"Are you saying that my sage training is all done?" I asked, a mix of hope and curiosity in my voice.
"Well, not quite yet," Lord Fukasaku replied, his tone serious. "I still need to see if you can maintain the sage mode while you're in a fight. From what I've observed, you successfully managed to keep sage mode active for a full 24 hours with complete focus. Honestly, I don't think I've ever encountered anyone who can achieve that."
"Got it. So, does that mean my sage training is over?" I inquired, eager to know more.
"Yes, you have indeed mastered sage mode," he confirmed. "But there is one more challenge ahead of us. If you can keep sage mode active during a battle, then you will truly have mastered it."
"Alright, let's get started!" I exclaimed, ready for the challenge.
"Not just yet," he cautioned gently. "You've been sitting here for the past 24 hours. You really need to rest first. Once you're refreshed, we can begin your final task." I nodded in agreement, understanding the importance of a good rest.
After lunch...
"You're doing really well, Naruto. It looks like you've really pushed yourself past your limits since learning sage mode," he said, as we engaged in our sparring match.
"Well, that's the whole point of sage mode! It was meant to make me stronger than before," I replied confidently.
"Absolutely! But right now, you're just too powerful for me to keep up with," he admitted, a hint of admiration in his voice.
About three minutes later...
"Alright... alright! Let's stop for now! You've completely mastered sage mode, and your training is officially done," he declared, sitting down on the ground and taking deep breaths to recover.
"But I have one more thing to ask you. You have to promise me that you won't tell anyone about this," I said, my voice serious.
"What is it?" he inquired, looking intrigued.
"It's about..." I began, gathering my thoughts.
…
…
"… So here's the situation..." I explained everything to him, laying out the details clearly.
"I understand," he responded, nodding thoughtfully.
"So, what do you think? Should I go for it or leave things as they are?" I asked, seeking his advice.
"That's a tough choice to make, especially without knowing the true intentions of the other person involved," he explained. "It's obvious that there's some motivation behind their actions. Ultimately, it's up to you to decide whether you trust their motives or not. And remember, it's also your call on whether you want to take this opportunity."
Seeing me hesitate and fall silent, he continued, "Let me ask you this: do you think you actually need this power?"
"No!" I replied firmly.
"Then why did you come to me about it?" he questioned, raising an eyebrow.
"Well, I just wanted to know if I should pursue it or not and to hear your opinion. Plus, even though I don't need it, I thought it might be pretty cool to have," I explained, trying to clarify my thoughts. "I know my own strength, and I realize that where I am now, I don't necessarily need more power. It's more about whether I want it or not."
"You're quite a complex person to figure out, Naruto," he remarked, shaking his head slightly. "Even if you wanted this power, I don't really know how you could integrate it into your abilities the way you envision."
"Oh... Okay... I guess I'll think it over more after today. If I decide I want it, I'll find a way to make it happen. Thanks for your help," I replied, feeling a bit more at ease.
"Good. In the end, it's your choice which path to take and how to shape your own destiny," Lord Fukasaku advised wisely.
I bowed respectfully in front of him. "Thank you for teaching me sage mode and guidance Master," I said, grateful for his guidance.
[A. N: Let's have some fun with a question! Have you ever watched the Bleach anime or read the manga? If you have, I'm curious about your thoughts. In my fanfiction, do you think the version of Naruto I've created could take on Aizen or Ichigo and come out on top? What do you think?
Thanks for reading, drop Powerstones that will help a lot and drop reviews if you like the story and add to your library]