Warning: Spoilers for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles x Naruto #1
Master Splinter is already a martial arts powerhouse in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles‘ main continuity, but his version in naruto universe may be the strongest iteration of the character yet. The Ninja Turtles’ mastermind just revealed a serious power upgrade and received an epic new design to go along with it.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles x Naruto #1 – written by Caleb Goellner, with art by Hendry Prasetya, Raúl Angulo and Ed Dukeshire – merges the lore of the TMNT with that of Naruto and his shinobi allies, creating an amalgamated universe where the turtles face the ninjas of Team 7. Splinter and his children face Naruto’s squad after getting rid of the Foot Clan, dressed in redesigns befitting the world of shinobi.
Master Splinter stands out among the turtles with his new look, and his design isn’t that different in this variant of the iconic TMNT character; in this universe, Splinter also has access to jutsu that raises him to the level of narutoThe most formidable ninjas in.
Splinter unleashes powerful jutsu in his Naruto redesign
TMNT Sensei is stronger than ever in the Naruto universe
Each iteration of TMNT takes liberties with the Splinter’s design, and this crossover is no exception. Splinter and the Ninja Turtles wear upgraded shinobi gear, as well as matching masks similar to the ones they wear. narutoAnbu uses it to keep their faces hidden. The mask Splinter wears specifically resembles those worn by Konoha’s Anbu, as theirs also resemble animals. This detail could indicate that Splinter has a connection to the Hidden Leaf from his past as Hamato Yoshi, which would explain Kakashi’s recognition. Splinter’s shinobi design isn’t exclusively an aesthetic choice, which he proves by unleashing powerful jutsus.
Splinter’s attack against Kakashi reveals that he is capable of utilizing jutsu, revealing his hidden potential as a martial artist. He likely performs the Lightning Release jutsu in this sequence, an ability through which the user converts chakra into electricity to attack an opponent. Although this jutsu is a basic technique that most shinobi are capable of mastering, standard lightning manipulation can evolve into stronger techniques. For example, Sasuke’s Kirin technique is a more advanced form of lightning-based jutsu, as is Kakashi’s Chidori. If Splinter learns how to use his lightning jutsu in different ways, he could become a true force to be reckoned with.
Splinter is officially a shinobi on Kakashi Hatake’s level
What other Jutsu will Splinter use in the TMNT Naruto crossover?
Splinter’s shocking proficiency with lightning jutsu may just be scratching the surface of what the ninja turtle master can do in this continuity. He and Kakashi appear to be on equal footing when sparring, so it stands to reason that Splinter would be able to access techniques at Kakashi’s skill level. There’s a chance he could even transform into Sage Mode, considering his lifelong dedication to the discipline of martial arts. Now that he has been reinvented as a shinobi in naruto lore, the teacher of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is unlocking powers beyond fans’ wildest imaginations.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles x Naruto #1 is now available from IDW Publishing.