Chapter 39 – The Flying Slash of Sage Mode
Atop a steep, hidden cliff in Mount Myōboku—a place unknown to most—stood Hatake Kyūjō.
With a swift swing of his ninja blade, he carved a wide, deep hole into the rocky surface. The slash gouged more than ten meters into the earth, slicing through stone like it was paper.
This was the training ground he'd chosen.
Without wasting another moment, Kyūjō lowered himself into the crater, crossing his legs and sitting in perfect stillness. There, on the edge of the world, he calmed his body and stilled his mind.
Then, he released the full extent of his consciousness.
Harnessing the power of Infinity, he reached out—merging himself with the thick, rich Natural Energy that saturated the entire region of Mount Myōboku.
— — —
What exactly is Sage Mode?
Sage Mode is a special state in which the user absorbs balanced amounts of Natural Energy into their body, forming a new kind of power—Senjutsu Chakra—a tier above regular chakra.
In this mode, the user can draw on the force of nature itself, vastly enhancing their strength, speed, durability, and perception.
Even Taijutsu becomes more devastating—strikes gain extended reach and destructive power. Sensory abilities sharpen dramatically.
But more importantly, Senjutsu Chakra holds a unique advantage—it can harm Ten-Tails Jinchūriki and even beings modified by Ōtsutsuki power.
In short, it's a force that can wound enemies on par with the Sage of Six Paths.
Senjutsu Energy rivals even Six Paths power.
In fact, during the great war of the past, the Great Toad Sage himself had played a critical role in sealing away Ōtsutsuki Kaguya—thanks to the overwhelming might of his Senjutsu.
— — —
Once the initial stage of Sage Mode training is completed, the user's body begins to change.
One of the most distinct features is the emergence of a dark pigment pattern around the eyes—a so-called "face mask" that marks the success of Sage Mode mastery.
In the original tale, Naruto learned Sage Mode with the help of a special toad oil unique to Mount Myōboku. This oil heightened his sensitivity to Natural Energy, allowing him to perceive and eventually absorb it naturally.
Once his body adapted, he no longer needed the oil and could draw in Nature Energy on his own.
From that, it became clear—the hardest part of Sage Mode wasn't the absorption itself.
It was the ability to sense Natural Energy in the first place.
And that... was where Hatake Kyūjō had a distinct advantage.
His Infinity perception allowed him to sense everything. No matter what world he found himself reincarnated into, as long as he had time, he would always reach the summit of that world.
Even as a newborn in his mother's arms, from the moment he first tried manipulating chakra, Kyūjō had already sensed the faint presence of Natural Energy flowing alongside it.
But back then, his understanding of Sage Mode and chakra composition had been shallow.
Now—after receiving the Great Toad Sage's complete Sage Mode Experience Pack—he understood everything.
— — —
Six hours passed.
In that time, invisible torrents of Natural Energy rushed in like a flood, pulled in from hundreds of meters around him. The energy merged with Kyūjō's body, flowing endlessly into the depths of his being.
A golden glow wrapped around him like a divine flame.
The glowing mark on his forehead radiated light.
He had done it—Hatake Kyūjō had officially entered the first stage of Sage Mode and attained a temporary form of the Sage Body.
Feeling the purity of Senjutsu Chakra flowing through him, replacing his normal chakra, Kyūjō nodded in quiet satisfaction.
But he wasn't surprised by his speed.
According to the Great Toad Sage's memories, even Ōtsutsuki Hagoromo—the Sage of Six Paths—had taken only one day to complete his training.
So for Kyūjō, someone armed with a multiversal cheat and a direct memory package from the Great Toad Sage himself, finishing the first stage in six hours wasn't just fast—it was expected.
— — —
Still, this was only the beginning.
This was Mount Myōboku—one of the Three Great Sacred Grounds of the ninja world. Here, Natural Energy was hundreds of times denser than anywhere else.
Sure, Kyūjō could absorb it rapidly thanks to his insane mental capacity, a body refined by years of Haki training, and his flawless Infinity perception.
