Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or its characters
"Normal speech"
'Normal thought'
"Demonic speech/extremely pissed off Tsunade/extremely pissed off Kushina"
"demonic thought"
Jutsu/technique
Twist of fate: Uzumaki Descendants
Chapter 16:
The Bonds of Loneliness and
the Chunin Exams.
Naruto spent his evening reading back up on some of the Hyuuga fighting style and went to bed.
The next day he met Hinata at the open spot in the forest
"Hi Hinata, how are you?" asked Naruto.
"Hi N-Naruto-kun, I-I'm fine." said Hinata.
"Good. So, ready?" asked Naruto.
"H-Hai." said Hinata.
"That doesn't sound very ready to me, but we'll get that later. Right now I'm more worried about cutting our little training cut short by getting hit by your Jūken, so let's keep it friendly and just stick to touch contact for now." said Naruto.
After several minutes they had been gradually been picking up each others style. Right now Naruto felt he could dominate the match for now and purposely started showing an opening every once and again and didn't feel surprised when Hinata never tried exploiting one. After witnessing the same response several times he suddenly jumped several feet back and called a timeout.
"Hinata, you're either playing with me or still afraid to hurt me with just your fingers. Now if it's the last I can tell you I've had a lot worse then that, otherwise start showing me what you really got already." Said Naruto then an idea come into his mind and excused himself to go to the bathroom. But in reality he had something else in mind.
After Naruto return they continued.
After several minutes of fruitlessly trying to work up a little killer instinct.
Hinata suddenly noticed a presence in the bushes from where Naruto come early.
"Are you sure it's him?"
"He fits the description, we should take him now," they spoke a little too loud to go unnoticed.
Naruto also seemed to have heard the intruders and broke of the spar with Hinata. Fearless as always he turned around and called out to the two men in hiding.
"Who goes there? Come out and show yourselves!"
Two mans stepped out from the bushes. They were definitely Shinobi.
"Uzumaki Naruto? You are coming with us." Said one of the Shinobi.
"I'm not going anywhere with you two idiots." Said Naruto.
They just looked down at Naruto in disgust.
"Kid, we can do this easy, or we can do this real easy. So why don't you just come with us."
This only resulted in Naruto dashing forward towards the unknown ninja, echoing a war cry.
A few yards before reaching his goal he jumped up, right fist held back to deliver a punch to his opponent.
The man only dodge but Naruto was already sending another attack with his right leg. Naruto kick the stomach of the ninja.
The ninja let out a cry of pain and was put on the ground with his hands on stomach where the pain was coming from.
Naruto cracked a smile, but noticed too late that the second ninja hit him with a punch full charger with chakra on the face from behind. Not having enough time to dodge or block Naruto was send flying and ended up lying unconscious next to a tree.
The second ninja recovered fast and raised on his feets. "Well, at least you got him," The ninja said chuckling, noticing the unmoving body of the Naruto.
"I can't wait we get the reward. I'm sure he will never see the light of the day again after we bring him to the Hokage. I'll take care of her." Said the other ninja.
Hinata had already had taken up a defensive position between the Naruto and their attackers.
'I can't let them take Naruto-kun! I. I have to defend him! They're not taking him away from me not now.' Though Hinata.
She was not sure at the beginning but from her conversation with Naruto she know what she wanted to protect. She wanted to protect her friends and a lot more.
"I won't let you take him," Hinata coldly said, imitating her father fact stating tone.
"Yes you will, now step out the way so we can get our money."
"Try and make me," she answered right before activating her Byakugan.
The short man laughed a simple okay and immediately launched one of his kunai at her head.
Hinata simply twisted her head out of it's path without moving her feet and inch.
The man turned out to be no pushover as he swiftly dodged or blocked all of Hinata's gentle fist strikes.
But she had him on the defensive and it would only be a matter of time before she would get in a hit.
When that moment finally happened something unexpected happened. The man suddenly erupted in a cloud of smoke, leaving only some kunai behind.
A lot of time to think about it didn't present itself as the other one had taken the oppurtunity and laughed a kunai to Hinata once again.
Dodging the kunai with a simple forward roll, she just got enough time to get close to her opponent.
Sticking to close combat she hit her opponent, when that moment again the man suddenly erupted in a cloud of smoke leaving only some kunai behind.
"Now that's how I want you to fight next time when we spar," said Naruto.
"Na-Naruto-kun?" said Hinata as she saw Naruto woke up and was next to her.
"I'm sorry for deceiving you again. I made those enemies with my Kage Bunshin no Jutsu and then used Henge." said Naruto.
"W-why?" asked Hinata.
"I wanted you to see your own true strength. Someone once told me real strength comes from protecting the people you care about." Said Naruto remembering Haku's words. "Now, don't tell me you still think you're weak after this."
"De-demo, you must have been holding back." Said Hinata.
"Only on the clones's teamwork. And it was not easy to pretend to be unconscious while hiding it all from a Byakugan. I was doing my absolute best trying to attack you." said Naruto. This was actually true.
Hinata looked slightly confused at the last comment, until she remembered to include the Naruto-factor to his words and smiled when she comprehended the true meaning behind them.
