Yin–Yang Release

The techniques make simultaneous use of Yin Release and Yang Release. Yin relates to one's spiritual energy and Yang relates to one's physical energy, and it's necessary to utilise both of these in order to mould chakra for ninjutsu. As such, the basis of simply kneading chakra and using techniques is based in Yin-Yang Release. According to Yamato, the manipulation of Yin and Yang is the source of non-elemental techniques such as the Shadow Imitation Technique, Multi-Size Technique, medical ninjutsu, genjutsu, etc. As Tobirama Senju noted, Yin–Yang also has the ability to nullify the effects of all ninjutsu, rendering them useless.

The Sage of the Six Paths had such a mastery over the Yin–Yang Release that he used Yin to create form from nothing, and then used Yang to breath life into what he had created. According to Tobi, the Sage's ability was called, which he employed to create the tailed beasts out of the chakra from the Ten-Tails. The technique Izanagi is based on this ability.

Madara Uchiha has insinuated that Yin–Yang Release was involved in the creation of White Zetsu and his clone siblings. Obito Uchiha, after becoming the jinchūriki and gaining control of the Ten-Tails, uses Yin–Yang Release to create a malleable substance which could negate the effects of ninjutsu. According to Sasuke Uchiha, combining his Yin Release and Naruto Uzumaki's Yang Release, which was acquired via Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki granting them his chakra, is the only possible method to sealing a being as powerful as Kaguya Ōtsutsuki.

After receiving power from Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki, Naruto developed the ability to use Yin-Yang Release to stabilise life forces and restore missing organs through physical contact. However, there appears to be a limit to the extent to which this power can heal. For example, Naruto was able to resuscitate Obito Uchiha, but both were aware that his death was unavoidable and when the latter was struck with the All-Killing Ash Bones, Naruto's power could do nothing to prevent him from crumbling to dust nor was he able to restore the broken bones in Guy's leg, as a result, Guy spent the remainder of his life wheelchair-bound.