But all of that relied on being here, in this sacred land.
What about when he left?
Out there in the real world, Natural Energy was sparse. Even with his abilities, maintaining Sage Mode for long periods—or achieving a full Sage Body—would be difficult.
That's why no one—Hashirama, Jiraiya, or even future Naruto—had ever achieved permanent Sage Mode outside the sacred lands.
Their minds and bodies couldn't sustain the form long enough.
But Kyūjō?
His mental energy and physical strength had already transcended human limits. They felt... infinite.
If he wanted to make Sage Mode permanent beyond Mount Myōboku, there was only one way: increase the efficiency of Natural Energy absorption.
Which brought him back to his previous idea—modifying his Breathing Techniques.
What if he could enhance them to actively draw in Natural Energy from the air, like lungs inhaling oxygen?
Kyūjō was already forming a blueprint for a version 4.0 of his Breathing Style—customized to function as a living energy collector.
It would take time. Refining such a technique couldn't happen overnight.
But for now, the next stages of his training could be carried out elsewhere.
— — —
As he pondered his technique, a thought surfaced—something long buried in memory.
In his past life, in a certain ancient Eastern civilization, there had been a concept: Jing, Qi, and Shen—Essence, Energy, and Spirit.
Jing was the body's essence.
Qi was the energy of nature.
Shen was the spiritual force that governed both.
And wasn't that... exactly what Sage Mode embodied?
If one could unify all three—wouldn't they become a true Sage?
Was it just coincidence, or something more?
Kyūjō smiled faintly and shook his head. Maybe it was just an old philosophical echo. He didn't dwell on it.
— — —
He rose from his seated position and leapt out of the hole with ease.
Reaching into his gear pouch, he pulled out the summoning contract scroll that Fukasaku had given him.
Without forming any hand seals, he let a thread of his spiritual energy flow into it.
Instantly, he could feel them.
The presence of every toad in the scroll surged into his mind—every name, every signature, even the Great Toad Sage himself.
They were all connected to him now.
That meant, if needed, Hatake Kyūjō could summon the Great Toad Sage himself into the ninja world.
But the chakra required to perform such a summoning was colossal—almost unimaginable.
And not just regular chakra. It had to be Senjutsu Chakra.
Even the Jinchūriki, despite their massive reserves, might not meet the requirements—unless they were already in Sage Mode. But even then, the act of summoning alone could drain them dry.
What good would it do to call forth a mighty ally if you were left unable to fight afterward?
For most enemies, summoning the Great Toad Sage would be excessive. Even against someone like Madara Uchiha in his Six Paths form, Kyūjō was confident his own Senjutsu Chakra would be more than enough to finish the battle without needing help.
"Unless I end up facing the Ōtsutsuki Clan... well, that old frog really wasn't stingy," Kyūjō muttered with a smirk, clearly amused.
Without overthinking it, Kyūjō selected one of the toads from the scroll—a particularly large one whose appearance caught his eye.
As the Senjutsu Chakra flowed from his body into the contract, a soft pop echoed in the air.
A burst of white smoke erupted.
And standing before him now was a massive toad—turquoise-green in color, twin swords strapped to its back, and a thick yellow belt wrapped proudly around its waist. It was nearly the same size as Gamabunta.
"A respectful greeting to the honored guest of Mount Myōboku. Is there anything Gamahiro can assist you with, Sir?" the dual-wielding toad said, bowing politely.
Kyūjō smiled gently. "Greetings, Gamahiro. I'd like to leave Mount Myōboku. Can you escort me back to the ninja world? Preferably straight to Konoha."
Gamahiro paused, visibly hesitant. "My apologies, Honored One. That... I cannot do. However, because you hold the special Mount Myōboku summoning contract, you are actually free to enter and leave this place as you wish."
"Oh?" Kyūjō raised an eyebrow. "Then how does it work?"
Even as he asked, his Infinity-fueled precognition had already simulated the method in his mind. Still, he waited patiently, allowing Gamahiro to explain everything step by step before he finally nodded in understanding.
