I Really Am Not the Protagonist (Please Bookmark and Recommend)

Gengetsu sat cross-legged atop a massive golden mushroom, with Little Katsuyu perched on his shoulder, explaining the methods of Sage cultivation in her uniquely beautiful voice.

"There is actually nothing particularly special about becoming a Sage. I was born in this sacred land rich in Natural Energy, so I naturally possessed an extremely strong affinity with it. I could sense and capture this energy, and over a long period of time, it enlightened my intelligence and gave me the ability to wield this power. However, the Three Great Sacred Places generally do not use Sage Art often. Instead, they use it to nurture themselves, and over time, Natural Energy merges into their Cells, turning them into Sages."

Gengetsu frowned as he listened. "So, the original Sage state is actually like a human's Sage Mode. It is only through Sage Chakra continually nurturing one's Cells that one gradually reaches the point of controlling those Cells and making them absorb Natural Energy."

"That's right, Lord Gengetsu. Sage Mode was not created for combat, but to nurture the body's Cells until they can absorb Natural Energy from the outside. Only then can it be considered truly perfect!"

Little Katsuyu confirmed it.

"I see..."

Gengetsu gained some understanding and suddenly thought of Jugo from the original story. Jugo was the only known human in Naruto who had been born able to absorb Natural Energy, which seemed somewhat similar to Katsuyu. However, Jugo could not freely control Natural Energy, so once there was too much of it, he would undergo Sage Transformation and go berserk.

Struggling to recall memories from his previous life, Gengetsu rubbed his brow. "According to Little Katsuyu, Jugo's Sage Mode is actually closer to a truly perfect Sage, because he has already integrated Natural Energy into his own Cells, thereby changing his body. That is why he could save Sasuke when he was almost dead."

At that thought, he could not help remembering that after Hamura Otsutsuki had been killed by the Sage of Six Paths, he too seemed to have been saved by an Immortal Talisman given to him by Gamamaru.

This was the kind of power Sage power should possess!

Compared to that, the Sage Modes of Naruto and Jiraiya merely greatly enhanced physical strength, sensory abilities, and the power of various ninjutsu. Next to the power to bring back the dead, they were practically trash!

And as far as he knew, Nine-Tails Chakra also possessed abilities such as enhancing perception and amplifying the power of ninjutsu!

"But why do I get the feeling that the greatest villains in the Shinobi World are not Kaguya Otsutsuki, not Madara Uchiha, and certainly not the alien Ōtsutsuki Clan, but the Three Great Sacred Places..."

The thought suddenly leaped into his mind, startling even Gengetsu himself. Still, he felt that while Shikkotsu Forest and Ryūchi Cave were one thing, Mount Myōboku, which had the deepest ties to the Shinobi World, truly warranted closer scrutiny.

"While it was inevitable to some extent that the Otsutsuki brothers and Kaguya Otsutsuki would turn against each other, Gamamaru definitely played a role in fanning the flames back then!"

"Gamamaru's most direct intention was probably to stop the God Tree from continuing to absorb Natural Energy!"

"The waters of this world run even deeper than I imagined..."

Gengetsu sighed inwardly, then temporarily set aside these still-vague speculations. Under Little Katsuyu's guidance, he closed his eyes, calmed his mind, and began sensing Natural Energy.

One hour, two hours...

Three hours later, Gengetsu opened his eyes and asked Little Katsuyu somewhat awkwardly, "Little Katsuyu, how long did the First Hokage take to sense Natural Energy?"

"The First Hokage only took fifteen minutes, but Lord Gengetsu, there is no need to be discouraged. I can sense within you a power similar to that of the First Hokage and Lady Tsunade."

Little Katsuyu comforted him softly.

Fifteen minutes... I really am not the protagonist!

Gengetsu smiled bitterly, but quickly rallied himself. "Don't worry. I will not give up so easily! If three hours are not enough, then I'll use three days. If three days are not enough, then thirty days!"

"Keep it up, Lord Gengetsu!"

Little Katsuyu bent her two antennae.

