Konoha's Genius is a bit Ordinary?

The next day, Natsuro used the Flying Thunder God technique to travel to Mount Myoboku.

Now that he had engraved the Flying Thunder God teleportation array at his home, he no longer needed to use the reverse summoning technique to get there.

Along the way, Natsuro greeted the familiar toads and, under their guidance, successfully found Fukasaku.

"Hmm? It's little Natsuro! What brings you here today?" Fukasaku asked, surprised to see him.

"Well, now that most things have settled down, I thought I'd drop by and also take the chance to learn Sage Mode," Natsuro replied with a smile.

"Haha, I see." Fukasaku said with a chuckle.

"Hehe," Natsuro scratched his head with a grin.

"Alright, since you want to learn Sage Mode, follow me," Fukasaku said as he led Natsuro to a familiar pool.

"Normally, when someone comes here to learn Sage Mode, the first step is to reach a state where they can become one with nature. But you've already achieved that, so we can skip to the second stage, using the Toad Oil to aid in your training," Fukasaku explained, introducing Natsuro to the Toad Oil and Sage Mode.

Toad Oil, one of Mount Myoboku's treasures, has the ability to attract natural energy. By applying it to the body, it helps natural energy gather within the body.

At that point, the practitioner must balance their physical and mental energy with the natural energy entering their body. The ratio of the three energies must be precisely balanced at one-to-one-to-one.

If too little natural energy is absorbed, the body won't change, but if too much is absorbed, the practitioner will begin to transform into a toad or, in the worst-case scenario, be turned to stone.

Fukasaku pointed to a stone toad nearby and said, "Those are toads who absorbed too much natural energy and turned into stone."

"So remember, never absorb too much natural energy. It's difficult to maintain a stable flow of natural energy, which is why we don't let just anyone try this too early," Fukasaku explained.

"That's why learning Sage Mode isn't easy. Only those who can perfectly balance their natural energy with their chakra can create true Sage Chakra. With Sage Chakra, the resulting jutsu becomes far more powerful than usual."

Natsuro listened carefully. Even though he already knew some information about Sage Mode, he wanted to make sure he hadn't misremembered anything.

"Fukasaku-sama, I'd like to try without the Toad Oil first. I believe I can absorb natural energy on my own," Natsuro said after hearing the explanation.

"Hmm, well, if you think you can do it, that's fine," Fukasaku replied, stroking his chin. Using the Toad Oil was a shortcut for learning Sage Mode, but it was better if someone could manage without it since mastering Sage Mode would mean they'd eventually need to do so without the oil anyway.

"Alright, sit down here and try it. If your body starts to show any changes, I'll break your concentration and pull you out of the natural state," Fukasaku warned seriously.

"Got it," Natsuro nodded. Although he didn't need to sit down to begin absorbing natural energy, it was better to follow tradition for the first time.

Natsuro sat cross-legged and entered a deeper state of meditation. In the next moment, the natural energy in the air began to flood into his awareness.

He had sensed natural energy for a long time but had never tried to absorb it. Now, for the first time, he did.

As soon as he had the thought, natural energy rushed toward him.

"?!"

Fukasaku's eyes widened in shock as he watched the natural energy pour into Natsuro's body as if it had found its rightful home. He expected Natsuro to be able to absorb natural energy, but not this much on his first try!

Thinking something had gone wrong, Fukasaku raised his hand to break Natsuro's concentration, but found that his staff had disappeared and standing beside him was none other than the Great Toad Sage.

"Great Elder? What brings you here?" Fukasaku asked in shock, seeing the usually stooped Great Toad Sage standing upright.

The Great Toad Sage didn't respond, its large eyes fixed on Natsuro, reflecting a look of astonishment.

At the same time that Natsuro began absorbing natural energy…

In Ryūchi Cave.

The White Snake Sage, curled up on her grand and majestic throne, opened her eyes and looked into the distance. Her eyes first revealed confusion, then shock, followed by a hint of displeasure.

She was shocked that such a person had appeared in the world, but displeased that Mount Myoboku had found them first!

Nonetheless, the White Snake Sage stood up and vanished from Ryūchi Cave.

In the Shikkotsu Forest.

The Slug Sage also opened its eyes and looked into the distance. After leaving a part of its body behind, the Slug Sage disappeared from the forest.

