Konoha: Tsunade, I am the Hokage

Chapter 99 Your Sage Mode is Different!

"Sunagakure and Kirigakure have been fighting each other for years over some interests in the south, but Kirigakure has now lost any possibility of advancing in the Land of Waves..."

Tsunade scanned the map with her eyes.

Her gaze fell on the southern sea.

"Sunagakure may seek reconciliation with Kirigakure, or they may clash with them in the south."

"If we confirm that they are not heading north, we can deploy more intelligence personnel south to see what they are planning."

Jingyan shared his opinion.

Then, after thinking for a moment, he added, "It might be too late. As for other possibilities, the Land of Wind's finances shouldn't be so bad that the Third Kazekage would need to use Magnet Release to mine minerals, right?"

"Haha, with the ability of Magnet Release, it might actually be possible. The Land of Wind's finances aren't that bad, but the Sand Village might not be."

Tsunade chuckled to herself.

Surely a village with its own wind and shadows wouldn't be reduced to mining in the desert?

She shook her head.

"Don't underestimate Sunagakure, unless they suffer another defeat."

"In that case, the Third or Fourth Kazekage might actually go mining to earn money and supplement their family income."

A strange smile appeared on Tsunade's face.

Tsk!

I’m really looking forward to it!

She shook her head, then her expression turned serious again: "Ahem, stop joking and get serious! Their target might be us. Contact Jiraiya and go to Yahiko's side."

"Yes."

Jingyan is standing at attention.

Whether one comes or goes is fine.

Anyway, Jiraiya will definitely have to go to Nagato's place.

Oh, I might go now.

Jingyan thought.

Then, after a moment's hesitation, he said, "By the way, sister, there's something I'd like to ask for your help with."

"What kind of ninjutsu scrolls do you need? Now I'm the Hokage, you can watch whatever you want."

Tsunade didn't even look up, continuing to process the documents while buried in her work.

Suddenly, she saw vines wriggling in front of her, climbing from the ground onto her desk, and her eyebrows shot up.

Looking up—

!!!

Tsunade's pupils contracted, and she stood up abruptly, her eyes filled with astonishment and surprise, her emotions quite complex.

Jingyan clasped his hands together, and vines grew on the ground.

So insignificant.

but.

This means...

Kyohiko mastered Wood Release.

This is a bloodline limit!

She swallowed several times to suppress her excitement.

"You...you really have it?"

"These past few days I've been researching the fusion of Earth Release and Water Release nature transformations. I've only done a rough trial and I've already found that I can quickly sprout seedlings. There's no need for research or learning at all. However, right now I can only control vines and grass, which is even worse than Yamato's."

Jingyan told a small lie.

With his chakra and abilities, he can naturally achieve the level Yamato has now. Controlling simple wood is not a problem, but he cannot do it like normal trees.

Let's draw an analogy.

It will likely be somewhere between the future Mogi and Yamato, and will definitely be stronger than the current Yamato.

however.

Such a Wood Release ninjutsu is not very helpful in execution; it may be more symbolic.

"That's better than not knowing at all!"

Tsunade could not hide her excitement.

She paced back and forth in the office, then clapped her hands repeatedly: "Wood Release! This is the Wood Release bloodline limit!"

"I think it's more like Grass Release. Maybe Yamato can do construction in Konoha in the future, and I can help with landscaping on the streets."

Jingyan's decision to cancel the spell was not without a hint of jest.

of course.

Even though it's only at this level, it's definitely better than nothing. Based on Wood Release, Kyohiko had an idea.

"In the next few days, I plan to try out the second stage of immortal magic in the Forest of Death."

"Can."

Tsunade nodded.

Then, her expression turned serious.

"Why don't we go to Mount Myōboku? You're the only ninja in our village who can activate Wood Release on your own now!"

"Need not."

Jingyan replied, "My cultivation isn't that scary."

Tsunade couldn't hide her excitement and exhilaration.

She paced back and forth.

She wanted to show off, but was afraid of causing trouble for Jingyan, so in the end she could only hold onto her expectations.

Wood Release awakens within the Senju bloodline...

