"Let's leave the discussion here for now."
"No choice, really. The chakra issue… sigh, Water Clones and the like can't maintain jutsu-level output either. No solution."
There was no such thing as a perfect jutsu.
Even Kyoichi and Orochimaru hadn't figured out how to make non-symmetrical Shadow Clones work, so of course Minato hadn't either. Still, this line of thinking had already opened Minato's eyes.
"Trying to execute some jutsu in one step is nearly impossible. But if you take a detour—break it into two steps—it might be much easier. The trade-off is chakra consumption and inconvenience," said Kyoichi.
The Shadow Clone version of Flying Thunder God was clearly not viable.
You're not seriously going to summon a clone and perform hand seals every single time you teleport, right?
That loading time is ridiculous.
Still…
Even if it could only be used once per battle, a teleportation jutsu like this would still be a game-changer on the battlefield. And for Kyoichi, this was just a temporary workaround for now.
Once he became proficient in jutsu formulas, space-time techniques, and Flying Thunder God teleportation, he'd gradually refine and upgrade the system. He was confident he'd eventually master the real thing.
But then…
Just as he stepped outside, a system prompt popped into his ears.
He glanced at it on the way:
["Ninjutsu Training Logic" Teaching Completed]
[Evaluation: Excellent]
[Reward: Sage Mode Principles (Mount Myōboku Version)]
Uh…
Kyoichi froze for a moment.
Mount Myōboku's Sage Mode?
That thing…
Probably only good as research material. After all, Mount Myōboku had that black rod that could forcibly draw in natural energy, and he didn't have that.
As for going to Mount Myōboku?
To be honest, he didn't much like the Great Toad Sage. That old mystic sat around acting high and mighty. Sure, he helped Jiraiya a lot, but something about him just felt… off.
Asking Kyoichi to walk into their place himself?
Yeah, no thanks.
Still…
The reward did jog his memory.
Katsuyu had once mentioned that, once his body was strong enough, she could teach him another type of Sage Mode.
Hmm…
The technique of Sage Mode should be universal.
He accepted the reward.
Immediately, a wave of joy washed over him.
His mind was filled with new knowledge and techniques related to Sage Mode—including how to better blend natural energy and chakra.
This was way better than those vague "just feel it" teachings the toads spouted.
And…
The reward mentioned something else:
Sage Chakra is formed by combining natural energy and chakra. The three great sacred grounds each had their own strengths and unique styles. In a sense, Sage Mode was a powerful and viable path.
But it was extremely hard to master.
A misstep could result in petrification… or cellular breakdown.
Kyoichi recalled how even Truth-Seeking Balls couldn't completely ignore Sage Chakra in the anime.
If that's true…
Could he combine the advantages of Shikkotsu Forest and Mount Myōboku Sage Modes to innovate a new hybrid form?
Not impossible.
If it worked, his Sage Mode would definitely be stronger.
The more he thought about it, the more tempted he became.
Without hesitation, he rushed home, went straight to his study, and summoned Katsuyu.
"Kyoichi, is this for intel or a message delivery?"
"Sorry, Katsuyu. I know I usually call you out for that kind of thing, but this time it's different. I remember you once said that when I got stronger, you'd let me try another technique."
"Uh…" Katsuyu's antennae twitched slightly.
After a moment, she replied, "That's true. Your body now… still isn't exactly 'strong,' but I suppose it barely qualifies."
"Uh… and what's the standard for Shikkotsu Forest, exactly?"
Kyoichi was speechless.
His body had undergone major enhancements from bloodline fusion and rigorous training. Other than Might Duy, there weren't many in Konoha physically stronger than him. And this was just barely qualified?
Ridiculous.
"In truth, there's no fixed benchmark for Sage Mode training. Strength isn't the key factor. It's just that Shikkotsu Forest doesn't have many ways to prevent accidents, so our standards are a bit stricter."
Katsuyu explained calmly.
Kyoichi fell silent.
That…
Actually made sense.
The whole Shikkotsu Forest was essentially just Katsuyu. All the other slugs were merely her clones. They didn't need to train others. In fact, since Katsuyu's sentience emerged, the only person she ever trained in Sage Mode was Hashirama Senju.
And that guy…
Was born with a Sage Body!
So basically…
It wasn't that he was too weak—it's that Katsuyu's standard was just way too high.
"What happens if I fail the training?"
"Well… to be honest, I don't know. Because so far, no one who's trained with me has failed."
Katsuyu answered truthfully.
So truthfully that it made Kyoichi want to smack her.
Totally unreliable!
No wonder Tsunade never mentioned it in the anime. If Kyoichi were her, he wouldn't touch this with a ten-foot pole either.
It screamed danger.
Good thing he had the system reward.
Kyoichi exhaled deeply, forcefully calming his rising blood pressure.
"So… what are you saying, then?"
"If it were anyone else, I'd advise against it. But you're quite talented—just a notch below Hashirama. I think you can learn to manipulate natural energy."
Well then…
Kyoichi was left speechless.
After a moment's thought, he asked, "What was Hashirama-sama's training like?"
"He was a natural-born Sage Body. No need to adapt to natural energy—he just needed to learn how to control and use Sage Chakra. So the risk was low," explained Katsuyu. "In your case, you'll first need to adapt to natural energy—but without letting it corrupt you. You must learn to control it…"
Though the method sounded unreliable, Katsuyu's tone was calm and steady. And when Kyoichi compared it to what he knew of Mount Myōboku, he realized the Shikkotsu Forest's Sage Transformation was a lot gentler.
