Naruto Uzumaki using a Bunshinjutsu: the Shadow Clone Technique.
Bunshinjutsu (分身術, literally meaning: Clone Techniques) are techniques that create a copy of the user or objects used by them . The standard Clone Technique is considered the most basic of basic ninjutsu. Despite this, bunshinjutsu are very versatile and useful, and are often used to distract or fool enemies into thinking that they have delivered a critical or fatal hit to the user, leaving the enemy vulnerable. The various villages have created their own characteristic forms of bunshinjutsu. Besides these, there are a dozens of other bunshinjutsu in existence, some of which are extraordinarily difficult to use.
There are various methods of creating clones. The most commonly used bunshinjutsu use only chakra to create the clone. After these, bunshinjutsu that use a medium seem to be most common. These bunshinjutsu use various elements to give the clone form and substance. There are also bunshinjutsu that transform another person or animal into a clone of the user. Finally, there are bunshinjutsu that make use of Genjutsu to create illusionary clones.
Trivia
- Despite there being basic elemental clones, there has yet to have been a clone jutsu using basic Fire Release or Wind Release.