"Kyohiko, you must protect yourself. Who knows, the future of peace in Konoha and the ninja world might depend on you!"

Tsunade's expression was serious.

She increasingly felt that Jiraiya's mysterious "child of prophecy" might very well be the person right in front of her.

"Oh, right."

Tsunade suddenly remembered something else, "Are you interested in the Anbu?"

"What?"

Kyohiko looked at Tsunade blankly.

Dark area?

What does that mean?

Tsunade coughed lightly and said, "It's not that I'm trying to undermine you, but I think your abilities might be more suitable for leading the Anbu than Danzo or Shinnosuke."

"My current abilities and qualifications aren't enough."

Tsunade's intention was for him to replace Danzo and Shinsuke and become the de facto leader of the Anbu.

Although he was very tempted, rationally speaking, Jingyan felt that he was not quite suitable at the moment, and those three advisors would definitely not agree.

and.

The other Jonin in the village wouldn't agree either.

"This will affect your image and public opinion; there's no need for that."

Jingyan added again, refusing.

He pondered for a moment, then said, "However, I do have an idea regarding the Anbu. Do you remember Yamashiro Aoba?"

"Yamashiro Aoba?"

Tsunade recalled the information and quickly remembered it.

He participated in the Chunin Exams with Kyohiko. Although he didn't become a Chunin and his abilities were average, he was a well-rounded ninja with few weaknesses.

of course.

Having no weaknesses and being well-rounded also means having no particularly strong strengths.

"What's wrong with him?"

"He raises crows."

Kyohiko reminded him, "Last time during the Chunin Exams, I saw the ninja hawks of Kumogakure. Compared to ninja dogs, birds can fly directly across terrain, and intelligent birds can also carry letters to quickly deliver messages."

"crow……"

Tsunade understood Kyohiko's meaning.

In Konoha today, there are various short-range communication methods, such as radio, which are quite advanced and practical.

but.

Long-distance intelligence transmission still relied heavily on human transport.

This method is time-consuming and laborious.

As for summoning beasts, not everyone can possess a summoning beast of the same species.

Keeping crows...

"The crow is very clever, and Aoba has been training it for several years, so he has some experience. Our Anbu should also have similar knowledge and skills, right?"

Jingyan asked.

Tsunade nodded: "Yes, we also have some hawks, but their skills are not as good as those of the Hidden Cloud Village. Their hawks are very strong and fierce, and can avoid most of their prey. Ours are relatively inferior."

"Aoba has a talent for this. I think we can have him work with experts from the Anbu and Konoha to try to raise a batch of stronger ninja beasts."

Jingyan said, "It's not necessary to contribute your own knowledge; it's just a matter of working together and everyone contributing their own strength."

Tsunade knew.

He was referring to the Inuzuka clan.

As experts in ninja beasts, the Inuzuka clan is an absolute authority in the field of beasts.

"By the way, Kurokawa might be able to help too."

"Kyohiko said."

"he?"

Tsunade asked, surprised and puzzled, "Why?"

"To achieve Sage Mode, one must first merge with nature, becoming one with the earth, so that natural energy will flow into the body..."

Kyohiko explained the meaning of Sage Mode.

Tsunade doesn't understand Sage Mode.

After listening, she immediately understood.

As a natural-born immortal being, Kurokawa is indeed closer to nature. If he could control himself, he might be able to communicate with birds and beasts more easily.

From this perspective...

Kurokawa has become very important again.

She sighed.

"This is troublesome! I'll talk to Yamashiro Aoba and the ANBU's breeding experts first, and have them discuss a plan. As for joining forces with the Inuzuka family..."

She thought for a moment and said, "Beast mimicry ninjutsu is unrealistic. As long as they can help tame them, that would be a very good result."

"That's what I think too."

Jingyan nodded.

"Go and cultivate. I'll take charge of this matter personally once Yamashiro Aoba and the others have a plan."

Tsunade said.

The most urgent task is to get Kyohiko to master Sage Mode as soon as possible.

War is imminent!

If Sunagakure truly reaches a reconciliation with Kirigakure or Iwagakure, other villages might launch a coordinated attack should a rift develop between Konoha and the Kyoto forces represented by the Daimyo.

