Chapter 120
Natsuki didn't have any grand objectives. Aside from wanting to meet the legendary Jiraiya in person, he also wanted to ask him about Sennin Mode (Sage Mode).
Over the years, although he couldn't claim to have read every book in existence, he had scoured the Konoha library and spent money collecting many ancient texts from outside sources. He'd learned quite a bit about natural energy and the dangers of petrification in the body.
But as for how to actually absorb natural energy?
Nothing.
It was one thing to think about it—doing it was another. Much harder than he expected.
So Natsuki planned to take the time to ask Jiraiya about it: how does one absorb natural energy, what does it feel like once absorbed, and how does one control it?
He had a mountain of questions—but Jiraiya might not be able to answer them.
After all, Jiraiya's own Sennin Mode was pretty poorly mastered. He needed the help of Fukasaku and Shima, the two Great Toad Sages, and it still took him ages to enter Sennin Mode. Someone like that clearly wasn't capable of teaching others.
Besides, now wasn't a convenient time to approach Jiraiya.
"I'll wait until Hiruzen dies," Natsuki thought. "By then, Tsunade will be back. If I can't get anything from Jiraiya, I'll use Tsunade to connect with Katsuyu. Katsuyu's from one of the three great holy lands too—Slug Sage Mode must exist. Maybe even Hashirama's Sennin Mode came from Shikkotsu Forest. I have to ask!"
Natsuki wouldn't give up on Sennin Mode.
It was the kind of power-up that drastically boosts both attack and defense. Like equipping a full set of crit-damage artifacts—who wouldn't want that?