Morning came quietly.
Sunlight streamed through the open window, gentle. Butterflies fluttered past. Flowers swayed in the breeze. It was a beautiful day.
A five-year-old boy rubbed his eyes, climbed onto the windowsill, and looked toward the distance.
There, carved into the mountain, stood the Hokage Rock.
And on top of it were… two adults and two youths.
They were twisting their bodies strangely atop the Hokage Rock.
The boy blinked.
"Mom." He asked innocently, "Why won't you let me look at Hokage Rock? What are those two uncles doing?"
His mother followed his gaze, froze for half a second, then calmly closed the window.
"They're exercising."
"But why aren't they wearing clothes?"
"…They're getting closer to nature."
"Oh." The boy said thoughtfully. "I see."
…
Later that evening, the boy was severely punished for leading a group of children in an enthusiastic sunset dance he called The Seaweed Style.
He never understood what he had done wrong.
That boy's name was Hatake. And this question haunted him for many years.
Garfield's theory was simple, but profound.
To enter a higher, more stable Sage Mode without being hollowed out by nature energy, one must first truly connect with the power of heaven and earth.
Feel it.
Accept it.
Communicate with it.
Then use it.
Nature energy was not something to be consumed… it merely passed through the user before returning to its original state.
This explanation left Hashirama and Tobirama stunned. After a long silence, Hashirama nodded firmly.
Then, without hesitation, he dragged Tobirama and their two apprentices straight to Hokage Rock to 'practice.'
This incident was later listed among the Top Ten Unspoken Taboos of Konoha. It was strictly forbidden to discuss.
Naturally, stories spread anyway.
Under the blazing sun atop Hokage Rock, two teenage boys trembled slightly, sweat pouring down their bodies.
"It's… really hot." One muttered.
After half an hour, they finally collapsed to sit and drink water.
"Monkey." Shimura Danzō asked quietly, "Why did Master tell us to train like this?"
Sarutobi Hiruzen hesitated. "I don't know. But I heard this is an extremely advanced method."
"Only the First Hokage and our master can do it," Hiruzen added seriously.
"…That actually sounds reasonable."
"…Yeah."
"Then let's work hard."
"Alright."
Having successfully convinced Danzō, Hiruzen began to wonder inwardly…
Can dancing like seaweed on Hokage Rock really bring one closer to nature and unlock higher chakra?
At that moment, a loud shout came from behind them. "MOVE, GET OUT OF THE WAY!"
Two enormous figures charged forward, each carrying a massive stone pillar.
It was Kumatō and Kumajirō.
"CAN'T STOP!"
"What?!" Danzō and Hiruzen panicked and instinctively grabbed each other's hands to dodge.
Unfortunately…
One ran left.
The other ran right.
Still holding hands. Their strengths were equal, and for a fatal moment, neither let go.
"RUN, DANZŌ!"
"RUN, MONKEY!"
BOOM!
One blow sent Hiruzen flying, and another knocked Danzō off balance.
The two were launched straight off Hokage Rock… still holding hands.
They tumbled together down the mountainside, only to be rescued at the last moment by vigilant guards stationed below.
No one was seriously injured, but the damage was done. Within two days, a new legend spread through Konoha.
It was said that Sarutobi Hiruzen and Shimura Danzō, unable to gain the blessings of their masters, Hashirama and Tobirama, had chosen to hold hands and leap from Hokage Rock together to prove their resolve.
The tale was officially denied.
Repeatedly. Which, of course, only made it more believable.
꧁𓊈𒆜༺⚜༻𒆜𓊉꧂
PhantomDream