A ninja's battle was not simply a battle of chakra.
Of course, having more chakra gave a significant advantage in combat. But if victory were determined solely by chakra reserves, then everyone in the ninja world might as well bow down to the Senju and Uzumaki clans.
Those two clans once possessed the most massive chakra reserves of all.
Yet now, only a handful of them remained.
Still, chakra was far from unimportant.
If someone possessed both immense quantity and high-quality chakra, it was like adding wings to a tiger in battle.
And Sage Mode was precisely what elevated chakra quality to a terrifying level.
"Sage Mode is the process of absorbing the free-floating natural energy in nature."
"To absorb natural energy, you must remain absolutely still."
"Calm your heart. Steady your breath. Maintain balance."
"Nothing can interfere with you."
Kaoru looked at the tall and short pair sitting in front of her—Hashirama and Kyūsei—listening attentively, and couldn't help feeling helpless.
Kyūsei was one thing.
But even Lord Hashirama…
"These natural energies drifting in nature are extremely violent,"
Kaoru emphasized seriously.
"So you must be careful. Extremely careful."
If one trained in Mount Myōboku's Sage Mode, they could use toad oil to speed up sensing natural energy.
And if things went wrong, Fukasaku or Shima could use special staffs to knock the excess energy out.
Unfortunately, the Mount Myōboku contract scroll was with Gamabunta, who belonged exclusively to Jiraiya.
Given Kyūsei's relationship with Jiraiya, he probably wouldn't be willing to let Kyūsei sign the contract.
And knowing Kyūsei's personality, he wouldn't ask either.
Kaoru looked at Kyūsei, who was trying hard to sense natural energy, worry flashing in her blue eyes.
Although she herself could use Sage Mode and could extract natural energy from him if something went wrong…
Her capacity was limited.
And Kyūsei's chakra base was enormous.
If she failed to react in time…
Not only Kyūsei, but she herself might also—
She stared anxiously at the boy sitting quietly in meditation.
Maybe I should ask Jiraiya-sensei…
At least borrow that staff.
Just as she was about to leave, she suddenly froze.
She felt it.
The natural energy in the air was beginning to rotate around this area, forming a vortex.
And the center was—
Hashirama.
Only then did Kaoru realize that this Hashirama was not a mere illusionary clone.
It was a high-level clone with physical substance.
And on it were mysterious, dignified Sage markings.
She looked at him curiously.
The more perfect a Sage Mode was, the closer the user appeared to a normal human.
For example, imperfect Mount Myōboku Sage Mode caused toad-like traits.
Jiraiya was the best example.
When he entered Sage Mode, his hands, feet, and face resembled a toad—rather unattractive.
In Kaoru 's view, her own Sage Mode had reached the "perfect" standard described by Fukasaku.
Only her pupils changed into horizontal slits, with faint orange markings around her eyes.
But Hashirama…
He surpassed even that.
His body showed no change at all.
Even his eyes remained pitch-black.
Only the Sage markings on his face proved he had entered Sage Mode.
His Sage Mode was far beyond Mount Myōboku's.
Maybe learning from Lord Hashirama really was the right choice…
Kaoru thought silently.
After listening to her explanation, Hashirama—who had already mastered perfect Sage Mode—instantly understood.
He drew all nearby natural energy toward himself.
As long as Kyūsei could sense it, he could attempt to enter Sage Mode.
If anything went wrong, Hashirama could use Wood Release's special properties to absorb the excess energy from Kyūsei.
Calm your heart. Steady your breath. Balance…
Kyūsei sat cross-legged, focusing with all his might.
Time passed.
The distant horizon gradually turned pale.
Dew gathered on his body.
A crystal-clear droplet slid down his hair and fell into his folded hands.
Drip.
Somewhere in the darkness, a white ripple spread silently.
Hashirama, sitting beside him in the same posture, slowly lifted his eyelids.
The natural energy…
Had moved.
Kaoru sensed it instantly.
Because of Hashirama's presence, the once-still sea of natural energy began to stir, like a stone dropped into calm water.
"Did he succeed…?"
Hashirama looked at the red-haired boy with exhaustion.
He had maintained Sage Mode all night.
If he were alive, this would mean nothing.
But now, he was only a remnant of chakra.
If he stayed inside the necklace, he could exist for forty more years.
After this night, that time had likely been halved.
Still, he had no regrets.
This necklace had been something Mito created in her spare time—to guide future generations.
Now that Konoha's youth needed him, this chakra was worth everything.
"Kaoru , be ready,"
Hashirama said hoarsely.
"Yes, First Lord,"
Kaoru replied immediately, eyes locked on Kyūsei.
In her perception, dense natural energy—almost like fog—was flowing steadily into his body.
She activated her Sage Mode.
A faint orange shadow appeared around her eyes.
She was ready to extract the energy at any moment.
Then—
A streak of flame-like crimson crept up Kyūsei's neck from beneath his clothes…
And vanished in an instant.
Hashirama saw it too.
He sighed softly.
"Did he… fail?"
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