As the originally strongest of the Five Great Shinobi Villages, Konohagakure possessed another power of the ninja world besides traditional ninjutsu and taijutsu: genjutsu.
Unlike ninjutsu and taijutsu, genjutsu targeted an enemy's five senses, trapping them in illusions. Skilled genjutsu users could even manipulate the flow of chakra within an enemy's cranial nerves at will. It was a combat style that required high intelligence and combat aptitude.
Genjutsu was one of a ninja's three basic disciplines, and many ninja could use it. However, most used genjutsu as a supplement, with ninjutsu as their main focus. Only a few specialized in genjutsu, such as Itachi Uchiha, Shisui Uchiha, Kurenai Yuhi, Tayuya, Hozuki Gengetsu, Yakumo Kurama, and others.
Genjutsu usually used the five senses as its medium. To evade it, one needed to shut off the five senses. Might Guy's unique fighting style of not looking into an opponent's eyes could only deal with visual genjutsu. Yakushi Kabuto could use a snake's eye membrane to block his vision, but that too could only counter visual genjutsu.
According to the official databook, the Book of the Sha, there were two ways to break genjutsu: 1. Non-dōjutsu genjutsu: one could disrupt one's own chakra flow to break it; 2. Dōjutsu genjutsu: it could only be broken by having someone else disrupt one's chakra flow. In addition, perfect Jinchuriki—those who had reached an understanding with their Tailed Beasts—were immune to genjutsu attacks.
Paralysis genjutsu was a relatively special category of genjutsu. Known examples included the Uchiha Clan's "Demonic Illusion: Shackling Stakes Technique," Jiraiya's "Sage Art: Toad Confrontation Chant," and Tayuya's "Demonic Illusion: Sound Binding." Its defining feature was that the victim knew they had fallen under genjutsu, yet their body could not move. Note: paralysis referred to the condition where a person was conscious while