Recalling what Yūto had just said, Zabuza's eyes lit up. Was Yūto planning to teach them Ranmaru's method of rapidly increasing strength?
Not only Zabuza, but everyone else's eyes also shone.
Standing nearby, Ameyuri Ringo's eyes showed a conflicted expression.
She had heard about the method Yūto mentioned in the Mizukage Office, but the way it altered one's appearance made Ameyuri Ringo somewhat reluctant to accept it.
But now, the choice between immense power and her appearance made Ameyuri Ringo feel increasingly conflicted.
"The method Ranmaru uses to enhance his strength, I call it Cursed Seal Transformation. This ability, while increasing strength, can change some of one's own characteristics. Everyone should have seen Ranmaru's body transformation, so I don't need to demonstrate it."
"The other power I call Sage Mode. This power is stronger than Cursed Seal Transformation and also more difficult to master, even having a certain degree of danger."
After Yūto finished speaking, his body trembled slightly, and a thumb-sized black circle suddenly appeared on his previously blank forehead.
At the same time, Yūto's entire demeanor changed, and a chilling aura emanated from his body.
Zabuza Momochi and the others felt an intense pressure wash over them, and in an instant, their backs were almost drenched with sweat.
The next moment, Yūto had already canceled his Sage Mode, looking at the people before him expressionlessly, and said:
"Have you decided which of these two powers you want?"
Hearing Yūto's calm voice, the crowd, who had been awestruck by the power Yūto displayed, now reacted.
Although there were some initial guesses, they were just guesses. Now, they had received a definitive answer.
Two powerful abilities that could be chosen freely—even Chōjūrō, with his usual calm demeanor, couldn't help but feel a little excited.
Sage Mode!
Everyone chose Sage Mode, which was stronger than the Cursed Seal Transformation, even though Sage Mode was far more dangerous than the Cursed Seal Transformation.
Seeing everyone's choice, Yūto showed no surprise.
If not for certain physical defects in Ranmaru, Yūto would have intended for all members of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist to master Sage Mode.
However, a Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist with six members mastering Sage Mode and one mastering Cursed Seal Transformation would still be formidable!
The next steps were simple. Yūto injected a certain amount of Sage Mode Chakra into each person's body.
This allowed everyone to experience the power of Sage Mode Chakra and also prevented any accidents that might occur during the Sage Mode process.
As for the rest, it depended on each person's comprehension.
Of course, relying solely on comprehension was not enough; there was also the most crucial point: the environment.
The Three Great Sage Lands all possessed locations with abundant natural energy, so cultivating Sage Mode there would naturally yield twice the results with half the effort.
But unfortunately, Yūto was not a contractor of the Three Great Sage Lands, so he naturally did not know their locations.
At this moment, the Three-Tails's role became apparent!
Yūto first used a Barrier Ninjutsu to encircle a small open space to prevent large amounts of natural Chakra from leaking out.
Then, by continuously absorbing the Three-Tails's Chakra for natural Chakra conversion, he filled the entire barrier with Chakra of natural attributes.
It took Yūto nearly two days to barely fill the barrier with a layer of natural energy.
This was thanks to the Three-Tails's massive Chakra as a foundation; otherwise, even draining Yūto dry wouldn't have achieved it.
Although it still couldn't compare to environments like the Three Great Sage Lands, Yūto's purpose in creating this environment was not for them to absorb natural energy.
The Sage Mode Chakra remaining in Zabuza and the others' bodies allowed them to perceive the natural energy permeating the air more quickly.
As long as they could perceive the natural attribute Chakra flowing in the air, it meant they had entered the initial stage. The rest was about storing Chakra in their bodies and familiarizing themselves with the process.
The Sage Mode Yūto knew came from Hashirama Senju; therefore, the side effect was that the body would undergo lignification.
However, Zabuza and the others didn't need to worry at all. Even if such a problem occurred, Yūto could absorb it with his ability, and their bodies would revert to their original state.
Under Yūto's personal guidance and within the barrier environment, the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist and others had no need to worry about danger, and their mastery of Sage Mode improved at a visible rate.
The natural attribute Chakra was rapidly digested, absorbed, and gradually mastered.
Among those present, none had poor aptitude.
Therefore, in just two days, the first person who could absorb the natural Chakra permeating the air without Yūto's help appeared.
The appearance of the first person surprised not only the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist but also Yūto himself.
Chōjūrō!
That's right, it was Chōjūrō, who seemed the most laid-back among everyone.
Perhaps absorbing natural Chakra, besides requiring a certain aptitude, also required a certain state of mind.
After Chōjūrō learned it, Yūto directly kicked him out of the barrier, telling Chōjūrō to go practice outside.
After all, the purpose of the barrier was simply to allow them to quickly perceive the natural attribute energy permeating the air.
Chōjūrō's shy and embarrassed expression acted as a catalyst in the eyes of the others.
Everyone began to work even harder, especially Zabuza, as an veteran member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist.
Ranmaru was one thing; after all, he had mastered the power of the Cursed Seal Transformation, so losing to him wasn't unfair.
But now with a stronger power, Zabuza didn't want his strength to be surpassed by others.
Soon after Chōjūrō learned to perceive natural energy, Haku became the second person.
Then, as if some floodgate had opened, Kimimaro was the third, Ameyuri Ringo was the fourth, while Zabuza Momochi and Suigetsu Hozuki comprehended it together.
Zabuza Momochi looked somewhat displeased at the happy Suigetsu Hozuki; Zabuza felt he needed to find a time to have a private spar with Suigetsu Hozuki.
Although everyone could currently only absorb a small amount of natural energy and could not yet enter Sage Mode, the rest was only a matter of time.
It was only then that everyone realized that the strength they had previously possessed was incomparable to this new power.
——
At the same time, while Yūto was teaching the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist and others Sage Mode, Orochimaru also sent news in secret.
Looking at the documents in his hand, Yūto smiled slightly. With a gentle shake of his wrist, the documents in his hand seemed to turn into ashes, completely dissipating into the air.
Orochimaru had handled things much faster than he had expected.
"What a pity, a dignified Kazekage of a generation was ambushed and killed, and the Sand Ninja Village seems to have directly abandoned Rasa."
Yūto shook his head and sighed.