Sage Mode, a state that allows users to surpass their body's natural limits, is achieved by absorbing and merging natural energy with one's own chakra to create senjutsu chakra. This transformation played a significant role in the battle between Naruto Uzumaki and Pain in Part II of Naruto. However, mastering Sage Mode requires extensive time and a strong physical body capable of adapting to its enhancements, as well as high chakra reserves to maintain a balance. Consequently, only a select few have truly mastered this form.
Those who have achieved mastery in Sage Mode within the Naruto series have surpassed the majority of shinobi in terms of power, earning themselves a place among the most formidable ninja in history. Notably, some of the most feared and renowned shinobi in the series have utilized Sage Mode to varying degrees, with some relying on it more heavily than others. Hashirama Senju, Jiraiya, Kabuto Yakushi, Minato Namikaze, Madara Uchiha, Hagoromo Otsutsuki, and Naruto himself are among the illustrious names who have harnessed Sage Mode to some extent. The presence of these esteemed individuals highlights the tremendous power boost that Sage Mode can provide. However, the question remains: who among them was able to fully harness and unlock the true potential of this extraordinary ability?
What Is Sage Mode?
In order to learn Sage Mode, one must travel to one of the three Sage Mode Institutions: Mount Myōboku, Ryūchi Cave, or Shikkotsu Forest. Each of these regions has its own unique approach to teaching Sage Mode. The toads of Mount Myōboku, for example, instruct students to achieve complete stillness and harmonize their physical and spiritual energies with natural energy in order to create senjutsu chakra.
It is crucial to maintain a balance of senjutsu chakra, as too little will diminish the effectiveness of techniques, while accumulating too much can lead to the user taking on toad-like traits and ultimately turning into stone permanently. To withstand this transformation, a shinobi must possess inherently high chakra reserves. Despite their ability to gather and shape senjutsu chakra, individuals like Jiraiya and Orochimaru were unable to fully master Sage Mode due to this limitation.
In Ryūchi Cave, travelers will experience the bite of the White Snake Sage, injecting their bodies with an infusion of natural energy. Only those who can endure this intense process and survive will have the opportunity to enter Sage Mode. Alternatively, individuals from Jugo's clan possess a kekkei genkai that enables them to passively accumulate natural energy, allowing for a Sage Transformation. However, this method is challenging to control, and most individuals who achieve Sage Mode through this means succumb to their destructive instincts. Remarkably, Kabuto and Mitsuki have managed to transcend this predicament and maintain control over their powers.
What Are The Pros And Cons Of Sage Mode?
All forms of Sage Mode provide significant enhancements in speed, strength, stamina, reflexes, durability, and sensory perception. Users of Sage Mode can elevate their ninjutsu, genjutsu, and taijutsu techniques to levels beyond that of ordinary humans. Those who acquire senjutsu from the toads can extend the reach of their taijutsu by infusing it with natural energy using Frog Kata. Alternatively, individuals who attain Sage Mode through Ryūchi Cave can imbue inanimate objects with life using natural energy and gain control over them.
Sage Mode enhances sensory perception, allowing users to defend against attacks without relying on their vision. They can rely solely on their heightened chakra sensing abilities. This was demonstrated by Madara during the Fourth Shinobi World War, where he fought without using his eyes after absorbing Hashirama Senju's senjutsu chakra. Additionally, Sage Mode users can overpower chakra absorption techniques, such as the Preta Path of the Rinnegan, by infusing senjutsu chakra. If their opponents are not trained in senjutsu, they can even turn them to stone.
However, Sage Mode has its drawbacks. Users must remain completely still while gathering senjutsu chakra, and it cannot be sustained for long periods since the accumulated natural energy will eventually deplete. Naruto faced this challenge in his battle against Pain but managed to overcome it by using shadow clones to gather natural energy on his behalf. This, however, limited the number of clones he could create during combat. With practice, the time required to gather sufficient natural energy can be reduced to a few seconds. Additionally, jinchuriki who have formed a bond with their tailed beast can bypass this limitation by having the beast gather the chakra for them, as Naruto and Kurama did towards the end of the war.
Who Are The Most Powerful Sage Mode Users?
Madara, in his Ten Tails jinchuriki form, was able to achieve a certain level of Six Paths Sage Mode, which is considered the divine evolution of this state. This elevated him above Hashirama's Sage Mode in terms of power and ability.
Madara, however, remained unsuccessful in his attempts to overcome Naruto and Sasuke even after they obtained the Six Paths powers. It is worth noting that Naruto Uzumaki and Hagoromo Otsutsuki possess the ability to tap into the Six Paths Sage Mode independently, without relying on the Ten Tails. Consequently, it can be concluded that Naruto and Hagoromo are the most formidable users of Sage Mode in the Naruto series, with Hagoromo holding a slight advantage over Naruto in this regard.
