Chapter 356: 356 – Sage Mode Training!

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A new day—Wednesday.

Kitazawa arrived early at the ANBU base.

Yesterday, he had briefed Kurenai about the Giant Clam summoning beast, but Gato’s shipping company had still failed to locate it. At this rate, they probably never would.

Only one solution remained.

Use Edo-Tensei to resurrect Hōzuki Gengetsu and force him to summon the Giant Clam.

Conveniently, Kitazawa had already mastered Edo-Tensei as a system reward.

The real problem? Edo Tensei required a fragment of the target’s physical body.

Gengetsu was long dead.

Meaning Kitazawa would have to sneak into the Hidden Mist… and dig up his corpse.

In the ninja world, meddling with the dead was one of the most taboo acts imaginable. If Konoha discovered it—or worse, if the Mist did—both his and the village’s reputations would take a heavy blow.

Kitazawa didn’t care too much about face, but having a respectable image did help smooth out countless situations.

Until the day he stood unmatched in the world, he couldn’t afford to act without restraint.

Besides, he had his own lines he preferred not to cross.

If not for the Giant Clam, he wouldn’t consider Edo Tensei at all.

But a technique unused was a technique wasted.

Ahem.

After careful thought, Kitazawa decided the best solution was simple:

Let the Akatsuki handle the dirty work.

At this stage, Akatsuki would do anything for money—and, more importantly, they were far more efficient than Konoha’s ANBU.

And he didn’t even need to pay.

The Akatsuki—or more specifically, Konan—still owed him a considerable amount of unpaid compensation.

“Konan.”

Kitazawa entered the office. “I have a mission I want your organization to take on.”

Konan stood. “What mission?”

“I need the physical remains of the Second Mizukage, Hōzuki Gengetsu,” Kitazawa said simply. “Just a piece of the corpse will do.”

Konan blinked, momentarily stunned.

Akatsuki had accepted all kinds of strange commissions over the years…but stealing part of a Kage’s corpse was a first, even for them.

“I understand,” Konan finally said. “I’ll return to headquarters today and arrange for someone to retrieve it.”

“You didn’t even ask about the reward?” Kitazawa smirked. “You answered so fast I almost thought Akatsuki had turned into ANBU.”

“You’ve helped the Akatsuki greatly. Payment isn’t necessary.”

Konan shook her head.

“What a pity you’re not a Konoha shinobi,” Kitazawa sighed.

She was competent, calm, and capable—the perfect Hokage’s secretary.

Perhaps not now, but someday… Konan froze for a second, lips parting slightly, though no words came out.

“Let me know as soon as it’s done,” Kitazawa said. “Try to complete it before Saturday.”

“Understood.” She composed herself. “I’ll head out now. See you tomorrow.”

After watching her leave, Kitazawa made his way to the Ninja Academy.

“Kitazawa-senpai.”

Iruka was waiting outside his office with a thick stack of papers.

“These are the test papers for the Genius Class theory exam.”

“Time really flies. End of term already,” Kitazawa said.

“Well, you did spend half a month away in the Land of Demons,” Iruka joked as he opened the door.

“Fair point.”

Kitazawa sat down and opened the test papers—but suddenly recalled something.

“Iruka.”

“Yes, Kitazawa-senpai?”

“The Land of Demons’ Priestess, Shion, wants to join the Genius Class. Please take care of her enrollment.”

“…Huh?”

Iruka stared at him.

The Priestess of the Land of Demons—the equivalent of a daimyo-level figure—attending Konoha’s Academy?

Even if he told people, no one would believe him.

“She should arrive at the classroom soon. After the paperwork is done, bring her to the training field so she can meet the others.”

“Understood.”

Iruka managed to recover his composure and hurried off.

Kitazawa began reviewing the exam papers.

Iruka had drafted them all, but as vice principal and the head instructor of the Genius Class, Kitazawa needed to check them.

After two or three years of working under Kitazawa’s guidance, Iruka was no longer the inexperienced Academy instructor he used to be.

Kitazawa finished reviewing the exam papers. Not a single error.

In the original timeline, Iruka eventually rose to become Principal of the Academy—a testament to his skill as an educator… though Naruto becoming Hokage certainly helped.

Setting the papers aside, Kitazawa shifted his focus to the upcoming practical exam.

He had already led all top eighteen students of the Genius Class through at least two mission simulations each. It was time to mix things up.

As he planned the groupings, his thoughts drifted back to Gengetsu.

Using Edo Tensei just to summon the Giant Clam felt wasteful.

Why not make Gengetsu the target of the practical exam?

Kitazawa was using the original Edo Tensei—meaning the resurrected Gengetsu would possess less than half of his original power. That level would be perfect for training high-potential students.

