Sage Mode and Guy's Charge

Looking at the bruised and battered Naruto before him, Kakashi felt uncertain. Could it be?

Little Naruto's gaze darted about. "Kakashi, stop looking. I just accidentally fell and hit myself."

"No." Kakashi shook his head. "You got into a fight. No, more accurately, three little brats beat you black and blue. Am I right?"

Little Naruto was shocked. "Kakashi, how did you know?"

Kakashi gave a huge eye roll with his one visible eye.

Nonsense. That storyline where you picked up your future wife was so classic. How could I not know?

This was a fated encounter. Hinata Tenten got lost every day, and even the Hyuga clan's guards could not find her, yet you happened to run into her.

Over the past year or so, stopping by after work to ruffle Naruto's hair had become Kakashi's habit. It felt like he had rubbed the kid's head so much it was nearly developing a polished patina.

After bidding Naruto farewell, Kakashi went to a secluded spot outside the village and began training.

"Senjutsu Chakra is created by fusing three kinds of energy: the spiritual energy within the body, chakra, and Natural Energy from the outside world..."

"Unlike others, I have the advantage of being able to draw Natural Energy into my body."

"That means I can skip the time others need to gather Natural Energy, and I can master Sage Mode more easily."

"After training so hard for so long, I can finally give it a try today."

Kakashi sat cross-legged with anticipation, slowly guiding the three energies within his body to fuse according to the structure he remembered.

The structure of Senjutsu Chakra was incredibly complex. Kakashi had spent a full three months just trying to understand it.

"Gather the five elements and reverse their use; when the work is complete, become Buddha or immortal..."

As Kakashi circulated the Senjutsu technique taught to him by that mysterious existence, the Natural Energy in his body became as obedient as extensions of his limbs. At his will, it transformed into tiny tendrils that reached toward his chakra and spiritual energy.

Beads of sweat rolled down his forehead. Controlling the fusion of three energies was immensely complicated and tedious, like mentally controlling three versions of himself to go at it at once.

After an unknown amount of time, the three energies finally intertwined, gradually blending together before becoming an inseparable, stable whole.

It worked!

Kakashi opened his eyes. The pupil in his right eye had strangely turned vertical, making him look as cold-blooded as a python and sending chills down one's spine.

"Mm..." Kakashi touched his head. "Good thing I didn't grow horns. That would have been way too embarrassing."

"I imitated the Senjutsu Chakra of Ryūchi Cave, though I don't know whether it's a watered-down version. After all, it was only Orochimaru's experiment..."

Kakashi carefully sensed the state of his Sage Mode, wanting to see exactly what improvements it brought him.

"My senses have become sharper. I can even hear a young couple near the village right now, doing..."

"Hm? In Haku daylight, out in the wilderness... I got sidetracked."

"My chakra has become much thicker than before. Conservatively speaking, the power of my ninjutsu is at least three times what it was."

With chakra reserves worth ten Kakashis and the ability to enter Sage Mode, Kakashi felt that he was one step closer to breaking free of the fifty-fifty curse.

"However, the downside is that I can't use Ryūchi Cave Senjutsu such as Inorganic Reincarnation. Still, the techniques I created can temporarily make up for that weakness."

"And thanks to my high degree of control over Natural Energy, perhaps once I become proficient with Sage Mode, I can enter Sage Mode instantly!"

Thus, Kakashi's daily routine gained another item: after completing missions, he would ruffle Naruto's hair, then run somewhere deserted to transform.

Kakashi returned to the village looking utterly drained, only to see three familiar figures approaching him.

One wore a green jumpsuit and had a large watermelon-shaped head. It was his friend, Guy.

A man and a woman stood closer together. The woman had delicate features and a slender figure. She wore a short Haku robe with only one Kurenai sleeve, exposing her fair, long legs. She was Kurenai Yuhi.

The man was Asuma Sarutobi.

"Yo, Kakashi, what's wrong? You look exhausted. Did you just finish a mission?" Guy greeted him with a smile.

"You idiot, how can ANBU reveal mission information to outsiders, Guy?" Kurenai Yuhi shot Guy an annoyed Ki-filled eye roll.

"That's right, that's right. Kurenai is right."

Following the principle that everything his girlfriend said was right, Asuma nodded repeatedly beside her.

"We're about to go to the dango shop. Want to come with us?"

Guy invited Kakashi with great confidence. He believed that as long as he asked, his friend would surely do him the favor.

"Sorry, I don't really like sweets."

Kakashi shook his head and headed straight home.

Do you know how much protein I burn just transforming in a single day?

My legs can barely hold me up. Why would I eat dango? I just want to go home and lie down.

Of course, it would be even better if he had a good book to pass the time while resting.

At that thought, Kakashi could not help screaming wildly in his heart.

Ah, Lord Jiraiya, when are you going to bring me some books?!

"That guy, why has he become so withdrawn?" Asuma asked, puzzled.

Guy could not figure it out either. Why would his friend, with whom he trained side by side, not even give him face over a meal?

"Maybe it's because he's been in ANBU too long. After all..." Kurenai Yuhi let out a Ki-filled sigh. "A place like ANBU can change a person too easily."

"No, Zetsu-ly I cannot let my lifelong friend become like this. I'll take action!" Blazing Hokage flames seemed to burn in Guy's eyes.

"You?" Kurenai Yuhi and Asuma both turned to look at him, having no idea what this fool was planning now.

Hokage's office.

Guy entered, dropped to his knees without a word, and slammed his forehead to the floor, leaving the Third Hokage utterly dumbfounded.

"Lord Third, please let me join ANBU!" Guy said. "Kakashi hasn't been doing well lately. I hope I can help him."

The Third Hokage pondered for a moment, unsure how to put it. "Guy, I know you mean well for Kakashi, but everyone should be placed where they are best suited. You aren't really suited for ANBU..."

"No, Lord Third, please don't spare my feelings!" Guy said emotionally.

"Shut up! You aren't suited for ANBU. Leave my office now!" The Third Hokage turned his head away, too lazy to deal with this blockhead.

"Suitable... unsuitable... suitable... unsuitable..."

Guy left the Hokage's office with a vacant look in his eyes. After only a few steps, he ran into Danzo, who was leaning on a cane.

"Um, Lord Danzo!"

"What is it?" Danzo stopped and looked at Guy in confusion.

Guy said seriously, "Please let me join the ANBU under your command, Lord Danzo!"

"Heh heh."

Danzo walked away immediately, leaving Guy standing there alone, questioning his entire life.