Konoha's Genius is a bit Ordinary?

After enthusiastically agreeing to demonstrate his Sage Mode, Naruto sat down cross-legged and began preparing to absorb natural energy.

Natsuro watched Naruto's actions and couldn't help but reflect on his own younger days. He had looked quite similar back then, though at the time, his chakra reserves had been insufficient, and without the guidance of Fukasaku, he hadn't dared to absorb natural energy even after sensing it.

Time had truly flown by.

Natsuro mused about his initial thoughts upon arriving in this world. He had once considered simply taking it easy and hiding behind the two protagonists if he couldn't become strong himself. But now, that idea was utterly out of the question. His strength wouldn't allow it.

Reflecting on his journey to power, every step he had taken left a clear trail. Yet, reaching this level of strength at his age was, without a doubt, akin to cheating.

As Natsuro continued observing, he noticed Naruto had successfully begun sensing natural energy and was now absorbing it—albeit rather slowly.

Gradually, Natsuro saw golden eye shadow appear at the corners of Naruto's eyes. In his perception, Naruto's entire presence underwent a dramatic transformation.

This wasn't like Sasuke's or Jiraiya's imperfect Sage Modes. Naruto's Sage Mode was something entirely different, it was perfect and complete.

Naruto slowly opened his eyes, looking at Natsuro. His eyes retained their human shape, but his pupils had become horizontal slits, and their color had shifted from blue to yellow.

Looking at Natsuro, Naruto sensed the immense reservoir of natural energy within him and the overwhelming aura of danger emanating from him.

Even in his current state, Naruto doubted he could match Natsuro.

Natsuro, for his part, was marveling at Naruto's progress. If Naruto had already mastered the perfected Rasenshuriken, his theoretical attack power in this state might even surpass Natsuro's.

"Don't resist," Natsuro said calmly.

Naruto nodded, understanding that Natsuro was likely going to use that technique again. However, this time, it seemed like Naruto might finally be able to help Natsuro instead of the other way around.

Excited by this thought, Naruto relaxed completely.

But Natsuro frowned in the next moment. His Spiritual Transformation Technique was being blocked.

He looked at Naruto's smiling face and realized that the barrier wasn't from Naruto himself. It was the natural resistance of his perfected Sage Mode.

"Natsuro, it seems like it's not working," Naruto said, sensing something trying to enter his body but being stopped.

"Hmm." Natsuro nodded, then sat down cross-legged and activated the Dual Soul Mode version of the Spiritual Transformation Technique for the first time.

In this state, Natsuro's physical body exhibited the same signs as Ino when using her Mind Body Switch Technique, sitting with his head lowered as if asleep.

With his enhanced Spiritual Transformation Technique, he successfully bypassed the barrier of Naruto's Sage Mode and entered his spiritual space.

Inside Naruto's spiritual space, Naruto ceded control of his body, allowing Natsuro to take over completely.

'Naruto,' now controlled by Natsuro, also sat cross-legged, appearing to be meditating.

Fukasaku observed the scene with keen interest, glancing between Natsuro and Naruto. Although he didn't fully understand what was happening, he could tell it was a pivotal moment.

Natsuro didn't use Naruto's Sage Mode body to perform any jutsu, it wasn't necessary. He simply wanted to examine what a perfect Sage Mode's senjutsu chakra looked like.

He observed the senjutsu chakra flowing through Naruto's body. To Natsuro, its every detail seemed laid bare, its mysteries transparent and within reach.

It wasn't until Sage Mode's time limit expired that Natsuro reluctantly returned to his own body.

"How was it, Natsuro? Did you find what you were looking for?" Naruto asked eagerly.

"Mm." Natsuro nodded with a smile, giving Naruto a big thumbs-up. "You've been a huge help!"

"Hehe!" Naruto beamed with joy, clearly delighted. This was, after all, the first time he felt like he had truly helped Natsuro.

"So, what exactly happened?" Fukasaku asked, his tone filled with curiosity. All he had seen was the two of them sitting cross-legged, and then... success?

Natsuro explained the role of the Spiritual Transformation Technique to Fukasaku and detailed how he had used it to observe the nature of senjutsu chakra within Naruto.

"I see," Fukasaku said, nodding as understanding dawned. Then, fixing his gaze on Natsuro, he asked, "Did you gain any insights?"

"Give me a moment," Natsuro replied, sitting back down cross-legged. Fukasaku couldn't help but feel a surge of anticipation.

As time passed, a faint mark appeared at the center of Natsuro's forehead, though it quickly faded. Fukasaku noticed the mark and seemed momentarily stunned.

When Natsuro opened his eyes, his once ordinary black pupils had transformed into golden irises, though the rest of his eyes retained their human appearance.

"So the only change is the color of your pupils?" Fukasaku murmured, puzzled.

Natsuro, however, was grinning. That was far from the truth.

Because what he had achieved was the Sage Mode of Mount Myōboku, and he had successfully converted natural energy into senjutsu chakra!

"Is this... Sage Mode?" Fukasaku asked uncertainly, his voice tinged with astonishment.

"It is," Natsuro confirmed. He glanced at Naruto before addressing Fukasaku again.

"I've always thought that since the natural energy I absorb can be converted into chakra, it should theoretically also be convertible into senjutsu chakra."

"However, all my previous attempts failed. I now understand it wasn't because it was impossible but because I hadn't yet reached the level necessary to make the conversion."

"Actually, even now, I'm not at the level where I can naturally make the conversion. But by taking control of Naruto's body I experienced firsthand what perfected senjutsu chakra is like."

"After thoroughly understanding the nature of senjutsu chakra, I was able to bypass many of the usual steps and successfully convert natural energy into the senjutsu chakra of Mount Myōboku."

Natsuro then turned to Naruto with a serious expression.

"And that's why I said, Naruto, you've been a huge help! You've saved me an incredible amount of time!"

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Currently on Chapter 279 - A Mysterious Connection to Flying Thunder God Seals