstrating his taijutsu skills.
(And his legwarmers)

Tree-climbing -- Kinobori no Waza, the art of tree climbing, serves a dual purpose. Taking part in Kinobori Shugyou (Tree Climbing Training) helps a ninja learn how to focus their chakra. It also teaches the ninja how to run up trees and walk on vertical walls. The training helps the ninja learn how to focus just the right amount of chakra to a particular part of their body. The amount needed to climb is small but it must be precise. The feet are regarded as the hardest location to master chakra focusing. So by gaining the art of this skill, the ninja will theoretically have any jutsu available because they will be able to focus their chakra as needed.


Skilled ninja can even tree-walk with crutches.
(Ryouma not being among them)

Water-walking -- Another technique learned around Genin-level that helps young ninja to develop their chakra control. The art of water-walking is one step up from tree-climbing (see above), and involves the ninja focusing chakra to the soles of the feet until they can walk on the water's surface.


Water-walking.

CLANS

Ninja villages are founded on the strength of their clans. Throughout Naruto-world, unique jutsu abilities are passed down from generation to generation within families. Some abilities are passed down through genetics (i.e. bloodline limits), while others are skills and abilities only known to those within the clan. Ninja clans are vastly powerful and very influential of the political decisions their villages take--the Hyuuga and Uchiha are particularly noteworthy.

The following are clans found only in Konoha:

Aburame -- The Aburame is known for its ties to insects. At birth clan members form an agreement with kikai bugs to inhabit and feed on the chakra their body creates. In return the bugs will serve the commands of that clan member.

Akimichi -- The Akimichi clan pass down a series of jutsu known only to their clan that enables the members to hugely expand the size of their bodies, thus making themselves nearly indestructible for short periods of time.

Hyuuga -- The Hyuuga clan possess a bloodline limit called the Byakugan. For a detailed account, see here

Inuzuka -- The Inuzuka clan have very close ties to dogs. Most clan members have at least one canine familiar--huge wolf-like dogs that can fight at a ninja-level and live much longer than normal dogs. Inuzuka can communicate with their familiars. They also pass down many clan jutsu that can be used to make them more dog-like in battle.

Nara -- The Nara have the ability to manipulate shadows through a series of jutsu passed down from clan member to clan member.

Uchiha -- The Uchiha posess a bloodline limit called the Sharingan, a bastardized mutation of the Byakugan. For a more detailed account, see here

Yamanaka -- The Yamanaka pass down a series of clan jutsu that give them the ability to send their consciousness into others' bodies in order to control them.

RANKS OF NINJA

Academy students -- They are not, in fact, ninja. Rather, they are children training to be ninja. The typical entrance age into the academy is 5, and the typical graduation age is 12. However, in times of war this can change drastically, with many students being advanced at a much younger age (see Kakashi).

Genin -- The very lowest rank. Genin take D and C ranked missions, which are typically local chores that need doing, such as gardening, baby-sitting, dog-walking, and so on. Genin are normally put in teams of three that are set up to balance out the strongest and weakest member. These teams are numbered and led by a Jounin ninja, whose duty it is to train them in order to advance up the ranks. And preferably not die.

Chuunin -- Journeymen ninja. This is the middle-level rank of ninja, and genin must pass through the chuunin exams in order to obtain it. To do this, they must demonstrate a knowledge of many forms of jutsu, as well as the ability to lead a team and think on the spot. The average age of passing the chuunin exams is anywhere from 13-17, but there have been many cases of older and younger ninja (see Kakashi). Chuunin usually take anything up to a B-rank mission, and can become medics or teachers.

Special jounin -- As the name indicates, this is a specialized rank between chuunin and jounin. A special jounin is promoted on the basis of reaching jounin-level specialization in either ninjutsu, taijutsu, or genjutsu.

Jounin -- Elite ninja. Unlike chuunin, jounin must demonstrate an ability to work alone, rather than in teams. They must have a mastery of ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu, and be damn good at what they do. Jounin are the top of the heap, and often die young. They can take any level of mission, all the way up to S-rank.

ANBU -- Special Forces. Dark Ops. Literally ANBU is an abbreviation for Ansatsu senjutsu tokushu Butai. Special Tactics and Assassination Squad. The word anbu in Japanese means the dark side of a person, nature, etc. So ANBU has a double meaning, being both a shortening and a word on its own.

ANBU is not a rank. It is a special forces operation within the ninja military structure, much like US Navy SEALS, or Army Commandos or Rangers. Because of the unsavory nature of the missions ANBU carry out, they are both respected and feared, and some of the most skilled ninja within the village. They report directly to the Hokage himself, and take a special oath to serve as ANBU. [In Leaves canon, ANBU can be chuunin, special jounin, or jounin.]

Hokage -- The best ninja of all, and the leader of the Konoha village ninja. The name translates to Fire Shadow. In current canon of Naruto, there have been five Hokage. [In the Leaves' timeline, we're up to four (though the Fourth died five years back, so we're actually back on the Third. It's confusing, we know).]

