Naruto is a very popular manga series that is enjoyed in over 46 different countries. A lot of Naruto fans struggle to grasp the concept of this anime hero’s special abilities and especially seem to struggle with the concept of his final form: the Baryon Mode.
In this guide, we are going to take a closer look at this exciting power and will share some interesting facts that you might not know about Naruto’s Baryon Mode.
Naruto Uzumaki’s body is a host to the fox beast known as Nine-Tails, or Kurama. He gradually uncovers all sorts of powers generated from this fox as he develops his skills as a ninja and gradually befriends the monster and gains control over it.
His chakra modes (power levels) have quite a few different forms, like the Nine-Tails Mode, Kurama Mode, Tailed Beast Mode, Six Paths Mode, Asura Kurama Mode, and Baryon Mode, which we will discuss shortly.
The Baryon Mode is Naruto and Kurama’s final mode, and it is supremely powerful. But before we go into detail about this final mode, it might be a good idea to brush up on all the previous modes that Naruto unlocks on his journey.
Nine-Tails Chakra Mode
This was the first of Naruto’s Nine-Tails transformations and was unlocked when he began to accept himself, fought against Kurama inside his body to take its chakra, and befriended the beast within. The Nine-Tails Chakra mode offered Naruto incredible speed and the ability to pick up on negative emotions.
Kurama Chakra Mode
His second mode was unlocked when Naruto befriended Kurama, which enabled him to access Kurama’s full power. This form is more powerful than the strength of any Tailed Beast and allows him to defeat five Tailed Beasts at once.
Tailed Beast Mode
After forming a bond with Kurama, Naruto gradually gains access to other powers. The next one he obtains is the Tailed Beast Mode, which allows him to take the Nine-Tail appearance and fight larger targets using this strength. This mode also gives him healing properties and other abilities, like the Tailed Beast Ball Jutsu move.
Six Paths Sage Mode
The Six Paths Sage Mode is one of his most powerful modes and was unlocked when he received the Six Paths Chakra from Hagoromo Otsutsuki (a godlike figure whose actions led to the creation of the ninja). With this mode, he can hold his own against powerful entities like Kaguya Otsutsuki and Momoshiki Otsutsuki (two main antagonists of the Naruto franchise).
Asura Kurama Mode
The Asura Kurama Mode is unlocked by combining the Six Paths Sage Chakra with the Shadow Clone technique (a technique that allows the user to create identical clones of tools and weaponry) and allows Naruto to create a three-headed battle avatar that is so powerful it ends up destroying the Valley of the End, an important landmark that signifies the border between the Land of Fire and the Land of Sound.
Baryon Mode
Baryon Mode is Naruto’s final form of power and is first used for a fight against Isshiki Otsutsuki, leader of the evil Kara organization. This mode is created by smashing Naruto’s own chakra and the chakra of Nine-Tails together in the same way molecules are fused together in a nuclear fusion process.
The title of this mode – Baryon – is also derived from particle physics. A baryon is a type of composite subatomic particle with an odd number of valence quarks, particles that carry electric charges.
In this form, Naruto becomes the strongest in his entire story, and his appearance significantly changes from traditional orange-yellow to a bold red that simulates Kurama’s fur. Even Naruto’s face adopts the traits of Nine-Tails, as the whisker markings on his face become thicker. He also develops dark pigment around the eyes that stretch upward into ear-like shapes.
This form is far more powerful than any previous forms that Naruto obtains, but using the Baryon Mode is dangerous to both Naruto and his opponents. This is because the mode has a poisonous effect, much like radiation poisoning, and any blow in this form reduces the lifespan of his opponent as well as his own.
When Naruto first learns about this mode, Kurama informs him that using the power for too long will result in his death because the mode consumes the chakra of both Naturo and Kurama.
However, this doesn’t turn out to be true, since the power, in reality, only drains Kurama’s chakra. Kurama informs Naruto that they both will die from using this power, knowing that Naruto would never sacrifice anyone else for the sake of strength, even though he would be willing to sacrifice himself.
Surprisingly, Naruto doesn’t die from using it, but he would end up depleting the beast’s chakra and losing his guardian – The Nine-Tails demon – and the ability to access the modes generated from the Nine-Tails Chakra.
