Every ninja in Naruto is skilled, and most of them can use a variety of jutsu. Certain ninja have access to unique abilities because they possess DNA anomalies. These anomalies are called kekkei genkai, and they are usually passed down through the generations of a specific clan. Several kekkei genkai were used quite often in Naruto, but other kekkei genkai were underused.
Every kekkei genkai is effective in battle, and certain abilities can kill an opponent with a single strike. Some of the most underused kekkei genkai were only used by a single person. In this scenario, the individual's clan was usually extinct or on the verge of extinction. Other kekkei genkai were underused because they were introduced very late in the series. It should also be noted that some of these kekkei genkai are incredibly rare.
10 Scorch Release Creates Deadly Heat Orbs
First Used in Naruto: Shippuden Episode 265, "An Old Nemesis Returns;" Used by Pakura
Scorch Release is a nature transformation that seemingly combines both Wind and Fire Release. It is an incredibly deadly kekkei genkai that was briefly shown during the Fourth Great Ninja War. The anime added a filler episode that centered around a Scorch Release user, but the kekkei genkai still received less than twenty minutes of screen time.
Scorch Release gives someone the ability to create heat orbs. These orbs look like miniature suns, and they can rotate around the user's body. They can also be controlled freely. If these orbs touch an enemy, all the moisture in their body will instantly evaporate, and they will die in a mummified state.
9 Shikotsumyaku Gives The User The Ability To Manipulate Their Own Bones
First Used in Naruto Episode 119, "Miscalculation: A New Enemy Appears!"; Used by Kimimaro Kaguya
Shikotsumyaku is a kekkei genkai that gives its user the ability to manipulate their bones. The user can grow their bones until they protrude from their body. This gives the user a decent defense because melee opponents can impale themselves during an attack. Shikotsumyaku also allows the user to remove their bones so they can be used as sharp weapons. Small bones can even be fired like bullets.
The Shikotsumyaku is a less lethal version of the bone manipulation ability possessed by Kaguya Otsutsuki. Only a few members of the Kaguya Clan could have inherited this kekkei genkai, and during the events of Naruto, only the clan's last living member possessed it. It briefly returned during the war, but the kekkei genkai went extinct when Kimimaro died.
8 Dark Release Can Absorb & Release The Chakra Of Others
First Used in Naruto: Shippuden the Movie: The Will of Fire; Used by Hiruko
Dark Release did not appear in either the Naruto manga or anime. It is a nature transformation kekkei genkai that has only been used in Naruto: Shippuden the Movie: The Will of Fire. The exact elements used by this kekkei genkai are still unknown, but it does seem to give the user a special diamond mark on their left hand.
Dark Release can absorb an opponent's chakra, and the user can then manipulate and release that chakra whenever they want. The upper diamond portion of the mark absorbs the chakra, while lower diamond releases it. Hiroku was the main villain of the movie, and he used Dark Release to absorb Naruto's Rasengan. In theory, Dark Release would be a variation of the Rinnegan's chakra absorption ability.
7 The Kurama Clan's Kekkei Genkai Makes Genjutsu Even More Dangerous
First Used in Naruto Episode 203, "Kurenai's Decision: Team 8 Left Behind;" Used by Yakumo Kurama
The Kurama Clan may not be part of Naruto's official canon, but they possess a rare kekkei genkai that focuses entirely on genjutsu. This kekkei genkai only appears once every few generations, which means that it is incredibly rare even within the Kurama Clan. As a result, the clan's full kekkei genkai only appears in a small handful of episodes.
Genjutsu revolves around illusions, but the Kurama Clan's kekkei genkai can empower these illusions. This empowerment causes the victim to sustain legitimate physical injuries. The main drawback of this kekkei genkai is the fact that the user can easily lose control and develop a second personality that will target both enemies and allies.
6 Ice Release Was The Fearsome Power Of The Yuki Clan
First Used in Naruto Episode 13, "Haku's Secret Jutsu: Demonic Mirroring Ice Crystals;" Used by Haku
Ice Release was the first kekkei genkai that Naruto and Sasuke had to deal with. It is a nature transformation kekkei genkai that combines Wind and Water Release. It was the Yuki Clan's signature technique, and it allowed Haku to become an Anbu-level ninja.
The Yuki Clan's Ice Release was feared in the Land of Water because they used it to create ice mirrors that they could instantly travel between. This allowed them to attack from any direction. Another version of Ice Release involves the user encasing their fists with ice. This kekkei genkai has unfortunately disappeared from the ninja world because its main users have gone into hiding.
5 Sakon and Ukon Can Break Their Bodies Down With Their Kekkei Genkai
First Used in Naruto Episode 120, "Roar and Howl! The Ultimate Tag-Team!"; Used by Sakon & Ukon
Sakon and Ukon were the apparent co-leaders of the Sound Four. They both inherited their clan's unnamed kekkei genkai - which gave them the ability to break their bodies down to a molecular level. With this skill, they were able to share the same body, and they could split apart at any time.
During combat, Ukon would help his brother during a melee exchange with his own arms. This kekkei genkai allowed them to merge with other people as well, and they were able to destroy the cells of their new host's body. This is a very unique and effective kekkei genkai, but it seems as though Sakon and Ukon were the last ninja to wield it.
4 The Ketsuryugan Is A Deadly Ocular Kekkei Genkai
First Used in Naruto: Shippuden Episode 484, "The Exploding Human;" Used by Chino & En Oyashiro
The Ketsuryugan is an ocular kekkei genkai that has been compared to the Sharingan, Byakugan, and Rinnegan. It only appears in Sasuke Shinden: Book of Sunrise - a four-episode arc that is part of the official Naruto canon. When the Ketsuryugan is activated, the user's pupils become rectangular and their eyes glow bright red.
The Ketsuryugan can only be used by certain members of the Chinoike Clan, and they can perform a strong genjutsu with it. These individuals can also manipulate anything with a high concentration of iron, including blood. If the user makes physical contact with someone, they can infuse their target with poisonous chakra. This chakra will eventually cause their victim's body to explode.
3 Storm Release Allows The User To Manipulate Beams Of Electricity
First Used in Naruto: Shippuden Episode 203, "Sasuke's Ninja Way;" Used by Darui & Madara Uchiha
Storm Release is a nature transformation kekkei genkai that combines Lightning and Water Release. It is a surprisingly common kekkei genkai in the Land of Lightning, but it does not give the user the ability to manipulate actual storms. Instead, the user is capable of manipulating beams of electricity that flow like water.
In most cases, a Storm Release user can fire multiple beams at once. They can alter the direction of each beam, which means that they can hit multiple enemies at once. They can also direct the beams around hostages. Madara Uchiha used a different type of Storm Release which produces a stream of lightning that is almost impossible to dodge. As useful as Storm Release is, it was hardly used in the series.
2 Boil Release Can Melt Anything - Including A Susanoo's Armor
First Used in Naruto: Shippuden Episode 204, "Power of the Five Kage;" Used by Mei Terumim, Han, Kokuo
Boil Release was first used during the Five Kage Summit Arc, and it nearly killed Sasuke Uchiha. This nature transformation kekkei genkai is a combination of Fire and Water Release. Boil Release typically produces a corrosive vapour that can dissolve most substances, including a Susanoo's armor.
Unfortunately, this kekkei genkai can injure allies as well. Boil Release is the main nature transformation used by the Five-Tails, otherwise known as Kukuo. Its version utilizes heated chakra to melt enemies. As strong as this kekkei genkai is, it has only been used on two occasions.
1 The Tenseigan Grants The User A Powerful Chakra Mode
First used in The Last: Naruto the Movie; Used by Hamura & Toneri Otsutsuki
The Tenseigan is an ocular kekkei genkai that can be awakened by an Otsutsuki who obtains a Hyuga Byakugan. They need to implant the Byakugan into their eye sockets. There are not many Otsutsuki left, and most of them prefer other ocular kekkei genkai, so the Tenseigan is incredibly rare. It has only appeared in The Last: Naruto the Movie - which is part of the official canon.
The Tenseigan can control gravitation forces like the Rinnegan's Deva Path, and the wielder can use it to hurl large moon rocks at the Earth. It also gives the user access to Tenseigan Chakra Mode, which produces a set of Truth-Seeking Balls. This form can fight on par with Naruto's Sage Mode enhanced Nine-Tails Chakra Mode.