MISSION RANKS



S -- Highest level mission. Someone is definitely going to die. These missions involve vital matters of national or village security and are assigned only to Jounin-level ninja or ANBU, unless someone in Intel has really messed up. [Writer's Guidelines page says combat may not be guaranteed, but failure could mean national disaster.]

A -- Involve an almost certain risk of death or serious injury, and are usually assigned only to ANBU or jounin-level ninja.

B -- B rank missions are difficult, but open battle with offensive ninja forces is not usually involved. Jounin, special jounin, chuunin, and occasionally ANBU will perform these missions, which may include retrieving important documents, protective escort, gathering foreign intelligence, and killing lower-ranked ninja.

C -- Given to Chuunin and skilled Genin. These include protective escorts and missions with some chance of bodily harm. Can also include capturing wild animals and mine clearing (Seriously. Mine clearing. Just when ninja life wasn't weird enough).

D -- Lowest level, given only to Genin for the purpose of building teamwork skills. We're talking dog-walking, baby-sitting, menial labour, and basically any job you'd trust to mildly homicidal twelve-year olds.

[In Leaves' canon, we play a little more loosely with the assignment of missions to jounin. They can be assigned a mission of almost any level, depending on the circumstances. Particularly if they're recently recovering from a bad mission and aren't quite back up to S-rank yet.]

BRIEF GUIDE TO NAMES AND SUFFIXES

In Japanese it is customary to address people by their family name and a suffix, sometimes called an honorific. Family name precedes given name (last name first). In a traditional Japanese environment, Hatake Kakashi would be called Hatake-san, or Mr. Hatake. However in Naruto we usually see characters, even adults, addressed by their given name, often without suffix. Kakashi, if he were a Japanese Junior High School biology teacher, would be Hatake-sensei. However he is addressed as Kakashi-sensei by his students, and simply Kakashi by his peers.

-san -- a mark of basic courtesy. Essentially the equivalent of saying 'Mr' or 'Ms'.
-kun -- same thing, but used in context of a boy under 16 or a junior-level male subordinate. Also used by adult men who were boyhood friends.
-chan -- likewise, but used for a baby, young child, or girl under 12. Can also be said romantically to a girlfriend, if you're trying to be cute, and between close adult female friends.
-sama -- like '-san' but a mark of higher respect. Used for customers in a store by polite merchants, and for leaders. Hokage-sama, for example.
-dono -- much higher respect; on a noble level.
-senpai -- A senpai is a person who is above you in rank or experience. -senpai can be affixed to a name to acknowledge that the person you are addressing is your respected senior. (The converse term, kohai, is not often used as a suffix. A kohai is your junior in rank or experience.)
-sensei -- Teacher or master (of a craft), used in place of '-san'. Teachers, doctors, martial-arts masters, artists, writers and others who are masters of their craft are called -sensei. It can also be used as a stand alone word.
-[blank] -- In traditional Japanese, using no suffix either suggests that the person you are speaking to is very familiar (e.g. close friend, family, lover), or you're trying to be rude as hell. In Naruto's world, however, it is commonplace to use given name without suffix. Generally the only people to use honorifics on a regular basis are a) really, really polite, or b) have a crush. [Leaves theory is also that using no honorifics in a semi-military structure like ANBU is a way to build camaraderie amongst teammates.]

NB: It's also worth bearing in mind that whilst Naruto is set in an Eastern culture, it's not actually in modern Japan. We tend to play a bit fast and loose with honorifics in any case, but you will see them crop up now and again.

THE LANDS OF KONOHA - worldmap can be found here, if you follow the link that says "world map".

Earth (Tsuchi no Kuni) -- a sprawling country to the north-west of Fire Country. The border-lands feature forests of giant mushrooms, swamps, and extensive cave systems. Ninja village is Iwagakure no Sato (Rock).

Fire (Hi no Kuni) -- a sunny country with a warm, seasonal climate and a large population, home to our ninja. Much of the north-central region of Fire Country is covered by massive forests of old-growth trees, some of which resulted from the jutsu of the Shodai Hokage. Fire Country is ruled by a daimyo (feudal lord) who holds power equal to the Hokage, and is subdivided into provinces ruled by lesser feudal lords. Ninja village is Konohagakure no Sato (Leaf).

Lightning (Rai no Kuni) -- an extremely mountainous country, much of which has never been mapped by foreigners. Its citizens tend to be dark-skinned, with extremely light hair, and fairly xenophobic attitudes. Fishing is an important industry along its long and rocky coastline. Ninja village is Kumogakure no Sato (Cloud).

Water (Mizu no Kuni) -- a nation composed of several scattered islands some ways off the eastern coast of Fire Country. The nasty reputation of its ninja guarantee that few tourists go there, and Konoha shinobi have even fewer missions there. Ninja village is Kirigakure no Sato (Mist).

