From this, it becomes clear just how important it is to have a strong lineage. A good ancestor can open doors that would otherwise remain shut. However, even if one isn't born into a prestigious bloodline, it's not impossible to forge one.
For instance, combining multiple chakra nature transformations can give rise to Kekkei Genkai or even the more advanced Kekkei Tōta. Tsuchikage Ōnoki and Mizukage Mei Terumī are prime examples of this path. They attained unique abilities through the combination of chakra natures, rather than relying solely on inherited bloodlines.
Another method is through transplantation—integrating powerful bloodlines from others into oneself. Obito himself is a testament to this. By transplanting Hashirama Senju's cells, he gained a dramatic boost in power. This path is not unique to him. Even Uchiha Madara resorted to this method.
Yet, among all those who've walked this path, the one who left the deepest impression on Obito was Kabuto Yakushi. That man was undoubtedly a genius. Through the transplantation of others' bloodlines and organs, Kabuto modified his own genetic makeup, shattering the limitations of ordinary humans. He pushed his strength to unprecedented levels, effectively creating a new bloodline for himself.
Obito remained highly cautious of Kabuto. After all, he had mastered Sage Mode from Ryūchi Cave, placing him potentially above most Kage-level shinobi. In the ninja world, bloodline determined far more than people liked to admit. If one lacked a powerful bloodline, the only option was to artificially construct or acquire one. Even the mighty Madara had to devour a piece of Hashirama's flesh to awaken the Rinnegan.
Beyond bloodlines, there's a second path to power: secret techniques.
Interestingly, many secret techniques are closely intertwined with bloodline. Consider Konoha's famous Ino–Shika–Chō trio: unless one belongs to the Akimichi, Nara, or Yamanaka clans, learning their secret techniques is not only difficult but also rarely effective. The techniques are tailored to the specific chakra attributes and body structures of their respective clans.
Similarly, in Kumogakure, the Raikage's lineage is one of the most elite families built on secret techniques. Each generation within this family has produced individuals capable of reaching Kage level or even becoming dominant Kage figures. A shining example is the Third Raikage. He fought single-handedly against ten thousand Iwa ninjas until his last breath. The only reason he didn't achieve a sweeping victory was his lack of large-scale offensive jutsu. With such a technique in his arsenal, the outcome of that battle might have been very different.
Then, there's the third route to strength: an enormous chakra reserve.
When it comes to chakra, sheer quantity can eventually lead to qualitative transformation. Once a person has enough chakra, they can wield techniques and power levels far beyond average shinobi.
Kisame Hoshigaki is a prime example. His strength was greatly amplified by Samehada, a sword that fed on and returned chakra to its wielder. His chakra levels were so vast that he was often compared to a tailed beast in human form.
But when discussing chakra monsters, nothing surpasses the Jinchūriki. Each perfect Jinchūriki is on par with a Kage-level shinobi, with the Nine-Tails Jinchūriki standing above even elite Kage. And then there's the Ten-Tails Jinchūriki—an entity comparable in power to the Sage of Six Paths himself.
However, becoming the Ten-Tails Jinchūriki is no simple feat. It requires both an exceptional bloodline and immense spiritual strength. Without these, one cannot hope to contain, let alone control, the Ten-Tails' overwhelming power.
The fourth and often overlooked path to strength is through the systematic training provided by the Konoha Ninja Academy.
What happens if someone has no powerful bloodline, no access to secret techniques, and isn't a Jinchūriki? How can an ordinary person become strong?
The answer lies in diligent training at the Ninja Academy and receiving guidance from a skilled teacher.
Konoha is unique in that it enjoys a level of stability not found in most villages. This peace has allowed it to develop a comprehensive and structured educational system for training ninjas. Students in Konoha often spend years mastering the foundational elements of being a shinobi.
While the Ninja Academy curriculum focuses on the basics, these basics form the roots of even the highest-level techniques in the ninja world.