Back in Mount Myoboku, Fukasaku stood frozen, staring at the enormous white snake and slug that had appeared. His eyes widened in disbelief, could they really be the White Snake Sage and the Slug Sage, who were as famous as the Great Toad Sage?

The Great Toad Sage didn't seem surprised by their arrival and, in fact, seemed relieved. The three great sages turned their gazes toward a specific direction.

Fukasaku looked but saw nothing. His confusion only grew.

After a long while, the three sages finally relaxed. They exchanged glances and returned to their usual forms.

"Gamamaru, it's been a while. Let me handle this human," the White Snake Sage said abruptly.

"This is not for me to decide. It's up to him to choose," the Great Toad Sage replied calmly. The Slug Sage, having returned to its normal form, seemed uninterested and remained silent.

"Tch, such a hassle. How long do you think it'll take for him to wake up?" the White Snake Sage asked.

"It may take quite some time. Fukasaku," the Great Toad Sage called.

"Yes?" Fukasaku responded, now certain that Natsuro's training had somehow drawn the attention of the three great sages. But why had Natsuro attracted all three sages? Fukasaku was utterly baffled.

"Send a communication toad to Konoha and inform his family that he will need to stay at Mount Myoboku for a few more days. Tell them not to worry," the Great Toad Sage instructed. At this moment, the Great Toad Sage's usual stuttering speech had completely disappeared.

"Yes!" Fukasaku glanced worriedly at Natsuro and immediately carried out the Great Toad Sage's orders. The situation had far surpassed anything within his control.

Meanwhile, Natsuro, who had just begun absorbing natural energy, realized that the amount of energy he was absorbing was far greater than expected... And it wasn't stopping.

This scared him. If this continued, he would surely be turned to stone! So why hadn't Fukasaku interrupted him?

While Natsuro was still confused, he noticed that the natural energy seemed to be integrating into his body as if it had found a home leaving him stunned; this wasn't what Fukasaku had explained...

What exactly was going on?

Before he could figure it out, he suddenly felt a terrifying gaze fall upon him. It was just a gaze, but it made him feel like he couldn't breathe. Although the gaze didn't seem malicious, the overwhelming power difference made him instinctively afraid.

He feared the owner of that gaze, a being who could snuff out his life in an instant. But the gaze soon dissipated, leaving a lasting impression of dread in his heart.

That sense of helplessness, knowing his life could be taken at any moment, made him feel terrible.

Before he could ponder the gaze's source, a sharp pain spread throughout his body. Though he could tolerate it, he was left wondering: what was happening to his body?

Soon, he realized that the natural energy entering his body was actually modifying it.

"Is my body undergoing modification...?!" Natsuro's face paled. Was he going to turn into a frog?

At that moment, he tried to open his eyes and escape this state, but found himself unable to. He could only watch helplessly as the natural energy continued to transform his body.

Suddenly, Natsuro felt that the natural energy, which had always seemed gentle, was like a wolf in sheep's clothing, harmless on the outside but revealing its fangs once inside his body.

Yet, he had a lingering doubt: if he couldn't escape from within, wouldn't Fukasaku be able to wake him from the outside?

Natsuro remembered Naruto being smacked awake by Fukasaku numerous times during his training. So why hadn't Fukasaku intervened this time? Could it be that since Natsuro wasn't using toad oil to absorb natural energy, Fukasaku hadn't noticed the danger?

Pondering this, Natsuro didn't fall into despair. He had a nagging feeling that something was off.

First, there was the overwhelming influx of natural energy. Then, there was that terrifying gaze. And now, his body was undergoing a transformation...

Perhaps something unknown was happening to his body, and maybe it wasn't a bad thing.

With these thoughts in mind, Natsuro stayed in his current state, calmly sensing the transformation occurring inside his body. On the seventh day, he finally felt a shift—his spirit was reinvigorated. It seemed like the transformation was nearing completion.

Indeed, as Natsuro had sensed, the transformation was finished, and he finally regained control over his body.

However, when he opened his eyes, he was greeted by three towering figures.

He blinked, wiped his eyes, and checked again, he hadn't seen wrong.

It was understandable for the Great Toad Sage to be there, but why were the White Snake Sage and the Slug Sage also present? Wasn't this Mount Myoboku?!

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Currently on Chapter 199 - Natsuro vs the Akatsuki (Part 2)