--- If you enjoy my translations and want to read ahead, support me on Patreon for early access to extra chapters! :D p@treon . com/c/Nykolas831 ---
"What's wrong, Kazekaze?" Seeing Kazekaze frozen in place, Fukasaku thought he was scared. "If you don't want to, there's no need to force it."
The toads of Mount Myoboku, Hiruzen, and the others all turned their heads to watch Kazekaze. They all thought he was feeling fear at this crucial step. That's why he hadn't moved forward. However, the truth was that Kazekaze had already mastered Sage Mode through the recent checkpoint. And it was Naruto's perfect version.
'If I tell them I've learned Sage Mode, Fukasaku and the others will be shocked.'"But..." Kazekaze hesitated for a moment. If he just gave up and left Mount Myoboku, he wouldn't dampen their spirits. But he feared he would be labeled as weak. Moreover, Hiruzen and the others were watching. No matter what, he couldn't just walk away.
Kazekaze looked around. He was now the center of attention, full of expectations. "Forget it." Kazekaze shook his head, tossed his cloak to Hiruzen, and quickly walked to Fukasaku's side.
Seeing Kazekaze's determination, Fukasaku said no more. He dipped a finger in some toad oil and applied it to Kazekaze's arm. If too much toad oil was applied, Kazekaze might absorb too much natural energy at once. A slight mistake could turn him into a statue. So Fukasaku was extremely careful. "Alright, now you can sense natural energy."
Then, Fukasaku demonstrated, gripping a black rod tightly, ready to strike Kazekaze. Actually, Kazekaze didn't want this. But he had no choice. Fukasaku had pushed him to this point. He had to act.
Hiruzen, Danzo, Koharu, and En all held their breath, not daring to blink. Afraid something might happen to Kazekaze.
"Fukasaku-sama, is it really okay? Natural energy is so dangerous, won't Kazekaze turn into a statue..." Koharu couldn't help but ask Fukasaku, worried about Kazekaze's safety.
Fukasaku glanced at Koharu, smiled, and said, "Don't worry, if it comes to that, I'll stop Kazekaze from turning into a statue.""That's reassuring."
Fukasaku then focused intently on Kazekaze, ensuring nothing unexpected happened. Kazekaze clapped his hands and closed his eyes slightly. Thanks to the reward he just received, Kazekaze could easily enter a still state. He didn't even need to use toad oil to sense the natural energy gathering around him. However, his body was only seven years old. His chakra was pitifully scarce. Not enough to absorb natural energy and refine Sage Chakra. So...
Kazekaze began using Hashirama Chakra. "Hmm?" Fukasaku frowned, worried Kazekaze might absorb too much natural energy and turn into a statue. His attention was fully on Kazekaze. But to his surprise, Kazekaze's chakra began to increase. Yet his body showed no obvious signs of frog transformation. The stark contrast left Fukasaku stunned.
For a moment, Fukasaku began to worry about Kazekaze. He gripped the black rod tighter. Fukasaku had never seen a situation like Kazekaze's. Even the ninjas who came to Mount Myoboku to learn Sage Arts. None had been like Kazekaze. What was going on? For a moment, Fukasaku was flustered. Why was Kazekaze like this?
Kazekaze, however, didn't care about the reactions of those around him or the toads. He was completely immersed in the natural energy. He first refined some Hashirama Chakra, then merged it with the natural energy absorbed into his body, transforming it into something called Sage Chakra. Kazekaze could feel his body growing stronger bit by bit. Then, orange-yellow eye shadows began to appear at the corners of his eyes. Almost identical to Uzumaki Naruto's perfect Sage Mode.
Fukasaku's eyes widened, drawn to Kazekaze's eyes, momentarily stunned. That change... Could it be... This kid Kazekaze... Really learned Sage Arts? And entered Sage Mode? No... Impossible. Fukasaku shook his head, unable to accept this reality. Absolutely impossible. Sage Arts are such difficult ninjutsu. Many spend their entire lives without mastering them. How could a seven-year-old kid like Kazekaze suddenly learn Sage Mode!
Even I took decades to achieve what I have now. And now, a seven-year-old kid surpasses me so easily? This is too outrageous! Fukasaku's toad eyes were as wide as a cow's. He couldn't accept this fact! Yet, Kazekaze, amidst Fukasaku's shock, entered the most perfect Sage Mode.
Then, Kazekaze slowly opened his eyes and blinked. He wasn't sure if it was his imagination, but when he looked at Fukasaku and the others again, his vision had noticeably changed. "So these are frog eyes." Although frog eyes aren't as powerful as Sharingan, Byakugan, or Rinnegan, they are stronger than human eyes. Especially in this Sage Mode state. It made Kazekaze feel incredible. He could feel a continuous surge of power within him. "So this is Sage Mode." Kazekaze couldn't help but marvel.
Behind him, Gamabunta was utterly stunned, unable to accept what he was seeing. He took a deep breath and asked Fukasaku, "F-Fukasaku-sama, Kazekaze couldn't have really learned Sage Arts, could he?" Even Gamabunta's voice trembled. It took him a long time to form a complete sentence. Because this news was too shocking for the toads! Gamabunta couldn't understand. Couldn't accept it. The Sage Arts he didn't even dare to attempt. Kazekaze learned it just like that? Are the kids in the human world all this terrifying? Terrifying. Humans... So terrifying.
"Ah, this..." Fukasaku was stunned, speechless, not knowing what to say. No matter how he looked at it, Kazekaze had indeed entered Sage Mode. Moreover, Fukasaku was always good at sensing chakra. After multiple confirmations, Kazekaze's body was indeed filled with a large amount of Sage Chakra.
"In this mode, only the eyes have transformed into frog eyes, simply...""It's perfect." Fukasaku was completely amazed by Kazekaze's talent!