Lightning Cutter


 * Name: Raikiri, 雷切, literally "Lightning Blade"
 * Rank: S-rank, Offensive, Short range (0-5)
 * Users: Kakashi Hatake
 * Hand Seals: Ox, Rabbit, Monkey

The Lightning Blade, is an enhanced form of the Chidori, with the same effects and drawbacks, but more power. It is said that Kakashi cut a lightning bolt with this technique, also speculated to be the origin of its name. Because the Chidori is already powerful on its own, the Raikiri requires much more chakra and better chakra control, which is examplfied in its appearance. The Chidori appears as simply a mass of electrical chakra in the user's hand, the Raikiri is more focused. Like the Chidori, Kakashi can use the technique four times a day, which is an incredible feat, considering the intensity and chakra requirements. Somewhere in the time-skip, Kakashi developed the ability to cast the technique on both of his hands, which has only been seen while fighting the Akatsuki member Kakuzu.

Trivia
The name Raikiri seems to have derived from the Legend of the Nine Tailed Demons, where a ninja named Sarutobi (not the Third Hokage) cut a lightning bolt from the Raijuu, the Seven-Tailed Demon, with the technique Kinjutsu: Raikiri. The kinjutsu efficiently sealed the demon in a shrine.