(AN: All of you need to calm down. There have been too many comments about how the Naruto World deserves better, and I agree. This will be a normal arc with a minimum of 30 chapters. I have some ideas I think are cool to make this arc more interesting, but you also have to understand with Edward's current power level, there is probably nothing that can threaten. So, some things must be fast and straightforward.
(I don't read or watch Boruto, and I don't know much. But, in the setting of this fanfiction, their supposedly God is only Tier 8. I won't debate whether this scaling is correct or not since it's my story, and I said so. Tier 8 is nothing to Edward, especially with the Arcane Spark.
(Finally, it's been a long time since I read Naruto, and I don't remember a lot of things--especially from the movies or filler episodes. I will try my best to integrate some of these things, but please don't have too much hope since I might even be too lazy to do the research.
(Thank you.)
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Edward followed Tsunade through a long voyage toward the Shikkotsu Forest. During the entire journey, he took this opportunity to get closer to her throughout the journey.
"Why have you never asked me to fulfill my promise? Do you not want to revive your brother?" he asked.
"...I don't know," replied Tsunade while continuing walking. "Over the years, I've missed my brother and Dan more than I can imagine. However, I've also grieved and accepted their death."
"Is that why you never tried to revive or see them with Edo Tensei?"
"Hmm, I understand the pain of losing a loved one. But I do not understand the concept of grieving and moving on."
"Sounds like a story."
"When I was young, I lost my parents to a nonsensical war," said Edward with some reminiscing. "It was a difficult period in my life, given how much they loved and cared for me in that lonely world. However, I refused to accept their death and sought to conquer death."
"And you succeeded?"
"Yes. And from that moment onward, I vowed never to lose anyone close to me. And if I do, I would go to extreme lengths to get them back."
"Sounds ominous."
"Oh, you have no idea."
Tsunade shivered when she saw that man's eyes. Through these eyes, she could experience the horror that would unleash in any world if something happened to this man's family. Anyone or anything which stood in his way would bear the brunt of his wrath–It did not matter whether it was almighty gods, cruel devils, or merciful Buddhas.
"Let's not talk about this."
"Alright. If you ever decide, you can ask me."
"I will."
After a few days of travel, they finally reached their destination. With Tsunade's presence, they could enter the forest with no problem. However, Edward had to stay outside while she talked to the Slug Sage.
A few minutes later, Tsunade came outside, "The Sage wants to see you. Be on your best behavior."
"Of course," replied Edward before following her. He showed no surprise upon meeting this massive slug. He bowed politely and thanked her for receiving him as a guest.
"So, you want to learn our Sage Mode?"
"Yes, Great Slug Sage."
"Tsuna has vouched for you, but I still need to test you. Any problem with that?"
"Not at all."
A bright light shone on the slug's eyes as she gazed up and down at Edward, "Such brightness, such purity. I've never met such a good-hearted individual."
Tsunade looked at the sage, wondering whether she was senile. Although she did not say anything bad about Edward, she was not too positive. She only told the sage enough to accept him to prevent him from acting out.
Meanwhile, Edward was not surprised by this outcome. Ever since he discovered Karma, he wanted to create a way to hide his sins with his merit to make it easier to interact with justice-type people who hated sins with their souls. People who will only interact with people of certain alignments.
So, he asked Hermione to develop this method since she was studying Karma, and she succeeded. Technically speaking, the Sage was not lying since he committed many great deeds like solving cancer, ending world hunger, and many other things.
"I'm flattered," replied Edward.
"You must be tired from your journey. Katsuyu will teach you. I hope you continue to do good in your life."
"I will, and thank you for your hospitality."
"I will lead him to the resting rooms," volunteered Tsunade, making the other slugs give her strange looks, but she did not care; she wanted to satisfy her curiosity.
So, once they were alone, she whispered," How did you do it?"
"Do what?"
"Don't play around. How did you trick the Great Sage? Did you use your mysterious power?"
"No, and I did not really trick her. In my world, I ended world hunger and poverty, created peace, cured 99% of known diseases, provided free education and health care to everyone, and so much more.
"I am a protector and guardian to my people. It's just that I used many shady and cruel tactics to achieve these wonderful things."
Edward suddenly paused, "What kind of person you thought I was?"
"In my mind, you were a godlike entity who sought knowledge and power by all costs, even invading other planets. I thought the only touch of humanity you had was your family and loved ones."
"Harsh, I guess I should appreciate your honesty. But I'm not that terrible."
"Maybe."
The next day, Edward woke up early for his training.
"Are you sure he can learn Sage Mode? I cannot sense any Chakra from him," commented Katsuyu. Tsunade looked at him, and Edward converted his mana into Chakra and showed it to her. One of the reasons he loved mana is its versatility and compatibility with other energy.
"You have enough Chakra, so let's begin the training," said Katsuyu. "The first step is to sense the natural energy in nature and absorb it into the body. This process is challenging, but the Shikkotsu Forest has a unique slime that can aid the process."
"No need," said Edward as he controlled the natural energy around to enter his body before controlling them to leave. As an Arcanist, energy control is basically his job, and he is one of the best at it. He only needed to know the specific ratio of natural energy, chakra, and physical energy of the forest' Sage Mode.
Tsunade and Katsuyu looked at him with open mouths. The slug knew how difficult this process was since even Tsunade failed. Over the years, only one person mastered the Slug Sage Mode, and it was the First Hokage.
"I-I guess we are moving to the second step: the ratio of the three energies." Katsuyu proceeded to explain the ratio to Edward, who listened attentively. He did not immediately ask but asked detailed questions. Unfortunately, Katsuyu's way of teaching is more about practicing and relying on individual talent, so she could only answer a few of his questions.
Edward then closed his eyes and drew the natural energy into his body. Controlling his spiritual energy was even easier since that's what he used to control his mana, but it's called Soul Strength in his world. As for physical energy, he also has experience controlling it because of his Aura.
Without surprise, he succeeded in his first attempt and entered Sage Mode, similar to Hashirama, with a circle on his forehead and markings around his eyes.
"Y-You succeeded?" asked Katsuyu; meanwhile, Tsunade was numb by now; this man seemed capable of anything. Edward did not answer her as he focused on analyzing the Snake Sage Mode Method he got from Orochimaru and the Toad Snake Mode he had one of his clones steal from Jiraiya's mind.
'The Toad Method focused more on speed, the snake for attacks, while the slug focuses on stamina and healing.' He took a moment to discover the subtle differences.
'Next, let's see if natural energy will work with mana.'
He separated a small part of his mana and tried to fuse it with natural energy. He tried different ratios, but they could never fit. With Edward's energy control, he spent the next few hours without success.
"I'm missing something," he spoke out loud.
"Are you alright?" asked Tsunade.
"Why wouldn't I be?"
"You've been petrified repeatedly; we thought you would die."
"Don't worry about it," said Edward looking at her face. Then, he was drawn to the mark on her forehead. He looked at her eyes and her forehead.
"Triangle…Three energies…I see."
He closed his eyes again and tried, but this time, he fused his aura, mana, and natural energy. And as expected, after a few trial and error, he found a basic ratio that worked.
The marking on his face appeared again, but they were purple now. Edward entered the Mana Sage Mode.
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(Please read the above author's note.)
(AN: Leave your ideas on what you wish this mode were capable of. I might use some of your suggestions.)