Nature Transformation

is an advanced technique for manipulating chakra. While form transformation changes the shape and movement of chakra, nature transformation changes the actual nature of the chakra, altering its properties and characteristics.

Basic Types
There are five basic types in which the nature of chakra can be transformed, called the.

These five types are also called elements and are not only the origin of the names of the Five Great Shinobi Countries, but also the foundation of all Ninjutsu.

These elements allow for elemental Ninjutsu to be performed.
 * Fire natured chakra allows for Ninjutsu
 * Wind natured chakra allows for Ninjutsu
 * Water natured chakra for Ninjutsu
 * Lightning natured chakra for Ninjutsu
 * Earth natured chakra for Ninjutsu

The five basic natures are all connected to each other in a circle, each being weaker than one and stronger than another.
 * Fire is weak against Water, but strong against Wind
 * Wind is weak against Fire, but strong against Lightning
 * Lightning is weak against Wind, but strong against Earth
 * Earth is weak against Lightning, but strong against Water
 * Water is weak against Earth, but strong against Fire

Basically this means that if an elemental jutsu is put against an elemental jutsu of the same level, but of a stronger nature, then the stronger natured jutsu will prevail. However, a weaker natured jutsu can overpower a stronger natured jutsu if the weaker natured jutsu is of a higher level.

In general, every person has a chakra that has an affinity towards one of these types, a characteristic that seems to be genetic, since whole clans sometimes share the same affinity. Most members of the Uchiha clan, for example, had an affinity towards the Fire nature. To find out what affinity someone has, special pieces of paper are used that react to even the slightest hint of chakra in any of a number of ways, depending on the nature latent in the chakra.

This affinity makes it easier to learn how to create and control the nature in question, although even with an affinity this progress will usually take any number of years. Shinobi are not limited to the nature they have an affinity to, though. By the time they reach the rank of Jonin, most shinobi have mastered two natures. However, because of the difficulty of mastering a nature and the time required to learn it, it is almost impossible to master all five natures.

Advanced Types
Besides the five basic nature types, there are several more advanced types. By using two basic types simultaneously, one can create a completely new nature with unique properties. This is not something every shinobi can do, though. Only those people who have certain Kekkei Genkai have this ability.

So far, three natures have been shown:
 * The nature used by Haku is created by simultaneously using the Water and Wind natures. This nature allows for the use of  Ninjutsu.
 * The nature used by the First Hokage and Tenzo is created by simultaneously using the Earth and Water natures. This nature allows for the use of  Ninjutsu.
 * The nature used by the Four-Tailed Beast is created by simultaneously using the Fire and Earth natures. This nature allows for the use of  Ninjutsu.
 * The Crystal (結晶) nature used by Goren is created by simultaneously using the Earth and Lightning natures. This nature allows use of Crystal Release (シ遁, Shōton) Ninjutsu.

Speculation
The Third Kazekage had a special magnetic chakra unique to him, allowing him to use his signature Iron Sand techniques. While no official sources have called it a chakra nature some fans speculate it may be a combination of Earth and Lightning natures.

Gaara and Shukaku's sand manipulation is also thought by some fans to be an elemental fusion. While unconfirmed, it can be noted that Gaara is normally Earth natured, but when in Shukaku form he is able to use Wind natured chakra leading to the speculation that Sand manipulation is an elemental fusion of Earth and Wind natured chakra.

Yin and Yang
Aside from the five basic types of nature transformation, there is also a sixth type: the transformation of the and  nature of chakra. Not much is known about this so far, but Yamato implies that it is the source of certain non-elemental jutsu such as Shadow Imitation Technique, Multi-Size Technique, medical Ninjutsu, and Genjutsu. It's also unclear if it's a sixth elemental type or another type of chakra altogether.