I Have Shed My Serpent Form and Ascended to a Dragon

Ever since the Second Shinobi World War, when he heard Teacher Orochimaru say that his real graduation gift would be a trip to Ryūchi Cave, Genichi had known exactly what that meant: he was going there to train in Sage Mode.

The requirements for learning Sage Mode were incredibly strict.

First, one needed the talent to sense Natural Energy. If one lacked it, there were methods to help.

Second, one had to keep a tranquil mind, free of joy or sorrow. Only then could Natural Energy be guided to merge with chakra.

Finally, one needed a vast amount of chakra. If one's chakra wasn't enough to balance the Natural Energy inside the body, all kinds of serious side effects could occur, such as turning into a frog, a snake, or stone.

Orochimaru was a peerless genius who had mastered countless ninjutsu and could wield all manner of forbidden techniques with ease. Yet he alone had failed to learn Ryūchi Cave's Sage Mode.

Perhaps the many modifications he had made to human bodies and his research into forbidden techniques had left his physique incompatible, making perfection impossible. Or perhaps the terror of death had made him afraid to die, preventing his mind from ever settling during the process of absorbing Natural Energy.

Failing to master Sage Mode, which even Jiraiya had learned, had always been a regret of Orochimaru's.

Years ago, while searching the Ninja World for Ryūchi Cave, Orochimaru had discovered the Jugo clan near the cave. They had a natural ability to absorb Natural Energy.

After years of research, he had developed the Earth Curse Mark, which could help those branded with it sense Natural Energy and enter a low-grade version of Sage Mode.

Orochimaru had prepared the best he could for his beloved disciple. First, the Curse Mark would help him gradually adapt to Natural Energy. Then he would seek out the White Snake Sage and take the next step toward mastering Sage Mode.

Even if he failed to learn Sage Mode, the Curse Mark Mode could still increase his strength, grant him powerful physical recovery, and amplify his ninjutsu. As for side effects like physical mutations and an ugly appearance, Orochimaru couldn't care less.

After the Second Shinobi World War ended, Genichi had planned to train in Sage Mode. But with the Nine-Tails' transfer imminent, he had put it off until today.

Ryūchi Cave was said to be a secret realm at the end of the world, but it was still on the continent of the Ninja World. With Orochimaru leading the way, the master and disciple reached this mysterious "summoning beast sanctuary" in just three days.

Orochimaru walked ahead, speaking at an unhurried pace. "For those who come here to train, the White Snake Sage sends her subordinates, Tagorihime, Ichikishimahime, and Tagitsuhime, to test them. Those who pass all three trials will have Natural Energy injected into them by the White Snake Sage's fangs, and she'll teach them Ryūchi Cave's Sage Mode."

"But there's no rush. We still have some preparations to make first." Orochimaru changed direction and led Genichi toward a secluded corner, intending to apply the Earth Curse Mark.

The Natural Energy in Ryūchi Cave was far denser than in the outside world. The farther in they went, the more Genichi could feel the change in his surroundings. Finally, he spoke. "Teacher Orochimaru, I think I can sense a kind of special energy around us."

"You can sense Natural Energy directly?" Orochimaru turned around in surprise. He hadn't expected Genichi to be so attuned to it.

Genichi's eyes were gently closed as he sat cross-legged, going from motion to stillness, like an old monk in meditation.

Natural Energy filled the world, present everywhere. On the surface, it seemed utterly calm, like a sea with no wind or waves. But upon closer sensing, one could feel the surging currents beneath, containing power as terrifying as a raging storm.

Genichi covered his body in Magnet Release chakra, forming an upright oval that slowly rotated and drew in the surrounding Natural Energy.

Suddenly, fierce winds howled through Ryūchi Cave as vast amounts of Natural Energy poured in.

Seeing this, Orochimaru cried out in alarm, "Careful! You can't come into direct contact with Natural Energy. Even if you manage to draw it into your body, you'll be consumed by its endless power! I've prepared a method for you. You only need to—"

"There's no need." Genichi's expression was calm. He shaped his magnetism into a hand, seized the energy, and refined it in an instant.

Orochimaru stared at him in shock. "You!"

The situation looked like it was spiraling out of control, but it wasn't as bad as it seemed. The vast amounts of Natural Energy swirled with the magnetic field, forming a storm centered on Genichi, while the eye of the storm remained perfectly calm.

Knowing how dangerous Natural Energy was, Genichi didn't rush. He slowly refined only a small amount. As soon as it entered his body, he controlled it and merged it with his chakra, creating a higher form of energy—Senjutsu Chakra.

As time passed, nearly all the chakra in Genichi's body had transformed into Senjutsu Chakra. Not much else changed; only a patch of red appeared around his eyes. He had successfully entered Sage Mode.

With a thought, his perception spread alongside the Natural Energy in the world, reaching ten miles in every direction. He could make out the slightest details. He wasn't seeing them; the images appeared directly in his mind, as if he were observing everything from a higher dimension.

Heaven and earth were born with me; all things and I are one.

"Did you succeed?" Orochimaru asked nervously.

"Succeed? I'm not sure. Right now, I only feel utterly at ease." Genichi replied without opening his eyes. With a slight shift of magnetism, he floated upside down in midair.

He pointed one hand toward the sky and the other toward the ground, then slowly spoke. "Throughout heaven and earth, I alone am supreme."

Just then, the White Snake Sage arrived with the three snake priestesses, drawn by the disturbance in the Natural Energy.

Sensing Genichi's state, the White Snake Sage exclaimed in surprise, "You completed your Sage Mode training on your own, without any guidance. No, wait. This isn't Ryūchi Cave's Sage Mode. Have you created your own senjutsu?"

Not knowing the specifics of Ryūchi Cave's Sage Mode, Genichi had no answer. He only shook his head and continued to feel the immense power and heightened perception Sage Mode offered, pondering the future.

Now that he had Sage Mode, he could begin developing a range of techniques, including Sage Art: Wind Style: Rasenshuriken and Sage Art: Lightning Style: Kirin.

The road to power lay wide open. At that moment, the future was in Genichi's hands.

"What does Sage Mode feel like?" Teacher Orochimaru asked, licking his dry lips.

At that, Genichi glanced at everyone present—Orochimaru, the White Snake Sage, and the three snake priestesses—then slowly descended and turned his back to them.

"How does it feel?" He clasped his hands behind his back and lifted his chin slightly, as if savoring the sensation of Sage Mode. After a long while, he finally spoke in a low, unruffled voice.

"I have shed my serpent form and ascended to a dragon."