Of course, even at half power, Gengetsu was still the Second Mizukage—deep combat experience, dangerous ninjutsu, and deadly instincts.

Only two students could realistically serve as the main combatants: Uzumaki Naruto and Uchiha Sasuke.

The others were not yet at the appropriate level.

As for Yakumo… she was out of the question. Throwing Mangekyō-level Genjutsu into the mix would be pure chaos.

Kitazawa rubbed his chin.

After thinking it over, he settled on a small adjustment:

Sasuke, Naruto, and Hinata.

They had traveled with him to the Land of Demons, but they hadn’t truly fought there.

Mōryō and the undead army had been wiped out by Kitazawa’s Wood Release before they got a chance to exert themselves.

He picked up a pen and began forming the exam groups.

Before long, six new teams were organized.

Kitazawa checked the time and headed to the training grounds.

The training field was buzzing with energy—and the reason was obvious.

Shion.

To the Genius Class students, both the Land of Demons and its priestess were rare and fascinating topics.

Shion didn’t grow irritated even after being asked the same questions repeatedly. Instead, she answered everything patiently.

In the Land of Demons, she’d had almost no one to talk to—this was a brand-new experience.

Of course, some students kept their distance.

Such as Hinata.

The moment she spotted Kitazawa, she hurried over.

“I still have matters to handle,” Kitazawa said, patting her head gently before walking away.

He found Hiruzen, Kosuke, and the others and informed them of the practical exam groupings.

Since Shion had already gotten to know the students earlier, she didn’t need the usual self-introduction.

Kitazawa brought her to a large tree at the edge of the field.

Chakra control training began as always—with tree climbing and water walking.

Shion inhaled deeply, focused chakra at her feet, and began climbing.

Step after step—she quickly passed the midpoint and ascended toward the treetop.

Kitazawa nodded thoughtfully.

Her chakra control was better than he expected.

But it made sense—she had trained in sealing techniques since childhood.

Sealing arts required precise, delicate chakra manipulation, giving her a solid foundation.

A pleasant surprise indeed.

But still not enough.

Kitazawa’s goal was for her to control her innate power without relying on the bell.

If she managed that, she could become another Yakumo—perhaps even surpass her.

Morning flew by. After lunch, Kitazawa and the students made their way to the Hokage’s Office.

Kitazawa opened the door.

Tsunade sat cross-legged on the sofa, eyes closed, clothes rising and falling subtly with her breath.

She was training Yang Release Chakra Mode—her outfit shifting with the effects of Cellular Activation.

What a pity, Kitazawa thought.

He had helped her activate Yang Release in her hands… but she had promptly dismissed him before he could help with the rest.

Kitazawa walked closer.

The nearer he got, the clearer he saw her fair skin trembling slightly from the chakra circulation.

“Why didn’t you knock?” Tsunade asked, opening her eyes.

“I figured you were training,” Kitazawa replied smoothly. “I didn’t want to interrupt.”

“Don’t think I don’t know what you’re trying,” she snapped, glaring. “Are you still staring?”

“Tsunade-sensei, you misunderstand,” Kitazawa said seriously. “I was observing your technique. If there’s an issue, I can correct it.”

“Oh? Then did you find a problem?”

Tsunade shifted, dropping her legs casually and leaning back—her clothes still slightly out of place.

“No,” Kitazawa admitted, taking a seat beside her. “Tsunade-sensei, you truly are the greatest medical ninja of the era.”

And with that, he settled comfortably next to her.

Just as Tsunade opened her mouth to speak, Kitazawa reached out and took her hand.

She instinctively tried to pull away—only to find she couldn’t.

“Did you come here just to get in the way of my Yang Release training?” Tsunade muttered, half-complaining.

“Training requires proper rest,” Kitazawa said, eyes drifting over her fair, beautiful face. “You’ve worked hard enough for now. Time to relax.”

“You really are full of excuses,” she scoffed—but she didn’t pull her hand back again.

Feeling the warmth of his grip, her heartbeat settled inexplicably.

“Have you been practicing Wood Release lately?” Tsunade asked, relaxing into the sofa.

“Mhm. I am.”

“You already have Deep Forest Emergence and Wood Dragon under your belt,” Tsunade said thoughtfully. “That’s more than enough for now. Are you thinking about Sage Mode next?”

After all, what made Senju Hashirama truly invincible wasn’t Wood Release alone—it was Wood Release combined with Sage Mode.

Even Madara and the Nine-Tails had been powerless before Sage Art Wood Style: True Several Thousand Hands.

Kitazawa had already mastered Wood Release. What he lacked now was Sage Mode.

Learning it was notoriously difficult, but Tsunade felt he might actually pull it off. Since meeting him, he had repeatedly defied her expectations.

“Of course I want to learn it,” Kitazawa said without hesitation.

