Sage Mode

Keigo Uchiha looked at the passage before him and chuckled softly. Then he started forward, his footsteps echoing through Ryūchi Cave. "Well, let's see what's in there."

His eyes flickered, clear and alert.

According to the original Naruto story,

Ryūchi Cave was home to the White Snake Sage, three high-ranking members, and countless snakes. The White Snake Sage was responsible for passing on Sage Mode, but before anyone could meet her, they had to pass through the three who screened candidates.

Those three high-ranking members.

They were Tagorihime, Ichikishimahime, and Tagitsuhime.

Each of them tested a different quality: character, intelligence, and willpower. Anyone who failed even one test couldn't meet the White Snake Sage. They'd become... another pile of bones here!

He stepped through the passage, and the space before him suddenly opened up!

A vast, magnificent palace appeared before him, like an imperial palace from the human world, a splendid structure fit for heaven itself.

"Oh my, it looks like Ryūchi Cave has a new guest. Hello, guest, and welcome."

A graceful figure floated in midair, dressed in a green gown, her features lovely and delicate.

She looked just like a fairy.

"The White Snake Sage foresaw your arrival, so we've prepared a generous meal for you here at Ryūchi Cave. Please get some rest. I'll take you to see the White Snake Sage shortly."

She smiled prettily, her manners politely formal.

As though this were the most ordinary thing in the world.

"Is that so?"

Keigo Uchiha raised an eyebrow and said calmly, "I'm not hungry right now. Please take me to her now."

His dark eyes remained calm.

But the woman in green stiffened, her smile turning awkward as her brow twitched rapidly, as if something were trying to break through her face. She drew a deep breath.

She looked into Keigo Uchiha's tranquil eyes.

For some reason... she felt a pang of dread!

"Please have something to eat first. You need to rest."

"I don't think I do."

"You do," the woman in green insisted.

She was stubbornly insistent.

"It would be better to drop the act."

Keigo Uchiha spoke calmly. His dark eyes transformed into the crimson Three-Tomoe Sharingan, and the corner of his mouth curled up, a cold glint in his expression. "Do you think you can hide anything from these eyes?"

"Tagorihime."

In an instant,

the woman in green—no, Tagorihime—changed expression. Her lovely face turned hideous, becoming a fearsome snake's face!

"You know my name!"

"Looks like... you're not ordinary. Damn human. It's a pity I can't eat such a delicious meal!"

As she spoke, she licked her lips greedily.

Though she said it was a pity,

her whole body was taut, like a bow pulled to its limit, ready to shoot at any moment!

The man before her had an... indescribable allure. His flesh... had to taste especially good. It would surely make her... much stronger. But those crimson eyes filled her with dread!

He was merely standing there, yet she felt... as if she were facing a god or demon!

"You've already lost! Stand down!"

Just then, a stern voice rang out.

Tagorihime shuddered, but when she saw the white figure, she backed away reluctantly.

Keigo Uchiha had passed the test.

She... couldn't attack him!

"Then let's begin the next test."

Keigo Uchiha murmured softly and strode forward, passing Tagorihime. All the scenery around them decayed, as if heaven had instantly turned into hell.

The endless light and vivid colors

all turned gray.

The surroundings became a cave again, and the ground... was covered in endless bones!

"What?!"

Tagorihime's pupils contracted as she stared at Keigo Uchiha's back, terror rising in her heart. "Does he... know this is a test?"

Did this boy... know everything about Ryūchi Cave?

At the thought, cold sweat trickled down her spine!

Keigo Uchiha entered a cave.

In an instant, a massive boulder dropped behind him, blocking the entrance.

"Heehee, seeing through Tagorihime's illusion right away means you're quite the impressive fellow."

Ichikishimahime appeared in Keigo Uchiha's field of vision with a smile. "But now... you'll have to finish the 'game' before you can leave."

"Otherwise, there's no way out."

She had a sweet face, like a cute girl next door. Her hair was tied into two buns, giving her the look of a little doll.

At that moment, Ichikishimahime regarded Keigo Uchiha with great curiosity.

There was something incredibly mysterious about this boy.

It seemed nothing could stump him.

Just where did this boy get his confidence?

"Of course."

Keigo Uchiha chuckled softly. "Since this is a test I have to pass, I'll take it one step at a time."

As he spoke,

he calmly examined the colorful puzzle stones on the ground. There were triangles, crescent moons, and all sorts of other shapes.

The boulder that had just fallen had matching hollows, perfectly suited to hold the puzzle stones.

The Three-Tomoe Sharingan spun as Keigo Uchiha reached down and picked up the stones one by one.

Soon, he had filled every hollow!

But one hollow remained, and there was no colored stone to match it!

