Nara (RP guide)

## Nara

The Nara clan is known to carry a mighty and feared Kekkei Genkai, the “shadow manipulation”. These manipulated “shadows” are, in fact, matter made out of chakra, able to slither and spread over plain surfaces. Though they seem two-dimensional, experienced users are able to project and shape the shadows in three-dimensional bodies. The art of shadow manipulation is quite versatile - it shares the malleability of other elements along with the ability to further affect the unlucky foes ensnared by it.. The Nara shadow is tangible. In this state, it can be sharpened or made blunt, used to grab objects/foes/allies, and any actions that can be performed on a physical spectrum.

The Nara can shift their shadow to a “molecular” state for a considerably increased chakra cost. In this state, the shadow will only be affected by chakra or ninjutsu techniques. The usage of the molecular state is quite situational due to its high chakra maintenance, but it can be useful in certain situations.

* Color and aesthetics of the shadow may vary.
* An experienced user can generate and control shadows from several isolated points.
* The difficulty of keeping Shadow Possession increases with range.
* The user can coat parts of their bodies with it to combine Nara techniques with Taijutsu/Kenjutsu.

### D - rank = Shade

The user is still learning how to manifest their shadow. Their control of it is clumsy and quite slow compared to the higher ranks. At this stage, the Nara can use their shadow in close quarters and create hooks, able to keep their attacking limbs stuck on a surface or a body and pull their opponents by surprise. They may also create strings which they can pull during combat. The shadow’s molecular state consumes a considerable amount of chakra.

**Shadow Manipulation Jutsu**:  Technique that allows the user to take control of a person’s specific limbs and to interact with the environment (picking up, lifting and throwing objects). The user is limited by the power and chakra they can spare to use their shadow. At this rank, the user has to maintain one seal to make their shadow travel outside of their body’s reach. This leaves them exposed to attacks **while they’re actively manipulating the shadow from afar**; the user can interrupt the technique and keep the shadow immobile until they resume. Keeping the shadow materialized will cost a considerable amount of chakra far away from the user’s body at this rank. The user is able to slow down enemy attacks, interrupt a series of hand seals or meddle with actions which require precision upon their shadow’s contact with the target. If the user moves away from their current location, it will add considerable chakra cost to this technique, and decrease the already-below average accuracy and speed of the traveling shadow.

The shadows can’t be sharpened on this rank - their bluntness and strength is comparable to a fist. The possessions are brief, limited to seconds, and can be repeated until the user dismisses the hook they have on their target or the shadow is disrupted.

The user may stick the shadow on their opponent’s body in melee for a continuous chakra cost. It can be used to push and pull the body part covered in the shadow matter. At this rank the usage is quite basic and only serves to slow down higher-skilled opponents.

The maximum range a shadow on this range can reach is 6 meters. The user can manipulate 1 Nara shadow at once.

### C - rank = Shadow Apprentice

The user’s movements with the shadow are becoming more natural and synchronized. They have improved their accuracy, timing and strength of their shadows. They can throw extra tools or projectiles now, though at lowered accuracy. This turns the shadow user into a versatile warrior, capable of mixing different fighting styles. The hooks created through close quarters combat are stronger, the user can hurl shadow binds in combination with their attacks. This allows them to catch and pull targets or items to make them more unpredictable during fights.

**Shadow Hold Jutsu**: The user paralyzes their desired target (or targets) that is already touched by the shadows, be it by parrying attacks, hitting them with a shadow enhanced attack or trapping them in a possession. At this rank, the user can hold a target’s limb still, interrupting physical attacks or techniques **upon activation**. Performing this jutsu requires a sequence of hand seals to be made and to keep at least one hand performing a seal to hold it for a maximum of 5 seconds at this rank.

This technique is tasking on any rank if it’s focused on “paralyzing” a target entirely, due to a bigger and stronger shadow being needed to cover the entire body of the target.

Shadows are destroyed after using this technique once at this rank, requiring the user to create another one from scratch.

Shadow manifestations can now be pivots of release for any ninjutsu techniques (except nintaijutsu/Kekkei Genkai), but this counts as one usage. Shadow Possession’s power is improved. The user can make their targets move specific limbs in a way to make them attack, however, at this rank in a not very precise or powerful manner. The user’s shadow will be destroyed after making a target attack twice this way.

The user can manipulate 2 Nara shadows at the same time.

### B - rank = Shadow Warrior

The user is an experienced manipulator of shadows. The Nara’s shadow grip can now be sharp, causing their prey to be cut and ripped. Even when the shadow is destroyed, the pulls can be violent enough to damage their targets. The Nara’s potential to overwhelm their foes with many shadows begins at this rank.

