Chapter 17: Sage Form
"Jiraiya’s Sage Mode..."
Seeing the reward, even soone as experienced as Kitagawa Gen couldn’t help but breathe faster.
Sage Mode!
This was Naruto’s ultimate technique—and even the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, used it as his final trump card!
Even a monstrous entity like the Ten Tails most likely had chakra of this nature. When Naruto once faced the Ten Tails, Kurama told him:
"The Ten Tails’ power is the world’s natural energy in its purest form—an endless, boundless source..."
Gen had long been interested in such power. However, he had only just awakened his bloodline, and more importantly—he lacked a thod. Absorbing natural energy recklessly could easily lead to petrification.
The natural energy in this world... it’s nothing like what I knew before. It’s dangerous—off the charts...
Before being sent to this world by so almighty God, he’d read his fair share of novels. None had described natural energy as anything terrifying.
Still, it was undeniably one of the highest forms of power in this world—and now, he finally had the ans to begin exploring it.
Even if Jiraiya’s Sage Mode is more of a flashy display... the real value lies in his knowledge of Sage Chakra.
Knowledge is priceless.
As the mories and understanding flooded his mind, Kitagawa Gen felt deeply satisfied.
With this experience—and the foundation from his own bloodline—learning Sage Mode might not be as difficult as he’d once thought.
---
They rested one more day in the Land of Waves. Once Kakashi felt a bit better, they set off imdiately.
Thanks to Gen’s deduction, both Kakashi and Jiraiya were convinced that Orochimaru’s group might be in the Land of Water. But since the Land of Waves was just too close to it, there was no telling whether Itachi and Jūzō would return to investigate.
So, better safe than sorry—they made a run for it.
Luckily, their journey back was uneventful, and within two days, they returned to Konoha.
"Konoha... still looks the sa," Jiraiya murmured as he stood at the gates, looking at the familiar sight before him, overwheld with emotion.
Sotis, he wondered—if he hadn’t left ten years ago, would things have turned out differently?
Sure, part of his absence was due to tracking Orochimaru—but he also hadn’t wanted to face those painful mories.
But what’s done is done. No point dwelling on the past. For now, the priority was the present.
"Let’s go."
Turning to the injured Kakashi, whom Gen was helping to walk, Jiraiya spoke.
"Kakashi, I’ll take you to the hospital first. Then I’ll go report to the old man. Kid, keep an eye on him for now."
"No need. I’ll go with you to see the Hokage," Kakashi said, shaking his head.
"I’m fine. We should prioritize reporting this."
"You don’t have to push yourself," Jiraiya frowned, obviously concerned.
"Don’t worry. I know my limits—I’m not going to collapse on you."
"...Fine," Jiraiya finally relented, then turned to Gen.
"Kid, I’m borrowing your teacher. You’re free to go for now."
"No problem!"
Gen nodded obediently. In truth, he’d been itching to leave anyway. With those coins he’d earned from Jiraiya’s "loot drop," he could hardly wait to examine them.
"Finally!" he thought. Been holding back for too long.
"Oh right—save your appetite," Jiraiya suddenly added as he went to help Kakashi walk.
"You just finished your first mission, and since Kakashi can’t throw a party for you, I’ll do it instead. Bring any friends you want—just find at the hospital."
Jiraiya actually had a good impression of Gen. Sure, the kid could be a bit mouthy, but when facing dangerous rogue ninja like Itachi and Jūzō, not only did he not flee, but he stayed calm, deceived the enemy, and managed to hold his own in a one-on-one against Jūzō—all while saving Kakashi.
Even the analysis afterward ca from this kid.
A smart, reliable, and incredibly gifted shinobi, just like him—how could Jiraiya not like him?
And on top of that—he was Kakashi’s student...
"Thanks a lot, Jiraiya-sama."
Gen wasn’t about to turn down free food. Jiraiya was loaded from his bestselling books, whereas Gen—though a shinobi now—was still pretty broke.
When they entered the village, Gen noticed he didn’t need to fill out any forms at all. That surprised him. Even Kakashi had to sign a few things. But with Jiraiya present? Everything was waved through.
This guy’s status really is on a different level...
Finally, he watched the two walk off and turned toward his ho, breaking into a run.
But just as he was about to arrive—he saw Naruto jumping down from his window.
"Hey! What the hell are you doing?!"
Gen froze.
"You’re back already?" Naruto looked just as shocked, then imdiately got riled up.
"Damn it! You told to water your plants but didn’t even leave a key!"
"Uh... did I?"
Gen blinked. He vaguely rembered saying sothing like that, and now felt a little embarrassed.
"My bad—I didn’t think you’d actually co..."
"Which makes you an even bigger jerk!"
Naruto huffed, then puffed up proudly.
"But even if you are a jerk, I always keep my word! Just like how I’m gonna pass the Genin exam, no matter what!"
"Didn’t you say you were gonna take it early? Lowering the bar now?" Gen asked with a grin.
Naruto froze. Before he could reply, Gen added, "Also—if you want to pass the test, you better study. Aren’t there classes today?"
"It’s a rest day..." Naruto mumbled, but then shouted again.
"Whatever! I’m gonna pass!"
"Alright, alright." Gen scratched his ear. This kid really was loud.
"I believe you. ’Doing what you say’—that’s your ninja way, right?"
"...Huh?"
Naruto blinked.
Doing what he said... his ninja way...?
That... actually sounded pretty good.
"Here—take these," Gen suddenly said, pulling a kunai and a scroll from his pouch.
"This kunai was the first weapon I used to take down an enemy. Consider it paynt for watering my plants. And the scroll? A souvenir I picked up in the Land of Waves. It’s yours."
"Th-thanks..."
Naruto stared at the gifts in shock, his eyes starting to mist over.
He’d just called Gen a jerk a few seconds ago, and now here the guy was, giving him aningful gifts.
"Hey, don’t get all emotional. We’re friends, aren’t we?"
Gen lightly punched Naruto’s chest. After all the allowances he’d borrowed from this kid, it was only right to give sothing back.
"Oh, and I’m throwing a party for my first mission tonight. Save your appetite and swing by. No need to be polite."
"Ah..."
Naruto’s eyes lit up, then imdiately dimd with suspicion.
"Wait—I haven’t gotten my allowance yet..."
"Idiot. I’m treating. Relax."
Gen didn’t give Naruto a chance to say no. He turned and walked toward his house.
"Also—don’t co knocking later. I’m exhausted from the trip."
He shut the door behind him.
Sitting down heavily on his bed, he muttered:
"Finally... ti to try this out."
Closing his eyes, he began carefully reviewing the knowledge he’d received from Jiraiya. During the journey ho, he’d already sorted through most of it—he just hadn’t had a mont to focus and test it.
Ti ticked by.
After nearly an hour of quiet ditation, Kitagawa Gen’s eyes suddenly snapped open—and in that instant, a strange aura burst forth from his body!
A red pignt appeared around his eyes in a distinctive pattern...
He had entered Sage Mode.
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