Sage Mode

"So, this is the perfect Serpent Transformation Technique..." Ryūchi Cave, Kato Osamu's body suddenly transformed from a human into a small, translucent, dark blue snake, and then transformed back into a human.

It's now three months after the wedding. Since unlocking a certain special activity, the two women have become addicted and enjoy it immensely. Although Kato Osamu can still easily win, the constant activity is starting to take its toll.

Kato Osamu strongly condemned Hiruko's proposed bio-modification technology and returned to Ryūchi Cave, not to hide from them, but simply to train the Sage Mode she hadn't yet completed...

This time, however, the progress seemed to be extremely smooth. In just one month, after successfully mastering the Serpent Transformation Technique, Kato Osamu could easily sense the Natural Energy existing in nature under the snake's body, as easily as refining Chakra in the human body. He quickly became completely accustomed to this special, seemingly more advanced energy.

"No wonder Ichikishimahime said that if one could master the Serpent Transformation Technique, then one could naturally learn Senjutsu ..." Feeling the abundant Senjutsu Chakra within his body, Kato Osamu suddenly activated his own Sage Mode ...

There were no special changes to his body, except that his pupils had turned into Snake Eyes and there was some light blue eyeshadow at the corners of his eyes. Kato Osamu felt an unprecedented sense of power.

"Fire Release: Fireball Jutsu!"

Kato Osamu, wanting to test the amplification effect of Senjutsu, arrived at an open area outside Ryūchi Cave. Before the vast scorched earth, he used all his Senjutsu Chakra to unleash a very basic Fire Release. What was originally an ordinary Fire Release Ninjutsu was amplified several times over. The huge fireball resembled a small sun, its dazzling light seemingly turning the entire sky crimson...

By repeatedly testing the different levels of Senjutsu Chakra amplification and seeing if the amplification levels were consistent across different Ninjutsu, Kato Osamu gradually began to understand the range of Senjutsu amplification...

"Depending on the amount of Senjutsu Chakra input, the amplification of Ninjutsu ranges from zero to ten times... Furthermore, after using Sage Mode, both physical strength and mental fortitude will increase significantly... approximately by one time..."

Compared to the massive boost to Ninjutsu, the boost to physical strength seems relatively small. However, for someone like Kato Osamu, who was already practically one of the top Shinobi World, to have his physical attributes nearly doubled at maximum is already terrifying enough...

"Furthermore, given the unique nature of Senjutsu Natural Energy, it seems possible to develop some unique Ninjutsu..." After the Chakra was mixed with Natural Energy, Kato Osamu keenly sensed that it seemed to have transformed into a completely different kind of energy...

"Natural Energy seems to be a higher form of existence than Chakra..."

"Ichikishimahime once said that Chakra seems to be derived from Natural Energy through some kind of transformation..."

Suddenly remembering something, Kato Osamu produced a scroll in his hand. With a slight movement, a piece of wood-like object landed in his grasp. Back in the Land of Rain, after speaking with Nagato, Kato Osamu learned of the Ten-Tails' existence and requested a piece of the Ten-Tails' husk—a portion of the Demonic Statue of the Outer Path's tissue—from Nagato...

The Sage of Six Paths had told him that the Ten-Tails was the legendary God Tree, or perhaps a God Tree of it, and that the God Tree was something that could convert Natural Energy into Chakra...

"Natural Energy and the God Tree..."

With a slight suspicion in mind, Kato Osamu channeled Senjutsu Chakra into the fragments of the Ten-Tails' body...

As Natural Energy was released, the entire fragment of the Ten-Tails was enveloped in Senjutsu Chakra. However, to Kato Osamu's surprise, the fragment of the Ten-Tails' body was like a stubborn rock, completely impervious to Natural Energy, and the fragment showed no reaction whatsoever...

"Why is this happening..." As if nothing had happened, the fragment of the God Tree remained as ordinary as a piece of wood, and Kato Osamu couldn't help but frown slightly.

