List of Ninja Tools

The ninja in Naruto are often seen using various tools or weapons to help them in battle. The following is a list of the known weapons.

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Chakra Knife
Users: Asuma Sarutobi, Shikamaru Nara

Description: The chakra knife is made of a special metal that draws the user's elemental chakra out to enhance the blade. This worked particularly well for Asuma, since his Wind element made its cutting power considerable higher. Shikamaru was also able to use the knife as a point from which he could manipulate shadows.

Katana
Users: Sasuke Uchiha, Zabuza Momochi, Kisame Hoshigaki, Suigetsu, Hayate Gekko, some others.

Description: "Katana" is the general description of any bladed weapon longer than a dagger. They vary in size, shape, and even material. Katanas, when used, often become the central focus of the ninja's jutsus, with the ninja developing techniques to maximize his sword's efficiency.

Traditional use
In tradition, a katana is a single-edged sword designed for open-field combat. The blunt end of the katana could be, technically, used as a bludgeon tool. The forging of a katana can take over half a day, and is still considered an art in today's society. Katanas are not made for precise cutting-related attacks, since it could damage the blade. Wakizashi, basically a sword with a blade length in between that of a katana and a dagger, complements the use of a katana. The wakizashi is used where the katana could not, including executions and seppuku, ritual suicide.

Kunai
Users: Most characters

Description: Kunai knives are weapons useful for melee or ranged combat. They consist of a short, diamond-shaped blade, with a handle and a ring on the end. The ring is useful for grabbing the kunai, or attaching string to it.

Traditional use
Kunai are often described as "leaf-shaped" tools. They are often wrought of iron, its only sharp section being the tip. A kunai is used for smashing and other chores that would destroy a steel-forged tool. Because of its gardening use, kunai can be used openly for gardening by a ninja without raising suspicion. Kunai are not made to be thrown, although they can inflict serious damage and are capable of being thrown.

Senbon
Users: Haku

Description: Senbon are acupuncture needles, made of either wood or metal. Haku uses them as both throwing and melee weapons. They strike a very precise target, but are often non-fatal.

Traditional use
Senbon are used in acupuncture - a Chinese medical procedure. The thought behind acupuncture is that pressing particular points on the body, pressure points, would adjust the inner elements of the body (not so different compared to the chakra circulatory and the Gentle Fist style), thus relieving ailments.

Shuriken
Users: Most characters

Description: Normal shuriken are sharpened, four-pronged metal stars, useful for throwing. Though small, they can be used to distract, or, if accurate enough, could be deadly. They have an open circle in the center, used for grabbing with a finger, to avoid cutting oneself, or thread. The circle is also a benefit in aerodynamics, for more accurate trajectories.

Traditional use
The common misconception behind shuriken is that they are not made as killing weapons. They are often used by ninja as a way to distract opponents to gain the upper hand. Shuriken are easy to make and could be made out of the most common materials, including old coins, etc... The designs of a shuriken can vary, and are often unique to different ninja clans.

Military Rations Pellets
Users: Kiba Inuzuka, Choji Akimichi, some others.

Description: Military rations pellets were originally distributed to soldiers during the Great Ninja Wars. They boost the user's chakra, distributing it evenly to every part of the body, and in essence making it function like an animal's.

Puppets
Users: Kankuro, Chiyo, Sasori.

Description: All puppets are different. However, they all work on the same fundamental principle. The puppeteer is a master of Kugutsu no Jutsu, and uses threads of chakra to manipulate the puppet's movements. A trend among puppeteers is to have hidden traps among their puppets, and to use poisons, smoke bombs, and other devices to incapacitate their enemy. Often, the controller of the puppet is a weak close-range fighter. The use of puppet-related jutsu are most often associated with the Hidden Sand.

Windmill Shuriken
Users: Sasuke Uchiha

Description: The windmill shuriken is larger than the large shuriken, and has a unique shape. It is so large that the weapon is designed to fold so that it would fit inside a large backpack. Windmill shurikens are probably more dangerous than large shuriken, but it takes more time to prepare such a weapon for use.