Wind (Kaze no Kuni) -- a desert country with large cities built around oases. Wind is generally considered 'exotic', and Konoha nin who don't mind the sand and heat may appreciate missions there for the chance to pick up gourmet food and drink, souvenirs, and some of those gorgeous Wind Country girls. Ninja village is Sunagakure no Sato (Sand).

Grass (Kusa no Kuni) -- a small country located directly between Earth and Fire Countries. Its fertile plains have often served as a battleground in wars between the greater ninja countries. Ninja village is Kusagakure no Sato.

Rain (Ame no Kuni) -- a small, insular country with terrible weather and an extremely paranoid population. Because it has often served as a battleground in wars between the greater ninja countries, its borders are highly defended, and visitors are subject to near-constant surveillance. Ninja village is Amegakure no Sato.

River -- a forested country between Fire and Wind, with many canyons carved by its namesake rivers. It has no ninja village, and its citizens generally hire shinobi from Konoha or Suna.

Wave -- an island country off the coast of Fire Country, without a ninja village. Its citizens generally hire ninja from Konoha or Kirigakure.

Waterfall (Taki no Kuni) -- a small country to the north-west of Fire Country. It has a tiny ninja village, Takigakure no Sato, that has never really amounted to much.

Mangrove -- a small, peninsular country to the east of Fire Country, known for its extremely spicy curry. It has no ninja village and generally hires from Konoha. [Leaves canon]

Plains -- a long, thin country on the north-east border of Fire Country. Its fertile plains are known as the breadbasket of the world, but its northern-western swamps are the curse of many ninja who've served missions there.No ninja village. [Leaves canon]

Cinders -- a roughly square country forming the landbridge between Lightning Country and the rest of the continent. It is mountainous and volcanic, with no ninja village. [Leaves canon]



NINJA VILLAGES

Rock (Iwagakure no Sato: The Village Hidden in Rock) -- One of the five great ninja villages; led by the Tsuchikage. Fought against Konoha in the Third Ninja War, both sustaining and inflicting heavy losses. Relations with Konoha are still extremely strained. Rock ninja tend to be experts in the use of Earth jutsu and camouflage. If Konoha nin are already engaged by a party on one side of a dispute in either Tsuchi no Kuni or Hi no Kuni, the other party will generally hire Iwa-nin, and vice versa.

Leaf (Konohagakure no Sato: The Village Hidden in the Leaves) -- One of the five great ninja villages; led by the Hokage and a village council. Formerly the largest and most powerful ninja village, it is slowly rebuilding its forces after the devestation of the Third Great Ninja War, the horrific attack by a nine-tailed demon fox (Kyuubi) five years ago, and the death of its Fourth Hokage. Its ANBU are considered among the best ninja in the world.

Cloud (Kumogakure no Sato: The Village Hidden in Clouds) -- One of the five great ninja villages; led by the Raikage. Fought against Konoha in the Third Ninja War, and reached an armistice, complicated by the Hyuuga affair, three years after the general peace treaties were signed. Rai no Kuni is an extremely mountainous country, and Kumogakure no Sato is the only ninja village still unmapped by foreign ninja. Relations with Konoha are still extremely tense, and Konoha maintains several outposts, both in the border nations and within Lightning Country itself, to monitor Kumo ninja activity. Kumo nin are known for their use of Lightning jutsu.

Mist (Kirigakure no Sato: The Village Hidden in Mist) -- One of the five great ninja villages; led by the Mizukage. Ninja from this village are known for their brutality, their expertise in Water jutsu, and their use of unusual weaponry, including giant swords and poisoned claws. Mist nin generally do not possess Bloodline Limits, as the Water Country sought to exterminate Bloodline Limits after the devastation of the recent war.

Sand (Sunagakure no Sato: The Village Hidden in Sand) -- One of the five great ninja villages; led by the Kazekage. Uneasy allies with Konoha since the Third War; relations are generally good but prone to complications. Suna nin tend to rely on Wind jutsu and may also display such diverse specialties as puppetry and tessen-jutsu. The Kazekage has had occasional clashes with the daimyo of Kaze no Kuni, and foreign ninja are sometimes hired for missions that would otherwise be taken by Suna nin.

Grass (Kusagakure no Sato: The Village Hidden in Grass) -- One of the lesser ninja villages. Kusa nin are generally known for their expertise in stealth techniques. Relations with Konoha are good overall, since Konoha allied with its smaller neighbor against Iwa in the Third Ninja War.

Rain (Amegakure no Sato: The Village Hidden in Rain) -- One of the lesser ninja villages, extremely unfriendly to strangers. Ame nin are generally known for their use of senbon and for a "kill on sight" approach to foreign nin. However, relations with Konoha are good overall.

Whirlpool -- One of the lesser ninja villages, destroyed in the early years of the Third Great Ninja War; some refugees ended up in Konoha.

Waterfall (Takigakure no Sato: The Village Hidden in the Waterfall) -- One of the lesser ninja villages, generally ignored by the others.