Take, for example, the Three Basic Jutsu: Clone Jutsu, Transformation Jutsu, and Substitution Jutsu. At first glance, they seem simple—almost childish—but their underlying principles are profound.
Clone Jutsu and Transformation Jutsu are early forms of visual genjutsu, forming the foundation of all illusion-based techniques. Substitution Jutsu, which allows a user to switch places with an object, is essentially an elementary form of both summoning and sealing jutsu.
These three—genjutsu, summoning, and sealing—are among the most advanced and versatile jutsu categories in existence. They can completely turn the tide of battle when used effectively.
Tailed Beasts, for example, possess overwhelming power and durability. Their bodies are composed of pure chakra, making them highly resistant to conventional ninjutsu. They also wield the devastating Tailed Beast Ball, capable of leveling entire villages.
Even a seasoned Kage-level shinobi would struggle to defeat a Tailed Beast without resorting to genjutsu, sealing techniques, or summoning. When used well, these techniques not only neutralize the threat but can also convert Tailed Beasts into powerful assets.
Moreover, many forbidden techniques stem directly from these basic principles. The Impure World Reincarnation is, at its core, a summoning technique. The Reaper Death Seal is an advanced sealing jutsu. Both are game-changers on the battlefield—but without a solid foundation, they are unattainable.
Practicing the Three Basic Jutsu doesn't just teach technique; it sharpens a ninja's fundamental abilities. Timing, chakra control, observation, reaction speed, and adaptability are all developed through rigorous training in these basics.
A ninja who masters the Three Basic Jutsu at an expert level becomes incredibly well-rounded. Such a person might not initially shine due to the lack of flashy or destructive techniques. But over time, the strength of their foundation becomes increasingly apparent. And if they are fortunate enough to gain a wise teacher, they can rapidly progress and even become a force to be reckoned with.
Take the Flying Raijin Jutsu as an example. Developed by Tobirama Senju and later perfected by Minato Namikaze, this teleportation technique is among the most sophisticated in the ninja world.
Minato once tried to teach it to his students—Obito, Kakashi, and Rin. But none succeeded in mastering it.
Why? Because Flying Raijin is more than just a teleportation technique. It requires the user to:
Apply a sealing jutsu to place a Flying Raijin mark.
Use a sensing technique to detect the location of the mark.
Manipulate chakra with high precision to activate a reverse summoning, which allows instant teleportation.
There's also an advanced variant that enables remote creation of barriers via sealing jutsu, followed by teleportation of either oneself or enemy attacks using a combination of sensing and reverse summoning.
To learn and use the Flying Raijin effectively, one needs master-level skills in chakra control, chakra sensing, sealing, and summoning. Furthermore, it requires lightning-fast reflexes, exceptional battlefield awareness, and a spatial perception ability that few possess.
Obito, despite his innate spatial perception due to Kamui, never mastered Flying Raijin. Why? His other fundamental skills—sealing, sensing, and summoning—were not up to par.
Throughout Konoha's history, only Tobirama and Minato ever truly mastered the technique solo. Others could only manage partial versions, and even then, only by working together in teams.
Ironically, every skill needed for Flying Raijin can be developed through intensive training in the Three Basic Jutsu. Obito realized, too late, that if he had treated those basics with the same dedication he gave to powerful techniques like the Great Fireball Jutsu, he might have stood a chance at mastering Flying Raijin.
He now understood that his failure wasn't solely due to a lack of talent. Rather, it stemmed from a common trap: underestimating foundational techniques in favor of flashier, more impressive ones. The basics may not look cool, but they hold the keys to advanced techniques.
Had he poured the same effort into chakra control and fundamental training during his Academy years, his later spatial perception abilities would have perfectly complemented the Flying Raijin Jutsu.
But hindsight is always clearer. At the time, the Great Fireball Jutsu seemed more impressive—more "powerful." Now, looking back, he couldn't help but feel regret.
Who could he blame? Probably only himself.