"Nagato is developing the Sealing Technique: Phantom Dragons Nine Consuming Seals, intending to seal all the Tailed Beasts into the Ten-Tails' body in order to revive the Ten-Tails... So, the current Ten-Tails' body is just an inanimate object?"

"Does the conversion of this Natural Energy into Chakra only occur within a living body?"

As she pondered, a Shiro slowly emerged from Kato Osamu's body... Ever since Kato Osamu last attempted the Serpent Transformation Technique, the Shiro had quickly fallen into a deep sleep. However, now, sensing the aura of Natural Energy, the sleeping Shiro awoke once more, coiling itself around Kato Osamu's neck.

"You're finally awake..."

"It seems that Lord Kato has succeeded..." A very human-like surprise appeared in Shiro's Snake Eyes. She had long since merged with Kato Osamu, and their souls were intertwined and coexisted. Although they each had their own independent thoughts and will, in general, she was more like a split soul of Kato Osamu.

Of course, if Kato Osamu were willing to split this part of her soul power, she could still become an independent individual...

"Now you should be able to draw upon the Natural Energy within me to create a human body for you..." Kato Osamu chuckled. He and Shiro were symbiotic; as Shiro could continuously absorb Natural Energy, White Nether Princess could also use him to draw upon the Natural Energy she needed to transform into human form.

After all, this world is no longer suitable for them to continue cultivating; it would be difficult for her to possess enough Natural Energy to transform into human form.

"Okay!" The two were almost of one mind. When Kato Osamu didn't hide his thoughts, Shiro instantly understood what he meant. It shook its head, gently stroked Kato Osamu's cheek, and then jumped off Kato Osamu's shoulder and landed on the ground.

"It seems I've arrived just in time..." Ichikishimahime had already arrived nearby. The three goddesses and the Orochi Sage in Ryūchi Cave immediately sensed Kato Osamu's perfect completion of the Serpent Transformation Technique and absorption of Natural Energy.

After all, they had cultivated Natural Energy for countless years, and being so close, they were naturally very sensitive to the fluctuations of Natural Energy between heaven and earth.

"Now that you're here, protect Shiro and me..."

"She really knows how to order people around..." Ichikishimahime chuckled, not paying any attention, but her gaze was fixed on Shiro. If all went well, the fourth goddess would soon arrive at Ryūchi Cave...

Let's begin!

Kato Osamu sat cross-legged on the ground, actively absorbing Natural Energy. The surging Natural Energy seemed about to burst him apart. Meanwhile, Shiro began its own process. Its Snake Eyes flashed, and the Natural Energy within Kato Osamu's body began to flow into its own. As if filtered through Kato Osamu's body, the originally violent Natural Energy became docile. Shiro absorbed the Natural Energy without much effort...

The transformation from snake to human involves drawing Natural Energy into the body, allowing the body to adapt to this energy, and then using it to complete the transformation process. The universe possesses immense power; normally, it's difficult for any living being to overcome its physiological limitations, but under the wondrous influence of this Natural Energy, which harnesses the power of creation, transformation becomes possible...

Clusters of Natural Energy began to emanate from Shiro's body, as if some kind of secret technique had been used. The Natural Energy surrounded Shiro, even swirling into mist but not dissipating at all.

"After so many years of waiting, Shiro is finally about to take this step..."

Through the Natural Energy of the misty fog, Ichikishimahime saw the originally small snake's body begin to swell. Then, as if by some great force, the snake's body began to twist, its tail forked and gradually formed legs, its head gradually transformed into a human shape, and its hands gradually took shape. The scales had somehow disappeared, revealing smooth, jade-like skin...

At this moment, the transformation slowed down, but became more refined. The face began to change, becoming almond-shaped with peach-like cheeks, willow-leaf eyebrows, and starry eyes. The entire face appeared delicate and beautiful, and three thousand strands of black hair cascaded down like a waterfall. Then came the complete form. The entire process lasted approximately three hours...

"If you don't hurry, I think this transformation will fail..." Kato Osamu gazed at the Shiro that was already 99% transformed, a hint of admiration in his eyes. But the continuous absorption of Natural Energy for three hours was leaving him speechless, and even his meridians were starting to ache slightly...

