Chapter 107 : Mastering The Perfect Level Of Sage Mode
Orochimaru, the Third Hokage, and the reanimated First and Second Hokage were locked in a fierce battle.
The Anbu who had rushed over were visibly shocked.
Even though the First and Second Hokage weren’t at their full strength, they were still overwhelmingly powerful.
It was rare for the Anbu to witness the Third Hokage in combat, and now, seeing a Kage-level clash unfold before their eyes, they were left in awe.
After Kakashi and Guy dealt with the Sunagakure shinobi at the arena, they hurried to the rooftop—only to find themselves unable to enter the Four Purple Flames Formation. They could do nothing but watch as the Third Hokage fought alone within the barrier.
Meanwhile, after Riku’s Shadow Clone went after Sasuke, it didn’t interfere. It simply followed him from a distance—even when Sasuke engaged in battle with Gaara, the clone remained still.
Soon, Naruto caught up, and together, he and Sasuke fought Gaara.
The Shadow Clone observed quietly. When Gaara succumbed to sleep and the One-Tail began to emerge, the clone finally considered intervening.
But before it could act, it dispelled itself.
—
Far away in Ryūchi Cave, Riku—deep in training—immediately sensed the release of the clone.
His eyes opened.
His face bore distinct markings—nothing like Orochimaru’s or Kabuto’s twisted transformations. No serpentine changes, no grotesque distortions. Only a dignified, symmetrical pattern, reminiscent of the majestic features seen in Hashirama Senju’s Sage Mode.
Of course, the senjutsu practiced by Hashirama wasn’t the same as Riku’s. But the markings—the sign of mastery—were the same.
Both had achieved Perfect Sage Mode.
Riku rose slowly. An intense surge of Senjutsu chakra erupted from his body, violent and overwhelming.
Natural energy flooded toward him, pouring into his body like a tidal wave.
Taking a long breath, Riku smiled.
"Finally... the training is complete."
The entire Ryūchi Cave trembled under the force of his chakra.
At the entrance to the underground palace, the three Hime Snakes guarding him stirred, while Shinya, the massive serpent waiting outside, felt the sudden pulse of chakra and shivered.
"This chakra... it’s Riku. He’s done it."
Far deeper within the cave, in the chamber of the Great White Snake Sage, ancient eyes slowly opened. A knowing smile crept across its face.
"That boy... truly full of surprises. It’s been thousands of years since we’ve seen a Perfect Sage Mode in Ryūchi Cave."
It whispered with reverence, "To think a human could achieve such terrifying perfection in Sage Arts... this reminds me of the First Hokage."
"That boy may one day stand on par with him."
Indeed, though Hashirama Senju had never studied the Sage Arts of the three great holy sites, he had nonetheless attained Perfect Sage Mode. In the thousand years since the Sage of Six Paths, only three others had accomplished this:
Asura, son of the Sage of Six Paths
Hashirama Senju, Asura’s reincarnation
And now...
Riku
Perfect Sage Mode typically required an extraordinary physique—namely, the direct bloodline of the Sage of Six Paths.
But Riku’s body was... different. His potential far surpassed even the Ōtsutsuki clan’s standards.
So, Riku didn’t find it strange that he’d reached this level. He had always known he was born different.
To the Great White Snake Sage, however, this was an astonishing anomaly.
Aside from Asura and Hashirama—both tied by blood or reincarnation to the Sage of Six Paths—none had reached perfect mastery. And Riku had done it by mastering the Senjutsu of Ryūchi Cave, just like the Sage himself once did.
Unlike Naruto or Jiraiya, Riku no longer needed to gather natural energy beforehand. He could now enter Sage Mode instantly, with no preparation time.
And his Sage Mode had incredible stamina. If he willed it, he could maintain it for an entire day.
If anyone in Ryūchi Cave was most thrilled by Riku’s success, it was Shinya.
Now bound to Riku by contract, Shinya waited outside, winding its massive body several times around a stone pillar in celebration—its way of expressing joy.
Nearby, Manda glared at Shinya’s behavior in disbelief.
This was the same snake that had once been even more volatile and anti-human than himself—why was it now so loyal, so eager to please a human summoner?
Manda hissed, annoyed. "Hey! Shinya! Calm yourself. Don’t forget how you used to hate humans. All he did was master Sage Mode! It’s not like no one in Ryūchi Cave has done that before."
Though Manda was right in that others had learned Sage Arts in the past, Shinya completely ignored him.
It continued to celebrate, reveling in Riku’s success.
Shinya had accepted Riku as its master.
Unlike Manda, who was selfish and temperamental, Shinya—while still fierce—valued the bond with its summoner. When its previous contractor betrayed it, the wound had cut deep.
But Riku was different.
Shinya respected him.
It had even begun to restrain its own rage, remembering Riku’s warning. It didn’t want to be betrayed again. This time, it would be loyal.
Back inside the underground palace, the Three Hime Snakes observed Riku’s transformation.
His facial markings were elegant—free of any serpentine distortion. A truly flawless Sage Mode.
In all their years, they had never seen such perfection.
Riku glanced at them and smiled. "Sage Mode truly amplifies Senjutsu chakra... I think I could match even the full-powered Nine Tails like this."
He muttered the thought aloud, half to himself.
The three Hime Snakes had never seen the Nine Tails in person, but even they could feel the immense chakra Riku was radiating—it surpassed their own.
Riku looked at them warmly. They had stood by him through weeks of intense training.
"Thank you," he said. "For watching over me all this time."
The three smiled.
"It’s no trouble," one replied. "Seeing a Perfect Sage Mode user is a once-in-a-lifetime blessing."
Ichikishima-hime, ever playful, tugged on Riku’s sleeve and giggled.
"What a shame... I never got to eat you, Riku-kun. Your chakra and body must taste amazing."
Riku gave her a flat look. These snakes really did eat people.
A lot of people.
He knew the truth: their beauty was a lure. Those who failed to master the trials of Sage Mode would end up as their next meal.
Behind the three elegant women... lay piles of old, sun-bleached bones.
Despite his gratitude, Riku couldn’t help but be wary of them.
In Ryūchi Cave, cannibalism was normal.
But to Riku... it was something he would never accept.
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