Kekkei Genkai are powerful abilities that arise due to some anomalies in the DNA of certain people in the Naruto world. These powers are unique and make those who possess them among the strongest ninjas in the series. Kekkei Genkai can either exist as a Dojutsu ability or can be used by combining two nature transformations together, giving rise to a completely new one. While those who possess Kekkei Genkai are certainly special, not every shinobi has access to them. In fact, this power is extremely rare. However, while those who possess it are undoubtedly powerful, some incredible ninjas who don't have this power exist in the Naruto series.Updated April 19, 2022, by Rei Penber: Kekkei Genkai are certainly incredible powers that make a ninja stand out in a number of ways. However, that's not to say that those born without it can't reach great heights. In fact, some of the most powerful ninjas in Naruto didn't possess these overpowered abilities. With sheer hardwork and by perfecting their other jutsu, they reached incredible heights as shinobi. These mighty shinobi may not have a Kekkei Genkai, but they're still lethal in combat.
14 Kakuzu
Kakuzu of the Akatsuki was quite a powerful fighter and his years of experience made him very dangerous in combat. After killing the elders of his village and stealing a Forbidden Jutsu, he became extremely powerful. Kakuzu possessed five hearts in his body and taking him down in combat was exceptionally hard.
Even a ninja of Kakashi's caliber struggled to take him on in a fight without proper planning and help. Kakuzu could use all the nature transformations and his immense chakra helped him to survive a fight against Hashirama Senju as well. Without a doubt, he's one of the strongest characters in Naruto without a Kekkei Genkai.
13 Kisame
Known as the Tail-less Tailed Beast, Kisame Hoshigaki was one of the strongest shinobi that Kirigakure ever produced. He was quite an exceptional fighter and was easily one of the strongest members of the Akatsuki.
Kisame could fight a perfect Jinchuriki like Killer Bee and even take on Might Guy when using the Sixth Gate. With Samehada, Kisame was extremely difficult for anyone to take on in combat even though he didn't have any Kekkei Genkai.
12 Third Raikage
The Third Raikage was an incredibly powerful ninja, often considered to be one of Kumogakure's strongest, up there with Ay. His usage of Lightning Release was tremendous and he could also use black lightning, which only a few in the Naruto world could utilize.
In all his life, the Third Raikage had sustained just one injury, which he gave to himself by accident. He had enough power to combat the Eight-Tails and hold his own against it. What's more, during the Third Great Ninja War, he singlehandedly fought 10,000 shinobi for days before finally succumbing to exhaustion.
11 Ay, The Fourth Raikage
Ay is the Fourth Raikage of Kumogakure and one of their strongest Kage in history, if not the strongest. In his prime, Ay was a user of Lightning Release that he wore like armor around his body, called Lightning Release Chakra Mode. This made it extremely difficult to damage him, as it functioned like a cloak of chakra around him. Even a Jutsu as strong as Chidori was stopped in its path.
Ay also possessed tremendous strength, such that he could smash through the skeletal Susano'o without much trouble. His biggest asset, however, was his lightning-fast speed, which made him the fastest shinobi after Minato Namikaze.
10 Sakura Haruno
Sakura Haruno is a member of Team 7 and the apprentice of Tsunade Senju, the Fifth Hokage of Konohagakure. Sakura excels in the usage of medical ninjutsu; however, that isn't her only specialty.
Sakura is also an extremely powerful Taijutsu user and one hit from her fist is enough to end most of the fights that she fights. Sakura also possesses the Strength of a Hundred Seals, which allows her to heal her body continuously without weaving any signs.
9 Jiraiya
Konohagakure's Toad Sage, Jiraiya was once a member of the Legendary Sannin. He was an incredibly powerful ninja with great control over four of the five nature transformations.
In combat, he was every bit as fearsome as the likes of Orochimaru, which is quite a testament to his strength. His true strength emerged when he used the power of Sage Mode and had Fukasaku and Shima with him in battle. In this mode, Jiraiya was strong enough to defeat 3 of the 6 Pains, and according to Pain himself, he would've lost had Jiraiya known their secret.
8 Gengetsu Hozuki
Gengetsu Hozuki was the Second Mizukage of Kirigakure and an incredibly powerful ninja who was considered to be an equal to Mu in combat. Among other things, Gengetsu had great mastery over Water Release.
At the same time, he could also use genjutsu well enough to trick even the mightiest of shinobi. Gengetsu could also use all the nature transformations. For him to kill Mu in combat, a user of the Dust Release Kekkei Tota, just goes to show that his powers were tremendous in every way possible.
7 Killer Bee
Killer Bee is a shinobi of Kumogakure and an incredibly powerful fighter. He is the perfect Jinchuriki of the Eight-Tails, which is what makes him dangerous in combat. Upon his introduction, Bee fought and absolutely demolished the entirety of Team Taka by himself.
In the Fourth Great Ninja War, he proved to be strong enough to take on multiple Tailed Beasts at once, further showing how capable he is. Bee's strength and talent surpass even that of Ay, the Fourth Raikage of the village.
6 Rock Lee
Rock Lee is one of Konohagakure's strongest shinobi despite not possessing the ability to use any ninjutsu. Lee's mastery of Taijutsu made him a genius in his own right. With the power of the Eight Inner Gates, Lee could fight even the likes of the Akatsuki on an equal footing.
What's more, by the end of Naruto, it is believed that he could open up to seven gates, meaning his skill surpassed most shinobi with a Kekkei Genkai. Without a doubt, Lee ranks among the strongest ninjas in Naruto without a Kekkei Genkai.
5 Hanzo
Hanzo the Salamander was a famous shinobi from Amegakure who was known to be exceptionally powerful. In the Second Great Ninja War, he took on Orochimaru, Jiraiya, and even Tsunade in combat at once and defeated them all.
In fact, he was the one who gave the title of "Legendary Sannin" to the trio. Unfortunately, Hanzo grew weaker in the following years due to being confined in his room and was eventually killed by Pain.