“No time like the present.” Tsunade stood up. “Let’s go to Shikkotsu Forest today.”

Kitazawa blinked—then nodded.

He wasn’t confident he had the talent, but Sage Mode wasn’t something learned overnight. It could take a year, two years—long enough that the system might give him a mission along the way.

Tsunade tugged her hand, annoyed that he still hadn’t let go. When he didn’t release her, she stomped on his foot without mercy.

“Ah—forgot.” Kitazawa quickly let go, lightly scratching her palm on the way out.

Tsunade rolled her eyes but didn’t comment. She bit her thumb and slammed her hand onto the floor.

A fist-sized Katsuyu appeared in a puff of smoke.

“Katsuyu, use the Reverse Summoning Technique,” Tsunade commanded. “Kitazawa wants to learn Sage Mode.”

“Understood, Lady Tsunade.” Katsuyu vanished.

Moments later, Kitazawa felt a tug—as if space itself had reached out for him. He didn’t resist.

The world blurred.

When it cleared, he was standing in Shikkotsu Forest.

—

It was Kitazawa’s first time here.

At first glance, it looked like an ordinary forest—dense trees everywhere—but nothing visibly mystical.

“Follow me,” Tsunade said, appearing beside him as she walked deeper into the forest.

Kitazawa followed.

Soon, he saw it.

The real Katsuyu—the true body.

An impossibly massive form stretching across the landscape as far as the eye could see. Countless small slugs—split bodies—crowded the surrounding area.

Kitazawa suspected Katsuyu might even be larger than the Nine-Tails.

After more than a thousand years of life and exclusive access to Shikkotsu Forest’s natural energy… its size made sense.

“Lady Tsunade, Lord Kitazawa—welcome.”

Katsuyu lowered its enormous head. Despite its gentle voice, the sheer size created an overwhelming pressure.

“Katsuyu,” Tsunade said. “You know why we’re here. Let’s begin.”

“Mhm.” Katsuyu nodded. “Allow me to explain Sage Mode first.”

Sage Mode was simply the state of using Senjutsu Chakra.

To create Senjutsu Chakra, you had to mix Natural Energy, Physical Energy, and Spiritual Energy in perfect 1:1:1 balance.

Training consisted of two steps:

Sense and draw in natural energy.

Fuse it with the other two energies to form Senjutsu Chakra.

Once successful, markings—eye shadow or face paint—would appear on the user’s face.

The second step was the true challenge.

If the ratio became even slightly unbalanced…

Disaster.

Mount Myōboku caused frog transformation and petrification.

Shikkotsu Forest?

Slug transformation and forest transformation.

In other words, some of the trees here might once have been aspiring sages.

Luckily, Katsuyu intervened immediately if anything went wrong—as long as the imbalance wasn’t instantaneous.

But honestly, most ninja failed at the first step—unable to sense natural energy at all.

“We will begin with the first step.”

Katsuyu opened its mouth and spat out a bucket.

Inside was a clean, translucent liquid.

“Apply this to your upper body. Clothing optional. It helps you perceive natural energy more effectively.”

Kitazawa didn’t ask what it was.

Mount Myōboku had Toad Oil—this was clearly the Slug equivalent.

He removed his shirt and used chakra to spread the liquid evenly across his skin.

A cool sensation washed over him.

No other feeling.

He sat cross-legged, closed his eyes, and began the meditation

Tsunade watched him intently.

Not bad. Good physique, she thought, then looked away and quietly left the forest. As Hokage, she didn’t have the luxury to stand around all day.

Time passed.

Kitazawa remained perfectly still for the entire afternoon.

Finally, he opened his eyes.

As expected—nothing.

“It’s normal not to sense natural energy on the first day,” Katsuyu said comfortingly.

“Thank you for your help, Lady Katsuyu.” Kitazawa stood and redressed.

“It’s no trouble,” Katsuyu replied. “Return whenever you can. Training Sage Mode takes time.”

“I’m quite busy, so I may not come every day,” Kitazawa said. “But I’ll return whenever I have free time.”

“No need to rush,” Katsuyu reassured. “Sage Mode requires patience.”

“I understand.”

Katsuyu lowered its head.

“I will send you back now.”

A moment later—Kitazawa was standing in the Hokage’s Office once more.

“How did it go?” Tsunade asked, sensing the chakra fluctuation.

“I didn’t succeed.”

“I figured.” Tsunade wasn’t surprised. “Sensing natural energy on day one would’ve been weirder.”

“Tsunade-sensei,” Kitazawa asked, “how long did you try before giving up?”

“About a year,” she said. “If you can’t grasp it in a year, continuing is just a waste of time.”

“Then I’ll try for a year too,” Kitazawa said inwardly.

A year should be enough for the system to trigger a Sage Mode mission.

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