She hoped that Jingyan would become stronger before that day came!

Even though he is already very powerful.

After leaving the Hokage's office, Kyohiko summoned a toad using the Summoning Jutsu, asking it to send a message, and then began to try and refine the second stage of his Sage Mode training.

……

Ten days later.

[Illusion Technique: Nirvana (Master)]

[Illusion Technique: The Art of Seeing Naraku (Mastery)]

Konoha does not have sound illusions.

He studied the Dark Travel Technique and found that it would take at least three months, or even longer. It would also be very difficult to create a similar sound-blocking illusion using its principles.

I really need to do the research myself...

It would be quite impressive to be able to create such an illusion within a year.

and so.

He revised his plan over the past few days.

If you can't eliminate hearing, then try to become more at peace.

Without emotions, there would be no fluctuations.

To this end, Kyohiko specially learned the Naraku-viewing technique, spending several days mastering it to a relatively high level. By comparing and verifying, he became more proficient and profound in controlling his emotions.

This also enabled him to reach the "master" level in the art of Nirvana.

but.

The effects of techniques are only supplementary; ultimately, one must rely on oneself.

After all, the effects of genjutsu will disappear when subjected to natural energy impacts and the body's chakra is restored, which requires him to synthesize and control senjutsu chakra in a short period of time.

This is precisely Kyohiko's forte.

In the Death Forest, Jingyan sat cross-legged on the ground, surrounded by vines, his entire being utterly different, as if dead.

In the forest, birds, beasts, and even dangerous man-made monsters roam back and forth.

but.

None of them noticed...

There is a person here.

In their eyes, Jingyan seemed to have blended into the surrounding nature, becoming a part of nature itself.

At this moment, some changes gradually appeared in Jingyan.

Beside it, another shadow clone quickly turned to wood, and finally...

"Bang!"

Before it became completely wooden and underwent a mutation, the shadow clone simply disappeared.

Jingyan immediately took action to prevent himself from entering a deeper state—

Konoha doesn't have any black rods, so if someone unknowingly enters a state of mutation, it might be irreversible.

"The speed is still not fast enough. It takes five minutes, which is about the same as Naruto's, but it's much faster than before. If I could completely hypnotize myself, I might be able to go even faster."

"However, this approach also seems to have some hidden concerns."

"Am I still in Sage Mode from Mount Myōboku?"

"It's time to go to Mount Myoboku."

Jingyan stood up.

Immediately, the forest erupted in roars of beasts and startled birds, some even charging at him.

but.

The next instant, vines grew around them, entangled and tripped them, and in the blink of an eye, the forest quickly calmed down.

Jingyan was unharmed and left the forest immediately.

In the process of assimilating with nature, his Wood Release chakra has assimilated the surrounding vines and weeds, making them almost one with each other.

This technique is more like a barrier, somewhat similar to Moegi's vegetation barrier, but with greater power.

but.

Its strength is limited, but it is quite useful in terms of perception and concealment.

Jingyan forms a hand seal.

The next instant, a toad appeared before my eyes.

"Kosuke, could you please tell Fukasaku-sama that I want to go to Mount Myōboku to try out Sage Mode?"

"So fast?"

Kousuke Gamabunta was extremely surprised.

Jingyan smiled but didn't answer. The other person nodded: "I'll say it for you."

Then it disappeared into the forest.

After a few minutes.

……

At Mount Myōboku, Fukasaku used a reverse summoning technique to summon Kyōhiko from Konoha.

Upon seeing Kyohiko appear.

It immediately asked in surprise, "You can already do that?"

"It is possible, but there seems to be some problem. Of course, I can do it the normal way, but it will take longer."

The problem with Kyohiko and Minato was that they were too sensitive to the outside world and reacted very quickly, making it easy for them to be disturbed from their quiet and natural state.

Having achieved master-level Nirvana, he can enter a state of tranquility, undisturbed by external influences.

But what he said...

This completely confused Fukasaku.

What is the usual method that takes longer?

Is there another way to achieve Sage Mode?

