Kishimoto Reveals The Reason Why Naruto Uses Talk No Jutsu

This article contains spoilers from the Naruto series.

Summary

Naruto’s ability to use words alone to influence enemies is known as Talk no Jutsu.
Kishimoto intentionally made Naruto use Talk no Jutsu to send a message and show his unique nature.
To counter Talk no Jutsu, Kishimoto introduced Edo Tensei and Zetsu to avoid repetitive storytelling.

Naruto Uzumaki stands out as one of the most potent ninjas to ever grace the world, and it’s possible he could claim the title of strongest ninja ever at his zenith. Despite starting with no innate talent, Naruto’s determination led him to transform his greatest shortcomings into strengths, and even win over former adversaries as allies. Interestingly, Naruto’s true strength doesn’t lie in his Six Paths powers or Kurama – it is his ability to wield words that carry immense impact.

Naruto Uzumaki, a renowned character from the Naruto series, often uses only his words to convince villains to change their ways and side with the good. This technique is humorously referred to as Talk no Jutsu by fans. It’s Naruto’s most powerful skill and one of the most prominent ones too. If you’re curious about why Naruto relies so heavily on Talk no Jutsu, Masashi Kishimoto, the creator, has already addressed this in an interview years ago.

How Naruto Settled Fights With His Words

Naruto could always see the side of his enemies
Naruto affected his enemies with words alone

Naruto Uzumaki, throughout the story, stood out among his fellow ninjas due to his unconventional nature. Unlike other shinobi who seemed merely instruments at the onset of the narrative, Naruto consistently challenged this notion. He believed that blindly following orders and suppressing emotions wasn’t the correct path for a shinobi. This perspective was evident when he spoke out against Zabuza for his treatment of Haku, even causing Zabuza to weep. The fact that a cold-hearted character like Zabuza, known for showing no emotions, was moved to tears by Naruto’s words, underscores Naruto’s empathetic nature. As the series progressed, viewers observed Naruto making efforts to save his adversaries more frequently. This portrayal of Naruto was Masashi Kishimoto’s way of suggesting that villains in the Naruto world were essentially like any other individuals, struggling with their own hardships. However, it’s important to note that this doesn’t hold true for all villains, but characters like Gaara and Nagato, who endured trauma from early childhood, are examples that support this idea.

Your words cut deeper than any sword, boy! – Zabuza

In the heart of battles, I, Naruto Uzumaki, delved deep into my adversaries’ souls, stirring something within them time and again, proving that Talk no Jutsu was my ultimate weapon when all else failed. The most poignant demonstration of this technique unfolded in the Pain Arc, where, despite witnessing my village’s annihilation, the loss of dear friends, and the demise of my mentor, I refused to yield. Faced with overwhelming sorrow, I persisted in finding common ground with Pain, astonishing fans as I managed to transform him from an enemy into an ally. In the face of insurmountable odds, I forged a third path that no other ninja could have envisioned, solidifying my status as one of the most extraordinary shinobi ever to walk this earth.

During the Fourth Shinobi World War, Naruto employed the Talk no Jutsu again, this time targeting Obito Uchiha. Naruto recognized a version of himself in Obito, with the key difference being that Obito chose the wrong path and lacked the right support system when he was at his most vulnerable. This is why Naruto fought Obito with equal determination. In the end, thanks to Naruto’s efforts, Obito was able to turn over a new leaf as well.

Why Kishimoto Made Naruto Use Talk No Jutsu

Kishimoto Wanted Naruto To Use His Words To Send A Message

Kishimoto deliberately chose to have Naruto employ Talk no Jutsu frequently. His aim was to portray Naruto Uzumaki as more than just a character defeating powerful adversaries. To Naruto, the actions of villains were not merely consequences; instead, he understood that given his past hardships, it was plausible for him to have found himself in their shoes too.

In his own words, Kishimoto mentioned that after the Pain Arc, Naruto Uzumaki opted for defeating enemies without causing their demise. This approach, as stated by Kishimoto, aligns better with typical Shonen manga series, presumably due to certain reasons.

I shall trust your words, Uzumaki Naruto. If there is such a thing as true peace, I hope you will find it. – Nagato

In Kishimoto’s thoughts, he recognized that children glean crucial lessons from his stories. To him, it was vital for Naruto to embody such a mindset. However, Kishimoto acknowledged that this method was ideal for Shonen series but often dampened the atmosphere, leading him to create an antidote for Talk no Jutsu.

The Counter To Talk No Jutsu

Kishimoto Came Up With Zetsu and Edo Tensei As A Tool

To keep the story engaging and avoid repetition since Naruto was forbidden from killing his opponents, Kishimoto had to devise a creative solution. This predicament led him to create the Fourth Great Ninja War scenario, which introduced the Edo Tensei power and Zetsu’s involvement. The Edo Tensei summoned characters with emotions that ultimately required destruction. Since these characters were no longer alive, Naruto had no qualms about inflicting severe damage on them. This way, Kishimoto could ensure that Naruto didn’t perpetuate the cycle of hatred by killing others.

In the same vein, I found myself reflecting that Edo Tensei could potentially disintegrate without obstructing Naruto’s aspirations. This very fact might be the reason behind the immense popularity of Edo Tensei among fans during the ninja war, and why they predominantly shaped the villains post-Pain arc.

Kishimoto additionally introduced characters such as Kaguya Otsutsuki, who turned out to be non-human. This shift in the plot enabled Kishimoto to feel more at ease with Naruto overpowering and potentially killing his adversaries, since these enemies were vastly dissimilar to traditional Shinobi who had endured hardships due to their environment.

Certainly, although there were instances where Talk no Jutsu might not have been effective according to Kishimoto’s rules, it remains a defining aspect of Naruto’s character that sets him apart. While some fans may not agree with this perspective, it is what makes Naruto unique and endearing. It serves as a testament to his compassionate and pure nature, as well as his deep devotion to the ideals of the Fire Nation.

You can find Naruto manga on MangaPlus and Shonen Jump app for reading. By doing so, you’re supporting the creator as you read the authorized version.

2025-01-05 03:34