Chapter 879 Kabuto’s Progress
A figure traversed through a cavern veiled in a dense mist. With each step forward, the mist gradually dissipated, thinning out and revealing a radiant light at the cave's far end. Unperturbed by the sight, the figure continued their unhurried approach towards the cave's exit.
Exiting the cave didn't take long, and as the figure emerged into the open, the brilliant sunlight showered upon them. Having spent the past few days in the darkness of the cave, the sudden exposure to such intense brightness instinctively compelled the figure to shield their eyes with their hands. The excess light caused discomfort, overwhelming their senses.
After a while, the figure's pupils adjusted to the light, and they cautiously withdrew their hands, only to discover that their vision remained blurry. "It must be due to the lingering mist," the figure mumbled to themselves, intending to wipe away the moisture from their glasses. However, at that moment, they hesitated.
Upon removing their glasses, the figure realized something astonishing— their vision was unexpectedly clear, even clearer than ever before! Overwhelmed by the clarity of the world seen directly through their unaided eyes, the figure couldn't help but express their surprise and delight. "Could this mean that Senjutsu has the potential to cure myopia?" they pondered aloud, their mind filled with wonder.
This figure was none other than Yakushi Kabuto, who had ventured into the Ryūchi Cave days ago, determined to attain the Senjutsu Mode even at the cost of his life. Undoubtedly, Kabuto possessed an extraordinary talent for Senjutsu, mastering it within an impressively short span of time. Even the venerable White Snake Sage herself marveled at Kabuto's aptitude for Senjutsu.
Naruto, being a reincarnation of Asura and inheriting the Sage of Six Paths' physical prowess, stood apart. On the other hand, Kabuto, originally an ordinary shinobi, managed to swiftly grasp the intricacies of the Senjutsu Mode. This exceptional accomplishment astounded even the White Snake Sage, who briefly entertained the notion that the Senjutsu Mode of the Ryūchi Cave was tailor-made for Kabuto.
Within a few days of dedicated practice, Kabuto not only honed the skill of absorbing natural energy but also learned to instantly enter the Senjutsu Mode without the need for prolonged stillness to gather the surrounding natural energy. Presently, Kabuto's mastery of Senjutsu surpassed that of Jiraiya and Naruto, placing him on par with the esteemed First Hokage, Hashirama Senju.
It is crucial to note that Kabuto's extraordinary achievement was not a mere stroke of luck. Even within the canon storyline, following Orochimaru's demise, Kabuto inherited his mentor's legacy while embarking on a quest to unravel the meaning of life. In his pursuit, Kabuto went to great lengths, incorporating the cells of others into his own body, which tainted his chakra and resulted in a malignant chakra composition.
Indeed, to master Senjutsu, it takes more than purity of heart and unwavering determination; it requires a body that harmonizes with nature. Kabuto's ill-fated decision to integrate the cells of Orochimaru and his test subjects tainted his body, creating a disharmony that contradicted the necessary conditions for Senjutsu mastery.