Nara Clan Jutsus

GENIN

Name: Shadow Imitation Technique
Rank: D-Ranked
Hand seal: Rat
The Shadow Imitation Technique allows the user to extend their shadow for as far as it has sufficient area. Once it comes into contact with a target's shadow, the two merge and the target is forced to imitate the user's movements. Therefore, the two can throw shuriken at each other at the same time if the user desires that. (Of course, to prevent hurting themselves, the user just has to have the shuriken holster in a place where you don't normally have it, like the back.) If the target is out of range, the user can produce a better light source to increase their shadow's size or rely on preexisting shadows for their shadow to freely travel through.

The major downside of the Shadow Imitation is that it is tiring to use repeatedly; Hidan notes that the ability is subject to some form of diminishing return and decreases in potency after repeated use. If the user is low on chakra, the performance rate of the technique also deteriorates. Insufficient lighting will make the jutsu less effective. A particularly strong opponent can also resist the shadow's forced imitation.

Shikaku Nara calls this jutsu by its old name: the Shadow Bind Technique (影縛りの術, Kage Shibari no Jutsu; English TV "Shadow Paralysis Jutsu"). The old version simply paralyzed the target. The imitation aspect was apparently added sometime between Orochimaru's defection from Konoha and his later invasion of the village.

CHUUNIN

Name: Shadow Sewing Technique (影縫いの術, Kage Nui no Jutsu; Viz "Art of Shadow Stitching", English TV "Ninja Art: Shadow Sewing Jutsu")
Type: Hiden, C-rank, Offensive, Supplementary, Short to mid-range (0-10m)[1]
User: Nara clan
Hand Seals: Rat → Bird
The user creates tendrils out of their shadow. The tendrils can serve various purposes, such as attacking or binding an opponent(s). After this technique hits someone, it can then be directly transformed back into Shadow Imitation Technique.

SP. JOUNIN

Name: Shadow Endgame Technique (影寄せの術, Kageyose no Jutsu; Viz "Art of the Shadow Pull", English TV "Shadow Pull Jutsu")
Type: B-rank, Supplementary, Short to mid-range (0-10m)[1]
User: Nara Clan
Similar to the Shadow Sewing Technique, the user breaks their shadow into tendrils. Unlike the Shadow Sewing Technique, which exclusively ties down the opponent, the Shadow Endgame Technique's tendrils can grasp and manipulate objects. This gives the Shadow Endgame Technique a wide variety of uses. There are no hand seals used for this technique, but the hand movements resembles Gaara's Sand Binding Coffin.


JOUNIN

Name: Shadow Imitation Shuriken Technique (影真似手裏剣の術, Kagemane Shuriken no Jutsu; English "Shadow Possession Shuriken Jutsu", Viz "Art of the Shadow Possession Shuriken")
Type: Hiden, A-rank, Supplementary, Short to mid-range (0-10m)[1]
User: Shikamaru Nara
While teaching himself to use Asuma Sarutobi's Chakra Enhanced Trench Knives, Shikamaru invented this technique to use against Akatsuki's Hidan and Kakuzu. Using the trench knives' ability to absorb the user's chakra, Shikamaru stores some of his shadow in the blades. With this, Shikamaru can target his opponent's shadow and remotely trap them in the Shadow Imitation Technique. This is extremely advantageous as Shikamaru is no longer restricted to a stationary position while holding down his opponent. This charge is apparently independent of physical contact as he was able to restore it with the Shadow Sewing Technique.

Name: Shadow Neck Bind Technique (影首縛りの術, Kage Kubi Shibari no Jutsu; Viz "Suffocating Darkness", English TV "Shadow Strangle Jutsu"; English Games "Secret Leaf Technique: Shadow Strangle Jutsu")
Type: Hiden, A-rank, Offensive, Short to mid-range (0-10m)[1]
Users: Nara clan
Hand seals: Dragon → Tiger → Rat
After capturing an opponent with the Shadow Imitation Technique, the user can then further extend their shadow up to the target's throat in the shape of a hand, which chokes them to death. Also, if the Shadow Imitation Technique isn't making the opponent copy their movements, this can be used to bind opponent's body in order to restrain them. The closer the user is to their opponent, the tighter the strangle will become. This technique cannot be used for an extended period of time.