Sage Mode was an extremely powerful state for a shinobi—but its difficulty of use and training could not be overlooked. In fact, precisely because it was so powerful, the requirements to master it were exceptionally harsh.
First, the user needed an enormous chakra capacity.
Second, Sage Mode could not be activated instantly—before entering the state, one had to gather natural energy.
Third, while gathering natural energy, the user had to remain absolutely motionless.
The first point was a prerequisite. The second and third, in a sense, were inherent drawbacks of the mode itself.
There was also another problem: if natural energy could not be replenished in time, once senjutsu chakra was exhausted, Sage Mode would quickly disengage. In Naruto's case, the natural energy he gathered at once could only sustain Sage Mode for about five minutes.
The "recharging" issue was something everyone wished to solve—but it was notoriously difficult.
Hagoromo, however, had resolved this dilemma in an extreme way.
His chakra storage method—similar in structure to the Strength of a Hundred Seal—stored senjutsu chakra directly.
As a result, once the seal was released, he could instantly enter Sage Mode, completely bypassing the need to "charge up." At the same time, this method dramatically extended his endurance.
Without external natural energy replenishment, Hagoromo could maintain Sage Mode anywhere from thirty minutes to an hour, depending on senjutsu chakra consumption.
For him, that was more than enough time to finish any battle.
That said—
This approach was also extremely dangerous.
Natural energy was inherently unstable. Sealing it within the body at a fixed ratio was nothing short of madness. One mistake, and Hagoromo would be completely petrified—turned into a tree.
If he lacked absolute confidence in his sealing techniques, he would never have dared attempt this.
In fact, during the gradual refinement of the seal, he had already experienced partial petrification—one-eighth, one-quarter, even half-petrified states.
But Sage Mode's advantages made those risks worthwhile.
Beyond the tenfold increase in physical ability and jutsu power, it possessed another critical trait.
Even Hagoromo's Lightning Release–enhanced body carried a burden; prolonged use increased fatigue. Senjutsu, however, did not. Put simply, it was like a stimulant with no side effects—the longer one fought, the more energized they became.
As the seal fully disengaged, the mark on Hagoromo's forehead darkened like spreading ink, then branded itself permanently across his face.
This was the signature visage of Sage Mode.
The rectangular seal on his forehead was replaced by interlocking crescent moons—one cradling the other, upper and lower arcs entwined. Beneath his eyes, dark markings spread along the lower lids.
For Hagoromo personally, the most meaningful enhancement Sage Mode granted was sensory perception.
Physical reinforcement could be achieved through Lightning Release, but as a sensor-type ninja, only Sage Mode allowed him to fully experience that advantage.
"So…" Hagoromo muttered,
"Is this where I say something like 'I'll take all of you at once'?"
Unfortunately, there was no need.
There was only one target here that required judgment.
Hagoromo stepped across the lake's surface, advancing toward the Seven-Tails, Chōmei.
Judging by appearance alone, it was less a tailed beast and more a tailed insect—a grotesque fusion of beetle and dragonfly, dripping with a certain someone's aesthetic.
So… how old was it when Orochimaru got his hands on it?
Almost the instant the barrier was released, Chōmei sensed the change.
Its wings vibrated violently, and the flying tailed beast charged forward with tremendous speed and mass.
"At the moment," Hagoromo said calmly,
"this place is a one-way lane."
"So—no passing."
What followed his statement was a deafening explosion of water, as the force from his legs sent a massive wave surging in the opposite direction.
Yet even the towering splash failed to obscure him—because Hagoromo had already leapt high into the air.
From absolute stillness to extreme motion, he required no transition. The laws of inertia seemed to lose their meaning.
If he layered Sage Mode with Chidori Current Stage Three, his strength could rise even further—but that was unnecessary.
This body was already strong enough.
Far more than enough.
Hagoromo appeared directly above the Seven-Tails and drove a crushing downward kick into its head.
The sheer force smashed the airborne beast straight down.
Its enormous body struck the lake with a thunderous boom.
But Hagoromo followed immediately—landing even faster. Not even the violent water shockwave could make his body waver.
As Chōmei floated half-submerged, Hagoromo spun and delivered another flying kick.
The Seven-Tails' head plunged underwater, half its body dragged behind like a buoy being towed by a shark, carving a deep scar across the lake's surface.
Before it could even stabilize—
The ninjutsu arrived.
The Second Hokage's S-rank Water Release, enhanced and reshaped through expanded chakra application:
Water Release: Water Dragon Biting Explosion.
This technique scaled directly with chakra output, and with senjutsu chakra amplifying it, this was a true Water Dragon.
Even in the Second Hokage's hands, it likely had never displayed such overwhelming might.
For reference—compare it to Jiraiya's Sage Art: Giant Rasengan, towering several stories high.
The torrent collapsed from above, drenching the entire lake in violent crashes.
After this exchange, Chōmei's assault had achieved nothing.
It had been sent straight back to where it came from.
Hagoromo's absurd three-hit combo—going all-out without warning—left not only the Seven-Tails stunned, but the spectators as well.
"…Is that really something a human can do?" Yamato murmured.
"Probably… yes," Kakashi replied.
He had already figured out Hagoromo's state. Remembering how long Hagoromo had stayed in Shikkotsu Forest, only one word came to mind.
Senjutsu.
As for why Hagoromo had initially engaged in close combat, there was no deep reason.
He was simply curious what it felt like to wrestle a tailed beast.
In practice—
It felt like nothing.
A tailed beast was just large. Lacking a humanoid form, its actual close-combat skill was inferior. Any taijutsu-specialized chūnin could outfight it.
And the Seven-Tails wasn't even a close-range monster like the Eight-Tails.
After several dozen seconds, Chōmei finally lifted its head from the water. Once it recognized Hagoromo, it locked its gaze onto him and released an enraged screech.
A beast's accusation:
You hurt me.
Hagoromo knew.
And he intended to hurt it more.
As Chōmei raised its head, Hagoromo—standing over a hundred meters away—formed the final Snake hand seal, fingers interlocked.
Something appeared in the sky.
A flat, disk-like mass descended with overwhelming force, smashing the Seven-Tails back into the depths the moment it attempted to take flight.
Sage Art: Earth Release — Heavenly Falling Lid.
Extra-thick. Extra-heavy.
Sage Mode granted Hagoromo unparalleled freedom in utilizing all five elemental natures.
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