"So this is the test of intelligence? But if it's about intelligence, then I need to think of a different way to achieve the goal."

Keigo Uchiha broke a stone in two, then fitted the pieces into the hollow!

He only had to turn it around.

And it fit the shape of the hollow perfectly!

"Let's move on to the next test."

The boulder rumbled!

The entrance opened wide, and Keigo Uchiha walked forward, leaving Ichikishimahime staring after him in bewilderment.

"What... just happened? It's over already, and it hasn't even been two minutes?"

She looked utterly bewildered.

Was she the examiner, or just some bystander?

How could she be so irrelevant?

"Heh, looks like this brat... won't be easy to handle. Leave him to me, Ichikishimahime. I'm going to eat him!"

A red-haired figure appeared behind Ichikishimahime. It was Tagitsuhime, with long red hair and an exceptionally gentle face. But the words she spoke sent a chill down one's spine!

"No."

Ichikishimahime shook her head.

As if she'd thought of something.

But Tagitsuhime had already disappeared before she could hear her.

The moment Keigo Uchiha stepped into the cave, mist billowed around him, as if something terrifying... were about to appear. But in the next instant... the white mist vanished.

As if nothing had happened.

Then a sharp, shrill voice rang out!

"That's impossible! That's impossible!"

"Why... didn't your inner demon appear? Are you telling me you have no doubts in your heart, no fears at all?!"

Tagitsuhime stared wide-eyed in disbelief. Her gentle face, as lovely as that of a Yamato Nadeshiko,

turned into a snake's face.

Hideous and terrifying!

Shock and fear filled Tagitsuhime's snake-like eyes!

She was less than five meters from Keigo Uchiha, facing him directly. She'd thought her illusion would confuse him, but she hadn't expected it to... do absolutely nothing. She'd lost the moment she showed up.

And she'd just been bragging that she could beat Keigo Uchiha.

Damn it, he'd just made her eat her words!

"Heehee, you lost... as soon as you cast your illusion?"

Ichikishimahime's figure drifted over to Tagitsuhime, her eyes full of mockery.

She also looked completely unconcerned.

Compared with the other two,

she was the most laid-back.

Whether she ate or not didn't really matter to her. But she was having a great time watching the show!

"Get lost! Next time, I want to be the first one to test someone. You two can't always be the ones eating people!"

Tagitsuhime stormed off.

Damn it, not only was it embarrassing, it was infuriating!

"Why are you so angry? It's not like I'm the one who eats the most. That's Tagorihime."

Ichikishimahime pouted with her childish face, then turned to Keigo Uchiha. "Since she's already left, I'll take you to meet the White Snake Sage this time."

"By the way, you're one of the few people who've made it this far in the past hundred years. But this isn't the final test."

She smiled brightly, radiating the warmth of the girl next door.

Her face was fair and pure, with an air of innocence.

Who would have believed it, after seeing that chilling expression just moments ago?

About ten minutes later,

they walked through the cave, and the space before them suddenly opened up!

A... solemn temple stood before them!

This was the White Snake Sage's home. Before Keigo Uchiha could even pause, the temple doors swung open. The two walked inside, where they found a kindly old woman.

She lay on an ancient stone bed.

"A boy who is absent from the River of Fate, whose past and future are both blank... Who, exactly, are you?"

The White Snake Sage slowly opened her eyes. Though her face was old, her eyes... were remarkably clear.

As if... they could see through everything!

A chill ran down Keigo Uchiha's spine.

He felt as though he'd fallen into an ice cellar.

In an instant, he assumed a fighting stance. The crimson five-pointed star in his eyes spun wildly, yet even so, his heart remained cold.

Could the White Snake Sage before him... also see the future?!

Beneath the ground, in a dark place,

Shimura Danzō slowly opened his eyes, a cold glint in them. He spoke softly, his voice echoing underground, where no one else could hear.

"The Uchiha Clan... are born evil! The only reason the Uchiha Clan has remained stable is undoubtedly Keigo Uchiha's presence. But if Keigo Uchiha dies... the entire Uchiha Clan will inevitably fall into chaos!"

"When that happens... the Sharingan of the Uchiha Clan will be mine for the taking!"

His eyes were sinister, filled with malice.

"Orochimaru, if you want to study the Sharingan of the Uchiha Clan, you'll have to come to me for help!"

As he spoke,

he looked into the darkness before him, his eyes growing colder.

At this point in time,

the Root ninja... should have already infiltrated the Uchiha Clan, right?

With the strength of an Elite Jonin, against Keigo Uchiha, who was already extremely old, the winner was obvious.

The Uchiha Clan.

In the darkness of night,

a figure flashed inside at great speed. The guards didn't even notice him. He was like a ghost haunting the night, moving too quickly for his form to be seen.

