Chapter 507: Rōshi Succeeds, and Naruto Starts to Panic
Since the Four-Tails and Five-Tails had been chosen as the "sacrifices" among the Tailed Beasts, the other Tailed Beasts had deliberately kept the Great Toad Sage's prophecy from the Four-Tails.
Naturally, they also never warned it not to use Sage Mode in front of Naruto.
In fact, the Nine-Tails and Naruto even took the initiative to tell the Four-Tails about Naruto's campaign to spread Sage Mode throughout the ninja world. They even revealed that Ōnoki was personally training alongside his son and disciple. That was how Rōshi ended up knowing so many details.
As for the possibility that the Four-Tails and Rōshi might actually succeed in cultivating Sage Mode and show it in front of Naruto, the Nine-Tails had already prepared an explanation to fool Naruto.
Back in Iwagakure, under Rōshi's relentless pressure, Ōnoki finally shared the Sage Art manual Konoha had given him, and the two began training together.
Meanwhile, in Amegakure, Yugito brought up the Great Toad Sage's prophecy during dinner while speaking on the Two-Tails' behalf, asking Shiromo if there was any way to solve the problem.
If there truly wasn't, then they would have no choice but to use the Nine-Tails' plan and have the Two-Tails acknowledge a cat owner.
Though if they went with that plan, Yugito herself would have to remain in Amegakure.
Fortunately, she didn't really mind that.
As for Shiromo, he already understood the situation the moment Yugito asked.
He had already learned from Rin that the Two-Tails wanted to find a cat owner to avoid falling victim to Naruto.
After all, that plan had been discussed during the meeting held inside Naruto by all the Tailed Beasts except the Four-Tails and Five-Tails.
Shiromo could understand Yugito's concerns.
Most people in the ninja world had only ever read the printed version of the story.
But Yugito had personally come to Amegakure with Samui and watched the complete 'Limited Tsukuyomi' firsthand.
Those shocking scenes had left a deep impression on her once-simple heart.
For example, there Namikaze Minato said, "Being obsessed with Tailed Beasts is only human. No one in the ninja world can resist the graceful bodies of the Tailed Beasts."
Then Naruto declared, "Kurama, you're no longer a wild fox. You're my wife."
...Well, that was actually Uzumaki Menma, but close enough.
There was also the Four-Tails cuddling affectionately with Rōshi, grinning shamelessly as it hugged him and said, "Rōshi, say my name. I want you to call my name every single day."
The one thing Yugito felt fortunate about was that she herself hadn't had any especially outrageous scenes in the Limited Tsukuyomi.
At most, she and Samui had only played a game of "iron, aluminum, copper, astatine, livermorium, bismuth."
Precisely because everyone else had received such unforgettable scenes in the Limited Tsukuyomi, when Yugito learned that reality seemed to be moving toward the same future, she couldn't help feeling frightened.
"If you want to defy fate, all you need is enough power."
"As long as you and Matatabi work together and become stronger than Naruto and the Nine-Tails, you won't have to worry about it."
"That's true, but..."
Yugito agreed with Shiromo's reasoning.
The original "find a master" plan had been based on exactly the same principle.
The only difference was that, because she wasn't strong enough herself, she had needed someone powerful to rely on.
What Shiromo was saying now followed the same logic.
The problem was...
How was she supposed to become stronger than Naruto?
Leaving Naruto's current strength aside for the moment, perhaps she could still gain the upper hand thanks to her experience and teamwork with the Two-Tails.
But what about the future?
Now both the Tailed Beasts and their jinchūriki knew Naruto's true identity.
He was the reincarnation of Asura, the Sage of Six Paths' younger son, and the Child of Prophecy foretold by the Great Toad Sage.
"Don't rush. After dinner, I'll take you to meet a few people."
"..."
After dinner, Shiromo brought the impatient Yugito to meet Rin and Fū.
As the Three-Tails' jinchūriki and the Seven-Tails' jinchūriki, one had mastered the controllable Heavy Particle Mode and was currently learning Sage Art, while the other had mastered Tailed Beast Sage Mode and was now training in Heavy Particle Mode.