When Naruto uses this form, his speed, dexterity, and strength increase dramatically. All-in-all, the Baryon Mode is extremely powerful, but its drawbacks or poisonous nature makes it impractical for everyday combat and only suitable as a last resort, especially since using it results in Kurama’s death and the loss of many of the abilities or modes that Naruto was once able to access.
What Makes Baryon Mode So Powerful?
Baryon Mode is a process that is similar to nuclear fusion, and Naruto’s chakra is equally fused with Kurama’s chakra to produce an all-new energy source. The new power source boosts Naruto’s speed, strength, and reflexes, and even makes him smarter while in this state.
As with nuclear fusion, prolonged exposure to Naruto in this state is lethal to opponents since it ends up eating away at their lifespan and reduces Isshiki’s life to mere minutes.
Is Baryon Mode the Most Powerful Mode?
The Baryon Mode is undoubtedly powerful, as Naruto’s strength, speed, and accuracy increase by using it. Some people feel that this mode is as strong as Naruto’s Sage of Sixth Paths Mode. In fact, it seems that the Sixth Paths Mode is stronger, especially since this mode doesn’t cause harm to Naruto.
What makes the Baryon Mode more effective is the fact that this mode poisons and reduces the lifespan of the opponent as the fight continues.
Interesting Things to Know About Naruto’s Baryon Mode
The Baryon Mode certainly is complex, and it is pretty easy to miss out on all the details and characteristics of this ultimate mode. Here is a quick look at the four most interesting facts regarding this final mode that ultimately results in Kurama’s death.
Baryon Mode Resulted in Kurama’s Death
Using the Baryon Mode gives Naruto unimaginable speed and strength but drains Kurama’s chakra at the same time. The death of Kurama and the loss of Naruto’s guardian aren’t revealed until Episode 218 of Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, but fans who read the manga were already aware of the loss of the beloved Nine-Tailed fox.
In Baryon Mode, Naruto Becomes Stronger Than Isshiki Otsutsuki
At first, Isshiki Otsutsuki easily overpowers both Sasuke and Naruto, leaving them immobile. But Naruto’s natural abilities are boosted beyond Isshiki Otsutsuki’s strength when he enters Baryon Mode.
Naruto already has incredible power with his natural modes, but when this final mode is activated, his Jutsu (powers or techniques) increase to a level that outmatches Isshiki Otsutsuki. In the end, Isshiki does overpower Naruto but only ends up with a few minutes’ lifespan and is defeated by Kawaki.
Baryon Mode Does Not Kill Naruto
When Naruto accesses Baryon mode, he is told by Kurama that both of them will die from using this power. He accepts this and pushes through using Baryon mode, believing that he will be sacrificing himself, and he becomes incredibly powerful. However, it results in Kurama’s death, after which the hero loses the ability to access Baryon Mode.
Naruto survives and makes a full recovery, but he no longer has superhuman strength after the death of Kurama. He loses a good friend in Kurama as well.
There are some fan theories out there that say Naruto still has access to the Six Paths Sage Mode, which is still extremely powerful and has helped him overcome many obstacles in the past.
Baryon Mode Drains the Enemy’s Lifespan
Baryon Mode has strong effects because it drains Naruto’s and Kurama’s chakra when it is used. But this mode also reduces the lifespan of Naruto’s opponent. The longer he fights his opponent, the shorter the lifespan of his enemy becomes.
Ishikki initially had a life span of 20 hours left, but this lifespan was reduced to mere minutes after fighting Naruto.
Final Thoughts
Naruto’s mode Baryon is certainly interesting and was a very big highlight in the series. Fans might be devastated by the aftermath of using this power, since it results in the loss of a favorite character, and perhaps even the loss of strength for Naruto.
Many fans hope that Kurama will somehow be revived and even wish that some link between Naruto and Kurama will remain. But this is still just speculation since the manga series is still being written.
We hope that this guide has given you a better understanding of how the Baryon mode works and its drawbacks. If you want to know more about Naruto and other fascinating heroic characters, then you should have a look at some of the other articles we have on Comic Bento. With our site, you can broaden your superhero and comic knowledge base and become more acquainted with all of your favorite characters.
