"Lord Haseo, when it comes to learning Sage Art, the only real advantage you have might be your chakra reserves. In fact, in recent years, this advantage has become even more evident."
As Haseo was heading with Katsuyu toward the depths of Shikkotsu Forest—the "training ground"—she spoke to him like this.
To harness natural energy, those who use Sage Art typically need huge amounts of chakra—the more, the better. In that aspect, Haseo could indeed earn Katsuyu's praise.
"Yeah. My body has a unique physiological condition, which gives my chakra high growth potential. As for spiritual power… well, no need to elaborate further since my physical condition keeps improving as well.
Ultimately, I'm still a mage. While my base chakra reserves are just average, its growth coefficient seems quite impressive.
I believe soon I won't need the Nine-Tails' chakra anymore."
Haseo's personal chakra reserves were already considerable, recently reaching a level where he had begun contemplating removing the 'external module' of the Nine-Tails. Nobody wants to cheat these days—it damages your rep and invites serious backlash.
Haseo constantly faced the issue of self-erosion, an effect that intensified his chakra. Long ago, Haseo himself couldn't even control the massive overflow of chakra, which prompted Katsuyu to help him drain some of it off.
Once Haseo mastered Sage Mode, both the Nine-Tails' chakra and his own chakra sealing formula could truly become obsolete relics.
The "support system" that had accompanied Lord Haseo's ninja career for such a long time would finally soon be unnecessary. The aftereffect caused by the Second Hokage's sealing jutsu was now on the verge of resolution.
Guided by Katsuyu, Haseo arrived at the center of that ancient training ground, preparing to make an important attempt as requested.
"Ready, Lord Haseo? The chakra left behind by Lord Hashirama is extremely limited, so this will be a precious consumable resource—one sealed within this gemstone, enough for only a few attempts. You must seize this opportunity."
In Haseo's memory, the sealed First Hokage's chakra had previously activated itself due to the Nine-Tails Jinchuriki's out-of-control state. However, he didn't know how to actively break the seal on the pendant's gemstone.
But Katsuyu seemed to know exactly what to do next.
"I understand."
So Haseo gave a firm nod. The First Hokage's chakra was naturally just a consumable item—it merely served to guide him toward achieving "Sage Mode." What Haseo needed to do was keenly feel every detail of this guidance process with his body, striving to complete that final step into "Sage Mode" independently, without relying on the First's chakra.
It was all about hands-on learning—so sensory experience was absolutely vital.
Entering Sage Mode and then using Sage Art will definitely be different from what Haseo did before, when he accidentally mixed Sage Chakra directly into his jutsu.
"Wait a second..."
"Hold on," Katsuyu was just about to announce the start of the training, but Haseo suddenly recalled something and stopped her.
"Is there another problem, Lord Haseo?"
"I really just remembered an important issue... When borrowing the First Hokage's chakra, won't his consciousness surface? I don't want to get suddenly startled by a tangible manifestation of mental energy within the chakra."
Chakra—essentially mental energy—is closely tied to its owner's consciousness. As long as a ninja's chakra still exists, even if he's been dead for a long time, his death isn't really that complete... After all, even the dead in this world refuse to stay buried—they always find a way to make their presence known.
"Lord Haseo, your thinking tends to wander too much, often unnecessarily... Are you ready?"
Obviously, Katsuyu didn't believe the First Hokage's consciousness would simply surface like that.
Katsuyu's words eased Haseo's concerns somewhat, though deep down, he felt a hint of disappointment... The First Hokage seemed like a fascinating person, and Haseo had a kind of familial connection with him, so if the other's consciousness did appear, perhaps they could actually have a proper conversation.
"Understood. This time there truly is no problem. I'm ready now, Katsuyu, we can begin."
Haseo took a deep breath and joined both hands together in front of him.
What he was about to do wasn't any different than usual—merely gathering natural energy again, trying to synthesize a large amount of Sage Chakra, and thus entering Sage Mode.