"Ah... almost done..." The voice came from Kato Osamu's mind, seemingly with a hint of panic, as if she was engrossed in the 'face-shaping' process. At this moment, Shiro on the ground, her slender figure tall and charming, her jade bowl upside down, her skin as smooth and delicate as snow-white, her ten fingers long and slender, her face beautiful. Only her feet were gradually taking shape, snow-white and delicate, as white as jade, a masterpiece of nature.

Perhaps because her soul had merged with Kato Osamu's, Shiro's subconscious seemed to be influenced by Kato Osamu's thoughts. The form she conceived was the most beautiful form in Kato Osamu's subconscious. Looking at the beautiful woman lying quietly on the ground before her, Kato Osamu was slightly stunned, lost in thought for a moment...

Seemingly experiencing her first human form, Shiro's eyelashes trembled slightly, and she didn't dare to open her eyes for a moment.

"Phew... you really had a good time..." Composing himself, Kato Osamu's voice slowly rang out. Shiro finally opened her eyes and looked at him, her eyes filled with a little embarrassment. Looking at Kato Osamu's somewhat resentful gaze, she giggled.

"I'm so happy, Kato- sama... You know, I've been planning this day in my mind for so, so long... Hehe, look, what do you think? Isn't it beautiful?"

The transformed Shiro seemed to have a completely different personality from what Kato Osamu had imagined. Instead of being a mature and elegant woman, she was as lively and cheerful as a young girl, smiling sweetly at Kato Osamu and spinning around in front of him twice, as if letting him admire her most perfect masterpiece.

Kato Osamu stared at the image for a rare moment, the sight of it seemingly stepping out of her mind leaving Kato Osamu somewhat dazed...

"Let's find some clothes to wear first..."

"What does it matter..." As she spoke, Shiro seemed to habitually wrap herself around Kato Osamu, her arms around his neck, her cheek pressed against his, and she began to caress him.

Even after transforming into human form, the Shiro snake's habits didn't seem to have changed for the time being. Kato Osamu couldn't help but gently pat the girl's head and give her a slight glare.

"Alright, Shiro, now that you've taken human form, you should learn to be a good person..." Ichikishimahime took out a set of plain white palace clothes and instructed Shiro on how to put them on. After hearing what Ichikishimahime said, based on the age of snakes in Ryūchi Cave, Shiro was roughly equivalent to a human girl of about sixteen years old.

Kato Osamu shook his head slightly. He and Shiro were of one mind, so he naturally understood her thoughts. However, the impression of the snakes was too deep, and he couldn't feel the reality for a moment. But after Shiro transformed into human form, he was moved for a moment, and his emotions were somewhat fluctuating.

"By the way, Kato Osamu, Shiro will be staying at Ryūchi Cave for a while. Granny Snake will be teaching her some cultivation techniques..."

"How long will it take approximately?"

"A year or two? Let's see how fast Shiro learns..." Ichikishimahime watched Shiro haphazardly put on his clothes, a hint of helplessness in her eyes...

"Alright..." Looking at Shiro, whose clothes were a Shiro and who was still fidgeting, Kato Osamu's emotions gradually calmed down. Some people, regardless of their appearance, are simply unbearable to watch the moment they open their mouth or make a move...

It's better to stay in Ryūchi Cave for a while; at least when we get out, we won't let our opponents laugh at us before we even start a fight...

"Lord Kato is actually looking down on Shiro..." Shiro's resentful gaze left Kato Osamu speechless. Disdain? Absolutely disgusted...

"Cultivate diligently, I will come to see you..."

"Hmm... learn more from your three older sisters..." Kato Osamu gently patted Shiro's head, smiled, and said nothing more.

"Okay, I'll wait for Lord Kato to come and pick me up..." Feeling Kato Osamu's slightly warm hand, Shiro stuck out her tongue and licked it. Kato Osamu's face darkened for a moment, and he pinched her cheek hard.

"You'd better learn to be a normal person!"