Entering Sage Mode isn't that simple.
Take Jiraiya, for instance; it takes him several minutes to enter it even once.
Future Naruto, thanks to his Uzumaki lineage, developed a method to have a Shadow Clone on standby at Mount Myoboku for long periods.
The most extraordinary, however, was Hashirama Senju.
He could enter Sage Mode with just a clap of his hands, without any preparation or tools.
Uchiha Takashi's current stance is similar to Hashirama's, but between his palms, you can see a green liquid being absorbed into his body.
Hot Springs!
This highly condensed natural energy is absorbed by him, skipping many steps.
This is his unique advantage.
If you consider whether Jiraiya and Naruto could bring toad oil from Mount Myoboku, you'll understand how precious this 'liquid' natural energy is.
"What is that?"
"Be careful!"
Pakura and Rasa exchanged glances, both realizing what the other wanted to say.
And they weren't about to foolishly wait for Uchiha Takashi to finish his preparations.
"Perish with the fallen Sand Ninja!"
Rasa waved his right hand.
Swish, swish!
A large amount of gold sand condensed into senbon, shooting towards Uchiha Takashi.
Ninjas have high attack but low defense; when faced with an attack, they either defend or dodge, but they can't withstand it head-on.
Whoosh! A pillar of fire engulfed the gold sand senbon.
Then, a golden-red flame pattern spread from Uchiha Takashi's forehead, exuding a domineering and intense aura.
The commotion on the mountaintop was noticed by both sides of the battle.
Though they were fighting fiercely, they knew that the battle on the mountaintop would significantly affect the situation, so they naturally paid attention.
"What is that!!"
"No way!"
"How is it possible? Isn't Sage Mode exclusive to the Three Great Sage Regions?"
The Konoha F3 exchanged glances, having witnessed Sage Techniques before, they vaguely sensed something.
"What is that?"
Chiyo, controlling several puppets and barely fending off attacks, was also filled with dread.
Though she didn't know about Sage Mode, her intuition and experience as a Kage-level ninja told her that something terrifying was happening on the mountaintop.
"Stop them!"
Nara Shikaku, though unaware of what was happening on the mountaintop, knew it was certainly advantageous for them, so he commanded the Konoha forces to block the Sand Ninja trying to rush up the mountain.
On the mountaintop, Uchiha Takashi was unaware of the shock his display of Sage Mode had caused.
At this moment, he was struggling to control the vast natural energy.
Previously, he hadn't fused much natural energy, and this was his first time merging such a large amount, making it significantly more challenging.
"Let the flames purify everything!"
Uchiha Takashi opened his golden-red eyes.
At this moment, he seemed like a sage descending upon the world.
No wonder it's called 'Sage Mode'; the transformation is indeed exaggerated.
The entire entry into Sage Mode was extremely short due to the assistance of the 'Hot Springs,' so Rasa and Pakura couldn't interrupt him.
"Scorch Release: Oversteam Kill!"
Pakura pushed two fused fireballs toward Uchiha Takashi.
Though the limit wasn't just two, it required more time, so she only fused two.
The wheel-sized fireballs, carrying terrifying heat, crashed toward Uchiha Takashi.
"Magnet Release: Gold Sand!"
Rasa also assisted, manipulating gold sand to squeeze from both sides of Uchiha Takashi, blocking his escape.
Though the two were rivals, their coordination was impeccable.
However, Uchiha Takashi's response was unexpected.
Clap! Facing the Scorch Release, he extended his right hand to catch it without dodging, and the gold sand on both sides disintegrated under the sudden burst of flames.
Yes, it wasn't a jutsu or anything else; Uchiha Takashi simply caught the Scorch Release with his right hand.
"A fusion of wind and fire, a Kekkei Genkai, indeed not weak!"
Uchiha Takashi easily crushed the fireball in his hand.
Sage Mode!
It comes with various powerful abilities.
For example, the strength and perception brought by Mount Myoboku's Sage Mode... and so on.
In Uchiha Takashi's Sage Mode, while strength and perception were enhanced, the greatest boost was in his 'fire manipulation' ability.
Controlling fire as if it were instinct!
That's why he could so effortlessly crush the fireball without letting it explode.
"If it's you two, it should be enough!" Uchiha Takashi said as he looked at the pair.
