Kanji | ダルイ |
Debut | |
Novel | Naruto: A Shinobi Story |
Appears in | Novel |
Character Status | |
Status | Deceased |
Age | Part II: 26 |
Gender | |
Height | Part II: 1.76 m New Era: 1.85 m |
Weight | Part II: 68.5 kg. |
Blood Type | O |
Home Country | |
Affiliation(s) | |
Rank | Part II: Jōnin New Era: Kage |
Ninja Registration | CL5596 |
Team | Kumo Council First Division |
Partner(s) | C |
Kekkei Genkai | |
Nature Type | |
Jutsu | |
Shinobi Technique: Shadow Clone Technique Kekkei Genkai Techniques: Storm Release: Black Lightning, Storm Release: Black Panther, Storm Release: Double Black Panther, Storm Release: Striking Cataclysm, Storm Release: Revolting Tyrant, Storm Release: Cataclysmic Murder, Storm Release: Roaring Discharge, Storm Release: Great Surge, Storm Release: Obliterating Shock Lightning Techniques: Laser Circus, Lightning Release: Wave of Inspiration Water Techniques: Water Release: Water Formation Wall, Water Release: Wild Water Wave, Water Release: Water Bullet Technique | |
Weaponry | |
Benihisago, Cleaver Sword, Kohaku no Jōhei, Shichiseiken |
|
Darui (ダルイ) is a shinobi of Kumogakure and the right-hand-man of the Fourth Raikage,[1] whom he later succeeds as the Fifth Raikage (五代目雷影, Godaime Raikage, Literally meaning: Fifth Lightning Shadow).[2]
Background[]
Darui was once a student of the Third Raikage who discovered that he possessed Storm Release, a rare yet powerful kekkei genkai. Along with C, he also served as the Third Raikage’s support.
Personality[]
Darui is an easy-going and mellow individual as seen when the Fourth Raikage’s over-the-top exit through a window, he tells C that he will simply use the door like normal people do. His personality is also evident through his lazy and languid way of speaking, oftentimes referring to things or events as being “dull” (だるい, darui) ― a pun on his name. While having a laid-back demeanor, however, Darui is not lazy, leaping to the Raikage’s defense when the bodyguards of the other Kage reacted to the Raikage destroying the desk he was sitting at.[3] Darui is a very apologetic individual, and will even apologize for other people’s actions — a trait he stated that he had not noticed himself; this attribute leads him saying “sorry” (すみません, sumimasen) just as much as the word “dull”. He also possesses a strong loyalty to the Fourth Raikage whom he often addresses as “boss” (ボス, basu), rather than adding the suffix “sama” to his title as others do. The Fourth, in turn, considers Darui his “second right hand”,[4] and because of this, Darui will just as quickly verbally defend the Fourth as he would physically. Because of this trust, Darui was put in charge of the First Division as well.[5] Darui is also quite understanding. When Naruto was late to the five Kage meeting, he quickly defended Naruto by saying that the life of a Kage, as well as a father and husband, is a busy one. Despite this, Darui still seems to retain his laid-back attitude as he sat in a casual and laid-back manner during the Kage meeting.
Appearance[]

Darui in Part II.
Darui is a fairly tall, dark-skinned man with a slightly bulbous nose, black eyes that usually look bored, and shaggy, white hair that covers his left eye. He wears a high-collared, sleeveless uniform with loose-fitting pants, bandages on his wrists, and the one-strap-over-one-shoulder flak jacket of a Kumogakure shinobi.
Darui also has stylized characters for water (水) and lightning (雷) tattooed on his right and left shoulders respectively, denoting his chakra’s nature affinities. Water and Lightning Release, as well as the fact that he has a kekkei genkai, the Storm Release.[6] The tattoo on his left arm also signifies that he has inherited the Third Raikage’s black lightning. He carries a broad, foldable, cleaver-like sword, strapped to his back, when outside the village.
Years after the Fourth Shinobi World War and becoming Raikage, Darui became noticeably taller and muscular. He also grew a small mustache and gained creases at the corner of his mouth, similar to his predecessor. While his attire was mostly unchanged, he began wearing a hood instead of the high collar he wore.
Abilities[]

Darui simultaneously using two chakra natures.
Darui is a highly skilled and capable shinobi; he was chosen as one of the Fourth Raikage’s bodyguards, his right-hand man, and was placed as leader of the First Division of the Allied Shinobi Forces during the Fourth Shinobi World War. His prowess ultimately allowed him to defeat the Gold and Silver Brothers, who wielded the Treasured Tools of the Sage of Six Paths, nearly single-handedly.
Physical and Chakra Prowess[]
Darui has shown impressive speed, being able to coordinate a combined assault on Taka alongside the lightning-enhanced Fourth Raikage, protecting C from a sneak attack by Suigetsu.[7] By the time he had became Raikage, his taijutsu skills were compared to those of Naruto and Sasuke.[8] Darui also possesses considerable chakra reserves and stamina, as he did not die of exhaustion after using three of the Treasured Tools of the Sage of Six Paths and still had enough chakra to continue fighting effectively.[9]
Ninjutsu[]
Nature Transformation[]

