Killing intent (殺気, Sakki, English TV: Murderous Intent) is simply the user exuding pure killing intention, and having it affect their opponent, themselves, and others around them, up to the point of paralysing them with fear.[1][2] When the killing intent is particularly strong, it can even give the victim visions of their own gruesome death (even if the user isn’t looking at the victim).[3][4] This can cause killing intent to be confused with a genjutsu, despite it not being a technique at all.
Trivia
- Sakki (殺気) can also be translated to "thirst for blood".
- In Naruto the Movie: Blood Prison, Satori is capable of reading killing intent and fear of its opponents, allowing it to instinctively dodge such attacks.