**Shadow Sewing Jutsu**: One of the techniques under the **pivotal** category, as categorized by ninjutsu studies. It refers to the ability of the user to perform the Nara jutsu from a separate origin point, as opposed to their current location. The user can leave a visible and damageable shadow “seed” behind, be it through physical contact, planting it into a projectile or even combining it with tangible jutsu (such as earth blasts). This seed will remain dormant until the Nara activates by weaving a couple of hand signs. This allows them to perform any Nara technique from this separate shadow hook. The ability to turn the battlefield into a sea of shadow strings has earned this technique the name "sewing", as these hooks are the starting point of shadows that can catch unsuspecting targets into several more.

The user also unlocks the possibility to shoot small shadow projectiles from their bodies as they move or attack. These shadows can be manipulated if they make contact to pull items and foes alike, however, they will be destroyed after one usage due to their hasty creation.

The Nara can manipulate their shadows to develop a similar "anatomical performance" to Mokuton users, their shadows being able to be used as extra limbs or tentacles to reach targets at close range.

Shadow possession allows the user to manipulate a foe to walk or imitate their movements. When it involves 2 or more shadows, it requires a set of hand seals. Controlling and creating one now does not require a relevant set of hand seals, and just moving your arms or body will trigger manipulation of the shadow, with a chakra expense to accompany this.

Shadow possession can now last 8 seconds and hold 2 targets. Attacking one of the targets will free them from the hold right after, causing cuts due to the grip of the shadows.

The user can manipulate 3 Nara shadows at the same time, and they can be used for 2 techniques before falling apart.

### A - rank =  Umbral Artist

The user now has a professional insight in their ability to manipulate shadows. They are able to manifest bodies, either humanoid or beast-like, to assist them in combat, to work as moving hooks for Nara techniques and to lure and trap rivals.

**Shadow Ink Jutsu**: A technique belonging in the **Manifestation** category. The user can generate shadows to look like unnatural, golem-like living beings. These shadows are physically tangible and share the same close quarters performance combat as the user. These shadows can serve as the origin point of other shadows and shadow techniques. They are relatively durable but will gradually fall apart as they're damaged.

At this rank, the shadow manipulation technique allows the user to manipulate more than 3 targets at the same time. The user does not need to move, but if needed, can do so in nearly perfect synchronization with their targets.

The range for Nara jutsu is now 10 meters. The strength and endurance of the shadows are better, they are durable and more persistent than their previous versions at the lower ranks. Shadows themselves are not resilient - they are fragile compared to Mokuton or Kaguya bones .

Shadow possession can last for the maximum of 10 seconds and affect 3 targets. Attacking a trapped target will free them from the hold right after, causing cuts due to the grip of the shadows.

The user can manipulate 4 Nara shadows at the same time, and they can be used for 3 techniques before falling apart.

### S - rank = Umbral Master

The user is a master of the shadow, achieving perfect synchronization with the chakra matter. The shadows can act defensively and offensively with great precision. The shadows can grab and throw back projectiles, fight foes at many angles and catch enemies, allowing the user to time and execute their every move.

**Shadow Realm Jutsu (EG)**: A dangerous and powerful shadow technique. The user enters an overloaded state, in which their entire chakra is gradually turned into shadow matter. This shadow matter covers their entire surroundings - enemies moving around this area will become encased in the chakra matter. For a limited time, the user’s shadows boast increased strength, speed and power. However, this overloaded state is costly, and burns through chakra reserves quickly. It can be used in tandem with other Nara techniques, with increased chakra costs. The user can also don the shadows as a suit, which will react to outside threats based on the user’s perception, assisting them in combat.

At this rank, the user can manipulate 9 active shadows at the same time. However, during the Shadow Realm Jutsu, the number rises as far up as 13. They can be used for 4 techniques before falling apart.

As the user increases their mastery of the shadows, all their previous techniques grow stronger. This is represented by a +2 stat increase to their ninjutsu power, chakra control and ninjutsu defense at T1, T2 and T3 of their EG.

The user can shape a massive “super”-manifestation, using 6 shadows to do so. It is heavy, quick and powerful. It consumes considerable amounts of chakra and will remain active until it is completely destroyed, or dismissed by the user. While the manifestation is more durable than their regular shadows, the Nara jutsu’s resistance is weaker compared to other ninjutsu abilities of the same rank. It is quite susceptible to fire release and Daiya chakra.

**Notes/helpful tips:**

The user can shape the shadows around their body from B rank upwards in many ways: Claws, tentacles, masks with fangs for biting attacks… creativity is bliss.

The user (C - rank) can use Nara shadows to swing around, to grapple and reel in their shadow, to climb complex surfaces and to grab their enemies or friends to throw them into walls, pull them closer etc..

The user can coat their limbs while performing taijutsu, to absorb damage and increase the power of their attacks.

A Nara can have shadows around their body ready for sewing techniques when the technique is unlocked in the shape of rings, hair accessories or whatever they deem appropriate.

**Requires handsigns**: Shadow hold jutsu, manifestation jutsu, shadow realm jutsu.

### Notes:

* Nara shadows cannot sense abnormalities in another person's body they pass through.