Chapter 692: The True Sage Mugetsu
"After learning how to sense natural energy, I suddenly discovered that a secret Breathing Technique I've mastered can also draw in natural energy. However, the Breathing Technique and Mount Myōboku's secret art don't seem to be compatible. If I use both at the same time, they interfere with each other," Mugetsu explained after thinking for a moment.
Fukasaku was a Sage who had lived for more than eight hundred years and possessed an extremely deep understanding of Senjutsu.
Mugetsu saw no need to hide this from him. Perhaps Fukasaku could even provide some useful insight.
"There's such a thing?" Fukasaku showed a surprised expression. "Then, Little Mugetsu, try using only that secret Breathing Technique to absorb natural energy."
As he spoke, Fukasaku concentrated his spiritual energy and sharpened his senses, focusing all his attention on Mugetsu.
Hearing this, Mugetsu immediately focused his breathing and entered the Transparent World state.
He then allowed the natural energy attracted by the Breathing Technique to enter his body.
Mugetsu quickly discovered that simply maintaining the Breathing Technique as usual caused the absorbed natural energy to automatically become incorporated into its operation, further strengthening the Breathing Technique's enhancement of his body.
Moreover, apart from increasing the burden placed on his body, there were no other negative effects.
At least, none that he could currently detect.
Mugetsu's thoughts stirred.
He deepened his breathing even further and entered Lightning Release Chakra Mode.
The moment he did, the Breathing Technique's attraction toward natural energy increased dramatically.
Unfortunately, Mugetsu soon discovered that it still could not rapidly absorb a large amount of natural energy and convert it into Senjutsu chakra the way Mount Myōboku's secret art could.
Instead, it merely strengthened the Breathing Technique's physical enhancement.
"I see."
Fukasaku revealed an expression of sudden understanding.
"Little Mugetsu, your secret Breathing Technique already has the beginnings of a Senjutsu system."
"Then it definitely cannot be used together with Mount Myōboku's method. That would be like trying to use two different schools of Sage Mode at the same time. It's extremely dangerous."
Fukasaku's expression became serious.
"Little Mugetsu, it would be best not to use that Breathing Technique while practicing Sage Mode."
"If I'm nearby, I can help disperse any natural energy that goes out of control. But if I'm not here, a natural energy rampage could kill you."
"Mm. Could I trouble you, Fukasaku, to explain the principle behind that?" Mugetsu asked with a nod.
Given how cautious Mugetsu was, there was no way he would recklessly gamble with his life.
It was precisely because he had sensed danger that he had immediately stopped his previous attempt after only ten seconds.
"The reason Sage Mode is called Sage Mode is because it is a Ninjutsu that temporarily allows a human to become a Sage," Fukasaku explained.
Fukasaku himself did not need to enter Sage Mode to use Senjutsu.
That was because he was already a Sage.
"Different schools of Sage Mode allow people to temporarily become different kinds of Sages."
"You ninja also have Taijutsu that imitates different animals, don't you?"
"Trying to use two different schools of Sage Mode simultaneously is like trying to use Taijutsu that imitates a monkey with one hand and Taijutsu that imitates a tiger with the other."
"How could they not conflict?"
Mugetsu nodded thoughtfully.
Mount Myōboku's Sage Mode could cause the practitioner to transform toward a frog, while Ryūchi Cave's Sage Mode could cause snake like changes.
Those really did not seem like abilities that could be combined casually.
It was somewhat similar to the cultivation novels from his previous life, where one could not simply practice two incompatible cultivation methods at the same time.
After that, Mugetsu restrained himself and stopped using his Breathing Technique.
He devoted all of his attention to Sage Mode training.
He first needed to fully master one Sage Mode before he could begin developing the Sage Mode most suitable for himself.
The next morning, Fukasaku led Mugetsu to an area filled with towering, needle like stone pillars.
"The most important thing when forming Senjutsu chakra is maintaining balance," Fukasaku explained.
"If the proportion of natural energy is too low, the result is only ordinary chakra."
"If the proportion is too high, you'll turn into a frog."
"If you can successfully condense Senjutsu chakra and enter Sage Mode while sitting in this environment, then you shouldn't have any major problems controlling Senjutsu chakra in the future."
Fukasaku pointed toward the towering stone spikes.
Then he picked up a wooden board and handed it to Mugetsu.
Mugetsu nodded.
Taking the board, he leaped several times and landed on the tip of one of the sharp stone pillars.
He placed the wooden board on top, sat down, and balanced himself steadily.
Fukasaku quickly followed.
He took another wooden board, sat on a nearby stone pillar, and quietly observed Mugetsu.
"Little Mugetsu's talent for Senjutsu is truly terrifying. Not a single problem has appeared so far," Fukasaku thought as he watched Mugetsu remain perfectly still.
The most recent ninja to successfully master Sage Mode at Mount Myōboku had been Jiraiya.
But Jiraiya had fallen countless times during this stage before finally succeeding.
Mugetsu, on the other hand, seemed as though he might succeed on his very first attempt.
Fukasaku simply could not see through Mugetsu's body and had never fought him personally.
Otherwise, he would have realized just how terrifying Mugetsu's control over his own body was.
At times, that control approached absolute precision.
Under Fukasaku's watchful gaze, natural energy continuously entered Mugetsu's body and was gradually combined into Senjutsu chakra.
When the amount of Senjutsu chakra within Mugetsu reached a certain level, he slowly opened his eyes.
Orange eye markings appeared around them.
