The Susano'o is activated by possessing two Mangekyo Sharingan. Once activated, the technique will create a "Susano'o manifestation" to serve as both a offensive and defensive technique for the user. The level of this manifestation depends on the mastery of the Mangekyo user. Sasuke was able to manifest just the Susano'o ribcage, but then managed to create an Imperfect Susano'o when facing Gaara and the bodyguards. Though the Susano'o acts as the user's guardian deity, it also consumes more chakra, and in extreme cases, life force, the higher the form of manifestation used. As such, as the user loses more chakra, their Susano'o will lower to a lesser manifestation. Some users use the lesser manifestation to preserve chakra, as to not over-exert themselves wasting the power of higher manife