Kirin

Kirin is an extremely powerful, one-shot, lightning technique created by Sasuke Uchiha. He draws lightning directly from thunder clouds to supplement the power of his strike and controls it with chakra. Due to the technique using natural lightning, which Zetsu says reaches the ground in 1/1000th of a second, it is one of the most powerful lightning techniques. 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 fire techniques to produce the necessary storm conditions.

Once a lightning source has been acquired, shaping and guiding the lightning to the target requires very little chakra. In addition, usage seems to destroy 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 annihilate a mountain.

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 the ruler of beasts — as opposed to the hōō, the ruler 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".
 * In Naruto Shippūden: Ultimate Ninja Storm 2, 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.
 * Despite the fact that this is one of Sasuke's most powerful techniques, after his battle with Itachi he was never shown using it again.