At the same time, his pupils transformed into yellow horizontal slits.
"Sage markings, and not even the slightest sign of frog transformation!"
Fukasaku could not help exclaiming in surprise.
"Little Mugetsu, you've already become a Sage who surpasses Jiraiya!"
Although Mount Myōboku's Sage Mode was a technique that temporarily allowed ninja to become Sages, that did not mean the closer someone looked to a toad, the better their Sage Mode was.
In fact, the opposite was true.
The more obvious the toad transformation, the poorer the practitioner's control over Sage Mode.
Mugetsu looked toward his skill panel.
The skill called Sage Mode had already reached the proficient level.
After they returned to the ground, Fukasaku asked, "Little Mugetsu, do you want to learn some of Mount Myōboku's Senjutsu techniques, or are you planning to return immediately?"
"You can already be considered a Sage."
Ordinary Ninjutsu, once powered by Senjutsu chakra, could also be called Senjutsu.
What Fukasaku meant here were Mount Myōboku's unique Senjutsu techniques, such as Frog Kata.
"I'd like to learn more about the underlying theory of Sage Mode from you," Mugetsu replied, shaking his head.
He already possessed plenty of combat abilities.
Not learning Mount Myōboku's specific Senjutsu techniques would not affect him much.
When Mugetsu came to Mount Myōboku, he had used Enlightenment on himself.
There were still more than twenty hours remaining.
Returning this early would waste the opportunity.
"The theory, huh?"
Fukasaku sat down on the ground and fell into thought.
It was the first time anyone had ever made such a request of him.
Most people would be overjoyed after successfully learning Sage Mode.
Who would still care about the underlying principles as long as they knew how to use it?
"As I told you before, Sage Mode is fundamentally a Ninjutsu that temporarily allows a ninja to become a Sage."
"And when discussing Sages, natural energy and Senjutsu chakra are unavoidable topics."
"Natural energy is one of the most powerful forms of energy in the Ninja World. It is part of the world itself…"
It had to be said that when it came to knowledge about Senjutsu, Fukasaku truly was extremely experienced.
Much of what he explained regarding Sage Mode and natural energy was completely new even to Mugetsu.
Although simply knowing these theories would not directly make Mugetsu's Sage Mode stronger, they would be extremely useful when he eventually attempted to develop his own Sage Mode.
Mugetsu remained at Mount Myōboku until the morning of the third day.
Once his Enlightenment state ended, he prepared to leave and return to Konoha.
"Why are you leaving so soon? Do you have a mission?" Shima asked with some reluctance.
She felt that she had learned quite a bit during the past two days, and even her Cooking had improved.
"No. Little Mugetsu has already completed his Sage Mode training," Fukasaku explained.
"Huh?"
Shima stared at him in confusion.
"Didn't he only train for two days?"
"I forgot to tell you. Little Mugetsu is an incredible Senjutsu genius. On his very first attempt, he sensed natural energy without even using toad oil," Fukasaku said proudly.
No one would likely ever break his record in the future.
Teaching someone Sage Mode in only two days without using toad oil was something even Fukasaku found unbelievable.
"Oh, you really are something, dear."
Shima complained, "If I had known Little Mugetsu was leaving so soon, I would have brought a plate of his Cooking to the Great Toad Sage last night."
"Uh…"
Only then did Fukasaku realize that he had completely forgotten to let the Great Toad Sage taste Mugetsu's incredible food.
Yesterday, Mugetsu had been trying not to waste the effects of Enlightenment, so he had continuously asked Fukasaku question after question.
Even Fukasaku had been thoroughly exhausted by the end.
"If the two Sages don't mind the trouble, I'll come back in five days to continue learning," Mugetsu said with a smile.
In five days, Enlightenment would finish its cooldown.
He could return and continue rapidly absorbing knowledge about Sage Mode.
"No trouble at all. Little Mugetsu, you should visit often," Shima said with pleasant surprise.
"Just let us know beforehand," Fukasaku added with a smile while stroking his long white beard.
"We're usually quite free."
Apart from the Great Toad Sage, Fukasaku and Shima were the most senior figures on Mount Myōboku.
Normally, there truly was not much they needed to do.
"Oh, right."
Fukasaku suddenly remembered something.
"Little Mugetsu, while using Sage Mode, absolutely do not use that secret Breathing Technique to absorb natural energy."
"If you ever want to experiment with combining them, come to Mount Myōboku and find me first."
Mugetsu seemed extremely reliable, but Fukasaku had lived far too long and seen far too many people.
Humans sometimes had an inexplicable tendency to court death.
"Understood. Thank you," Mugetsu replied sincerely.
Before he thoroughly researched the issue and obtained reliable results, Mugetsu had no intention of recklessly experimenting.
After exchanging farewells, Fukasaku began preparing to send Mugetsu back.
Returning was slightly more troublesome than arriving at Mount Myōboku.
They first needed to contact Minato.
Minato would then summon one of Mount Myōboku's toads to Konoha, after which that toad would perform Reverse Summoning to transport Mugetsu back.
"It really is strange," Shima murmured after Mugetsu left.
"For such an outstanding ninja as Little Mugetsu, the Great Toad Sage hasn't had any prophecy related to him?"
"The Great Toad Sage doesn't know everything," Fukasaku replied, shaking his head.
The Great Toad Sage only received prophetic dreams.
He could not clearly see every possible future.
Whether a prophecy appeared depended on fate and chance, not simply on how strong or important someone was.
....
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