Hanzo of the Salamander pursued the Sand Village relentlessly, akin to a mad dog. Chiyo had anticipated this response. After all, the Sand Village's raids on the Rain Country had provoked retaliation, which was only natural.
Even demigods have their pride, although that pride might not mean much to the five great ninja villages.
The Sand Village's pillaging of towns and villages in the Rain Country demanded a response. As the leader of the Rain Village, Hanzo had no choice but to react. If he failed to respond, how could he maintain his status in the ninja world?
It wasn't just about personal pride; the very reputation of the Rain Country was at stake. The daimyo's government invested vast resources every year, providing support to Hanzo. They might overlook his inability to defeat the major villages—after all, the odds weren't in his favor—but letting the Sand Village run rampant without challenge was unacceptable.
If Hanzo didn't act, the daimyo and the people of the Rain Country would lose all confidence in him. Whether for his own reputation or the well-being of his nation, Hanzo was determined to confront the Sand Village. Even if victory eluded him, he would ensure he inflicted significant damage.
The Sand Village was cornered—chased by the Rain Village under Hanzo's command and hindered by the Rock Village's refusal to ally with them. The Sand Village's situation was dire.
Konoha, meanwhile, adopted a strategic approach: engage when advantageous and retreat when necessary, maintaining control of their territory without overextending. This made the Sand Village's position even more precarious.
"You wanted war, so let me help you get what you wished for," Chiyo muttered bitterly, her anger simmering.
After cursing her misfortunes, Chiyo's thoughts turned pragmatic. The battlefield in the Rain Country was shifting against the Sand Village. Rock Village hadn't pursued the conflict aggressively, but they wouldn't hold back if they encountered them, and Hanzo continued his relentless assaults.
Konoha, too, had its eyes on them.
The Sand Village was stuck in an increasingly vulnerable position. Sticking to their current strategy would only result in a slow defeat. While fighting Konoha and the Rain Village was feasible, the unpredictable nature of war meant that Rock Village could join in at any moment. If that happened, the Sand Village would be utterly overwhelmed.
In the Wet Bone Forest, Shinki sat cross-legged, deep in meditation. The flow of natural energy merged with his physical and spiritual energy, forming Sage Chakra.
"Huh!" The Slug Sage, watching idly, suddenly looked down at Shinki, who sat unmoving.
Shinki's eyes were lined with thin, subtle markings—so faint they could be mistaken for natural shadows.
"Little Shinki, I was right. Your talent is exceptional. Your control over Sage Chakra surpasses that of most. Even Hashirama himself might not have matched you in this regard," the Slug Sage remarked.
Shinki, seemingly unfazed, opened his eyes and immediately checked his reflection. Those who practiced Sage Mode often bore distinct markings, and he dreaded the idea of sprouting odd physical traits.
He certainly didn't want to end up with antennae or a perpetually damp appearance.
"Ah!" he gasped as he peered into the mirror, wondering if he was seeing things. Why hadn't he changed? Was this some sort of defective Sage Mode?
No, he was definitely in Sage Mode.
Could there be hidden changes on his body? Panic set in, and he quickly examined himself.
Everything was intact, and he exhaled in relief.
The Slug Sage, confused by Shinki's behavior, tilted its massive head and watched silently. When Shinki finished his frantic inspection and seemed satisfied, it finally spoke:
"Little Shinki, you're indeed practicing Sage Mode. Those with exceptional talent can perfectly harness Sage Chakra, leaving no distinct physical features."
"You could've mentioned that sooner! You scared me," Shinki muttered, picking up the discarded mirror to inspect himself one last time. He noticed the slight, almost invisible eyeliner effect under his eyes—barely noticeable.
The subtlety was a blessing; he wouldn't have to worry about conspicuous markings like some others.
"Slug Sage, does this mean my control over Sage Chakra is perfect?" Shinki asked, looking up.
The Slug Sage nodded its colossal head, pleased. "Indeed. Minimal facial markings and no physical changes signify perfect Sage Chakra control. When Hashirama first activated Sage Mode, he ended up with a face like a painted clown."
Shinki grimaced.
Hashirama's Sage Mode had been marked by bold lines around his eyes and forehead. Shinki's markings, in contrast, were nearly invisible.
Even among those who practiced Sage techniques from the same location, markings differed. Jiraiya, for instance, had needed the assistance of the toads from Mount Myoboku to enter Sage Mode, resulting in an array of exaggerated facial features, including his frog-like appearance.
Naruto, by comparison, managed Sage Mode with only minimal lines around his eyes. Minato's Sage Mode was also relatively subtle.
Shinki had chosen the Wet Bone Forest for his training, yet his markings were unique even compared to Hashirama's.
Fewer lines were not only aesthetically pleasing but also allowed him to maintain an air of mystery.
"Little Shinki, your eyes are unique. They seem to be absorbing the natural energy of the Wet Bone Forest. Do you notice a decrease in your Sage Chakra?" the Slug Sage asked, intrigued.
The Tenseigan absorbing natural energy? Shinki was momentarily taken aback.
After assessing his body's energy flow, he replied, "It seems the consumption is minimal."
One of the major drawbacks of Sage Mode was the depletion of natural energy. During combat or movement, it was impossible to replenish it, so once the stored energy was consumed, the Sage Mode would end.
But Shinki's Tenseigan could autonomously absorb natural energy, balancing his intake and consumption.
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