The difference lay in the fact that during this process, Katsuyu would inject the First Hokage's chakra into his body, using the special affinity between the First's chakra and natural energy to help Haseo take that final step.
"Begin."
Instantly, a vast amount of natural energy surged around Haseo.
Initially, he could barely touch this unstable, highly dangerous, and destructive energy unless Katsuyu assisted him. But now, Haseo could instantly gather massive amounts of natural energy entirely by himself.
As for the hardships involved... Don't ask. Haseo wouldn't admit to them either—he'd only say it was effortless and stylish how he completed such training.
The current challenge, however, remained that Haseo still found it quite difficult controlling all this natural energy.
At that moment, a mighty, abundant, and refined chakra erupted before Haseo's eyes. Immediately afterwards, it was absorbed by Katsuyu and then injected through her body into Haseo's meridians.
Haseo had long been exposed to Nine-Tails' chakra, yet even so, the First Hokage's chakra astonished him. In terms of quality, even Senju Hashirama's "normal" state chakra surpassed Nine-Tails'... Is he even human?
Haseo had finally experienced firsthand just a tiny fraction of the immense power possessed by the legendary First Hokage.
Likewise, one could estimate the strength of the First's greatest rival—Madara Uchiha—as well.
As that indescribably powerful chakra coursed through his body, Haseo immediately felt a sudden sense of relief—as if water vapor rising under the scorching sun or mountain stream flowing downward, the natural energy naturally adhered to him without deliberate control, harmonizing smoothly with both his spirit and physical form.
For a long time, Haseo had always found learning Sage Art a painful experience. But now, he finally realized that manipulating natural energy could actually feel exquisite and pleasant.
Savoring this process carefully while continuously reflecting on it, he was just about to fully grasp that feeling when—it vanished…
The transformation process ended, leaving its result clearly visible upon Haseo's body.
He could hardly believe it, gripping his fist uncertainly. How should he describe this feeling…
It was like someone who'd always thought he was just another Earthling suddenly went "Super Saiyan." To a ninja, Sage Mode wasn't exactly a "transformation"—it felt more like a full-on power boost.
So then—had the crucial mark appeared?
Haseo slowly stepped forward until stopping before a lake.
Then, by looking at his reflection on the water surface, he saw his current face.
A central dot within a circle marked his forehead's brow area; bright red "eyeshadow" surrounded his eyes; two red "strips," thickening near the nose wings then gradually thinning outwards diagonally downwards; even longer red arcs crossing across his cheeks extending all the way to earlines...
These were the "Sage Facial Markings"—proof that Haseo had truly entered Sage Mode. However, compared to excitement, what hit him first was panic.
His breath caught sharply—he recognized this facial pattern!
Katsuyu, you said the First Hokage's chakra was fine? Isn't this exactly the First Hokage's "[Sage Facial Pattern]"? And didn't this world have a tendency for the dead to cause problems easily?!
However, soon after, those red markings representing Sage Mode began fading from Haseo's face. The patterns along his cheeks retracted toward the eye sockets, and the eyeshadow gradually lightened before vanishing entirely.
The red circle in the center of his forehead turned black first, and then—almost like it had reached a breaking point—it flipped into a sharp white spot.
Following that, the central dot expanded outward continuously while the upper section of the ring started disappearing gradually.
When all changes finally ceased, what showed up on the water reflection should now truly be his personal "Sage Facial Markings."
But despite no longer looking threatening, Haseo stayed quiet for a long moment before finally letting out a groan:
"I get it now…
From now on, I'm officially 'Goddess of the Bright Moon' — Haseo Yu."
<><><><><><><><>
Thank you for reading! Your support will keep me updating!
~ Every 50 Powerstones = **4 Bonus Chapters** this weekend!
<><><><><><><><>
~ 100+ Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon!
~ More *Free* Chapters and Books Available on Patreon!
patreon.com/Tansnovel
<><><><><><><><>