Naruto: Samehada, Explained

Samehada’s ability to absorb an opponent’s chakra with a single cut made it one of the most feared swords in the Hidden Mist Village.

Highlights

• Samehada, a sentient chakra-absorbing sword, chooses worthy wielders based on spiritual energy.
• Kisame’s bond with Samehada granted unparalleled power on the battlefield.
• Samehada’s ability to absorb chakra, sense powerful foes, and fuse with wielders make it a deadly weapon.

Samehada is one of the most feared and enigmatic weapons that appear throughout the Naruto universe. As a sentient sword capable of absorbing an opponent’s chakra, it played a pivotal supporting role in numerous stories within the massive Shinobi world. From its earliest depictions being wielded by members of the deadly Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist all the way to minor appearances in the next-generation Boruto series, Samehada has remained shrouded in mystery even as its powers were put to terrifying use.

At the blade’s core is its ability to not only drain an enemy shinobi of their chakra and jutsu but to also choose who is worthy enough to control it based on their spiritual energy signatures. This sense is what separates Samehada from ordinary weapons and imbues it with an almost organic quality. Throughout its many battles supporting masters like Kisame Hoshigaki, the full frightening potential of what a thinking, chakra-absorption weapon is capable of became clear.

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History of Samehada

Samehada is a powerful sentient sword that has been passed down through generations in the Hidden Mist Village since the time of the First Mizukage. Over time, it came to be wielded by several powerful swordsmen.

Some of the earliest records show that Samehada was acquired and used by Fuguki Suikazan, one of the previous Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist. It was also briefly held and mastered by Mangetsu Hōzuki as part of his goal to learn all seven swordsmanship styles. When Fuguki was later killed by his subordinate, Kisame Hoshigaki, Kisame took possession of Samehada.

Kisame went on to join the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist and wield Samehada in battle. During this time, their chakra signatures became so aligned that Kisame became known as the “Tailed Beast without a Tail.” He remained Samehada’s master even after leaving the village and becoming a rogue ninja.

My massive blade Samehada, doesn’t slice… It shreds you to ribbons!

The Legacy of Samehada

One notable fight was between Kisame and Killer B, where Samehada betrayed Kisame briefly by returning some of B’s absorbed chakra. This was likely due to Samehada growing fond of B’s distinctive chakra taste. The sword also shielded B from attacks. Meanwhile, the real Kisame had been hiding inside Samehada as part of a plan.

After Kisame’s death, Samehada mourned the loss of its partner. It then formed a new bond with Killer B, keeping some of his lightning swords stored within itself. Later in the Fourth Shinobi World War, Samehada assisted B in battle.

In the modern era, Samehada returned to Kirigakure’s possession. However, a rebel group called the New Seven Swordsmen stole all seven swords in an attempt to remake the Bloody Mist era. For a time, Shizuma Hoshigaki wielded Samehada but lost control due to his inexperience. Samehada was eventually separated from Shizuma by Kagura and Boruto, after which it calmed down.

The Appearance of Samehada

Samehada is described as being around the same size as the massive Kubikiribōchō sword. Its construction is unique; instead of a solid blade, it consists of hundreds of downward-facing shark scales that run along its full length up to the hilt.

When wrapped in bandages, the scales are tightly packed together. But as Samehada absorbs more chakra, the scales spread out longer, resembling shark fins. Its “mouth” at the tip of the blade also becomes more pronounced with visible teeth. Keeping it wrapped helps restrain its growth from excess chakra consumption.

At the base of the scales, there is a small skull motif on the hilt. Overall, Samehada’s formation mimics that of an actual shark’s skin. Its appearance itself seems designed to invoke fear and illustrate its predatory nature.

Samehada’s Unique Sentience

What makes Samehada truly unique is its sentience. As a consciously thinking being, it is able to choose who it allows to wield it. If an unacceptable person tries to use Samehada, spikes will protrude from the hilt to force them to let go.

It particularly enjoys the taste of Killer B’s chakra, describing it as like an octopus. However, it finds the fire-natured chakra too hot. Samehada’s intelligence even allowed it to mourn Kisame’s death, showing it can form emotional attachments.

Its discerning tastes have made Samehada notoriously picky about wielders. Only those it finds worthy are able to control its full powers. This sentience is part of what makes Samehada such a legendary yet dangerous weapon.

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Samehada’s Ability: Chakra Absorption

The Power to Drain Chakra

The most feared aspect of Samehada is its ability to absorb the chakra of anyone its scales come into contact with. By shredding against an opponent, it drains away their chakra instantly, preventing ninjutsu techniques. It prefers the large chakra reserves of jinchūriki like Killer B, who is able to quickly remove all his tailed beast forms.

During battles, Samehada absorbs chakra that can then be released to replenish its wielder’s stamina or even heal fatal wounds. This synergistic relationship allows Kisame or others to fight continuously without tiring. The more chakra it eats, the larger it can become as well.

Its voracious appetite also grants it a quasi-sensory ability, as it is drawn to signatures of dense chakra. With this utility, Samehada lives up to its fearsome reputation in combat by easily turning the tide against even the most powerful foes.

Fusion with the Wielder

Amplifying Ability Through Fusion

Samehada can take its connection with a user even further through partial or complete fusion. When merging with Kisame, it augmented his physical abilities tremendously. He gained shark-like features like fins and webbing to swim faster.

Kisame also received Samehada’s ability to extend spikes from his body and absorb chakra from anything he touched. This fusion made Kisame an almost unbeatable force of nature. If a less skilled user loses control, Samehada may fuse forcibly to overtake them as well.

Used Techniques and New Wielders

Signature Techniques

Two signature techniques employed by Samehada wielders are the Bloody Mist Absorption and the Water Prison Shark Dance. In Boruto, Samehada is briefly taken by Shizuma Hoshigaki of the rebel New Seven Swordsmen. However, he proves unable to tame its powers, and it takes over his body.

Samehada eventually calms after “eating” enough of Shizuma’s chakra. It is now back in Kirigakure’s possession. Through its various appearances in Naruto and Boruto, Samehada has demonstrated its evolution as one of the most iconic and menacing blades in the entire Shinobi world.

Samehada is undoubtedly one of the most formidable and interesting swords featured in Naruto. As a sentient weapon capable of choosing its own master, its bond with Kisame granted him unparalleled power on the battlefield. With its unique chakra-draining scales and ability to fuse with its wielder, Samehada lives up to its reputation as one of the most dangerous blades among the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist.

Naruto is available to stream on Crunchyroll.

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Naruto

AnimationActionAdventure

A popular shonen anime based on Masashi Kishimoto’s manga, Naruto follows its eponymous shinobi’s journey as he goes from his town’s outsider to its hero.

Release Date

October 2, 2002

Seasons

5

Creator

Masashi Kishimoto

Streaming Service(s)

Crunchyroll
, Hulu
, Netflix

Watch on Amazon

Fuente: successacademy.edu.vn
Categorías: Anime