Among all ninjutsu techniques utilized in Naruto, none are as versatile and varied as the Clone techniques. These techniques utilize a user's chakra to create identical copies capable of coordinating with their original for offensive and defensive strategies.
Unlike most jutsu, which are user-specific, the Clone techniques are oftentimes developed within the Five Great Nations to be used exclusively by their Hidden Villages active shinobi. Focusing on Elemental Release affinities, chakra abilities, or a user's kekkei genkai, the Clone techniques are not as identical in strength as they might first appear.
10 The Clone Body Double Creates Copies That Dispel On Impact
The Clone Body Double is the basic clone technique necessary for graduation from Konohagakure's Ninja Academy. It creates doubles of users to disguise the original's location. These copies aren't tangible and disappear immediately upon receiving damage.
Team 7's Sakura demonstrated her skill with the Clone Body Double during the Chunin Exams, taking the Otogakure ninja by surprise when she faked using the technique. By allowing her actual body to be hit, Sakura bought Sasuke and Naruto enough time to wake up and save Team 7 from destruction.
9 The Illusionary Haze Technique Produces A Plethora Of Phantom Clones
The Illusionary Haze Clone Technique creates multiple identical copies of a user. The intangible clones cost their user very little chakra; as such, hundreds can be created simultaneously to disguise the original's location. The clones don't dispel upon impact, making this technique perfect for hiding in plain sight.
Team Oboro utilized this technique against Team 7 during the Chunin Exams. They coordinated their attacks with the clones, hiding themselves while tiring Team 7 out. Hoki, a missing-nin Naruto faced on his journeys following Sasuke's defection from Konohagakure, used Illusionary Haze Clones to overthrow the daimyo of the Land of Birds.
8 The Mist Servant Technique Utilizes Water To Create Multiple, Multiplying Clones
The Mist Servant jutsu is a favorite of Kirigakure as it uses Water Release to create clones. While most techniques create identical copies of the user, the Mist Servant technique's clones look different. This creates the appearance of an ambush. The effect only increases, as with every clone destroyed, two more sprout up in its place.
This genjutsu-clone jutsu grants its users advantages over their target. The targets become exhausted after fending off clones, leaving themselves open to attack. They also become mentally exhausted while facing the technique's overwhelming numbers. While opponents toil endlessly against a hundred clones, the user simply hides until they can catch their target off guard.
7 The Water Clone Jutsu Creates Corporeal Clones At Little Cost To Its User
The Water Clone jutsu creates corporeal clones capable of performing tasks for its user. These clones maintain 1/10th of the user's original power, require little chakra to maintain, and several can be produced from a single puddle of water. A significant drawback of this technique is that the clones cannot venture far from the body of water they originate from.
Upon receiving damage, the water clones dispel into a deluge of flowing water. A favorite technique for Amegakure and Kirigakure ninja, some of the most proficient users of the Water Clone technique were Zabuza Momochi and Kisame Hoshigake. They used clones to bind enemies with the Water Prison jutsu, overwhelm opponents on the battlefield, and information gathering.
6 The Ink Clones Become Anything Sai Can Draw
The Ink Clone technique requires its user to infuse ink with their chakra to create identical copies. Made of physical matter, these clones can interact with the world while being virtually undetectable. They can take the form of people, birds, and mice. Upon assault or rain, the Ink Clone would dispel in a splash of black liquid.
The uniqueness of this technique lies in its exclusive use among two users: Sai and Killer B. Sai's created Ink Clones were drawn by him, taking any shape he gave them, and could communicate telepathically with him while the technique was active. Killer B's Ink Clones could partially transform into the Eight-Tails, as they were created using ink infused with the Eight-Tail's chakra.
5 Konohagakure's Shadow Clone Jutsu Inspired Many Shinobi To Develop Stronger Jutsu
Initially, Tobirama Senju invented the Shadow Clone Jutsu as a tool for espionage. A user creates a corporeal clone by halving their chakra, which ventures unhindered by their user's location. Perfect for gathering intel in foreign lands before relaying it to their user on the technique's release, Konohagakure's Shadow Clone jutsu became a favorite for many ninja.
Naruto Uzumaki used the Multi Shadow Clone jutsu as a method of overwhelming opponents, creating the Uzumaki 2000 Blows Barrage. He later extended the Shadow Clone's use to create the Rasengan, passing this method on to his student Konohamaru. Clones can also transform into weapons, coordinate attacks, or wield their user's jutsu.
4 The Aburame Insect Clone Evaporate Into Swarms Of Chakra-Chomping Insects
Used exclusively by the Aburame clan, the Insect Clone gathers thousands of insects to create a clone of their host. Interactive and intelligent, the insects communicate with the original to spy on or attack opponents. The clone disperses into a swarm of bugs upon receiving damage before descending on their attacker, sucking them dry of their chakra and life force.
Shino used Insect Clones to distract his enemies before sending bugs to attach to them, eating their chakra. Insect Clones can track enemies anywhere in the world provided they've been bugged with the species' female. During the Fourth Ninja War, the Aburame used Insect Clones to bolster their numbers and coordinate chakra-reducing attacks against Kabuto's reanimated army.
3 Only Gaara's Sand Clones Don't Disperse After Being Damaged
Gaara is able to create Sand Clones due to his unique kekkei genkai, Sand Control. While his clones maintain his general form, their composition remains obvious and makes them distinguishable from the original. They make up for this in their ability to be converted into sand at any time, instantly capturing opponents upon being struck instead of dispelling like most other clone techniques.
Gaara's Sand Clone technique is one of the strongest due to its flexibility in any situation. Decoy Sand Clones can lure opponents in before overwhelming them with techniques like Sand Spear or Sand Burial. Objects can also be hidden in them, like ninja tools or paper bombs, to catch unwary enemies off guard.
2 Deidara's Clay Clone Explodes After Ensnaring Enemies
After stealing the Detonating Clay technique from Iwagakure, Deidara created the Clay Clone technique. Upon being struck, the clone hardens to an impenetrable density, trapping an opponent's striking hand within them. Then, upon the technique's release, the clay clone explodes with enough destructive force to level an entire forest.
Deidara nearly killed Sasuke while utilizing this Suicide Bomber Clone technique. After substituting his own body for a Shadow Clone, Deidara imbued it with chakra-infused clay to create a Clay Clone. With Sasuke's arm trapped inside it, Deidara's clone nearly blew the last Uchiha sky-high before the former Akatsuki member died as a result of his ultimate move.
1 Hashirama's Wood Clones Can Travel, Change Form, & Merge With Organic Matter
Hashirama utilized his Wood Release kekkei genkai to create the Wood Clone jutsu. By altering their own cells into vegetation, a user can convert their chakra into a living clone that's identical to them in every way, right down to their jutsu. They could be used in substitution techniques, travel far from their original while communicating telepathically, and even merge with trees for spying.
Unlike most clone techniques, the Wood Clone does not dispel upon receiving damage. They can recover upon resting or else have their shape changed by directly touching their user. As these clones cannot be copied by anyone incapable of using Wood Release, they are indistinguishable from the original when using any dojutsu other than the Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan.