Chapter 359: Teaching Sage Mode
Sage Mode involves ninja using chakra to manipulate Natural Energy. It is an ancient art, as evidenced by the numerous statues of failed toads in Mount Myoboku.
Apart from exceptionally talented individuals, anyone wishing to learn Sage Mode requires guidance from someone who has already mastered Natural Energy.
Since cultivators of Natural Energy are one in a million, the teaching of Sage Mode was essentially monopolized by the Three Great Sage Regions in the past. But now, with Dana's growth, he felt he could give it a try.
How to cultivate Sage Mode?
As a contractor of two of the Three Great Sage Regions and having deep memories of the third, Dana happened to know all the teaching methods of the three sacred places.
In his opinion, the difficulty and risk of cultivating Sage Mode largely stemmed from the primitive methods used by the Three Great Sage Regions.
For example, Ryuchi Cave's method: The White Snake Sage bites you, injecting Natural Energy. Then you try to comprehend it. If you succeed, you master Sage Mode; if you fail, you get eaten.
That's not cultivation; that's gambling with your life...
Win, and you return to the ninja world to make a name for yourself. Lose, and you stay there as part of the Ryuchi Cave Family Meal.
Shikkotsu Forest's method: The Katsuyu Sage envelops the cultivator in acid filled with Natural Energy. Then you comprehend. Succeed, and you're good. Fail, and you petrify first, then dissolve, eventually merging with the countless stalactites of Shikkotsu Forest.
The only difference is that the Katsuyu Sage is kind-hearted and will try to pull you back if you're failing, while the White Snake Sage will just watch you die.
And that pull doesn't guarantee saving you...
Comparatively, the most systematic method was Mount Myoboku's, described in detail in the original story. Mount Myoboku allows cultivators to sense Natural Energy through a so-called "absolute stillness" meditation state, which is better than the forceful injection methods of the other two.
But once entering the stage of absorbing Natural Energy, there is still a high risk of turning into a frog statue. Then Fukasaku-sennin hits you with a black stick. If it wakes you up, great; if not, you become a stone frog statue.
Is there risk? Dana felt that even with Mount Myoboku's relatively methodical approach, the risk was high—just look at the pond full of frog statues. One shouldn't assume Mount Myoboku's method is safe just because Naruto succeeded without incident.
Putting aside the metaphysical descriptions and looking only at the cultivation process itself:
Dana believed Sage Mode cultivation has three stages.
Stage 1: Relying on luck, talent, or cheats to sense Natural Energy.
Stage 2: Absorbing Natural Energy into the body, mixing it to create Senjutsu chakra, and ensuring survival.
Stage 3: Using Senjutsu chakra to enter Sage Mode, then continuously improving its intensity, proficiency, duration, etc.
If no problems occur by Stage 2, it's basically a success. At least no one will die afterward.
The difference lies in combat capability—whether you need two accessories to assist, or just clasp your hands and enter Sage Mode instantly.
To lower the risk of Sage Mode, Dana prepared a completely new cultivation approach.
Although unsure of the consequences if his Lightning Sage Mode failed, he definitely didn't want his Old Man turning into a stone statue.
This was also why Sage Mode couldn't be taught in a large class like the Eight Inner Gates; Dana feared he couldn't supervise too many people at once.
"First, Old Man, Natural Energy is everywhere; only the density varies. The concentration in Cloud City is decent. At least for the first stage of sensing Natural Energy, there's no problem."
The Third Raikage pondered. "Sensing... that's really not my forte."
If he had weaknesses, Genjutsu and Sensory were definitely his short boards. In the "Thunder Roar Plan" evaluation, he only scored B and C respectively.
Dana comforted him. "It's okay, Old Man. This sensing has nothing to do with chakra sensing. Don't feel pressured."
Actually, in the original story, several Sage Mode users weren't known for their sensory abilities.
"Then, let's build an environment where it's easier for you to feel Natural Energy."
Snap!
Dana snapped his fingers and instantly entered Sage Mode. Lightning patterns flickered on his face, his hair floated slightly upward, and a powerful aura spread out.
The smooth ease with which he did this made Ichikishimahime stare with stars in her eyes.
Making the Third Raikage sit cross-legged, Dana placed a hand on his father's shoulder. Colorful Lightning Senjutsu chakra poured out, flowing over the Third Raikage and solidifying into the Sage Lightning Armor.
"This is the effect of my unique Sage Mode, Sage Lightning Armor. It contains massive amounts of Natural Energy and Senjutsu Lightning Chakra. Having it attached to your body helps you sense Natural Energy. However, since you didn't create it, it's currently just a hard shell and a restraint."
The Third Raikage tried to exert force and found the dazzling armor indeed just a stiff shell on him, immovable unless he used brute force.
Then Dana said something to Ichikishimahime. She nodded and clasped her hands together.
"Sage Art: Inorganic Reincarnation!"
The ground of the training ground seemed to come alive, surging toward the Third Raikage.
Unlike Earth Release, which turns earth into liquid or mud, this technique gave life to the solid earth, making it slither forward like a snake.
Soon, the Third Raikage, sitting cross-legged in the Sage Lightning Armor, was wrapped up by the earth, looking like a burial mound with only his head exposed.
Third Raikage: "..."
The "earth" forming the mound wasn't still but constantly rotating irregularly, like an endlessly coiling snake.
"Old Man, this is Ryuchi Cave's secret technique 'Inorganic Reincarnation.' This earth is different from Earth Release; it's rich in Natural Energy. Same logic, it's to assist your sensing."
Then, intense Senjutsu Lightning Chakra poured from Dana's hands again, condensing into his most commonly used weapon—the Sage Lightning Staff. The staff, flickering with colorful fluorescence, was stabbed into the ground in front of the "burial mound."
"Same principle as the Sage Lightning Armor, also for assistance."
Dana created ten staffs in total, circling the "burial mound" with them.
From a distance, the Third Raikage looked like a sealed demon.
The Third Raikage's face darkened.
After planting the last staff, Dana breathed a sigh of relief. "Old Man, remember to calm your mind. The calmer you are, the easier it is to sense Natural Energy. You can imagine yourself no longer as a person, but as an inanimate object in nature."
Third Raikage: "Like a burial mound?"
"...Like a stone."
The Third Raikage took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down. Personality-wise, he wasn't the type suited for meditation, but as a seasoned powerhouse, he could force himself to be calm for cultivation.
Suddenly, he remembered teaching young Dana how to refine chakra. Now, it was his turn to be taught how to sense Natural Energy.
Truly... very proud...
"With these three layers of buffs, if you still can't sense Natural Energy, I can only say you aren't cut out for Sage Mode, Old Man."
I really want to hit this brat!
"Then... while watching over Old Man, I'll find something to do too. Ichikishimahime, teach me Inorganic Reincarnation!"