Tailed Beasts: Shukaku The One Tail

Shukaku, also called the One-Tail, is one of the nine tailed beasts in the Naruto series. It was previously sealed inside two other people before ending up within Gaara from the village of Sunagakure.

Background

Shukaku and the other tailed beasts were created by Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki, who divided the Ten-Tails' chakra into nine separate bodies. Hagoromo told the young tailed beasts that they were connected and that they would be reunited one day to learn true power. Before his death, Hagoromo sent Shukaku to live in a temple in the Land of Wind. In the past, Shukaku was captured by disciples of a temple and kept in Sunagakure. The First Kazekage tried to use Shukaku to gain wealth for his nation. Shukaku's first jinchūriki was a priest named Bunpuku, who saw Shukaku as an equal and believed in acceptance. Later, Shukaku was sealed into Gaara by his father, the Fourth Kazekage, to protect the village. Gaara struggled to control Shukaku's power and accidentally harmed others. Shukaku warned Gaara not to sleep too long, expressing its hatred for humans. The Fourth Kazekage tested Gaara by ordering an assassination, which resulted in Shukaku going on a rampage. The Fourth used his Gold Dust to calm Shukaku down.

Personality

Shukaku is a childish and short-tempered character who speaks in a bombastic and incoherent way, resembling a drunk person. It takes great pride in its abilities, especially its sealing techniques and defenses, and refers to itself as "Ore-sama." Shukaku has a strong desire to surpass its rival, Kurama, and harbors a grudge against it for considering Shukaku the weakest among the tailed beasts. Shukaku's animosity towards humans stems from being treated as a monster throughout history, leading it to instill fear in its jinchūriki and causing Gaara to develop insomnia. Despite its rudeness, Shukaku can show respect to those who treat it kindly, as seen in its changing attitude towards Bunpuku and Gaara. After the Fourth Great Shinobi War, Shukaku's relationship with Sunagakure improved, and it developed a respect for Naruto and affection for Himawari, showing a friendly side.

Abilities

Shukaku, being a tailed beast, possesses a large amount of chakra and can unleash a powerful attack called the Tailed Beast Ball. If its jinchūriki loses control and transforms into Shukaku in Suna, the village has plans in place to evacuate or seek shelter to avoid mass casualties. Shukaku has the ability to control its jinchūriki when they sleep, causing them to develop insomnia. It exhibits great physical strength when using its tail, as demonstrated by its ability to combine forces with other tailed beasts to destroy a powerful Susanoo. Even members of the Ōtsutsuki Clan recognize Shukaku's impressive power, with Urashiki Ōtsutsuki expressing excitement at the prospect of capturing it.

Ninjutsu

Sand Manipulation

Shukaku has a remarkable ability to control and manipulate sand, using it both as a weapon and a shield. Its entire body is made of sand, allowing it to withstand attacks that would normally be damaging. Even when its arm was cut off, Shukaku continued fighting. It takes pride in its strong defense and can easily block powerful attacks, such as a senjutsu-enhanced Susanoo sword. Shukaku can also use fūinjutsu, utilizing the cursed seal markings on its sand body to create a magnetic field that binds its targets. One of its techniques, the Desert Layered Imperial Funeral Seal, is powerful enough to temporarily restrain and withstand formidable attacks, including those from the Susanoo.

Nature Transformation

Shukaku possesses the Wind and Earth Release nature transformations. It has the ability to shoot powerful wind bullets that can destroy vast forests. When combined with Gaara's sand, it can create a barrage of high-speed sand bullets. Additionally, Shukaku can charge these wind bullets to unleash devastating attacks similar to a Tailed Beast Ball, capable of obliterating entire landscapes. By combining wind and earth elements, Shukaku can also use Magnet Release. It is unique among the tailed beasts in its ability to infuse cursed seals from its markings into the Rasengan, creating the Sage Art: Magnet Release Rasengan. This technique was strong enough to restrain the shadow of Madara Uchiha.