Shihouin Naraku could feel the vast difference between true Sage Mode and his earlier attempts. When he first began learning to harness Senjutsu chakra, he could barely condense the natural energy, and the distinctive facial markings of Sage Mode never appeared on his face.
Furthermore, both the chakra consumption required to gather natural energy and the duration he could maintain the technique were far from satisfactory. While his basic physical abilities and ninja skills had improved during those early stages, they paled in comparison to what he experienced now.
"This is true Sage Mode!" Naraku marveled inwardly.
Even when Naraku suppressed his overwhelming aura and stood among ordinary people, anyone with sensitivity to chakra could instantly recognize that something extraordinary had awakened within him. There was an unmistakable presence about him now—something that transcended normal human limitations.
It felt as though his very existence had undergone a fundamental transformation. He seemed to have evolved beyond mortality itself, achieving something akin to the legendary status of the ancient sages.
A sage! An immortal being!
Now Naraku understood why this state was called Sage Mode. The title wasn't merely descriptive—it represented a genuine ascension to a higher form of life.
"Naraku-sama, would you like to continue with your training?" Katsuyu asked respectfully, waiting until Naraku had composed himself before speaking.
"Of course we must continue," Naraku replied without hesitation. "Since we've come this far, we absolutely must complete the final step of this journey."
He paused, his expression growing more serious. "However, what additional dangers await when I enter that pool to practice?"
As Naraku spoke, another Katsuyu slug entered the Sage Art Cave from outside, slowly making its way toward them with purpose.
"Please observe carefully, Naraku-sama," the newly arrived Katsuyu announced solemnly.
The second Katsuyu began crawling directly toward the shimmering pool of concentrated natural energy. With a gentle splash, it entered the water.
Naraku's pupils dilated instantly as he witnessed something that defied belief. The moment Katsuyu made contact with the pool's surface, it began dissolving rapidly into nothing more than ash and particles, vanishing completely as if it had never existed at all.
Even snowflakes exposed to blazing summer heat wouldn't melt with such terrifying speed.
"This is..." Naraku began, his voice trailing off in shock.
The original Katsuyu, who had been patiently instructing Naraku in the ways of Sage Mode, explained calmly, "Naraku-sama should have noticed that after entering Sage Mode, the surrounding natural energy no longer threatens to corrupt your body, correct?"
Naraku nodded slowly. To be more precise, the natural energy permeating the Sage Art Cave now seemed to recognize him as a kindred being while he maintained Sage Mode. Rather than the hostile force it had been initially, the energy now felt welcoming—almost as if nature itself had accepted him as one of its own.
With his perception abilities heightened to extraordinary levels, Naraku could even sense that the ambient natural energy appeared to be drawn toward him unconsciously, like metal filings attracted to a magnet.
Katsuyu continued her explanation. "After a ninja successfully learns to create Senjutsu chakra within the Sage Art Cave, the natural energy here loses its corrosive properties and no longer poses a threat."
"However, the natural energy concentrated in this pool operates on an entirely different principle. It has undergone a qualitative transformation—a change so fundamental that it has become something altogether more dangerous."
"The Katsuyu you just observed was completely saturated with Senjutsu chakra, yet it was dissolved instantly upon contact!"
"At present, only my true body can remain safe within those waters. Any other matter that enters the pool will be reduced to absolute nothingness."
Naraku felt a chill run down his spine. The power contained in that seemingly peaceful pool was so overwhelming that even his enhanced physique probably couldn't withstand its effects.
But was this necessarily a bad thing? Surely such extreme danger must come with equally extraordinary benefits?
Sensing Naraku's unspoken question from his expression, Katsuyu elaborated, "If Naraku-sama were to enter the pool and successfully repeat the process of achieving Sage Mode while submerged..."
"What would be the result?" Naraku asked, though part of him already suspected the answer.
"You would achieve true immortality!"
Katsuyu's words struck Naraku's mind like a bolt of lightning, causing him to freeze completely as the implications sank in.
Immortality! Actual, genuine immortality!
If success meant achieving eternal life, then Naraku considered the dangers of the pool before him to be absolutely worthwhile. The risk seemed insignificant compared to such an unimaginable reward.
For several long moments, Naraku remained lost in contemplation, weighing the possibilities and consequences.
An unknown amount of time passed before a gentle, ancient voice broke through his reverie.
"Little Naraku, have you reached a decision?"