Only a small shadow beneath his feet

proved he had ever been there.

He quickly reached a door, then opened it and slipped inside as cautiously as a ghost. The house had no open windows, so this was the only way in!

"I have to complete Lord Danzō's mission. Otherwise... the Gekko Clan will be doomed!"

His eyes were filled with conflict and pain, but in the next instant, they turned cold again!

This was for the sake of his clan.

He had no other choice!

If Shimura Danzō made a move against the Gekko Clan, they had no chance of resisting—not in their current state. And... his son was still in Danzō's hands!

"Sorry, Great Elder of the Uchiha Clan."

Gekko Chōfū took a deep breath and gripped his kunai. His heart pounded wildly. This was the most powerful man in the Uchiha Clan!

One stomp of his foot could make all of Konoha tremble!

But the next moment, a sharp shout rang out. "Enemy attack!"

"The enemy has a ninjutsu that makes them invisible. Even the Sharingan can't see them. Protect the Great Elder!"

Uchiha Shinsuke shouted.

His eyes were a pair of crimson Three-Tomoe Sharingan!

Though he couldn't see the enemy, the door that had suddenly opened by itself moments ago was proof enough. His eyes were wide with alarm, and cold sweat ran down his forehead. Damn it!

He was too far away. There was no way he could reach the Great Elder in time!

"Whoever you are, stop now and the Uchiha Clan may still forgive you. Otherwise, you'll face the enmity of the entire Uchiha Clan!"

"You'll face the fury of the entire Uchiha Clan!"

He roared!

His shout startled the night birds from their perches.

Gekko Chōfū's gaze was cold, his back slick with sweat. There was no turning back now!

He gripped the kunai tightly and drove it toward Kyo Uchiha's neck!

But in the next instant, those eyes opened!

In them... was a pair of crimson Pentagram Mangekyou Sharingan!

"So this is what Keigo did before... He placed the power of his Sharingan in my eyes. Once again, this old man has been saved by a young man."

Kyo Uchiha shook his head helplessly.

Gekko Chōfū stood frozen before him. The confusion in his eyes gradually cleared, and his figure became visible. He respectfully faced Kyo Uchiha and dropped to one knee.

"Great Elder!"

His expression was reverent.

He looked like the most loyal of servants.

With a crash, the wooden door flew off its hinges. Uchiha Shinsuke charged into the room like a wild lion, panting as he roared, "Don't you dare hurt the Great Elder!... Hm?!"

He stopped short.

Looking at Gekko Chōfū kneeling before Kyo Uchiha, he was completely bewildered.

"What's going on?"

He stared blankly. "Did he come in here just to kneel before you?"

This was absurd!

He knew the man before him. He was the head of the Gekko Clan and its only Elite Jonin. Yet now he was kneeling before the Great Elder like a servant!

"That's enough. Stand down, Shinsuke. Everything's fine now."

Kyo Uchiha waved him away. In the dead of night, clarity glinted in his clouded eyes, and his gaze was ice-cold!

Now he would get to the bottom of this.

Who dared make a move against him?!

Inside Ryūchi Cave.

"You know who I am? What... did you foresee?"

Keigo Uchiha narrowed his eyes as he stared at the kindly White Snake Sage. His gaze was chilling, and a terrifying aura poured from him!

Blue-green flames wreathed his body!

Thunder crackled!

Rankai Mode was active!

The crimson pentagram spun wildly in his eyes!

"Don't be so tense. As an ancient creature, I naturally possess some power of prophecy. But I can't see your past or future. You seem to be a special case. Perhaps... you can help me with something."

The White Snake Sage grinned.

Her kindly face somehow looked even kinder.

Yet to Keigo Uchiha, there was something indescribably strange about it.

"You came here through Orochimaru's Reverse Summoning Technique. There's no need to worry. I'll inject you with Natural Energy and help you master Sage Mode—assuming you can control Natural Energy, of course."

The White Snake Sage spoke amiably.

She was almost too accommodating.

It seemed she would agree to anything Keigo Uchiha asked. That smoothness made him feel... uneasy!

"What will I have to give in return? Or, rather, what do you want me to help you with?"

Keigo Uchiha raised an eyebrow.

In his previous life, as a high-ranking executive at a Fortune 500 company earning tens of millions a year, he'd learned one thing: there was no such thing as a free lunch. The more something seemed free, the more it cost!

"I haven't decided yet. Besides, even if I were to make a request, it would have to wait until you successfully master Natural Energy."

The White Snake Sage smiled as her form began to change. The short, kindly old woman transformed into a... thousand-meter-long White Phosphorus Snake!

Monstrous and terrifying!

"Everyone who comes here and makes it this far has to agree to one request of mine. The request varies, and yours... hasn't been decided yet."

