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After witnessing Fukasaku's performance, Hiruzen finally realized why Kazekaze was so obsessed with Sage Mode, going so far as to come to Mount Myoboku. Even a toad as small as Fukasaku could gain such exaggerated power after using Sage Mode. If Kazekaze mastered Sage Mode, what terrifying power would he possess?
Forget Kazekaze, even Hiruzen himself, after seeing Sage Mode, wanted to experience it. The power of Sage Chakra. After Fukasaku fused with Sage Chakra, he became one with nature, enhancing his sensory abilities exponentially. Fukasaku noticed Kazekaze and the others without even looking at them.
However, Fukasaku wasn't in a hurry to speak with Kazekaze and the others. He focused on the stone statue in his hands, lifting it fifty times before slowly placing it on the ground. Fukasaku now was much younger than when he taught Naruto. Naturally, his stamina was much better than it was then. Even with such intense exercise, Fukasaku's breathing remained steady. After placing the statue down, Fukasaku turned around and hopped over to Kazekaze and the others.
"Lord Fukasaku," Gamabunta explained hastily. "These humans are all ninja from the Hidden Leaf Village. They came to Mount Myoboku to learn Sage Mode. Among them, the youngest is the grandson of the First Hokage!"
Such shocking news even made Fukasaku pause. Even now, Fukasaku was well aware of the legendary name of Hashirama Senju.
"Hello, my name is Kazekaze," Kazekaze introduced himself and then introduced Hiruzen and the others. Fukasaku, on the other hand, looked at Kazekaze in disbelief. As the second most knowledgeable being in Mount Myoboku after the Great Toad Sage, Fukasaku had a deep understanding of the human world. Kazekaze appeared to be only six or seven years old. In terms of Mount Myoboku's toads, Kazekaze was clearly still in the tadpole stage. Suddenly wanting to learn Sage Mode, this was too outrageous.
"Sage Mode isn't easy to learn," Fukasaku glanced at the frog statue beside him and then asked Kazekaze and the others, "Do you know where these statues come from?"
Hiruzen and the others shook their heads, indicating they didn't know. From the outside, these statues looked lifelike, as if they could come to life at any moment. Such realistic statues must have been crafted by a master. However, when Hiruzen voiced his guess, Fukasaku shook his head solemnly, denying Hiruzen's assumption.
"Impossible. These statues are all failures of those who couldn't master Sage Mode. Among them are toads from Mount Myoboku and ninja from the human world."
Gamabunta, hearing this, nodded in agreement with Fukasaku, "I told you, failing to learn Sage Mode turns you into stone. Now you believe me, right? That's why I say Sage Mode is dangerous, even I don't dare to try it lightly!"
Seeing the bloody lesson, Hiruzen and the others' desire to learn Sage Mode was greatly diminished. Although they wanted to learn this jutsu, turning into a statue was something they wanted to avoid. Only Kazekaze remained calm after Fukasaku's words. Because he already knew about this. Moreover, he knew that Fukasaku had a black rod. As long as he grasped the power of the black rod, he could expel the natural energy from his body in time, ensuring he wouldn't turn into a statue.
And who was he? The grandson of the First Hokage. The most connected person in the Hidden Leaf Village. Even Mount Myoboku would give him face. If he requested to learn Sage Mode, Fukasaku surely wouldn't hold back.
"But why do they turn into statues?" Koharu looked around, startled by the number of statues.
"Sage Mode is about absorbing the natural energy present in this world," Fukasaku explained to Koharu. To him, the principle of Sage Mode wasn't a secret. Because learning Sage Mode was extremely difficult, and if one wasn't careful, they'd turn into a statue. Even if the method of practicing Sage Mode was made public, those who couldn't learn it still wouldn't be able to.
"Since you're all ninja, you should know that Chakra is a special energy formed by fusing the physical energy and spiritual energy within the body, right?" Fukasaku asked.
Hiruzen and the others exchanged glances and nodded. They were naturally aware of the principle of Chakra.
"Hmm," Fukasaku nodded in satisfaction, at least knowing he wasn't talking to a wall. This made the explanation much easier. "And Sage Chakra is the fusion of physical energy, spiritual energy, and natural energy absorbed from the outside world. By fusing these three energies in a certain ratio, you can obtain Sage Chakra. However, the entire process is based on the premise of becoming one with nature. In other words, you must first become part of nature to sense natural energy and absorb it into your body."
Fukasaku took a deep breath, hands behind his back, looking at the statues on either side of the path, his tone filled with a sense of lament. "However, natural energy is dangerous. Once you absorb too much, you'll become a part of nature. Which means turning into stone."
Upon hearing this, Hiruzen and the others couldn't help but gasp, amazed by the power of natural energy and its dangers. For a moment, Koharu decided to give up. She initially wanted to learn Sage Mode with Kazekaze. But now, she decided to abandon that thought.
Fukasaku had already anticipated Hiruzen and the others' reactions. After all, they weren't the only ninja who came to Mount Myoboku seeking Sage Mode. However, Fukasaku soon noticed. Even after describing the dangers of Sage Mode, Kazekaze's eyes remained clear and bright. There was no confusion. Nor was there any fear. His heart was calm. As if he didn't consider turning into a statue a big deal.
Among all those who visited Mount Myoboku to learn Sage Mode, Kazekaze... was the calmest and most confident. And remarkably, he looked only six or seven years old.
'Perhaps this is what they call a fearless young calf,' Fukasaku thought with a smile. Then he advised Kazekaze, "So, learning Sage Mode is truly dangerous. I suggest you wait until you're older. Then come here to try learning Sage Mode. For now, Sage Mode is too early for you," Fukasaku said with a smile.
But who would have thought, Kazekaze shook his head firmly, "I'm not little anymore, I'm seven years old!"