As a child, Ashura showed no talent for ninjutsu and could not use even the simplest techniques on his own. Basic chakra control exercises were difficult for him, and he lagged behind his brother Indra in everything related to energy transformation. The only thing he demonstrated was an ability for empathic connection with others through chakra, which would later become the foundation of his Ninshu philosophy. He performed no elemental techniques, clones, or transformations, and in comparison to the gifted Indra, he seemed completely mediocre.