Shapeshifting Technique[1]
The sacrifice assuming the copy's form. The sacrifice after being defeated. 1 of 2
Name
Kanji	象転の術
Rōmaji	Shōten no Jutsu
Literal English	Shapeshifting Technique
English TV	Impersonation Jutsu
Debut
Manga	Chapter #255
Anime	Naruto Shippūden Episode #15
Game	Naruto Shippūden: Ultimate Ninja 5
Appears in	Anime, Manga and Game
Data
Classification	Ninjutsu
Class	Supplementary
Range	All ranges
Users Nagato (with Deva Path)

This technique allows Pain to allocate a portion of an individual's chakra and transfers it into a living human sacrifice, allowing the original to fight via an elaborate "copy". The appearance of the person on whom the Shapeshifting Technique is performed is completely identical to the original person. The technique will imitate any weapons, tools or kekkei genkai held by the original person, allowing the copy to fight with them. The power of the copy is in proportion to the volume of allocated chakra, which is decided by Pain. The original's techniques are also available, but once the allocated chakra is depleted, the technique is cancelled and the copy dies. Afterwards the copy's appearance will revert back to the original appearance of the sacrifice. As it even uses up the sacrifice's chakra, this is an incredibly brutal technique.

While the appearance of the copy during the Shapeshifting Technique is completely perfect, it is possible for someone who has experience fighting with the original person to detect something is amiss. Exactly what is amiss is usually not realised until the copy has been defeated.

This technique was used to hold up Team Kakashi and Team Guy to buy time while extracting the Shukaku from Gaara, using two subordinates of Sasori, Mukade and Yūra, as copy's of Itachi Uchiha and Kisame Hoshigaki.

References

1. ↑ Third Databook, page 268