Natsume entered Sage Mode at extreme speed; markings appeared around his eyes and on his forehead.
But with his mask on, they weren't very obvious.
All three great sanctuaries taught Sage Mode, but each had its own differences and specialties.
In terms of duration, Mount Myōboku's was the shortest—without a toad's help, at most five minutes.
The fastest to enter Sage Mode was Shikkotsu Forest—practically instant.
In terms of focus, Ryūchi Cave boosted perception and bodily flexibility; Mount Myōboku enhanced chakra and physical attributes; Shikkotsu Forest maxed out regeneration and physical toughness.
As for using senjutsu chakra to amplify jutsu power, that was common to all.
Natsume had asked the Slug Sage; Senju Hashirama had indeed come to learn Sage Mode.
But how to put it?
He was so strong that Sage Mode had become something altogether different in his hands.
Just like Wood Release.
Sage Art: Water Release: Water Formation Wall!
Natsume didn't use Wood Release—no need.
He was surrounded by water; Water Release got a sizable boost here.
Pair it with Sage Mode and it was enough to deal with most shinobi.
Senjutsu chakra tugged the sea into motion, and a wall sprang up in front of Mei.
All ninja tools and jutsu were blocked.
Mei jolted slightly; a bit of hope colored her pale face.
This wasn't her jutsu. That meant someone had come to help.
At that moment, the one she thought of wasn't Natsume, but a shinobi from Elder Genji's faction in Kirigakure.
Eigi didn't notice—he assumed it was Mei's doing.
They were in the thick of battle; all kinds of chakra fluctuations masked Natsume's trace.
And ordinary jutsu infused with senjutsu chakra didn't look much different on the surface.
"Use Earth Release!"
Eigi barked.
Earth Release counters Water Release.
They'd used Earth Release: Earth Dragon Bullet to break Mei's Water Release: Water Formation Wall before.
Time to do it again.
At his command, three large mud-colored dragon heads burst from the ground, opened their mouths, and spat three mud projectiles.
Mei frowned slightly, forced down her discomfort, and began forming signs.
She knew one Water Formation Wall wouldn't stop three shinobi using Earth Dragon Bullet at the same time.
But then she was surprised.
The mud projectiles slammed into the wall and did nothing.
We've run into a real expert.
To push a jutsu's power beyond its rank, there's only one way—
Dump in absurd amounts of chakra.
Who is it?
Does Kirigakure have a shinobi that strong?
Mei could only think of Yagura.
He was the Three-Tails' jinchuriki—his strength spoke for itself.
But there was no way he'd show up.
Just as that thought rose, the roar of a water dragon sounded from behind her.
Eigi didn't have time to wonder why the wall was so sturdy that they couldn't smash through it; he hastily formed signs.
Water Release: Water Dragon Bullet!
A water dragon formed before him and took flight.
"Everyone be careful—there's someone else!"
Eigi finally realized the problem.
Mei hadn't even formed signs; this had to be someone else's jutsu.
As his words fell, the two dragons collided.
Eigi's face froze—his water dragon didn't last even a second before it was torn to shreds.
He scrambled backward.
The water dragon crashed down; wild chakra blasted in all directions.
Mixed with dirt and stones, it pelted the surrounding shinobi.
Screams rang out.
In an instant, a third of them fell.
"What?!"
Eigi was stunned.
How could a mere Water Dragon Bullet hit that hard?
Why did my Water Dragon Bullet look like a fake?
He shivered.
The shinobi he'd brought were all jōnin and chūnin—elite by Kirigakure standards.
Half of them were already gone.
How could he explain this when he got back?
"Lord Eigi! Run!"
A sudden shout snapped Eigi out of it.
He looked up instinctively—and saw the entire sea roiling, as if some giant monster was about to surface.
Eyes wide, he watched as countless waves shot into the sky—ten-plus meters high—and crashed down over them all.
Power like that was beyond ordinary shinobi.
Eigi turned and ran without hesitation.
The others did the same.
Mei swallowed.
She was protected by the Water Formation Wall, but it only blocked one side.
Her chakra was nearly spent.
Just as she braced herself to leave, a figure appeared before her.
Mei's mind went blank.
She had imagined many people, but never that it would be Takashi the merchant.
"Don't resist."
Natsume grasped Mei's smooth shoulder, slipped his right hand under her knees, and lifted her in a princess carry.
A few bounds later, they were gone.
The next moment, the sea came crashing down, drowning the former Uzushio Village—along with Eigi and his men.
Warmth and a foreign scent passed through their tightly pressed bodies.
Mei went rigid.
It was the first time a man had held her.
She was the textbook strong woman—
For a simple reason.
In Kirigakure, she had the best talent and the greatest strength.
Destined to be the next Mizukage, she would never rely on anyone; she would be the towering tree sheltering the village.
But now, her feelings shifted slightly.
The only person a strong woman recognizes—
Is someone stronger.
She had admired Natsume's foresight before. Now she had to add unfathomable strength.
More important still, she was in danger.
There's a psychology concept called the suspension bridge effect.
Crossing a suspension bridge makes your heart race.
If you meet someone at that moment, you might mistake that racing heart as being caused by them, and develop a feeling of love.
It's why roller coasters are better than other rides at making couples—same principle.
Feeling an unprecedented sense of safety, Mei's face flushed slightly.
Moments later, she fainted.
Her stamina was spent in the earlier fight. Now, in a comfortable environment with her guard down, she couldn't hold on.
Natsume didn't return to Kirigakure. He found a room in a nearby town.
He laid Mei on the bed and checked her over again.
Aside from exhausted chakra, she had no other injuries.
Natsume let out a breath—no need to call anyone over; just wait.
He rubbed his hands together. Since she couldn't resist right now, he could do something he wanted to do.
Not somenthing naughty—doing her hair.
If she asked later, he'd say her hairstyle got messed up in the fight.
Sitting at the bedside, he propped her upper body up and undid her hair.
He used his fingers to part the bangs slightly to both sides, revealing the right eye she always kept covered.
Then he combed the messy hair into shape, and with her natural wave, it became big, bouncy curls.
Her small maidenly face was soft and springy to the touch—Natsume couldn't help giving it a few extra squeezes.