The emergence of a simplified Sage Mode came much faster than the two months Kakashi had originally anticipated.
With Jiraiya joining the ranks, the entire research team completed the project in a mere month.
Led by Kakashi as the Fifth Hokage, and using the Yin Seal as a blueprint, seven powerful individuals pooled their expertise: the Slug Sage of Shikkotsu Forest, the Second Hokage Tobirama Senju, the Third Hokage Hiruzen Sarutobi, Jiraiya of the Sannin, the "Final Weapon" Hikari, and the Uchiha Clan Head, Itachi Uchiha. Through their joint efforts, they successfully transformed the impossible into reality.
By the lakeside behind the Hokage Rock, a whistling cold wind blew. The winter chill was piercing, yet it could not suppress the lingering excitement within the hearts of the six people and one slug present.
Everyone's eyes were fixed on Jiraiya, who stood before them with his upper body bare.
His back was turned to the group. At the very top of his spine sat a black pattern resembling a Great Sun.
This was the fruit of nearly half a year of labor by the seven experts present. After much deliberation, they had finally named it: the Sage Mark.
And now, it was time for Jiraiya to demonstrate the results of their hard work.
"Alright, let's begin."
Kakashi felt the natural energy in the air beginning to surge toward the Sage Mark on Jiraiya's body. He estimated the timing and gave the word.
The initial placement of a Sage Mark required two to three days of focused natural energy accumulation to fill it. Since it was based on the Yin Seal, it would be impossible to utilize Sage Mode if the seal remained empty.
"Right."
Jiraiya nodded. Without any grand movements, he simply focused his mind. The black dot at the center of the solar seal atop his spine immediately emitted a pure white glow. Simultaneously, the black halo surrounding it, representing the corona, radiated a blue fluorescence.
The two lights converged and fused, transforming into a brilliant sky-blue radiance.
One could say the Sage Mark functioned by carving two separate "Yin Seals" onto the user. The central dot stored natural energy, while the outer ring stored the user's own chakra. Their capacities were identical.
Once the Sage Mark was applied, the user only needed a thought to open the "hatch" separating the two seals. This allowed for a perfect one-to-one fusion, creating Senjutsu Chakra. At that moment, the two Yin Seals merged into one, maintaining the state until the stored Senjutsu Chakra was depleted—or until the natural energy in the central dot ran out.
When that happened, the hatch between them would close again, and the seal would resume absorbing natural energy from the surroundings, while any remaining Senjutsu Chakra would be gathered into the outer ring.
Centered on the mark, dozens of black, thread-like patterns emitting a faint blue light surged across Jiraiya's bare torso.
Everyone watched unblinkingly, terrified of missing even a fraction of a second. This Sage Mark was the collective product of Konoha's top masters; if it failed now, the disappointment would be immeasurable.
In less than three seconds, Jiraiya's upper body was covered in black lines. His entire aura fused with his surroundings—he had clearly entered Sage Mode.
Kakashi narrowed his eyes at the sight. Through his perception, he could tell that Jiraiya had entered a perfect state. He had become a Perfect Sage.
According to the design, as long as the user did not forcibly absorb natural energy and break the Sage Mark's upper limit, they could perfectly maintain this state until the mark's energy was exhausted, at which point they would exit Sage Mode.
"This feeling..."
Jiraiya clenched his fist toward the sky.
He already knew Sage Mode. However, his version was imperfect. If he maintained it for too long, he would begin to "toad-ify," and if he didn't release it in time, he would turn into a giant toad forever.
But this state... He felt better than he ever had before.
"It seems we've succeeded."
Tobirama Senju nodded slightly, crossing his arms. Seeing such a perfect result after investing so much effort made his temporary return to the ninja world feel worthwhile.
But just as Tobirama finished speaking, Jiraiya's expression shifted. Kakashi clearly perceived a sudden instability in the surrounding natural energy.
"What's wrong?" Kakashi asked immediately.
Jiraiya instantly deactivated Sage Mode, his expression turning solemn.
"Is something not right?" Hiruzen Sarutobi added, his voice full of concern.
"I... feel..." Jiraiya frowned, staring at the palm of his hand. He wasn't sure if it was an illusion, but he felt as though his body was rejecting the Sage Mark. It wasn't a psychological rejection, but rather a primal, physical instinct.
Seeing this, Kakashi stepped forward and placed his hand on the Sage Mark on Jiraiya's spine. Sensing the natural energy that hadn't yet dissipated from Jiraiya's chakra pathway system, Kakashi's brow furrowed.
"This is..."
Jiraiya's face looked a bit pale. "It seems the Sage Mode of Mount Myoboku has some lingering side effects."