Darui using his Laser Circus.
Darui is proficient in water and lightning nature transformations. He is able to effectively catch an enemy in a water wall, launch torrents or bullets of water from his mouth, and channel lightning through it to electrocute them.[10] Darui can also use Lightning Release to enhance his weapons, giving it enough power to cut through a metal blade or fire beams of light that he can freely guide like missiles from his hands.[11]

Darui generating black lightning.
By combining his water and lightning natures, he can utilize Storm Release, allowing him to use black lightning which he inherited from his teacher, the Third Raikage, making his lightning techniques more powerful,[12] Darui can perform techniques like Storm Release: Black Panther to immobilize or kill his enemies. He can even increase the power and effectiveness of the technique by using a shadow clone.[13]
Kenjutsu[]
Usually, Darui wields a broad and fairly long sword that is peculiar in comparison to other swords in that it folds in two to be sheathed and unfolds when in use. He has exceptional skills in kenjutsu, able to clash with Suigetsu's Kubikiribōchō and defeat him by pinning him to a wall with his lightning-imbued sword. He could also literally disarm Ginkaku and Kinkaku during their battle,[14] and knock Ginkaku into Kinkaku’s Kōkinjō while quickly seizing the Shichiseiken and Benihisago.[15]
Part II[]
Five Kage Summit (Arc)[]
Main articles: Naruto: A Shinobi Story/Five Kage Summit (Arc) and Five Kage Summit (RW109)

The Kage’s bodyguards on the offensive.

Darui clashing with Suigetsu.
Fourth Shinobi World War (Arc)[]
Main articles: Naruto: A Shinobi Story/Fourth Shinobi World War (Arc) and Fourth Shinobi World War (RW109)

Darui severs Kinkaku’s arm.

Darui surprises Ginkaku after escaping the gourd.

Darui sealing Ginkaku in the Benihisago.

Darui sealing Kinkaku in the Kohaku no Jōhei.

Darui and the Allied Shinobi Force confront the Madara, Obito, and the Ten-Tails.
Birth of the Ten-Tails’ Jinchūriki[]
Main article: Naruto: A Shinobi Story/Birth of the Ten-Tails’ Jinchūriki
Trivia[]
- “Darui” (怠い) is Japanese for “sluggish” or “dull”, referring to his lazy, languid way of speaking.
- A running gag with Darui is that every time A destroys a wall when leaving a room, Darui apologizes for A and tries to use the door while C thinks they should just use the hole in the wall as well.
- Darui is the only person to become Raikage who is not named “A”.
- While Darui finds most things to be “dull”, he is generally enthused by his unique hairstyle.[16]
Quotes[]
- (To the Gold and Silver Brothers) “It kills me to do this to such great men. Some of that Silver and Gold plating may start to flake off a little when my Storm Release hits you! Even if it’s a little dull!”[17]
- (To Ginkaku) “I’m the Boss’ right arm. I’m no imitation!” (「オレはボスの右腕だ。類似品じゃねェ!」, “Ore wa Bosu no migiude da. Rui jihin janē!”)[18]
- (To Kinkaku) “It’s true that words can be used as tools, to lie and deceive. But when it really counts… (pointing to heart) — they’re also the only way to tell the truth about how you feel right here.”[19]
- (To Kinkaku upon defeating him.) “Silver and gold may shine more brightly than copper, and are more valuable because of it. But if you gather enough copper together, it’s worth just as much as that one gold coin. You acted like you were solid gold, but I guess it was all a front…that’s why we won! Sorry we had to strip off that gold plating.”[20]
References[]
- ↑ Naruto chapter 528, pages 3-4
- ↑ Naruto chapter 700, page 20
- ↑ Naruto chapter 458, pages 4-5
- ↑ Naruto chapter 528, pages 3-4
- ↑ Naruto chapter 515, page 15
- ↑ Naruto Second Artbook, page 199
- ↑ Naruto: Shippūden episode 202
- ↑ Boruto: Naruto the Movie novelization
- ↑ Naruto chapter 528, page 13-15
- ↑ Naruto chapter 461, page 2
- ↑ Naruto chapter 473, page 4
- ↑ Naruto chapter 526, pages 8-9
- ↑ Naruto: Shippūden episode 270
- ↑ Naruto chapter 527, page 15
- ↑ Naruto chapter 528, pages 10-13
- ↑ Fourth Databook, page 115
- ↑ Naruto chapter 526, page 17
- ↑ Naruto chapter 528, page 4
- ↑ Naruto chapter 528, page 13
- ↑ Naruto chapter 529, page 17