Akio Carefully Studied His Perfect Sage Mode
In this state, Akio's control over senjutsu chakra felt as natural as moving his own limbs. In the past, whenever he entered Sage Mode, his senjutsu chakra would slowly leak away unless he actively used techniques. But now, he could theoretically maintain Sage Mode indefinitely.
Of course, he had no intention of doing that, because…
"Someone this handsome with a cloak just doesn't fit into the world anymore."
That wasn't the only reason. Beneath his feet bounced his newly formed Truth-Seeking Orb, which he'd taken to calling his "black sphere."
When Sage Mode wasn't active, the orb's method of attack was simple and brutal: smash into things. Its power was impressive, but not overwhelming.
Its effective range capped at about seventy meters. At maximum output, its destructive force rivaled a Tailed Beast Aaronl he could fire in his normal state. The advantages were clear, it consumed almost no chakra and could freely change direction, making it extremely flexible.
But once Sage Mode was activated, the orb became something else entirely.
Not only did its destructive power multiply several dozen times over, it also gained a terrifying property: absolute untouchability.
Anyone lacking Six Paths–level power who made contact with it would suffer the same fate as touching a disintegration technique, slowly breaking down until nothing remained.
"Every technique I use is amplified," Akio murmured. "If I faced that Eight Gates enhanced eye technique again, I wouldn't need to push myself to the brink. I could defeat it head-on."
He bent down, picked up the orb, and absentmindedly ran his hands over its surface.
"Smooth as silk. Honestly, it feels better than petting a lazy housecat. Hard to believe this thing becomes a death sentence the moment I enter Sage Mode."
With a faint sigh, Akio stepped out of his personal space and reappeared at Kushina's front gate.
He'd formed the orb on the evening of March 1st. Now it was already the evening of May 1st. This breakthrough had taken him a full two months.
"These days, every major leap in strength means forcing my body past its limits," he muttered. "No wonder it takes so long."
As he turned around, he saw a familiar scene in the glow of the setting sun.
Kushina and Minato were walking toward him, each holding one of Naruto's hands.
Akio froze for a moment.
The three of them were equally surprised to see him.
Kushina recovered first. She looked him up and down, then fixed her gaze on the black sphere in his arms, her expression filled with sympathy.
Naruto snapped out of it too, his grin stretching ear to ear as he silently celebrated:
Serves you right for making me scrub the Hokage Monument!
Minato hesitated, then asked carefully,
"Elder… can you control that black sphere now?"
Akio nodded. He casually tossed the orb into the air, then began juggling it with his feet.
Left foot. Right foot. Cross-step. Back-heel tap.
Techniques straight out of his past life flowed naturally, leaving Naruto staring in open-mouthed amazement.
"Naruto," Akio asked with a grin, "want to try?"
Naruto's shining eyes answered for him.
Akio gently rolled the orb toward him. "Give it a kick."
Naruto lined up carefully, drew his leg back with all his strength, and swung.
Minato quietly turned his head away.
Thump.
"AAAH!"
Naruto collapsed, clutching his foot as tears welled up in his eyes.
Akio raised an eyebrow and called the orb back mid-flight.
"Looks like ball control isn't your strong suit."
"…So hard," Naruto muttered bitterly, rubbing his foot.
Kushina, completely unfazed, stepped forward and placed a hand on the orb.
"It really did get bigger. Still feels the same, though."
Akio chuckled and absorbed the orb back into his body.
"Enough playing. I actually called you all here for something important."
Minato picked Naruto up and opened the door. "Then please, come inside."
A New Sage
Once indoors, Akio's expression grew serious.
"Take a few steps back."
Sensing the change in atmosphere, Minato and Kushina immediately complied.
The next moment, a translucent, pale-white cloak formed around Akio's body, woven entirely from senjutsu chakra.
"Well?" Akio asked. "Pretty impressive, right?"
Minato and Kushina exchanged looks.
"Super cool, Great-Grandpa!" Naruto declared enthusiastically.
Akio paused.
"…Alright. Let's get to the point. You can tell what this cloak is made of, can't you?"
Minato nodded slowly. "That's… senjutsu chakra."
Akio smiled in satisfaction.
"Only someone with perfect control over Sage Mode can manifest this. From now on, you can call me Sage Akio."
Minato and Kushina exchanged looks again.
"…And?" Kushina asked.
Akio frowned slightly. Why wasn't anyone looking shocked?
"In this state," he continued, "I can teach Sage Mode directly. Anyone who wants to learn senjutsu won't need to travel to the legendary training lands anymore. They can just come to me."
This time, Kushina's eyes widened, she'd never trained in senjutsu before.
Akio laughed. "You were the first person I thought of."
After all, among those close to him, the only ones with the potential but no prior senjutsu training were Kushina and Konan.
Kushina smiled. "Then… how do I start?"
"Hold out your right hand."
"Wait," Minato interjected. "Sage training is dangerous, isn't it?"
Akio waved it off. "I'll be watching. Nothing will happen."
Reassured, Kushina extended her hand, only for Minato to add:
"Failures at Mount Myōboku turn into stone statues."
She immediately yanked her hand back.
Akio shot Minato a look, then turned to Kushina with an easy smile.
After a long moment, she took a breath and extended her hand again. "I trust you."
Akio nodded approvingly. He placed his palm lightly over the back of her hand. When he lifted it away, a pale circular mark remained.
"This is perfectly controlled senjutsu chakra. Unlike the old methods, there's no risk of imbalance. All you need to do is draw in natural energy and merge it through this seal."
"As for how to sense natural energy," he added dryly, "Minato can teach you. I… never actually learned that part myself."
Kushina closed her eyes and focused. Minato, seeing no immediate danger, finally relaxed.
Akio canceled Sage Mode and watched thoughtfully.
"I wonder if her appearance will change when she enters my version of Sage Mode…"
After a while, Kushina opened her eyes and nodded. Everything felt stable.
"Oh, right," she said. "There are two things you should know."
"The Akatsuki will hold their first official gathering in about half a month. Konoha is observing for now and plans to send scouts. Nagato wants to know how Uzushiogakure should respond."
Akio nodded. "And the other?"
Kushina smiled awkwardly.
"Tsunade's casino is on the verge of collapse… and Grandma Mito can't keep things under control anymore."
Akio's mouth twitched.
Then he vanished.
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