Of course…
It was also much slower.
Kyoichi quickly figured out why.
There was only one slug in Shikkotsu Forest—Katsuyu herself. She had no urgency. Her cultivation methods were probably designed for slow, steady training over many years.
Which meant…
The side effects of her method, in simpler terms, were—
Like Jūgo's condition.
Jūgo's clan had lived in a place saturated with natural energy for generations. Over time, their bodies and bloodlines adapted to it and underwent mutations.
That was Sage Transformation.
Granted…
Jūgo merely adapted to and used it in a crude way. But to someone like Katsuyu—on the level of a Sage—that probably counted as an imperfect form of Sage Mode, or even just a side effect of it.
"Then what if—just hypothetically—I absorb too much natural energy and something goes wrong?"
"If your body's strong enough, you just vent it all out and you'll be fine."
Katsuyu's response was simple and brutally direct.
Kyoichi fell silent.
He was starting to suspect… Shikkotsu Forest itself might actually be a byproduct of her cultivation.
And yet...
The more he thought about it, the more he preferred her method.
Mount Myōboku's might offer faster results—sure. But...
But Katsuyu's method was all about foundations. It taught you to directly adapt to natural energy—slow progress, yes—but once you succeeded, entering Sage Mode would be swift and seamless.
Because your body would already be fully acclimated.
Of course...
Mount Myōboku's method had its own advantages.
The toads were much better at "application" than Katsuyu. Katsuyu focused almost entirely on cultivating her own core foundation—she hadn't even developed many jutsu, let alone taught them to others.
The two approaches could absolutely be combined.
Kyoichi let out a breath, a hint of excitement bubbling in his chest.
If it worked, his Sage Mode might only fall slightly short of the natural-born Sage Body of Senju Hashirama.
"Thank you very much. Will this training require me to go to Shikkotsu Forest?"
"No need," Katsuyu replied. "Just find a place rich in natural energy. Shikkotsu Forest... is an option too, of course, but most people wouldn't be able to adapt there. It's very humid, and there's a lot of residual senjutsu chakra left behind—my own."
Katsuyu explained patiently.
While doing so, she also taught Kyoichi how to sense natural energy.
At the moment, this version of her was likely closer to her main consciousness. And yet, she remained gentle and kind—fundamentally different from the beings at Ryūchi Cave or Mount Myōboku.
Kyoichi loved that.
"Thank you for your guidance."
"No need to thank me. Training in senjutsu chakra is a slow process. Whatever you do, don't rush. Take your time. With your physical resilience, there shouldn't be any danger."
Katsuyu advised warmly.
Kyoichi nodded sincerely.
After sending Katsuyu back, he immediately sat down cross-legged and began trying to sense natural energy.
But...
He could barely sense a thing.
So...
He ran off to the Forest of Death.
By the time the night was over, he'd gotten a few bug bites—but made some decent progress.
At dawn—
He was finally able to sense natural energy.
Unfortunately...
It lasted for barely ten minutes before the sensation faded again.
But that was just as well.
Too much would be counterproductive.
Training in the Shikkotsu Forest Sage Mode was all about grinding it out—slowly and steadily building a solid foundation.
Kyoichi was ready for the long haul.
Just in time, too...
With Madara and Black Zetsu likely lying low for a while, he could focus on cultivation. Then when they showed up again—he'd give them a little surprise.
Of course...
That didn't mean he was ignoring village affairs.
Back in the village, Kyoichi made time to swing by the hospital.
Koharu Utatane was still working overtime.
Kyoichi couldn't help but respect her dedication. He tried to gently suggest she take it easy—there was no need to rush so much—but...
She insisted: the sooner they finished this stage, the sooner they could move on to the next.
At present, the cost of military ration pills had already dropped significantly. Combined with fast-growing medicinal herbs, they could even turn a modest profit despite the lower price.
Still...
Koharu wasn't satisfied.
Now that's what you call dedication.
Naturally, the other medical-nin didn't dare complain.
Participation was voluntary, and everyone there was genuinely learning a lot—new techniques, new knowledge—and earning a handsome reward.
So what if they had to work some overtime?
The entire Konoha Hospital was buzzing with energy.
It just went to show—
There's no such thing as "useless people." Just people in the wrong place.
Moved by this, Kyoichi also dropped by the research institute, where he found Homura Mitokado diligently taking notes—recording project progress, drafting guidelines, writing summaries.
Without Danzo, it seemed the two elders had entered a new phase of professionalism.
That got Kyoichi thinking...
Maybe it was time to bring the Third Hokage back, too?
He'd retired in his fifties—way too early. Maybe it was time to give him a post and help him rekindle his career for a second spring.
And he had just the job in mind.
Headmaster of the Ninja Academy!
Of course...
Not the current Ninja Academy—but a new comprehensive system that included a Chūnin Prep Class, Chūnin Retraining, and more.
Perfect chance to mention it to Tsunade.
Tsunade was all in—hands and feet raised in agreement.
She had piles of academy-related tasks dumped on her desk at the Hokage's office. If the old man could shine over there, all the better.
When it came to education...
The old man might have lacked in certain areas, but his depth of knowledge was unrivaled in all of Konoha. Writing textbooks, designing test questions, drafting school policies? He'd be a natural.
And so...
The very next day, the two of them headed off to visit the Third Hokage together.
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