Earth Release

is one of the basic elemental nature transformation techniques and allow the user to manipulate the surrounding earth for offensive and defensive purposes or create it; be it dirt, mud, or rock. Earth Release techniques have the ability to change the strength and composition of the earth from being as hard as metal to as soft as clay. This includes allowing the user to travel through ground and rock in various ways which can be essential for both transportation and for setting up attacks or creating defenses or for offense. Indeed, this makes earth techniques one of the most versatile of the elemental techniques. Pre-existing earth is not necessary though, for the user can create it with their own chakra.

Earth Release affinities are the most common among the ninja of Iwagakure, and is commonly affiliated with the Snake seal and/or slamming their palm onto the ground.

Earth Release is naturally strong against water but likewise, Earth Release is also naturally weak against lightning, as lightning chakra cannot be grounded.

Trivia

 * Earth-natured chakra is also a component of two different kekkei genkai, namely Lava Release and Wood Release; and the kekkei tōta Dust Release, when combined with wind and fire.
 * Earth Release parallels the real-life ninja art . One example of real-life doton-no-jutsu is Uzura-gakure: the practice of curling into a ball and remaining motionless in order to appear like a stone.

Reference
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