In Kakashi's perception, the meridians within Jiraiya's body didn't feel like those of a human. Instead, they felt... like a toad's.
"Is Lord Jiraiya's Sage Mode from Mount Myoboku not perfect?" Lady Katsuyu, perched on Kakashi's shoulder, asked curiously.
"Yeah. Because I didn't have enough talent, I always needed the two Great Toad Sages to assist me to enter the mode. And if I stay in it too long, I start turning into a toad," Jiraiya admitted honestly.
"That explains it. The imperfect Sage Modes of Ryuchi Cave and Mount Myoboku gradually transform the user into a snake or a toad," Katsuyu explained in her gentle voice. "Even experiencing an imperfect Sage Mode once will alter the body's foundation."
She didn't mention Shikkotsu Forest. In her view, the Sage Mode of Shikkotsu Forest was binary: you either died, or you became a Perfect Sage. There was no third option.
"It looks like this Sage Mark isn't suitable for me." Jiraiya looked regretful.
He had originally volunteered to be the "guinea pig" because of his prior experience with Sage Mode. He hadn't expected this outcome. It was truly a shame; if he could have used the Sage Mark, he would never have needed the help of the two Toad Sages again.
Kakashi looked at Jiraiya, lost in thought. Jiraiya's talent was beyond doubt—he was one of the elites of the ninja world. If someone like him could enter a Perfect Sage Mode so smoothly at first, only to suffer such a rejection...
Was it really because Jiraiya lacked the talent, or was it...?
Kakashi didn't voice his dangerous suspicion. Instead, he simply patted Jiraiya's shoulder in consolation. Even though the requirements for using the Sage Mark were much lower than learning Sage Mode manually, it wasn't without conditions. Chakra control, physical strength, and willpower were all prerequisites.
While different from the traditional requirements, the barrier to entry was significantly lower because the Sage Mark's conditions were tangible and measurable, whereas traditional Sage Mode felt somewhat ethereal.
If Hiruzen Sarutobi were ten years younger, he would have mastered the Sage Mark as easily as picking something out of a pocket, given his physical strength, chakra control, and unshakable will. Tobirama Senju would be the same, provided he were alive. A fragile Reanimated body could not be branded with a Sage Mark.
Jiraiya clearly met all the criteria, which was exactly why Kakashi was overthinking the rejection.
"Since I'm a no-go..." Jiraiya looked at Kakashi and scratched his head.
He had thought he'd be the one to successfully pioneer the Sage Mark. Kakashi could already enter Sage Mode independently and didn't need it. As for the others...
Jiraiya's gaze fell upon Kakashi's wife, Hikari. Besides him, Hikari also perfectly met the criteria for the Sage Mark. But...
His eyes flickered to Hikari's abdomen, and he looked away with a trace of regret. According to the latest news, the Hokage's wife was pregnant. Tsunade had personally performed the checkup just two days ago.
Under no circumstances could Hikari be a test subject for the Sage Mark right now.
"Go call Tsunade here," Tobirama Senju suggested after a moment of thought, looking at Kakashi.
As one of the Sannin alongside Jiraiya, Tsunade was clearly qualified. She had the chakra control, the physical strength, and the willpower. Although she once suffered from hemophobia, she had long since overcome it. That experience of conquering her inner fears had only made her will even more unshakable.
"No," Kakashi countered immediately. "Tsunade already possesses the Strength of a Hundred Seal. Adding two more Yin Seals on top of that could lead to unpredictable complications."
"That... is a point I overlooked," Tobirama admitted, frowning slightly. "Then who else is there?"
Hikari, standing beside Kakashi, took his arm and asked, "What about Guy?"
Kakashi voiced a name that surprised everyone. "Guy."
"But Guy will need time," Kakashi added.
When it came to willpower or physical strength, no one could claim to surpass Might Guy. Not even Hashirama Senju or Madara Uchiha. However, there was one catch.
Chakra control.
That was Guy's weakness, which was why Kakashi said he would need time. But if Might Guy could overcome that flaw, his strength would skyrocket exponentially with the addition of the Sage Mark!
In fact, they might even need to raise the Sage Mark's limit specifically for Guy. Otherwise, the mark might not be able to withstand the massive power surge brought on by the Eight Inner Gates.
"Guy, huh..."
"He is indeed an extremely suitable candidate." Hiruzen Sarutobi gave Kakashi a thoughtful look.
Rather than just wanting Guy to have the Sage Mark, Hiruzen suspected Kakashi was using his authority to secure more power for his best friend. But then again, that was just Kakashi's character.
"In that case, let's call it a day."
"I'll go find Guy."
Since the Hokage had spoken, the others had no objections and began to depart. Only Tobirama Senju remained standing there for a moment, looking down at the palm of his hand.
His time was running out...
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