Chapter 19: Incomplete Sage Mode
Hinata replied that she wasn't full, and Neji replied that he didn't feel anything.
Neither was the answer Naruto wanted to hear.
It must not have taken effect yet, or perhaps they just hadn't noticed.
After all, the two of them didn't have a system, so it was impossible for them to know what changes were happening to their bodies so quickly.
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Another week passed.
Naruto walked Hinata to her front door, and remembering this matter, he asked, "Hinata, how has your body been lately?"
"Eh?"
The unexpected question made Hinata daze for a moment.
Then, her face turned bright red within a second, and she turned and ran through the gate.
"???"
Naruto was bewildered.
"Was my question that embarrassing?"
"I don't get it."
Since Hinata was unwilling to say, he didn't force it.
Time to find the next person.
Naruto arrived at Neji's home.
He was already quite familiar with the way.
"Neji, have there been any special changes to your body these past few days?"
"So it was your doing."
Neji's answer gave Naruto a pleasant surprise.
Finally, he wouldn't return empty-handed.
"Let me see!"
Naruto said loudly.
He was very curious about what kind of ability would appear.
Neji hesitated for a moment but didn't refuse.
"Come to my room."
"?"
Naruto watched his back as he entered the room, a look of doubt on his face.
"Can't we do it in the courtyard?"
But he wasn't afraid; they were both guys, what was there to be afraid of?
"Chotto matte!"
As soon as Naruto entered, he saw Neji taking off his clothes.
"Just talk if you're going to talk, why are you taking off your clothes?"
"Didn't you say you wanted to see?"
Neji asked expressionlessly.
"...Then continue."
Although Naruto felt the atmosphere was a bit strange, after thinking about it, his curiosity won out.
Fortunately, Neji only stripped off his shirt.
"This is?"
Naruto scanned his physique; hmm, not bad.
After all, he had been training for a long time.
Finally, he saw a black tattoo on his abdomen.
"Sage Mode?"
Naruto was somewhat shocked.
This style, this pattern—it was clearly what appeared after entering Sage Mode in the original work.
The only difference was that this tattoo only occupied the abdomen and hadn't spread to the whole body.
It must be incomplete.
The Mysterious Seed could absorb Natural Energyfrom the start of its growth.
It seemed understandable that an incomplete Sage Mode would appear now.
"Do you know its effects?"
Naruto asked, watching Neji put his clothes back on.
"This tattoo appeared when I was taking a shower the day before yesterday."
Neji looked thoughtful and said, "As for the effects, I seem to have been able to feel an energy in the air that's different from Chakra these past few days."
Naruto thought to himself, "As expected."
If he could learn Sage Mode directly, then this silver card would be far too heaven-defying.
Making it so one could perceive Natural Energywas much more reasonable.
But don't underestimate it.
How many Ninjas have died at this step?
In the original work, the number of Ninjas who could enter Sage Mode could be counted on one hand.
Most Ninjas couldn't even perceive Natural Energy.
In summary, Neji now had the qualification to practice Sage Mode.
This was something he never had before.
If he succeeded, his future achievements would certainly be higher.
At least he would have the qualification to participate in the finale.
"It seems you know a lot about this."
Neji noticed the change in his expression and asked, "What is this energy?"
The Hyuga Clan might have records regarding Sage Mode, but he was from the branch house and still young, so it was normal for him not to know.
In the original work, the recorded ones were the three types of Sage Mode from the Three Great Sage Regions of Summoned Beasts.
At most, one could add the unknown Senju Hashirama and Jugo, who had a natural Sage Transformation physique.
But now, there was one more.
Naruto chose his words carefully and said, "The energy you feel is called Natural Energy. Chakra is a combination of spiritual energy and physical energy, which is equivalent to internal production. Natural Energy, as the name suggests, is energy that exists in nature."
Neji nodded slowly; as a rare genius, it wasn't difficult for him to understand.
"What is the use of Natural Energy?"
Although he didn't know how Naruto had managed to carve this tattoo on his abdomen, it surely wasn't out of boredom, right?
"It has many uses."
Naruto tried to explain in the simplest terms, "After a Ninja absorbs Natural Energy and achieves a balanced ratio of 1:1:1 with spiritual and physical energy, it merges into Sage Chakra. Using Sage Chakra allows one to enter Sage Mode. In this mode, your strength will be greatly enhanced."
Neji's expression changed as he asked, "How big of an enhancement?"
Naruto recalled the relevant content from the original work and said, "Speed, strength, range, perception, etc.—depending on each person's constitution, the increase is about dozens of times."
"Dozens of times?"
Neji's voice sounded different than usual due to shock.
What kind of concept was "dozens of times"?
Usually, it would be described in two words: "Gam... oh wait, ridiculous!"
And such a great gift was actually given to him.
"You..."
Hesitation appeared on Neji's face. "Do you have some kind of ulterior motive toward me?"
"???"
Naruto took a step back in fright and shouted in panic, "Don't talk nonsense! I'm single-mindedly devoted to Hinata!"
"So it's because of Hinata?"
Neji was thoughtful, his feelings somewhat complicated.
He had actually benefited from Hinata's presence.
If it weren't for Hinata, he probably wouldn't have received such a tattoo.
He took a deep breath and said, "Thank you."
"It's fine. Succeeding in cultivation won't be easy."
Naruto wasn't optimistic.
In the original work, neither Neji nor Hinata had talent for Sage Mode; now, they had merely obtained a Natural Energy sensor.
There was still a long way to go before success.
And the most troublesome part was that this type of Sage Mode was unfamiliar.
He only knew the general steps for practicing Mount Myōboku's Sage Mode.
It could be used as a reference, but there should be differences.
Naruto thought for a moment and explained the situation to Neji.
Neji, on the other hand, was quite open-minded about it.
Obtaining power always comes with risks.
There's no such thing as getting something for nothing.
"The first step now should be trying to absorb Natural Energy into your body, but it's very dangerous. Once you exceed the limit, you'll turn to stone."
Naruto said musingly, "You'd better come to my training ground. With me watching over you, I can warn you in time."
"Okay."
Neji didn't refuse either.
The matter of Sage Mode definitely had to be kept secret.
Otherwise, there would be no way to explain it.
Naruto planned to have him follow his Shadow Clone that was practicing Eight Extremes Fist.
After saying goodbye to Neji, he was very conflicted.
What should he do about Hinata?
Naruto finally understood why she had blushed earlier.
He didn't even know where this tattoo was on her body.
By asking like that, wasn't he acting like a hoodlum?
It was like telling a girl, "I know you have a mole in such-and-such a place."
What would she think?
She'd think you're a peeper.
But if he didn't explain it clearly to her, Naruto was afraid she might rashly try to practice and turn to stone.
If she turned into a Wangfu Stone, he really wouldn't have anywhere to go and cry.
After thinking it over, Naruto felt he should bring Neji along.
Having a third party present wouldn't be as awkward.
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