Kirin

Kirin was created by Sasuke Uchiha as his trump card against Itachi Uchiha. It, along with Indra's Arrow, are Sasuke's strongest Lightning Release techniques. He draws natural lightning directly from thunder clouds to supplement the power of his strike and controls it with chakra. Unlike most techniques, which are based on the user's chakra, this one uses the natural lightning, which — as noted by Zetsu — reaches the ground in 1/1000th of a second. However, the preparation time required also decreases the technique's efficiency. If there are no active thunder clouds, the user must create them by using powerful fire techniques to produce the necessary storm conditions. With techniques such as Amaterasu, even stronger storm conditions can be made by them. Also, with Amaterasu's inability to be extinguished by water, it can be used to continuously create new thunder clouds to use Kirin once again; however, the process seems to require a bit of time.

Once a lightning source has been acquired, shaping and guiding the lightning to the target requires very little chakra. In addition, usage seems to disperse the thunder clouds as the sky cleared up of clouds after use. As such, this technique can only be used once in a fight. The technique can completely obliterate a small mountain as well as Itachi Uchiha's Susanoo with Yata Mirror attached.

Influences

 * In Japanese mythology, the Kirin is considered a holy creature, whose cry is a musical scale and whose footprints are perfect circles. It is very peaceful and careful, capable of walking on water and on grass without bending the blades. It doesn't eat meat either. It only appears in places ruled by a benevolent and wise leader and is well-known for punishing the wicked.
 * In Japan, the Kirin is considered as the most powerful and divine as opposed to the Hōō, the rulers of birds — and is usually placed above all other mythological creatures, including the ryū and Hōō. It can live up to a millennium and wounding one or coming across its corpse is considered a bad omen.

Trivia

 * is also the Japanese word for "giraffe".
 * Interestingly, in episode 51 of the Naruto SD: Rock Lee no Seishun Full-Power Ninden anime, when Sasuke uses this technique, a giraffe appears instead of a dragon.
 * In Naruto Shippūden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 2, Naruto Shippūden: Ultimate Ninja Storm Generations and Naruto Shippūden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 3 Sasuke has three chances of hitting the opponent with lightning from the sky, which when hit, will execute Kirin.
 * The word actually consists of two kanji where  is kanji for male Kirin and  is kanji for female Kirin.
 * In Naruto Shippūden: Ultimate Ninja Heroes 3, Sasuke can use Kirin using his sword.