"Hmm?" Naraku snapped back to awareness, surprised to discover that the true form of the Slug Sage had materialized within the Sage Art Cave. Her massive body seemed to fill the entire space around them.
Actually, upon closer inspection, this wasn't quite her complete true form. This manifestation appeared somewhat smaller than what he would expect from the legendary sage.
"This is indeed my true body," the Slug Sage clarified, apparently reading his thoughts, "but this particular form can only be achieved within the Sage Art Cave itself. It requires the concentrated natural energy present here to compress my usual size."
The Slug Sage's explanation helped Naraku understand. Clearly, the Sage Art Cave held many secrets that went far beyond what he had initially realized.
"So then, little Naraku, have you made your choice?"
After a period of silence, Naraku asked again, "Is the immortality you speak of genuine? True eternal life?"
"Yes," the Slug Sage replied, her ancient gaze turning toward the pool. "The toads of Mount Myōboku possess the ability to glimpse the future, the snakes of Ryūchi Cave pursue transformation into dragons, and the slugs of the Wet Bone Forest have achieved immortality. These represent the unique characteristics and greatest achievements of the three great sage locations."
The Slug Sage's words carried deeper meaning, and Shihouin Naraku began to grasp some of the profound implications.
The Great Toad Sage of Mount Myōboku, the White Snake Sage of Ryūchi Cave, and the Slug Sage of the Wet Bone Forest—among these three legendary immortals, it seemed that only the Slug Sage had never shown signs of aging.
Both the Great Toad Sage and the White Snake Sage were clearly ancient beyond measure, bearing the weight of countless centuries.
This suggested that the three sages had chosen different paths in their pursuit of transcendence. The Great Toad Sage had influenced the ninja world for generations through prophetic visions, even providing guidance to the legendary Sage of Six Paths himself.
Because of the toad's prophecies, Jiraiya continued searching the world for the prophesied Child of Destiny.
While less was widely known about the White Snake Sage, it appeared that the serpents of Ryūchi Cave pursued some form of draconic transformation—perhaps seeking to ascend to a higher plane of existence entirely.
Prophecy, draconic transformation, and immortality—these three paths represented different aspects of what might constitute true sage-hood.
As these thoughts circulated through Naraku's mind, he began to understand that each of the three great sage locations represented a different approach to achieving transcendence beyond normal mortal limitations.
The three sage locations had likely been pursuing the same ultimate goal all along—to become true immortals in every sense of the word. However, unable to achieve complete transcendence, each had chosen to focus on mastering one particular aspect of immortal power.
"I've made my decision," Naraku declared, his voice filled with determination as he looked directly at the Slug Sage. "I'm going to enter the pool!"
Seeing his resolve, the Slug Sage offered one final warning. "You should know that it hasn't been only ninja who have attempted this trial. Many different species have tried throughout the ages, but I remain the only one who has succeeded."
Actually, that wasn't entirely accurate. Three creatures had achieved success in their respective locations: the toads, the slugs, and the snakes. Each had founded one of the three great sage locations.
Mount Myōboku and Ryūchi Cave probably employed similar training methods, but those locations chose not to share their techniques with outsiders.
Considering how extremely dangerous the training method used in the Wet Bone Forest proved to be, their decision to keep such knowledge secret was probably wise.
Rather than dwelling on these thoughts, Naraku asked with curiosity, "If I actually succeed, does this immortality mean I would become truly invincible?"
"Little Naraku is thinking too optimistically," the Slug Sage replied gently.
"If an enemy possessed the power to completely destroy every cell in your body instantaneously, death would still be possible."
"However, any other injuries that would normally prove fatal to a mortal ninja would no longer pose a threat to you."
Hearing this explanation, Naraku nodded in understanding. "Very well! Let's begin."
"Wait just a moment," the Slug Sage cautioned. "After you enter the pool, I will use my chakra techniques to create a protective barrier around your entire body to prevent any unforeseen accidents."
"You should then attempt to make contact with the pool water using small portions of your body to test the effects gradually."
"However, the final step of the process must be completed entirely through your own efforts to be considered successful."
"This represents the best-case scenario, of course. Accidents can occur at any stage of the process."
"Understood! I'm ready!" Naraku declared.
As Naraku finished speaking, the Slug Sage began releasing powerful yet gentle chakra that enveloped him completely like a protective cocoon. Slowly and carefully, she lifted him above the sparkling pool, then began lowering him toward the surface.
The water formed from concentrated natural energy created gentle ripples across the small pond's surface, each movement catching and reflecting light like liquid starlight.
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