It was his first time using Sage Mode in battle, and he felt that two Kage-level opponents were indeed worthy of bringing out the potential of Sage Mode.
He dashed forward to face Yekura, launching a powerful punch with his right fist.
Bang! With one punch, he sent the opponent flying.
At this moment, Uchiha Takashi's strength was no weaker than that of a Taijutsu specialist Jonin, greatly enhancing his close combat abilities, and his speed was similarly improved.
A complete transformation! Of course, it was also because Yekura hadn't anticipated his change, which is why she was sent flying in one encounter, not because her strength was truly that lacking.
Swish, swish!
The sound of something cutting through the air came from the side, interrupting Uchiha Takashi's attempt to pursue, as Rasa manipulated gold dust to form senbon for shooting.
"Nice teamwork!"
Uchiha Takashi praised them while abandoning his pursuit of Yekura, using the Body Flicker Technique to evade.
At this moment, he was still familiarizing himself with Sage Mode and wasn't in a rush to unleash his full power.
He had practiced with Sage Mode before.
But he had never fused with so much natural energy, so he naturally needed to get accustomed to it first.
Taijutsu!
Without using any Ninjutsu, Uchiha Takashi was able to hold his own for several rounds against the combined assault of two Kage-level opponents using only Taijutsu.
Strong is the word, and he would say it again.
His Sage Mode wasn't specialized in Taijutsu, yet it still provided such a significant boost, proving that Sage Mode was indeed a fundamental change in life.
But no worries, the main event was about to begin.
"Alright, warm-up's over!"
He flipped backward, then snapped his fingers with his right hand.
Snap! A wisp of white flame appeared, wrapping around him like layers of fiery silk, looking sacred and light.
However, looking good didn't mean it lacked power.
For those with keen perception, they could sense the terror beneath those layers of white silk.
"Sage Art: Flame Cloak!"
Using Sage Chakra to activate it, the multiple layers of flames stacked, their power drastically different from before.
To put it bluntly, if Uchiha Takashi unleashed it without restraint, he could easily turn an area of several dozen meters into a no-man's land for ordinary people.
With the Flame Cloak on, Uchiha Takashi's threat level instantly rose several notches.
Because the power of Ninjutsu and Taijutsu in the Flame Cloak state was fundamentally different from when it wasn't.
"Dark Sweep!"
A mass of pure white flame was flung forward, skimming the ground.
In Sage Mode, the Dark Sweep was faster, more powerful, and most importantly, it could be 'controlled.'
He could slightly influence the flame's speed and direction.
Just this change alone significantly boosted Uchiha Takashi's combat power.
Think about it, the future Sasuke Uchiha's Mangekyo Sharingan had two abilities, one being Amaterasu, and the other being Kagutsuchi, which allowed him to control the Amaterasu flames.
And Uchiha Takashi's Sage Mode was akin to a super-enhanced version of Kagutsuchi.
Because he could control all aspects of the flames, not just limited to the form changes of Amaterasu.
Sand! Rasa manipulated gold dust to block the Dark Sweep, but it was bypassed and continued to rush towards him.
"How is this possible!"
Faced with this situation, he didn't dare to block it head-on and chose to ascend into the air.
But just as he began to hover.
"Solo Execution!"
Uchiha Takashi leaped forward, his right leg crashing down like a battle axe.
Bang! Rasa crossed his arms above his head, but he was still sent crashing towards the ground and the Dark Sweep.
Swish, swish!
A few kunai interrupted Uchiha Takashi's pursuit, giving Rasa the chance to manipulate gold dust to catch himself, preventing contact with the pure white flames.
This color of flame was different from ordinary flames.
Even with Chakra-enhanced bodies, it could easily cause significant damage.
Yekura and Rasa, working together, could barely handle Uchiha Takashi's onslaught, and as they became more familiar, they even began to slowly gain the upper hand.
However, they both knew this was just a test; his strongest Ninjutsu had yet to be used.
"Scorch Release: Oversteam Kill!"
Yekura seized an opportunity, using a Scorch Release to blast Uchiha Takashi away.
Rasa also manipulated gold dust to coordinate the attack.
Bang! Just as Uchiha Takashi used 'Demon Burn' to block the incoming senbon and landed.
"Watch out!"
Nara Shikaku's warning voice came from afar.
Because at some unknown point, a figure burst out from the ground behind Uchiha Takashi.
(End of Chapter)