Nodding, Gengetsu closed his eyes again, doing his utmost to clear away all distracting thoughts and sense Natural Energy.

Soon, more than half a day had passed. Gengetsu opened his eyes, still without gaining anything.

"Comparing yourself to others really can make you furious. Talent is something you simply cannot envy your way into having!"

With a helpless sigh, Gengetsu said to Little Katsuyu on his shoulder, "Let's stop here for today. Thank you, Little Katsuyu!"

"Yes, Lord Gengetsu!"

"Oh, right, Little Katsuyu, can Tsunade-sensei be summoned to Shikkotsu Forest through reverse summoning?"

Gengetsu suddenly thought of something and hurriedly asked.

Little Katsuyu froze. "Lord Gengetsu, that... is certainly possible! It's just... we cannot determine Lady Tsunade's current condition, so it may be somewhat dangerous!"

"Uh... right!"

Gengetsu smiled awkwardly, thinking, Better forget it. If she happens to be bathing or something, she might punch me to death!

After returning to Konoha, Gengetsu took out his notebook from the Scroll of Seals and wrote down a new plan on a fresh page.

The difficulty of Sage Art cultivation exceeded his imagination. Since he could not even sense Natural Energy in the short term, he had to incorporate Sage Art cultivation into his long-term plans.

"Also, I need to make preparations in case I end up like Tsunade..."

Gengetsu muttered to himself, then added the words "Pineal Gland" after the four words "Sage Art Cultivation" on the first line.

"The previous plans need adjusting as well. The development of Kekkei Genkai must also be incorporated into the long-term plan, especially Kekkei Tōta!"

"Adamantine Sealing Chains must be completely mastered before the end of the Third Shinobi World War!"

"One's Own Life Reincarnation!"

"Eight Trigrams Sealing Style!"

"Lightning Release Chakra Mode!"

Gengetsu stopped writing there and thought, Until Lightning Release Chakra Mode and my speed training reach a certain level, Kazuhara-sensei's suggestion is indeed worth adopting. The role of a Medical Ninja and ninjutsu-type ninja is not bad either. For now, Water Release should remain my main focus.

"Looks like I should develop in the direction of the Second Hokage first!"

Gengetsu rubbed his chin and wrote down another two lines before putting away his notebook and turning to study the creation of Exploding Tags.

He would need plenty of money for future experiments. Relying solely on missions would probably work him to death, and making Exploding Tags was a good way to earn money.

"Hmm, I can trade Raikiri for the technique of Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags!"

The next day, Gengetsu's Main Body first went to Shikkotsu Forest to train for an hour. He then traded Raikiri for Mutually Multiplying Explosive Tags before heading to the Training Ground to meet up with Kanzuki Chiba and the other two.

"What is this..."

A noisy chorus of bird cries rang by his ears. Gengetsu quickened his pace, then saw from afar lightning flickering around Uchiha Shinsui's raised right hand.

Lightning Release: Chidori!

"He mastered it in only a few days..."

Gengetsu did not know whether to laugh or cry. "Now that is protagonist material!"

In the distance, Uchiha Shinsui began sprinting. He became faster and faster, his figure flashing so quickly that it was difficult to follow. Then, one after another, trees came crashing down.

"This really gives off Kakashi vibes!"

Gengetsu sighed enviously and immediately sped up toward the Training Ground.

"Gengetsu, Shinsui mastered Raikiri!"

The moment Kanzuki Chiba saw Gengetsu's Main Body, she shouted loudly. Her originally quiet and graceful temperament had completely vanished.

"I already saw it!"

Gengetsu looked at the approaching Uchiha Shinsui and said sincerely, "Congratulations, Shinsui!"

"Thank you. I did not disappoint you!"

Uchiha Shinsui's eyes burned intensely. Gengetsu's eyelid twitched violently, and he felt a pang of discomfort. He hurriedly changed the subject. "Let's have a taijutsu spar!"

The moment he said it, Gengetsu wanted to slap himself. He was definitely poisoned!