"Either of these powers can temporarily let you surpass Naruto."
Shiromo introduced them.
Thanks to the Nine-Tails' scheme, Naruto currently had no opportunity to reach the level he had during the final battle at the Valley of the End in the original story.
Likewise, the Nine-Tails had no chance to study nuclear fusion principles and therefore couldn't develop Heavy Particle Mode.
As long as Yugito mastered either one of these forms, it would be enough to defeat Naruto in his Perfect Jinchūriki state.
If she mastered both...
Even if the Sage of Six Paths personally came down to hand Naruto another cheat ability, she'd still be able to kick him flying with one foot.
"Temporarily?"
The word that caught Yugito's attention was "temporarily."
"That's right. Temporarily. Is there anything strange about that?"
"Strength isn't something that stays the same forever. Unless Naruto reaches a certain level and then stops improving altogether, why would it be strange if he eventually caught up to you while you stood still?"
"He can't train these two forms now, but that doesn't mean he never will."
"Your advantage is that the slow bird flies first. As long as you stay one step ahead of Naruto, you'll remain undefeated and prevent the prophecy from coming true."
"The slow bird flies first..."
Yugito gave a bitter smile.
She had once been so proud and confident.
But in a world where bloodlines determined everything, her talent meant almost nothing compared to someone who inherited the Sage of Six Paths' lineage.
Taking advantage of the opportunity to get a head start really was her only option.
Since Yugito came from Kumogakure, she was also a very practical person.
Unlike Neji, she wasn't obsessed with the title of genius.
She had indeed been a genius once—the best among people her age.
But what did that matter?
Accepting that she simply wasn't as gifted as some people was a sign of maturity.
"Ah... Can I learn Heavy Particle Mode first?"
Yugito looked away awkwardly.
"Uh..."
Shiromo, Rin, and Fū exchanged glances.
The three of them instantly understood why Yugito had asked that.
"Fine. You can decide for yourself. You three take your time talking."
Since Rin and Fū were there, Shiromo didn't say anything else and left the explanation to them.
After Shiromo left, before Rin even had a chance to speak, the energetic Fū could no longer hold herself back.
She immediately wrapped an arm around Yugito's and happily explained that mining wasn't actually necessary.
…
A few days later...
In Iwagakure, the first person to successfully master Sage Art turned out to be Rōshi.
After falling out with Ōnoki years ago, Rōshi had spent years training alone outside the village.
Living in that kind of environment, he had long become accustomed to keeping his mind perfectly calm.
Because of that, maintaining the calm state required after gathering natural energy came easily to him.
As for the Four-Tails, there was even less to say.
After learning from the Nine-Tails that Naruto was the Child of Prophecy, it had thrown its full support behind Rōshi.
Rōshi was now only a few rounds of practice away from becoming a true Perfect Jinchūriki.
Among all the Tailed Beasts, only the Four-Tails' home had its own special name—Water Screen Cave (Suirendō).
One look at the name made it obvious the Sage of Six Paths had come up with it.
Perhaps that was what made the Four-Tails unique.
It had spent its entire life living in a place overflowing with natural energy.
Working together, Rōshi and the Four-Tails mastered Sage Art in one go.
Ōnoki was overjoyed by Rōshi's success.
He immediately called over the Konoha group and had Rōshi demonstrate it.
On an open field outside Iwagakure...
After completely transforming into the Four-Tails, Rōshi activated Sage Mode.
Natural energy rushed toward him from every direction.
The Four-Tails' fur gradually changed from dark crimson to brilliant gold, starting at the top of its head before spreading across its entire body.
At the same time, every strand of fur stood straight up.
It looked like a gorilla version of a Super Saiyan.
"What? How is that possible?!"
Naruto was the most shocked person there.
The Nine-Tails had clearly told him that Tailed Beasts and jinchūriki couldn't cultivate Sage Mode.
"Kurama, what's going on?"
Naruto hurriedly asked the Nine-Tails inside his mindscape.
(End of this chapter)