First Exploration of Sage Art (Please Recommend)

At the Training Ground, Gengetsu, having received the memories returned by his Shadow Clone, rubbed his brow. "I didn't expect us to lay our cards on the table so soon. I'd originally planned to slowly learn from him in secret. Although I got what I wanted, this has created far too many variables!"

He did not believe a single performance could change Orochimaru, even if that performance had been very real. At most, it would make Orochimaru think more highly of him and temporarily set aside his designs on him.

Next, Orochimaru would likely find ways to acquire the Sharingan and Sage Art. His research into Wood Release would probably advance further as well. If so, he might develop the Cursed Seal even earlier than in the original story.

"Why hadn't Orochimaru mastered Sage Art in the original story?"

Gengetsu tapped his head, having no recollection of that at all.

"Still, if I reveal the secret of the Rinnegan too, would Orochimaru go to the Land of Rain and capture Nagato for research? And how much fighting strength does Madara Uchiha still have now?"

"And Kaguya Otsutsuki—if Orochimaru learned that Kaguya's body was sealed on the Moon, would he find a way to go there and dig out the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path?"

"And Madara Uchiha—if he learned that the contents of the stone tablet he saw were fake... no, that would probably only drive him crazier. He'd still capture the Ten-Tails and make himself its Jinchuriki!"

A mischievous urge welled up in Gengetsu, but he immediately looked around somewhat guiltily. Then he raised one hand, closed his eyes, and used Mind's Eye of the Kagura to sense his surroundings. Only after finding nothing unusual did he breathe a sigh of relief. "Black Zetsu may not have much combat power, but he's a schemer. I can't let my guard down!"

"Black Zetsu, Madara Uchiha, the Tailed Beasts, Kaguya Otsutsuki... Sage of Six Paths, all you left behind were troubles!"

After silently sighing, Gengetsu turned his attention back to the memories sent back by his Shadow Clone.

"Should I transplant Hashirama Cells or not?"

Gengetsu hesitated inwardly. It was not because he was being softhearted, nor because he feared failure.

For one, he cherished the bond between himself and Tsunade-sensei, both teacher and friend. For another, considering the village's stance and planning for the future, he could not leave behind too damaging a weakness.

"Danzo is closely connected to Orochimaru. With the Shadow Clone's reminder, Orochimaru's research into Wood Release will probably progress even faster. Just like in the original story, Danzo will surely transplant the cells, either voluntarily or after being tempted by Orochimaru, then seek to seize the Sharingan."

"Heh heh, Danzo, you're definitely jumping into this pit. When the time comes, even the Third Hokage won't be able to protect you!"

Gengetsu sneered inwardly, then thought, "I need to inform Tsunade-sensei about transplanting Hashirama Cells and gain her support. Orochimaru cannot be fully trusted. This needs careful planning. For now, I should just focus on secretly learning from Orochimaru!"

"But should I reveal the cloning technology from my previous life later on?"

Gengetsu pondered silently. He was not proficient in the asexual reproduction cloning technology of his previous life, but he understood the basic principles clearly. Combined with the miraculous energy that was Chakra, if he revealed it to Orochimaru, the latter might truly be able to perfect it completely.

"If it really gets developed, with Orochimaru's madness, he might directly clone an identical First Hokage or Second Hokage. Even me..."

At the thought of possibly facing an identical version of himself in the future, Gengetsu could not help shivering. Without hesitation, he decided to bury the asexual reproduction cloning technology deep in his heart.

"Sage Art, on the other hand, can be put on the agenda. Although what my Shadow Clone said was partly a bluff, Sage Art really is the most likely path to immortality. As for becoming like Kaguya Otsutsuki, that's practically impossible to replicate!"

With that thought, Gengetsu had already made his decision, then continued developing Lightning Release Chakra Mode.

A day of training ended quickly. That night, in the Bedroom, Gengetsu summoned Katsuyu.

"Lord Gengetsu, why have you summoned me at this hour?"

Little Katsuyu raised her head and asked.

Gengetsu held her in his palm and asked, "Little Katsuyu, does Shikkotsu Forest have a Sage Art inheritance?"

"Lord Gengetsu, Shikkotsu Forest does have a Sage Art inheritance, but among the three places in the Shinobi World that pass down Sage Art, it is the most difficult to cultivate! Lord Gengetsu, do you wish to try cultivating Sage Art?"

Little Katsuyu's answer was no surprise to Gengetsu. Although the original story had never explicitly stated whether Shikkotsu Forest possessed a Sage Art inheritance, as one of the Three Great Sacred Places, there was no reason it would not. Moreover, for the Three Great Sacred Places to endure for over a thousand years, they must have had an enormous connection to Sage Art!

"I do want to try cultivating Sage Art. Earlier, I heard Lord Jiraiya say that he has already mastered Sage Art at Mount Myōboku!"

Gengetsu nodded.

"Mount Myōboku has toad oil as a cultivation aid, so it is comparatively easier to practice there. But even so, cultivating Sage Art is extremely dangerous. Compared to the Chakra cultivated by the human body, Natural Energy is not only powerful and difficult to control, but also highly corrosive."

Little Katsuyu explained carefully.

Gengetsu nodded. He knew the dangers of cultivating Sage Art. At Mount Myōboku, one careless mistake could turn someone into a stone toad, and even imperfect Sage Art cultivation would leave one with toad-like traits. Ryūchi Cave seemed to be the same. The original story never explained the extent of Kabuto Yakushi's Sage Art, but judging by his form, it was probably imperfect.

"Little Katsuyu, has Tsunade-sensei ever cultivated Sage Art as well?"

"Yes. Lady Tsunade tried several years ago, but she failed. Even in a place like Shikkotsu Forest, where Natural Energy is abundant and dense, Lady Tsunade found it difficult to sense Natural Energy and could not become one with nature!"

Little Katsuyu nodded.

Unable to become one with nature? Yet Jiraiya had managed it!

Gengetsu frowned. "Why?"

Little Katsuyu's feelers twitched. "Sage Katsuyu once said that when Lady Tsunade sensed Natural Energy, she could not keep her heart calm, so she could not become one with nature!"

"Unable to keep her heart calm... is that so?"

Gengetsu fell into thought. "Because of Nawaki and Dan's deaths, her mind could not settle? Sage Art requires becoming one with nature in order to sense Natural Energy. Only by sensing it can one use it. That should mean the same thing as Unity of Heaven and Man. In that case, it makes sense that emotional issues would prevent someone from mastering Sage Art. And the reason the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju, and Naruto were able to master Sage Mode so perfectly was probably related to their temperaments. Both of them had something like a child's pure heart..."

Thinking of this, Gengetsu asked again, "Little Katsuyu, before Tsunade-sensei, was the one who mastered Sage Mode at Shikkotsu Forest the First Hokage, Hashirama Senju?"

"Yes, Lord Gengetsu! After Lord Hashirama, no one from the Senju Clan has ever been able to master Sage Mode again."

Little Katsuyu's answer cleared up many of Gengetsu's doubts. He immediately said, "Little Katsuyu, go back. Please tell Sage Katsuyu that I intend to try Sage Mode!"

"Yes, Lord Gengetsu!"

Little Katsuyu nodded, then dispelled the summoning and returned to Shikkotsu Forest.