Jutsus

The Five Basic Natures are the five elemental 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 element is naturally weaker than and stronger than another:

• Fire (火, Hi) is strong against Wind but weak against Water.
• Wind (風, Kaze) is strong against Lightning but weak against Fire.
• Lightning (雷, Kaminari) is strong against Earth but weak against Wind.
• Earth (土, Tsuchi) is strong against Water but weak against Lightning.
• Water (水, Mizu) is strong against Fire but weak against Earth.

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. For example, fire can overpower a water technique if it is first strengthened by a wind technique.

Combined Nature Transformations By using two or three basic nature transformations simultaneously, one can create a completely new elemental nature with unique properties that wouldn't exist on its own. However, doing this requires a kekkei genkai or, if three elements are used, a kekkei tōta.

• Ice Release (氷遁, Hyōton) is created by simultaneously combining the Water and Wind natures.
• Wood Release (木遁, Mokuton) is created by simultaneously combining the Earth and Water natures.
• Storm Release (嵐遁, Ranton) is created by simultaneously combining the Lightning and Water
• Boil Release (沸遁, Futton) is created by simultaneously combining the Water and Fire natures.
• Dust Release (塵遁, Jinton) is created by simultaneously combining the Fire, Earth, and Wind natures.
• Explosion Release (爆遁, Bakuton) is hinted to be made of the Earth and Lightning natures.
• Scorch Release (灼遁, Shakuton) is implied to be created by simultaneously combining the Fire and Wind natures.
• Magnet Release (磁遁, Jiton) is implied to be created by simultaneously combining the Wind and Earth natures.

Aside from the five elemental nature transformations, there are two nature transformations that are the source of all non-elemental techniques, such as the Shadow Imitation Technique, Multi-Size Technique, medical ninjutsu, genjutsu, etc.There is Yin Release (陰遁, Inton), based on the imagination and spiritual energy of a shinobi, and Yang Release (陽遁, Yōton), based on the vitality and physical energy of a shinobi. Together, they are used to perform Yin–Yang Release (陰陽遁, In'yōton, Onmyōton).