Naruto: How Did Kakashi Learn the Rasengan?

Known as the ‘Copy Ninja,’ Kakashi Hatake has earned widespread acclaim in the shinobi world for his ability to replicate a thousand jutsu, a skill that instills fear in many. Despite possessing a diverse array of techniques, Kakashi is most commonly associated with the Raikiri, a jutsu he both created and perfected. This association often confounds fans who are surprised to discover that Kakashi also possesses the Rasengan.

Although Kakashi’s use of the Rasengan is a rare occurrence and primarily involves training Naruto, viewers tend to overlook this anomaly. While Kakashi employing the Rasengan may seem peculiar in the narrative, the real enigma lies in how he acquired this technique. However, by meticulously assembling details from Kakashi’s past in chronological order, the true story of his mastery of the Rasengan emerges.

Did Kakashi Copy the Rasengan?

Enthusiasts are swift to infer that Kakashi replicated the Rasengan using his Sharingan. While this assumption may initially appear plausible, given Kakashi’s renowned ability to mimic over a thousand jutsu throughout his life, it’s crucial to recognize that the Sharingan’s copying prowess goes beyond techniques reliant on hand signs. The all-seeing eye of the Sharingan can unveil the intricacies of chakra manipulation, providing insight into how the target’s chakra is being shaped.

The Rasengan emerges as a potential target for replication through the Sharingan, as the method of molding chakra would be unveiled in the process. Despite the Rasengan eschewing the need for hand signs, its essence revolves around shaping chakra in a specific manner, making it plausible for Kakashi or any wielder of the Sharingan to duplicate the Rasengan.

Nevertheless, it seems improbable that Kakashi acquired this technique through the Sharingan’s copying abilities. According to the Naruto series, Kakashi developed the Raikiri while infusing lightning nature into the Rasengan. Although Kakashi failed to transform his Rasengan into a lightning release jutsu, he stumbled upon the Raikiri instead. Given that Kakashi could employ the Raikiri long before obtaining Obito’s Sharingan, it is entirely implausible for him to have copied the technique using his Sharingan.

Did Minato Teach Kakashi the Rasengan?

With Kakashi no longer able to utilize his copying abilities, the most plausible scenario for him to acquire the Rasengan would be through Minato’s guidance. Initially conceived by Minato, the Rasengan drew inspiration from the concept of Tailed Beast Bombs. Its primary purpose was to provide Kushina with a straightforward technique capable of countering other Jinchuriki in the event she was deployed to war. Although there is no explicit indication or confirmation of Kushina mastering the Rasengan, the series does disclose that Minato imparted the technique to Jiraiya.

Given that Minato’s own mentor acquired the technique from him, it is reasonable to infer that Kakashi, too, learned the Rasengan from Minato. Despite the apparent simplicity of the Rasengan, characterized by the absence of hand signs and minimal chakra demand, it is, in fact, an intricately complex technique demanding substantial practice in chakra manipulation.

Nonetheless, Kakashi’s designation as a child prodigy and exceptionally skilled shinobi positioned him as a fitting candidate for mastering the technique, enabling him to seamlessly integrate the Rasengan into his skill set. This circumstance clarifies why Kakashi stands as the sole student of Minato who successfully learned the technique, distinguishing him as one of the select characters within the series with the ability to wield it.

Why Doesn’t Kakashi Use the Rasengan?

Kakashi’s mastery of the Rasengan can be linked to his early training under Minato, suggesting that he acquired the technique at a remarkably young age. The fact that Kakashi learned the Rasengan prior to mastering the Raikiri, a skill he possessed even before Obito’s tragic incident, implies that Kakashi had access to the Rasengan for a significant portion of his on-screen presence in the series. This raises the intriguing question of why the Rasengan was kept concealed in Kakashi’s repertoire, only to be unveiled during Naruto‘s training in Shippuden.

One might argue that Kakashi’s possession of the Raikiri renders the Rasengan redundant in his arsenal. However, the series firmly establishes the Rasengan as a more potent jutsu compared to Chidori or Raikiri, creating a narrative inconsistency by keeping the Rasengan unused. This could be interpreted as a retcon, introducing Kakashi’s Rasengan to facilitate teaching Naruto how to infuse his own nature release into the technique.

Contrary to this perception, Kakashi’s infrequent use of the Rasengan doesn’t stem from an inconsistency or Kishimoto’s recurring retcons. Rather, it is explained by the Rasengan’s status as an incomplete jutsu. The technique attains perfection only when the user integrates an elemental release into the chakra, a feat initially achieved by Naruto. Despite the inherent potency of the base Rasengan, the superiority of the Raikiri renders it unnecessary for Kakashi to resort to using the Rasengan.