The Lightning Cutter is an enhanced and concentrated form of the Chidori with the same effects and drawbacks.
Overview
According to Might Guy, it gained its name after Kakashi split a bolt of lightning with it.[2] Kakashi admitted to sasuke that he could use raikiri or how some call it chidori 4 times in a single day, but in shippuden he was able to use it 6 times.
Usage
Kakashi has shown different ways of forming and using the Lightning Cutter. During his confrontation with Orochimaru in Part I, he creates it without using hand seals.[3] In Part II, he is able to form a Lightning Cutter in both of his hands to counteract Kakuzu's Lightning Release: False Darkness.[4]
Kakashi later demonstrated the ability to imbue a projectile weapon, such as a kunai, with his Lightning Cutter, granting the technique long-range capabilities. In this instance, the kunai was capable of piercing through multiple large rocks with ease, without any loss of momentum or change in trajectory.[5]
Six Paths Application
Kakashi's Lightning Cutter infused with the Six Paths Power.
After obtaining both of Obito's Sharingan and his Six Paths Power, Kakashi was able to imbue the Lightning Cutter with it. By utilising its enhanced power, in unison with Kamui, Kakashi was able to effectively harm Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, nearly severing her entire right arm.[6]
Trivia
- The name Raikiri comes from a story about famous samurai Tachibana Dōsetsu (立花道雪, Tachibana Dōsetsu) (22 April 1513–2 November 1585). Tachibana was in possession of a famous sword called Chidori (千鳥, literally meaning: A Thousand Birds). One day, while he was still a young man, he was taking shelter under a tree, as it was raining. Suddenly, a bolt of lightning struck him. However, Tachibana used his Chidori to cut the Thunder God inside the lightning bolt, allowing him to survive. After this incident, he renamed his Chidori to Raikiri (雷切, literally meaning: Lightning Cutter).
- In Naruto Shippūden the Movie: The Will of Fire, when this technique was copied by Hiruko, he used the electrical energy to surge around the area, increasing the range of damage, allowing him to attack Naruto's clones at a mid-range distance.
- After losing his Sharingan, Kakashi was no longer able to properly use the Lightning Cutter; to compensate, he developed the Lightning Release: Purple Electricity.[7]
