In addition to synthesizing Senjutsu Chakra for Sage Mode, Natural Energy also has the effect of truly elevating life levels and extending lifespan.
However, it's unclear whether those animal Sages held back a secret technique, or if humans simply cannot truly practice alien Sage Arts. Regardless, Ninjas can at most cultivate Sage Mode; no one has been able to use Natural Energy to extend their life and become a true Sage.
Vegapunk had long understood the secrets of Sage Mode thoroughly. Relying on the Quantum chip in his brain, his Chakra control had reached the cellular or even nano-level. Mixing Natural Energy to create Senjutsu Chakra was not difficult for him, and with his level of technology, letting others master Sage Mode wouldn't be hard either.
But a power like Sage Mode can only be used in this world. Once away from this environment, without Natural Energy, Sage Mode is practically useless.
Only the effect of Natural Energy that truly raises the status of life and extends vitality was what Vegapunk truly pursued. However, after many experiments, all he obtained were these flesh-and-blood organisms that were almost like cancer cells.
"Forget it, it seems the secrets of the Sages cannot be derived from research out of thin air. I need more data and experiments. Perhaps only organizations at the level of the Five Great Ninja Villages can provide me with more data and inspiration regarding Chakra."
After destroying the experimental subjects on the lab table, Vegapunk began to seriously consider his next plan.
At this point in time, the Nine-Tailed Incident had only recently occurred, and the Land of Water's 'Bloody Mist' policy was at its peak. Before long, the rejection of Bloodline Limit Ninjas would cause a massive rebellion in Kirigakure, making it the perfect time for Vegapunk to intervene.
Furthermore, the current Mizukage was under the control of Uchiha Obito. The government's orders were chaotic, and the external defense system, which wasn't very tight to begin with, was in a state of extreme disorder as a result.
After all, the Land of Water itself was isolated overseas and had never experienced being attacked at its doorstep. It had no concept of external defense. Otherwise, even with a Mizukage controlled by Uchiha Obito leading the way, they probably wouldn't have been able to stir up such a wave of purges.
"It's decided. I'll start with the Land of Sea! I'll test the current state of the Land of Water and Kirigakure bit by bit, and take down Kirigakure completely within a year!"
...After the plan began, Vegapunk discovered that the chaos in Kirigakure was perhaps even worse than he had imagined.
According to reports from the Ninjas he sent to the Land of Sea, Kirigakure Ninjas were now very rare there. Instead, various messy Ninja organizations had flourished, and some even seemed to have the backing of other Great Ninja Villages.
In any case, Kirigakure was one of the Five Great Ninja Villages, so other villages still paid some attention to it, not to mention that overseas island nations were also good places for conducting forbidden experiments.
When Kirigakure was unable to reach out due to its own internal chaos, and the Land of Sea itself had no powerful Ninja organizations, it was normal for other Great Ninja Villages to secretly infiltrate.
After discovering his opponents' outward strength but inner weakness, Vegapunk did not hesitate and likewise had his own Ninjas begin to infiltrate the Land of Sea.
However, those Ninjas soon provided him with a piece of information that piqued his interest, prompting Vegapunk, who usually spent all day in the lab, to step out and take action for the first time in a long while.
On the boundless sea, a steel warship was riding the waves, heading toward Kikai Island in the Land of Sea at high speed.
At the bow, Vegapunk, in the form of a Blond Youth, was feeling the sea breeze, with Boa Hancock standing beside him.
Hancock had always protected him as his personal bodyguard, while Nico Robin served as his lab assistant and handled the miscellaneous tasks required after establishing the organization.
Although after changing his body and using various scientific means to develop part of its potential, Vegapunk's own combat power could definitely be called top-tier in the current Naruto World—after all, the combat power of the Naruto World at this time was quite limited.
But Hancock still insisted on staying with him to protect his safety, never leaving his side or performing any other missions. Vegapunk, however, didn't mind this much.
Before the Naruto World entered its later stages, the Ninjas under his command were actually sufficient; there was no need for Hancock to take action for the time being.
"Lord Vegapunk, is the person you're going to see this time very important? It's the first time I've seen you so interested in someone!"
Under the blue sky, Hancock's long hair fluttered as she pressed closely to Vegapunk's side, asking with a hint of jealousy in her voice.
"It is indeed quite important. Or rather, that guy's status in this world is somewhat similar to mine in the One Piece World."
Vegapunk glanced at Hancock with a bit of amusement and explained.
"Similar to your status in the One Piece World? Is the other party also a genius scientist whose talent can be compared to yours?"
Hancock's expression was somewhat surprised. Vegapunk was known in the One Piece World as a scientist 500 years ahead of his time, but that was based on only a small portion of the research results he had leaked.
If all his results were published, his nickname might be the God of Technology, 1,000 years ahead of his time!
"If you don't count the bonus from the Brain-Brain Fruit, the gap between him and me isn't actually that large," Vegapunk said straightforwardly.
Speaking of which, there was no need for further introduction of the person Vegapunk was going to see. In the entire Naruto World, the one at the forefront of technology, whose talent could barely be compared to Vegapunk's, was naturally only Orochimaru.
Yes, Vegapunk's subordinates had discovered traces of Orochimaru on Kikai Island in the Land of Sea. Or rather, after Orochimaru discovered Vegapunk's Ninjas, he became very interested and intentionally let one go to deliver a message to Vegapunk.
After all, among the modified Ninjas under Vegapunk, the strongest ones were only Elite Jonin in terms of combat power, still a long way from a Kage-level Ninja powerhouse like Orochimaru.
There are only four official ranks for Ninjas in the Naruto World: Jonin, Special Jōnin, Chunin, and Genin. Normally, the rank with the largest disparity in combat power is Jonin.
Uchiha Madara and Senju Hashirama were Jonin, and the 50 Iwagakure fodder who were insta-killed by Minato Namikaze at the Battle of Kannabi Bridge were also Jonin. As for the gap in strength between the two sides, it goes without saying.
For this reason, Ninjas from various countries have a conventional understanding of dividing Jonin into several levels. Those who have made a name for themselves and whose combat power clearly exceeds that of an average Jonin are called Elite Jonin. Ninjas who can contend with the Kage of a village or a mature Jinchuriki are called Kage-level Ninjas.
It might seem like just a difference in titles, but in terms of actual combat power, a Kage-level powerhouse requires at least three Elite Jonin to be matched.