Fukasaku was bewildered: "Kyohiko, wait a minute, let me sort this out. You mean, you've mastered another Sage Mode technique?"

I'm not sure.

Jingyan shook his head.

He looked surprised, then pondered for a moment and said, "Wait a minute!"

It quickly ran up the mountain.

A moment later, Shima and Fukasaku, carried by a large toad, hopped down in front of him.

Shima jumped down from above.

"Kyohiko, what's this other Sage Mode you mentioned?"

"I mastered Wood Release, and then used Wood Release in conjunction with silent training to merge myself with nature, but the resulting state seems to be different."

Kyohiko replied.

Fukasaku and Shima exchanged a glance, their eyes filled with shock.

Wood Release!

The bloodline limit of the First Hokage has been recreated on Kyohiko?

"Could you give it a try?"

"Of course, but it requires shadow clones to do it because there are certain risks involved."

As Jingyan spoke, he formed a hand seal and summoned a shadow clone.

Immediately, the shadow clone walked into a huge grove of trees in the distance and wrapped itself in vines and vegetation.

About five minutes later, the shadow clone merged into its surroundings.

Fukasaku rubbed his eyes.

Originally, it could see Jingyan's shadow clones, but now it can't see them at all; it seems that only vines and grass are left in front of it.

It truly blends into nature!

but.

Subsequently, Kyohiko's shadow clone slowly turned into wood.

Unable to determine whether this wood-like transformation was developing into Sage Art: Wood Release Clone or worsening, he dared not attempt further and directly canceled the Shadow Clone.

Within Jingyan's body, a chaotic surge of chakra caused him to experience some woody changes, but these quickly dissipated and he returned to normal.

He looked at the two immortals, and at Wen Tai above.

"Do the three of you have any suggestions?"

"..."

Fukasaku, Shima, and Bunta all remained silent.

Suggest?

They don't know Wood Release, and they've never seen how the First Hokage used it, so how would they know what Sage Mode in Wood Release is like?

and.

I heard that the First Hokage had a Sage Body, so he didn't need to go through the process of mixing and blending. Who knows, even the First Hokage's resurrection couldn't be advised on how to use Kyohiko's Sage Mode.

Jingyan could tell at a glance that these people were also inexperienced.

"Then, can your sticks unleash Sage Chakra in this state?"

"I'm afraid that won't work."

He shook his head deeply.

Kyohiko thought for a moment and said, "That's alright. Let's try the method from Mount Myōboku first. Theoretically, the principle of Sage Mode should be the same, the only difference being the method of absorption and application, right?"

"Yes, that's how it is in theory."

Fukasaku breathed a sigh of relief.

That "sage mode" I just saw really touched on a blind spot in my knowledge.

This time...

They saw Kyohiko form a hand seal again and then press it to his own forehead.

What are you doing?

Fukasaku, Shima, and Bunta all looked puzzled, unable to understand the situation before them.

Is this how you train for Sage Mode?

Why is it different from theirs!

but.

Ten minutes later, natural energy gradually gathered around Jingyan.

Soon, he opened his eyes, and the symptoms of Sage Mode appeared on his body, with the eyeshadow on his eyes being particularly striking.

"It really worked!"

Fukasaku and Shima exchanged a glance.

They've had it for a long time, but I've never seen anyone train in Sage Mode like this.

This thing...

They can't understand it either!

"Two adults?"

Jingyan looked at the two immortals.

Fukasaku and Shima exchanged a glance and quickly reached a consensus.

This child is beyond the capacity of Mount Myoboku to teach!

Let him go back to where he came from.

"Hmm... cough cough, Kyohiko, without a doubt, you can indeed enter Sage Mode, and it takes much longer than Jiraiya's. It seems you don't need us to guide you in entering Sage Mode."

Fukasaku thought for a moment and said, "Perhaps you can try to understand and study it yourself. The principle of Sage Chakra is the same, so Sage Mode is also similar. You don't necessarily have to do it our way."

"I could learn some combat techniques."

Shima reminded.

"Yes, yes, yes! That's decided."

Fukasaku nodded repeatedly.

(End of this chapter)