Chapter 102 – Learning Sage Mode
Minato had just finished recounting the entire incident to Uzumaki Kushina.
"Hahaha! That kid is hilarious! Way more lively than his little brother. Kakashi's way too stiff!" Kushina laughed cheerfully, clearly amused. Her energetic and expressive nature made her vibe much better with someone like Yusuke.
Minato sighed. "That kid, huh… Anyway, I need to go. There's something important I have to talk to him about."
He stood up, leaving behind Kushina's annoyed pout as she clearly didn't want him to leave just yet.
— — —
Back at the Hokage's office, Minato and Yusuke sat across from each other.
"So, what's up, Minato-nii? Sounds like something serious," Yusuke asked curiously.
"The Third Great Ninja War has officially ended. And the next mission involves the upcoming Chūnin Exams, which will be held in Kumogakure," Minato explained.
"Let me guess. You want me to lead a team there?" Yusuke said, cutting right to the chase.
"Exactly. Konoha is still recovering, and Jiraiya-sensei isn't around. Orochimaru-senpai is currently on another mission. That leaves you. You're the only one I can trust with this," Minato said earnestly.
"Got it. Just let me know when it's time to move," Yusuke replied without hesitation.
To him, it just sounded like a sightseeing trip to the Hidden Cloud Village. He rarely had the chance to interact directly with Kumogakure ninja, who were known for their aggressive and hard-hitting combat style.
[Ding!]
[Hidden Quest Unlocked: Learn Sage Arts]
[Reward: 1 Logia-Type Devil Fruit. Completion will be evaluated based on mastery level.]
[New Quest: Become a Jōnin Squad Leader. Travel to the Hidden Cloud. Defeat the Eight-Tails Jinchūriki]
[Reward: 1 Logia-Type Devil Fruit]
A Logia Fruit, huh? I wonder what kind it'll be... Yusuke mused, his eyes narrowing with interest.
After saying goodbye to Minato, he made his way back home.
— — —
Days passed swiftly. Kakashi's break had ended, and Yusuke decided it was time to accelerate his Sage training.
Forming a hand seal, he called out, "Summoning Jutsu!"
In a puff of smoke, a small palm-sized toad appeared before him and bowed politely.
"Greetings, Yusuke-sama."
"Head back to Mount Myōboku and use the Reverse Summoning Technique to bring me there," Yusuke instructed.
"Right away, Yusuke-sama!" the little toad—Gamatama—replied before vanishing.
— — —
High atop Mount Myōboku, two elder toads were already waiting.
"Honored Toad Sages, Lord Yusuke is ready. Please begin the ritual," Gamatama announced respectfully.
The two elders—Fukasaku and Shima—nodded, forming hand seals together. In an instant, a swirl of white mist enveloped the area, and from within it, Yusuke emerged.
"So this is Mount Myōboku... Not bad," Yusuke said, glancing around. He tried sensing chakra from Konoha, but felt nothing.
"Even the spatial connection is completely sealed," he murmured.
"You're Yusuke, right?" asked a small female toad, narrowing her eyes at him.
"I am Hatake Yusuke. I offer my respects to the Two Great Sages," he said politely, bowing to Fukasaku and Shima.
"Well now, what a surprise! With all the stories little Jiraiya told us, I expected you to be a real handful," Shima laughed.
"Haha, maybe Jiraiya-nii was just joking," Yusuke replied with a faint, unreadable smile.
Anyone who knew him would know that smile was dangerous.
"Gamabunta told us everything. So, you wish to learn Sage Mode?" Fukasaku asked, getting straight to the point.
"Yes, Fukasaku-sama."
"To master Sage Mode, you need a massive chakra pool—which you clearly possess. But be warned, Sage training is dangerous," Fukasaku said, studying Yusuke's chakra—and for a moment, he was speechless.
This… this chakra level is monstrous…
"I've already done some preliminary training on my own. Please don't worry," Yusuke replied calmly.
"Alright. Then I'll explain the basics," Fukasaku began. "Sage Mode involves absorbing Natural Energy and blending it with your own chakra to create 'Sage Chakra.' This grants you a dramatic boost in physical prowess, Ninjutsu, and even Genjutsu capabilities. You'll also gain enhanced sensory perception and greater physical durability."
After the explanation, the two sages guided Yusuke to a waterfall surrounded by the famous Toad Oil Pools.
"See all these frog statues around here?" Fukasaku asked.
Yusuke nodded.
"Those are people who failed Sage Training," Shima said solemnly.
"If you absorb too much Natural Energy or fail to balance it properly, your body begins to transform into a toad. If you can't stop it… you'll turn into stone forever," Fukasaku continued, suddenly holding a giant staff that appeared out of nowhere. "I'll use this to knock you back if you start losing control."
"Step one is to feel the flow of Natural Energy. The toad oil will help with that," Shima added, dabbing a bit of the thick substance onto Yusuke's skin.
The moment it touched him, Yusuke felt something new stirring inside.
"So this is... Natural Energy, huh? Not too difficult," he murmured.
Most people struggled with this step. But to Yusuke—someone who had already mastered the Ope Ope no Mi and two elemental Devil Fruits—controlling energy was practically second nature.
"Don't underestimate it, Yusuke. Nature energy is not something to be taken lightly," the Sages warned in unison.
"Relax. I know my limits," Yusuke replied confidently.
He began absorbing energy from his surroundings. Slowly, his body started showing toad-like signs of transformation.
Thwack!
Fukasaku's staff came down hard—only to pass right through him. Yusuke's body flickered into particles of light.
But he wasn't stopping. Instead, his absorption rate increased. The entire mountain began to respond to him.
"This kid's like a bottomless pit... What do we do now, Shima? My staff doesn't even touch him!" Fukasaku muttered, frowning.
"This might not be a bad thing," Shima replied cautiously. "Even if his body's changing, he's not turning to stone."
Eventually, the energy flow stabilized. Yusuke's body returned to normal, with just a trace of transformation left.
Around his eyes, golden markings glowed softly.
"Incredible… This is beyond what young Jiraiya or even Minato achieved," Shima whispered in awe.
"Yusuke, how do you feel?" Fukasaku asked, still staring at him intently.
"I feel amazing," Yusuke answered, eyes sparkling. "Like my body's overflowing with limitless strength."
His Kenbunshoku Haki had also grown exponentially, allowing him to sense even further into the future.
His perception sharpened to insane levels, and for the first time—he could activate two Devil Fruit powers simultaneously with ease.
That... was the true power of Sage Mode.
"HAHAHAHA! Now this is the power I've been searching for!" Yusuke laughed with joy.
"Yusuke, your Sage Mode isn't perfect yet. But your potential is tremendous. From now on, I'll personally guide your training," Fukasaku said firmly.
"Thank you, both of you," Yusuke replied sincerely, bowing deeply.
Suddenly, a small toad came hopping over in a hurry.
"Fukasaku-sama, Shima-sama! The Great Toad Sage has summoned the human to appear before him."
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