"Are you willing to accept?"

The enormous White Phosphorus Snake flicked her tongue.

Before the gigantic, fearsome serpent, Keigo Uchiha looked like a tiny ant!

"Of course."

Keigo Uchiha grinned.

The White Snake Sage before him was different from the Toad Sage of Mount Myōboku.

If the Toad Sage was a kind, slightly muddleheaded old man who always looked out for you, then the White Snake Sage... put self-interest above all else!

Everything she did served her own interests.

She'd probably already decided what she wanted. She just wasn't ready to say it yet!

"Chances to master Natural Energy don't come often. With such a good opportunity right in front of me, I can't let it slip by."

Keigo Uchiha chuckled.

Then he thought of something and asked, "May I ask why Orochimaru can't use the Reverse Summoning Technique to come to Ryūchi Cave? Even if his soul is somewhat weak, he's still an excellent successor."

He looked at the White Snake Sage curiously.

This was something he couldn't quite understand.

If Orochimaru wanted to master Sage Mode, it shouldn't be too difficult. His chakra control was already precise enough for him to perform Living Corpse Reincarnation.

Learning Senjutsu should be much easier for him than for an ordinary person!

Orochimaru just needed to recover his mental strength.

The White Snake Sage froze, then fell silent for a long time. "Actually... I glimpsed a part of Orochimaru's future. He doesn't respect rules. Even if he agreed to my request now, he'd break his promise and follow his own desires."

"He'll be able to obtain what I need in the future, but he won't give it to me."

As she spoke,

the corner of her mouth seemed to twitch, and a trace of helplessness appeared in her snake-like eyes.

Holy crap!

Keigo Uchiha was stunned. That really was Orochimaru!

He'd even found a loophole in front of the Shinigami.

And now he was making empty promises to the White Snake Sage!

Impressive!

Neither of those two was any good!

So Orochimaru's problem wasn't just his mental state—it was his character. He'd eventually obtain something the White Snake Sage coveted, but he'd break his promise and refuse to give it to her.

Keigo Uchiha pondered this. Then something occurred to him, and his pupils contracted!

What the White Snake Sage wanted... was a chance to become a dragon!

And in Boruto, Orochimaru had Mitsuki master a Sage Mode that closely resembled a dragon's form. It seemed the White Snake Sage had foreseen exactly that.

"I understand. Then let's begin."

"Once I master Natural Energy, I'll help you when you need it. Of course, I won't do anything that harms my own interests."

"I won't ask that of you."

"Then... endure my power!"

"Absorb Natural Energy and combine it with your own physical and spiritual energy. Keep the ratio at 1:1:1 to form Senjutsu Chakra!"

The White Snake Sage flicked her tongue. Her monstrous jaws descended from above!

She suddenly sank her teeth into Keigo Uchiha's neck!

In an instant,

a surge of Natural Energy gushed from her fangs. It was bone-chillingly cold, yet carried a hint of warmth. At the same time, a strange power filled Keigo Uchiha with blissful comfort.

It felt as if he were wrapped in a warm blanket.

But the next moment,

the "blanket" grew hotter and hotter!

Keigo Uchiha's body began to change. Fine, hard scales sprouted along his neck, as if... he were turning into a snake!

At the same time, the affected areas began to turn to stone!

"So... I can't see his future. Was it just a fluke?"

A hint of disappointment appeared in the White Snake Sage's eyes.

It made sense.

How could just anyone who came along have the talent to learn Sage Mode?

But suddenly, her pupils contracted. She stared at Keigo Uchiha in disbelief. "He's controlling it! And the Natural Energy inside him is stabilizing. What... is happening?!"

"Petrification... It's supposed to be irreversible!"

The sight defied her understanding.

The petrification and snake-like transformation on Keigo Uchiha's body slowly faded. It was gradual, but steady.

The Natural Energy inside him was docile, precisely merging with his chakra under his control. His body gradually reddened.

He seemed to be enduring tremendous pain.

But his expression didn't change at all.

"So this is Natural Energy... Energy that exists throughout nature. When combined with physical and spiritual energy, it forms Senjutsu Chakra and lets me enter Sage Mode!"

"For an ordinary person, this is difficult to control."

Keigo Uchiha's thoughts raced.

He was multitasking, yet it had no effect on him.

For an ordinary person, learning to form Senjutsu Chakra was like extracting chakra for the first time. They'd never tried it before, so they were unlikely to succeed on their first attempt.

And forming Senjutsu Chakra was ten times harder than extracting ordinary chakra!

That was why people failed!

"But for someone with the talent of Absolute Control, it's as easy as eating and drinking!"

He opened his eyes!

Crimson eyeshadow appeared!