"Thank you, Gamahiro."
His gaze then shifted to the large swords on the toad's back.
"You're a swordsman too, huh? Maybe fate brought us together. I think I'll be bothering you quite a bit from now on. As a token of goodwill... how about I teach you a technique today? Interested?"
"Hm?" Gamahiro tilted his head slightly, his eyes drifting toward the short blade hanging at Kyūjō's side...
In truth, he couldn't help but think: That tiny thing couldn't even serve as a toothpick for me, let alone a real weapon.
It wouldn't even scratch an itch.
But the one offering was a direct guest of the Great Toad Sage. Refusing outright would've been rude.
With some reluctance, Gamahiro nodded and accepted.
That nod... was the greatest compromise a straightforward toad like him could make.
Deep down, he wanted to protest, "Swords and techniques aren't just about looking cool!"
And yet—one day—Gamahiro would be very grateful he accepted this offer...
Kyūjō, of course, read his thoughts easily. But he didn't mind.
After all, the technique he was about to teach wasn't that crazy.
Just... slightly overpowered.
Really, just a bit.
He began to channel the overflowing Senjutsu Chakra through his entire body.
Technically speaking, chakra alone could fuel a Flying Slash—just as Haki could in other worlds. But to properly unleash such a technique required more than energy.
It required swordsmanship of the highest level—skills refined through countless battles and relentless training.
Today, Hatake Kyūjō would demonstrate what it meant to wield the blade as a true Swordmaster.
And he was curious...
How much could Gamahiro learn?
Would this dual-wielding toad become the first in history to step into the realm of the Grand Swordmaster?
— — —
With barely a breath, Kyūjō finished gathering energy. Standing tall atop the cliff, he lifted his blade.
He swung it casually—toward a mountain range far in the distance, nearly three kilometers away. The mountain itself loomed nearly a thousand meters high.
At that exact moment...
Elsewhere, in the quiet depths of Mount Myōboku, the Great Toad Sage—who had only just drifted into a nap—suddenly snapped his ancient eyes wide open.
Eyes that had seen the rise and fall of eras were now filled with sheer astonishment.
— — —
A faint zzzuuup sliced through the air.
An almost invisible arc of force exploded from Kyūjō's short sword, cutting the atmosphere in a perfect line.
The slash grew as it moved.
From just a few meters in length, it expanded—becoming a colossal Flying Slash, stretching hundreds of meters across.
It tore toward the distant mountain like a blade thrown by the heavens themselves.
From Gamahiro's perspective, the slash transformed into a sweeping sword wave nearly a kilometer tall. It seemed to rise from the earth and divide the sky.
A strike... worthy of a god.
BOOOOM.
BOOOOOM.
BOOOOOOOM.
— — —
The explosions echoed across the region.
The monstrous slash pierced the mountain cleanly, cutting from its southern base straight through to the north side. It cleaved the massive rock formation in half.
Then, the blade wave glided low across the land for dozens of meters before fading into the wind—as if it had never existed.
But the deep, wide scar carved into the heart of the mountain remained.
If not for that, Gamahiro might've thought it was all just a hallucination.
Kyūjō calmly sheathed his ninja blade and turned to face the distant temple where the Great Toad Sage resided.
He gave Gamahiro a quiet nod.
"That mountain's layout wasn't ideal. I opened a path through it—it'll be easier for you all to travel now. No need to climb or take the long way around."
"Oh, and don't worry about the other toads living in that mountain. I adjusted the trajectory so it wouldn't touch a single one."
But Gamahiro... couldn't speak.
His brain had stopped functioning.
That kind of sword technique? Him? Learn it?
What kind of frog did he think he was...?
And yet... if a sword slash could be that powerful...
Gamahiro's eyes gleamed with new light—golden sparks igniting in both pupils.
A sheepish grin spread across his face as he looked up at Kyūjō, eyes brimming with admiration.
That technique... he wanted to learn it more than anything.
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