Highlights
- Tobirama’s inventions, such as the Edo Tensei and Flying Raijin Jutsu, have played a crucial role in driving the premise of Naruto.
- Despite often being overshadowed by his brother, Hashirama, Tobirama’s creations establish him as the genius of the Hidden Leaf.
- The Shadow Clone Jutsu, Naruto’s signature ability, is actually a forbidden technique conceived by Tobirama to counter the abilities of the Uchiha clan.
Every single Hokage has left a legacy that is almost impossible to surpass, and while Hashirama’s legacy is highly celebrated within the Hidden Leaf, his younger brother Tobirama is a close contender in terms of influence and reverence. Tobirama’s genius lies in his ability to conceive new jutsu and techniques, some of which dominate the Naruto series’ lineup of all-powerful abilities.
Staying true to his Senju roots, Tobirama invented several jutsu during his lifetime, though viewers were acquainted with only a few of his creations. Nevertheless, these few techniques are some of his most profound creations, as they drove Naruto’s premise on several occasions. While the Second Hokage is often overshadowed by Hashirama, these inventions cement his identity as the genius of the Hidden Leaf.
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Edo Tensei (Reanimation Jutsu)
The Edo Tensei or the Reanimation Jutsu is arguably the strongest technique in the entire series. However, this technique represents a lot more than mere strength, as the Edo Tensei is embedded in the core of Naruto’s premise. From Orochimaru and the Third Hokage’s iconic fight to the Fourth Great Ninja War, Edo Tensei has kept the premise afloat throughout the series.
While many associate this technique with the likes of Orochimaru and Kabuto due to its heinous and immoral nature, its actual creator is Tobirama. Due to its potential for villainous use and atrocious requirements, Tobirama branded the Reanimation Jutsu as a forbidden technique, barring it from being passed on or taught publicly. The complexity of the jutsu further acts as a barrier against shinobi stealing its secrets, though Orochimaru and Kabuto were successful in deciphering and replicating the technique.
With the power to create mindless puppets with infinite chakra, Tobirama gave birth to a truly despicable weapon. The act of bringing a deceased soul back to life through a human sacrifice is something one would expect from a villain, though Tobirama’s act of creating such a technique showcases the moral ambiguity of the series’ supposed heroes. Tobirama tried to take this jutsu to his grave, yet Orochimaru was somehow able to get his hands on this secretive weapon.
Flying Raijin Jutsu
The Flying Raijin Jutsu or the Flying Thunder God technique is often associated with the Fourth Hokage Minato Namikaze. This jutsu earned him the moniker of the Yellow Flash of the Leaf, deeming him the fastest shinobi alive. However, the true originator of this jutsu is actually Tobirama Senju, with Minato simply acquiring this jutsu through the Second Hokage’s teachings.
Minato’s name being associated with the technique can largely be attributed to his efforts to perfect the Flying Raijin, elevating it from its raw form that Tobirama had invented. The Flying Raijin Jutsu allows the caster to leave behind a seal on any object and instantly teleport to it at will. Minato was able to improve this simple jutsu by enhancing the speed of teleportation and integrating the power to sense the seal’s surroundings.
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However, without Tobirama creating the blueprint for the technique, Minato would never have been able to receive the fame and acclaim he currently has. It’s also worth noting that many of Tobirama’s creations were in response to the Uchiha Clan’s prowess, and the Flying Raijin was meant to counter the Sharingan’s ability to track enemy movements. With the instantaneous nature of this technique, the Uchiha would never be able to keep up with their Sharingan.
Shadow Clone Jutsu
The Shadow Clone Jutsu is the most common technique in the entirety of the Naruto series, with many associating this ability with the series’ protagonist. Most fans are surprised to find out that this technique is also a result of Tobirama’s genius, as he conceived this technique during his prime. However, he soon declared the Shadow Clone Jutsu a forbidden technique due to the toll it takes on a shinobi’s chakra. Creating too many clones can create a dip in one’s chakra reserves, leading to death from chakra deficiency.
Despite being a forbidden technique, the Shadow Clone Jutsu is Naruto’s signature ability, a fact that baffles many. However, Naruto’s Uzumaki lineage lends him an immense lifeforce and excessive chakra reserves. Coupled with the Nine-Tails’ chakra, Naruto is immune to the lethal drawbacks of the Shadow Clone Jutsu, making him the only character to freely use this technique throughout the series.
Similar to Tobirama’s other creations, the Shadow Clone Jutsu was also meant to serve as a counter to the Uchiha’s visual prowess. Since shadow clones are entirely identical to the caster, the Sharingan fails to identify the actual shinobi. Similarly, the Byakugan also fails to tell apart clones from actual shinobi, making this technique effective against both Dojutsu. While these techniques were created to strengthen the Hidden Leaf’s overall prowess and protect it from invaders, many of Tobirama’s inventions were geared towards countering the Uchiha, since he remained skeptical of their objectives.
Naruto is available to stream on Prime Video.
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