Laundering Sage Mode

Jiraiya said, "A very powerful Jutsu, which likely only I know now."

Jiraiya's face showed some self-satisfaction, but then he sighed.

"Of course, I once taught Minato, and his talent allowed him to learn it too, but he wasn't very good at using it, which is a real shame..."

Jiraiya truly felt it was a pity. If Minato had been able to use Sage Mode better back then, perhaps Obito wouldn't have caused any trouble.

"Only you and Lord Fourth Hokage know it?"

Takemi's expression was even stranger now. If he wasn't mistaken, Jiraiya wanted to teach him Sage Mode?

He suddenly realized things seemed a bit coincidental, but upon closer thought, he seemed to understand.

"It's just what I was thinking..."

Most likely, the commotion he caused with the Eight Inner Gates this time was too great, and the Eight Inner Gates causes Chakra disorder and significant damage to the body.

Kakashi and the others were probably worried that he would get used to this power, so they thought of finding a substitute for him, which led to the current situation.

After roughly figuring out what was going on, Takemi couldn't help but feel a bit amused. But no matter what, this was a good thing!

"Alright, let's not talk about those sad things."

Jiraiya patted his face to clear his head and continued, "You need to be mentally prepared. Although I know you don't really like toads, what I'm going to teach you is inextricably linked to Mount Myōboku, so..."

"First, tell me, Jiraiya-sama, what do you plan to teach me?" Takemi immediately interrupted Jiraiya's 'sales pitch', getting straight to the point.

"I should at least understand it, right?"

"You brat, you're really annoying."

Jiraiya pursed his lips, then spoke helplessly, "The Jutsu I'm going to teach you is called 'Sage Mode'. This Jutsu has extremely strict requirements. If you don't have high levels of Chakra reserve, you can easily be swallowed by natural energy."

"Natural energy is omnipresent, but absorbing it is incredibly difficult and requires some auxiliary functions."

"For example, when I was trying to learn Sage Mode, I relied on a special oil from a sacred fountain on Mount Myōboku, and just becuase you use this item doesn't mean you will 100% succeed. There must also be a unique state of mind."

Jiraiya paused here, looking at Takemi, who was full of 'thirst for knowledge', and nodded in satisfaction.

"That is to learn 'immobility', to remain still and quietly comprehend nature, only then can you truly feel and refine Senjutsu Chakra."

"This process is very difficult and painful, but you must remember, only with unyielding perseverance can one become a Sage!"

"Is that so..."

Takemi nodded, feigning an expression of partial understanding, then seemed to fall into thought.

This scene made Jiraiya nod. He had witnessed Takemi's genius. Whatever he taught him would be learned quickly.

"But Sage Mode is different, kid."

Jiraiya chuckled to himself, then slowly spoke, "Do you want me to demonstrate it for you, to let you feel the power of Sage Mode, so that you..."

"Jiraiya-sama, you said 'natural energy' is everywhere, right?"

Before Jiraiya could finish his sentence, Takemi suddenly looked up at Jiraiya curiously.

"That's right, it's indeed everywhere, but to access it..."

Jiraiya subconsciously nodded, but Takemi spoke again, "If that's the case, are you talking about them?"

"Them?"

Jiraiya's eyes widened, and at that moment, Takemi raised his hand.

He seemed to be able to sense natural energy. In an instant, a vast aura burst forth from his body.

"This!?"

Jiraiya almost lost his footing, nearly blown away by this power, but he quickly stabilized himself and looked at Takemi with an anxious expression.

"Damn it! This kid, he's truly not just reckless!"

He naturally guessed what was happening, but the more he did, the more worried he became. Having learned Sage Mode himself, he knew just how dangerous the learning process was.

But when he clearly saw everything before him, he was completely dumbfounded.

There was a reddish pigment around his eyes. He slowly opened his eyes, his originally black eyes having turned white, looking just like that of a Hyuga Clansman.

The aura around him slowly stabilized, and his entire being was filled with natural energy.

At this moment, even Jiraiya understood what was going on.

"That's... Sage Mode!?"

In the afternoon, Sarutobi Hiruzen, who had enjoyed a good meal, was ready to start new work.

"Kakashi is resting at the hospital, Guy is accompanying him, and Jiraiya is teaching Takemi. Finally, I have some free time."

Sitting in his chair, Sarutobi Hiruzen suddenly thought, "Can that kid Takemi really learn Sage Mode?"

To be honest, he wasn't quite sure, but considering that he had even learned the Flying Thunder God Technique, there might really be a surprise.

"Let's work first."

With his pipe dangling, Sarutobi Hiruzen looked at the table full of documents, and he fell silent.

Then he turned his head to look at the crystal ball covered with a cloth, and stroked his chin.

"It seems too early right now, so a little rest shouldn't be a problem, right?"

This was also to observe the 'current situation' of Konoha, which was in line with his work duties.

"Old man!"

However, just as he reached out, Jiraiya's shout startled him, and he immediately pulled his hand back.

He looked up, and sure enough, Jiraiya had burst in through the window, looking at him eagerly.

"What's wrong? What happened?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen tried his best to remain calm, and he asked in a low voice.

"So rushed, what's wrong?"

Jiraiya hurriedly said, "That brat Takemi, he learned it!"

Sarutobi Hiruzen asked with confusion, "Huh?! Learned what?"

Jiraiya said, "Sage Mode! That brat has already learned Sage Mode!"

Looking at Jiraiya's excited expression, Sarutobi Hiruzen felt his hands tremble even more now.

How long had it been? How did he learn it so quickly?

"You're not kidding, are you?"

Sarutobi Hiruzen was the Hokage after all, having seen all sorts of storms.

So he calmed down and asked seriously, "Didn't you say that Sage Mode is extremely difficult, why did he—"

Jiraiya interrupted, "You might not believe it, but that kid seems to be able to sense natural energy."

Jiraiya felt parched, but he still spoke earnestly, "I briefly explained some things about Sage Mode, and then he told me that he seemed to be able to perceive natural energy. I didn't even have time to stop him before he absorbed it and combined it with his Chakra to make Senjutsu Chakra and controlled it steadily!"

"Is that so..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen was also extremely surprised when he heard this.

But he quickly remembered that Jiraiya and Kakashi had said that Takemi had extremely great Chakra control.

This also caused hik to be able to learn any technique very quickly.

"Extremely great Chakra control, able to perceive natural energy..."

Sarutobi Hiruzen, with his pipe in his mouth, nodded. Although he was surprised and excited, he was slowly recovering now.

Moreover, as the Hokage, he had a lot of information, and naturally understood that there were some individuals who were favored by natural energy.

However, some people could not utilize natural energy, and would easily became violent, losing their minds like beasts.

Furthermore, some scattered notes were left in the materials Orochimaru had left after leaving Konoha...

He asked, "I understand. How is he mastering it now?"

"Not bad, but he's just started learning, so many things are still uncertain." Jiraiya thought for a moment and answered truthfully.

"Then teach him well, so he can skillfully use these powers."