Naruto: Everything You Need to Know About the Iburi Clan

Naruto brought us so many different clans, but let's explore the lesser-known one, the Iburi Clan. The clan was only shown in the anime. The Iburi Clan is a little different when compared to other clans in the Naruto universe. They have this dangerous power that affects so much of their day-to-day lives.

The Iburi Clan also possesses a unique Kekkei Genkai, or bloodline limit. They have the special ability to change their body to partially or entirely smoke. This ability helps them hide or escape from danger. But the power is not perfect. Sometimes, they unintentionally transform into their smoke state.

If they are in their smoke form and the wind blows, they disperse permanently and die. This made their lives risky and full of fear. Because of this danger, the clan lived in hiding. They stayed in caves, away from the outside world.

They feared being blown away in the wind. Their powers made them feel like no place above ground was safe. Even though they had amazing abilities, they were not part of the main ninja villages like Konoha. Instead, they stayed hidden to protect themselves.

In their smoke form, the clan can still make contact with objects. It also allowed them to pass through tiny spaces, giving them an advantage in battles. They can also enter the bodies of others and control their movements.

Aside from controlling movements, they are in control of their senses, like taste. More offensively, they can oxidize their targets from inside. Because of their fear of the wind, they could not properly send off their lost ones. They planted trees for their fallen families and friends in place of graves and tombstones.

The Iburi Clan first appeared in the Naruto Shippuden anime during Kakashi’s Anbu Arc. The anime showed how their powers affected the clan and how they struggled to survive. This arc focuses on Kakashi-sensei’s Anbu background. It also delved into Yamato's and Uchiha Itachi's backgrounds and stories.

It happened during one of the missions where Hiruzen Sarutobi, the Third Hokage, and some of the Anbu members went to get Orochimaru. That was when the viewers met the Iburi Clan and knew their heartbreaking story.

This arc showed that the Iburi clan was loyal to Orochimaru. He had promised to help them find a way to stabilize their smoke transformation and hence control their smoke powers. In return, they were loyal to him.

To find a way to stabilize them properly, the Iburi clan willingly gave Orochimaru multiple children to use as test subjects. He used different variations of his cursed seal to try to make them not susceptible to transforming into smoke. The reason for using children is because their ability to transform is stronger.

When Kinoe (Yamato’s Anbu name) was sent by Danzo, Orochimaru’s collaborator, to the Iburi clan, he met Yukimi. She was kind, curious, and full of hope. Her brother, Tenzo, was one of the children given to Orochimaru to experiment on.

Kinoe looked like Tenzo, which caused Yukimi to bond with him. Their bond helped show a softer side of Kinoe, who was usually quiet and serious. Yukimi’s story showed how the clan wanted to live normal lives, even if their powers made that difficult.

She dreamed of seeing the outside world and making friends beyond the clan. Her friendship with Kinoe gave her hope. At a point in time, inside Kinoe’s body, they went to a festival. The music and bright colors were just as Yujimi had dreamt of.

During this time, Orochimaru came to the hideout and killed everyone. He was looking for someone who had the capabilities to give him their kekkei genkai. But regrettably, there was a figure like that. Orochimaru was there when Yukimi came back. A battle ensued, but Kakashi and Kinoe drove back Orochimaru.

With the last of their strength, the spirits of the members of the clan merged together to stabilize Yukimi, who was overcome with emotion. The two had never really been on the same page about going to the surface. But that did not matter now. They came together to save her, which showed how much they cared for each other.

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Consistencies in Naruto

Naruto continues to be one of the most loved anime series of all time. Stories like that of the Iburi Clan show why the show is so special. It’s not just about battles and jutsu. It’s also about the people behind the powers and the struggles they face. The Iburi Clan may be hidden, but their story stays with fans long after the episode ends.

Even though the Iburi Clan did not play a big role in the main Naruto storyline, their story was deep and emotional. They had a lot of the themes that are universal to Naruto, like loneliness, fear, friendship, and hope.

The clan’s struggle to live with their powers showed that being different can be hard. But this doesn’t make someone less worthy of love and respect. Naruto anime often explores side stories to expand its world and characters. The Iburi Clan is one of the best examples of this.

Their story helped fans understand the impact of rare powers and the pressure of being different in a world that fears what it doesn’t understand. It also gave more background to Yamato, who would later become a key figure in Naruto’s team.

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Conclusion

In the end, the Iburi Clan is a tragic and powerful part of Naruto’s world. Their smoke abilities were both a blessing and a curse. Their tale may not be as popular as the other clans, such as the Uchiha or Hyuga, but it’s significant in its own right.

For those who just can’t get enough of the Naruto universe, the Iburi Clan is a great example of how even a side story can run surprisingly deep and emotional.