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WARNING: This article contains spoilers from Naruto’s final war.
Throughout the Naruto series, fans have witnessed countless extraordinary abilities utilized by different ninjas. While some excel in hand-to-hand combat (Taijutsu) or master the use of weapons, others have honed their skills in specialized ninja arts. Among these unique abilities, Senjutsu stands out as a powerful force, allowing users to harness natural energy to enhance their techniques. By utilizing Sage chakra, Senjutsu strengthens nearly all aspects of combat, including Ninjutsu, Taijutsu, and even Genjutsu.
Achieving Sage Mode, however, is no easy feat. It requires a deep connection with nature and immense control over chakra. For Naruto Uzumaki, Sage Mode played a crucial role in his development as a shinobi, proving vital in some of his toughest battles. From the moment he first acquired it before his fight against Pain, Naruto continued to refine and master this ability, reaching unprecedented levels of control and power. By adulthood, Naruto’s Sage Mode had evolved beyond anyone else’s, cementing him as the greatest Sage Mode user in the series.
What Is Sage Mode?
A Unique Power That Utilizes Natural Energy
As the name suggests, Sage Mode allows a user to become one with nature, granting them access to immense power through the absorption of natural energy. To enter this state, one must blend their own chakra with natural energy, forming Senjutsu chakra. Because natural energy is limitless, Sage Mode enables the user to tap into an entirely new realm of power otherwise inaccessible.
“Feel the power of the nature around you. Try to focus!” — Fukasaku
Sage Mode enhances the user’s physical attributes exponentially. Strength, speed, durability, endurance, and reflexes are heightened to near-superhuman levels. Furthermore, any jutsu cast while in Sage Mode becomes significantly more powerful. For example, a normal Rasengan might cause significant damage, but a Senjutsu-enhanced Rasengan can obliterate an entire area. This immense boost makes Sage Mode one of the most valuable abilities a ninja can possess.
However, mastering Sage Mode is incredibly challenging. It often requires years of training, and even then, not everyone succeeds. Maintaining the balance between natural energy and chakra is extremely difficult—failing to do so results in the user turning to stone. Even among those who manage to attain Sage Mode, few can achieve its perfect form, as seen with Jiraiya, whose transformation was incomplete.
How Naruto Learned Sage Mode
Training at Mount Myoboku
Naruto Uzumaki was introduced to Sage Mode much later in the story, only after Jiraiya’s death. When Pain destroyed Konoha, Naruto realized he needed to reach a whole new level of power to confront him. Under the guidance of Fukasaku and Shima, he trained at Mount Myoboku, the home of the Toad Sages, where he learned the ways of the Toad Sage Mode.
“Don’t worry, I can make it last much longer due to the wisdom of age.” — Naruto
The training process was rigorous. Naruto had to learn to stay completely still to absorb natural energy—a difficult feat for someone as energetic as him. To assist in the process, the toads of Mount Myoboku used a special oil that enhanced the absorption of natural energy. However, this oil was only a temporary aid, as Naruto later had to learn how to harness natural energy without it.
After much struggle, Naruto successfully balanced natural energy with his own chakra, attaining Sage Mode. Upon activation, his eyes changed, gaining orange pigmentation around them, signifying the mark of a true Sage. However, Sage Mode posed challenges. Most notably, it required the user to remain still to continuously gather natural energy. Jiraiya overcame this by having Fukasaku and Shima assist him during battle, but this was impossible for Naruto due to his connection with Kurama. Instead, he devised a unique solution—leaving shadow clones behind to gather Senjutsu chakra, which he could later absorb by dispelling the clones.
Naruto’s Sage Mode Evolution
Perfecting His Transformation
Initially, Naruto’s Sage Mode had limitations. It took him a few minutes to enter the state, and the duration was short. However, through continuous training and experience, Naruto dramatically improved his control. By the Fourth Great Ninja War, he could enter Sage Mode almost instantaneously, demonstrating remarkable mastery over the ability. Additionally, his transformation lasted much longer, giving him a massive advantage in prolonged battles.
To further enhance his power, Naruto combined Sage Mode with his Tailed Beast Chakra Mode, resulting in an exponential increase in strength. This hybrid transformation allowed him to fight even against Rinnegan users and formidable enemies such as Madara Uchiha and Kaguya Otsutsuki. Later, Naruto acquired Six Paths Sage Mode, granted to him by the Sage of Six Paths, Hagoromo Otsutsuki. This elevated him to an even greater level, enabling him to fly, heal almost instantly, and use Tailed Beast Balls with greater efficiency.
Naruto’s Sage Mode in Adulthood
By the time Naruto reached adulthood, his control over Sage Mode had reached its peak. He could activate it in seconds, maintain it for extended periods, and utilize it more efficiently than ever before. Thanks to his shadow clone technique, he could constantly replenish his Senjutsu chakra, ensuring that he could fight prolonged battles without running out of energy. With Kurama no longer by his side, Naruto’s reliance on Sage Mode has become even more critical. As the Boruto series progresses, fans eagerly anticipate Naruto’s return and his utilization of Sage Mode in battles against new and powerful enemies.
Boruto is available to read via Viz Media. Fans can officially read the series for free on the Shonen Jump and Manga Plus apps. The next chapter of Boruto: Two Blue Vortex, Chapter 19, is scheduled for release on February 20, 2025.
