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TSSITWON Chapter 42: Practicing Sage Mode
🕑 Added 2024-10-05 16:17:44 +0000 UTCAt the beginning of the sixth month since Aoki started his sword training with Sakumo Hatake and learned to control Natural Energy under Kuroshiro's guidance, a moment that Aoki had been eagerly waiting for finally arrived.
After months of hard training, Kuroshiro decided to teach Aoki a very special technique—Sage Mode.
(Flashback No Jutsu)
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“Hey, kid! Come here!” Kuroshiro called Aoki in a calm yet firm tone. Kuroshiro's voice carried weight, prompting Aoki to approach with an irresistible sense of curiosity.
“What is it, Master Kuroshiro?” Aoki asked, a clear expression of confusion on his face. Aoki knew that Kuroshiro was not the type to call without reason, and usually, when Kuroshiro did so, it meant something very important was about to be conveyed.
“I’m going to teach you Sage Mode.” Kuroshiro said with an unusual smile, looking at Aoki with a gaze full of wisdom.
For a moment, time seemed to stop for Aoki. His body froze, and his mind struggled to process the words that had just been spoken.
Sage Mode. Those words echoed in Aoki's head, like a mantra he had been waiting for. In the next second, Aoki's lips curled into a wide smile. His heart overflowed with uncontrollable happiness and enthusiasm.
“Really?!” Aoki almost shouted, his broad smile reflecting his overflowing excitement. This was a dream Aoki had held for a long time.
Sage Mode was a path to a much greater power, perhaps even greater than what could be provided by ordinary breathing techniques. Although Mizu no Kokyu granted incredible strength, Sage Mode opened the door to harnessing Natural Energy in a deeper way, and that was incredibly appealing to Aoki.
“Of course. That’s why you won’t need to continue your physical training for a while. You won’t have much time for that. Now, let’s get started.” Kuroshiro nodded slowly, still smiling.
Kuroshiro then sat on the grass in the yard, his body appearing relaxed yet fully controlled, as if he were part of the surrounding nature. The sound of the gentle wind blowing around the yard added to the calm and focused atmosphere.
“First, sit cross-legged here in the yard,” Kuroshiro said, his voice flat yet clear, bringing a sense of tranquility. Aoki immediately followed the instruction, sitting cross-legged on the ground still damp with morning dew. Aoki looked at Kuroshiro with hopeful anticipation.
Without much talk, Kuroshiro plucked four feathers from his body—two white and two black.
“Take these,” Kuroshiro said, handing the feathers to Aoki.
Aoki carefully took the feathers, looking at Kuroshiro in confusion. The feathers seemed ordinary, but Aoki knew that in Kuroshiro's hands, even the simplest things held deep meaning.
“Uh, why do I have to use your feathers, Master Kuroshiro?” Aoki asked, his face full of bewilderment.
“Of course, you need to use my feathers. Everyone has a different way of using Sage Mode. For my Sage Mode technique, you must start by using my feathers. Once you become more skilled, you won’t need these feathers to access Sage Mode anymore.” Kuroshiro looked at Aoki with a flat gaze, as if he had explained this thousands of times before.
Aoki nodded, finally understanding Kuroshiro's explanation.
“Alright, I understand!” Aoki began to sit cross-legged more seriously, taking the feathers from Kuroshiro.
“Combine the two feathers—black and white—in both of your hands.” Kuroshiro continued his explanation calmly.
Aoki carefully followed the instructions. He took one black feather and one white feather, then carefully combined them. After that, Aoki held the feathers in his right hand and did the same in his left hand.
