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The Lightning Cutter is an enhanced and concentrated form of the Chidori with the same effects and drawbacks.

Overview

According to Might Guy, it gained its name after Kakashi split a bolt of lightning with it.[2] Because the Chidori is already powerful on its own, the Lightning Cutter requires better chakra control, which is exemplified in its appearance. The Chidori appears as simply a mass of white electrical chakra in the user's hand, while the Lightning Cutter is more focused (and blue in the anime). In Part I, Kakashi is limited to using it four times in one day,[3] but by Part II, he can use it at least six times in one day.

Usage

Kakashi has shown different ways of forming and using the Lightning Cutter. During his confrontation with Orochimaru in Part I, he creates it without using hand seals.[4] In Part II, he is able to form a Lightning Cutter in both of his hands to counteract Kakuzu's Lightning Release: False Darkness.[5]

Kakashi later demonstrated the ability to imbue a projectile weapon, such as a kunai, with his Lightning Cutter, granting the technique long-range capabilities. In this instance, the kunai was capable of piercing through multiple large rocks with ease, without any loss of momentum or change in trajectory.[6]

Six Paths Application

File:Six Paths Raikiri.png

Kakashi's Lightning Cutter infused with the Six Paths Power.

After obtaining both of Obito's Sharingan and some of his Six Paths Power, Kakashi was able to imbue the Lightning Cutter with it. By utilising its enhanced power, in unison with Kamui, Kakashi was able to effectively harm Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, nearly severing her right arm.[7]

Trivia

  • The name Raikiri comes from a story about famous samurai Tachibana Dōsetsu (立花道雪, Tachibana Dōsetsu) (22 April 1513–2 November 1585). Tachibana was in possession of a famous sword called Chidori (千鳥, literally meaning: A Thousand Birds). One day, while he was still a young man, he was taking shelter under a tree, as it was raining. Suddenly, a bolt of lightning struck him. However, Tachibana used his Chidori to cut the Thunder God inside the lightning bolt, allowing him to survive. After this incident, he renamed his Chidori to Raikiri (雷切, literally meaning: Lightning Cutter).
  • In Naruto Shippūden the Movie: The Will of Fire, when this technique was copied by Hiruko, he used the electrical energy to surge around the area, increasing the range of damage, allowing him to attack Naruto's clones at a mid-range distance.
  • In Naruto the Movie: Blood Prison, Kakashi used this technique in both hands.
  • After losing his Sharingan, Kakashi was no longer able to properly use the Lightning Cutter; to compensate, he developed the Lightning Release: Purple Electricity.[8]

See Also

References

  1. First Databook, page 225
  2. Chapter 114, page 3
  3. Chapter 128, page 11
  4. Chapter 70, page 1
  5. Chapter 334, page 16
  6. Chapter 595, pages 16-18
  7. Chapter 689, page 10
  8. Naruto novel, Kakashi Hiden: Lightning in the Icy Sky
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