Seeing Asuna nod,Fumori Masaki was very surprised. The meditation method Asuna mentioned was something Fumori Masaki had developed based on Taoist theories from his previous life, combined with his understanding of the Sage Realm.
He believed that the Sage Realm was a cultivation that emphasized experience, and practicing this meditation method might have some effect on practicing Sage Mode.
However, whenFumori Masaki taught this meditation method to others, they made almost no progress in Sage Mode, though their chakra cultivation improved, which made him wonder if there was something wrong with this meditation method.
Nevertheless, even so, the meditation method still had its value and wasn't a wasted effort.
And now,Fumori Masaki heard Asuna say that she seemed to sense the existence of natural energy, which proved that this meditation method indeed pointed towards the Sage Realm.
As for why others hadn't sensed it while Asuna had,Fumori Masaki thought it might be because she was his daughter.
Fumori Masaki's Sage Realm was different from ordinary Sage Mode; it was closer to the Sage Body possessed by the Six Paths Sage and Asura.
If he could also pass on some'Sage Body' traits to his children, it didn't seem to be a problem, and this could explain why Asuna felt natural energy faster than others.
Among Fumori Masaki's two daughters, Asuna could be said to be the one who resembled him the most, not in appearance—both his daughters resembled their mother and were as beautiful as Satomi—but in temperament.
After mastering the Sage Realm,Fumori Masaki was no longer as impulsive and easily angered as he used to be.
Although it was partly due to gaining memories from his previous life, he believed it should be an influence brought about by the Sage Realm.
Under any circumstances,Fumori Masaki's mind remained within a stable range.
Even when angry or experiencing other emotions, he could feel the emotion surging within him, but his entire being seemed to be forcibly calm, unaffected.
Therefore, althoughFumori Masaki would smile and get angry, in the eyes of others, his expression was always calm, as tranquil as an unruffled lake.
And Asuna, since childhood, was just likeFumori Masaki; despite having normal human emotions, she always maintained a serene demeanor.
In contrast, her older sister Akemi was more like their mother, warm and cheerful, and had excellent relationships with others at the Ninja Academy, unlike her younger sister, who gave people a feeling of being unapproachable.
Perhaps because of this, Akemi, who underwent meditation training at the same time as Asuna, was unable to sense natural energy as early as Asuna.
However,Fumori Masaki knew that Asuna was only at the initial stage, still vaguely sensing natural energy, which was good.
After all, controlling natural energy was very troublesome; if one rashly introduced natural energy when their cultivation was shallow, they would either absorb too little or too much.
The former was not a problem, but the latter could be troublesome.
Fumori Masaki would not forget how he almost died as a child due to being unable to control natural energy.
Fortunately, Asuna told him early on; if she had waited until she could absorb natural energy...
"Asuna, I didn't expect you to achieve something; it truly surprises me."
Fumori Masaki squatted down slightly, gently stroking Asuna's head, and said, "What you are sensing is called natural energy.
This is an important component of senjutsu chakra.
As long as you can gather it, you will gain power like the sages in myths."
Although Asuna didn't know what Sage Mode was, she knew the word'sage' because the Ninja Sect scriptures she read as a child contained many descriptions of sages.
Her expression didn't change, but her eyes seemed to light up.
She said, "Can I master this power?"
"Yes, you have the potential for it,"Fumori Masaki nodded and said, "However, this power is very dangerous.
Unlike ordinary ninjutsu training, if you really want to learn it, you'll have to learn under my supervision."
"Father will personally guide me?" Asuna said with a hint of surprise.
This was different fromFumori Masaki's guidance for the three; this was one-on-one guidance.
"Yes, from now on, I will teach you how to master this power.
For now, you should go back and rest,"Fumori Masaki said.
"Okay!" Asuna nodded heavily, turned, and ran back to her room.
Watching Asuna's figure leave,Fumori Masaki leaned back and gently exhaled.
This incident proved one thing: the cultivation of Sage Mode could indeed be simplified by some method.
Although Asuna might have quickly grasped it due toFumori Masaki's bloodline, if the meditation method could be further improved in the future, it might truly increase the number of people who could master Sage Mode.
"I wonder if I'll have the chance to see that day."
Just asFumori Masaki was mumbling to himself, someone from behind wrapped their arms around his neck.
He didn't need to turn around to know who it was and said somewhat amusingly, "What are you doing?"
"Isn't it good to be affectionate?" Satomi smiled, then asked curiously, "What were you saying?
That sounded like Asuna's voice just now."
"I might have a true successor,"Fumori Masaki patted Satomi's hand and said with a smile.
"You mean Asuna?" Satomi said.
"Yes. She seems to have the same talent as me.
If she's well-trained, she should be able to achieve the same realm as me,"Fumori Masaki replied.
"The Sage Realm?" Satomi also looked surprised.
"Asuna actually has such talent.
I remember Lord Hashirama once said that over a thousand years, only a handful of people have been able to achieve it."
"Indeed.
Currently, I'm the only one in the village who can use senjutsu.
Jiraiya might be able to learn it, but he probably hasn't even started yet, whereas Asuna is just beginning,"Fumori Masaki said.
"Isn't that great?
The power of senjutsu is not something ordinary people can compare to.
Asuna will also have the power to protect herself," Satomi said happily.
"If it's just for protecting herself, then it's more than enough.
I'm just worried about other things,"Fumori Masaki's voice unconsciously lowered towards the end.
"Hmm?" Satomi didn't hear clearly and asked a question.
"Nothing.
In short, I will personally guide Asuna's training from now on, and I hope she can truly master this power,"Fumori Masaki said.
The next day, after finishing breakfast and bidding farewell to his family,Fumori Masaki arrived early at the Hokage's office building.
Yamanaka Takuma, his secretary, had already arrived and had organized the documents Fumori Masaki needed to handle that day.
SeeingFumori Masaki enter, he said, "Good morning, Hokage-sama."
"Hmm, good morning,"Fumori Masaki responded, then sat down at his desk and began reviewing the documents Yamanaka Takuma had prepared for him, categorized by urgency.
He quickly approved and set aside those that could be handled immediately, while those requiring discussion were placed on another side.
After a while,Fumori Masaki softly exclaimed "Oh?" looking at the document in front of him.
This was sent from the Hidden Rain Village not long ago; Hanzō hoped the Hidden Leaf Village could provide another form of assistance, mainly targeting the rebels.
Fumori Masaki pondered for a moment, then signed and confirmed the document.