"Thank you, N-Naruto-kun." said Hinata.
"You're welcome. Now, if are you ready for another go?"
They continued sparring for another hour, Hinata dominating most of the fights in close combat.
The time Naruto spend with her he notice that Hinata is rather kind and humble girl but her passions come from her actions.
The two agreed on continuing their joined training when Hinata had time as she was still training with her team in these days.
Hinata still couldn't believe how strong she really was and Naruto was just happy his new friend finally seemed to be a little more confident in her own abilities, even if it meant there now was a new person on the block that could hand his ass over to him in a straight taijutsu match.
Though it did gave Naruto the advantage of actually having a training partner whose mind he wasn't able to read. In the end it was a beneficial agreement for both of them.
After saying goodbye to Hinata. Naruto had something else on mind to think of.
Haku was currently eating some sweets and drinking green tea and Honoka was sitting at the table and was looking as if she was contemplating about the existence and the meaning of life.
Naruto joined them and they passed the time playing poker, with a set of cards that Honoka pulled out of nowhere.
It was the end of the third hour when they ended their 8th poker game, their score stood at
Naruto: 3
Honoka : 3
Haku: 2
Naruto chose to excuse himself as the night was coming and he wanted to go somewhere.
Night | Hokage Monument, Minato's Head
Naruto sat on Yondaime's head, watching as the villagers went about their business and the lights began to illuminate the darkening village.
The setting sun spraying waves of orange, pink and purple across the sky, different shades of each colour in each puffy white cloud that floated past.
It was rather beautiful in Naruto's opinion.
A small breeze picked up, tugging gently on blond spikes and making them sway side to side.
'I am the son of the Yondaime Hokage. I'm not sure how should I fell? Am I happy or in more pain? Or both.' Thought Naruto. He didn't tell anyone about this and was not sure if he should.
Life had picked up for the Naruto after that day in the forest.
He was not sure what to think of all of this.
After he left he met his first friends ever and learned what a Shinobi is.
He couldn't now even imagine a life without his friends.
Naruto was not sure what to think of himself. Does he want to be seen as a hero or stay in the shadow and even pretend to be 'evil'? As some people see The Jinchūriki.
Naruto was having doubts about his dreams. As he learned more and more about the Shinobi way of life, the more discouraged he became with his aspirations of acceptance.
When he was here he felt like he had a life without a meaning. Except for his dream of becoming Hokage. But outside there when he helped people and saw their smile it filled the hole in his heart.
He was not sad that he returned, you can never run away from your past. He was happy that he had some friend here to come to. But he didn't regret what he did until now.
If he didn't run away in that night and learned all by himself, would his life still be like this? Would he be on a team? Would he be getting the training he is now or he would still be the Dobe that knew nothing? Would he do anything only to get attention? Would he-
"So this is where you were hiding."
Naruto turned swiftly around and looked at Honoka.
"Hey" said Naruto.
Honoka sat down next to Naruto.
"You seem deep in thought, what is troubling you so?" asked Honoka as she removed her mask.
Naruto watched Honoka before turning back to the rapidly darkening sky.
"Nothing important, I was just remembering these past months." Said Naruto as he took of his mask to.
Honoka looked searchingly at Naruto's face. "Would you like to share? Sharing your worries helps sometimes... You know." said Honoka.
"I don't know where to begin." Said Naruto.
"The start perhaps?" Honoka said jokingly, making the Naruto laugh slightly.
"I guess that would make sense huh?" said Naruto
The two sat silently for a while, just watching the village night life.
"I was thinking over these past months since we met a-and..." The boy looked down at the deep drop that was open below him. "I was doubting my dreams."
Honoka hummed in acknowledgement watching the stars appear in the dark sky.
"This place makes me think about the mistakes I've made in the past… and I've made so many of them." Said Naruto.
"Yes but another mistake will be not to learn from them and become better." Said Honoka.
"I was also thinking about my old dream of being Hokage The way things are like now, it is unlikely that I will ever become Hokage if I returned. The villagers. They hate me too much. I remind them of their loss that day as I represent the Kyūbi." said Naruto then took a breath and continued. "But I can't help it. When I was a kid I was always imagining myself as the Hokage."
Honoka thought over Naruto words a while, lost in her own memories.
"At least this way I can actually do something good." said Naruto.
Honoka picked her mask and stood up and looked over the dark village.
"A word of advice for you Naruto. No matter how good your heart is, eventually you have to start treating people the same way they treat you. " Honoka turned away, walking off the edge of the monument.
"Think on that." She leaped off the head of the Yondaime, disappearing mid fall.
Naruto looked up at the inky black sky.
"The same way? Huh..." though Naruto.
In next days Naruto and Hinata continued to train when they had time.
Naruto showed Hinata some of his ways of training as he pulled up his pants showing his own weight set.
At the beginning they weren't the typical weight bands Neji's teammate Lee wore, but consisted of 2 kunai holders that were adjusted to be worn at the ankles. The weights in turn were replaced by 7 kunai, each one sporting the weight seals. weighing the weapon down to about 15 pounds.
But after he learned more about sealing jutsu Naruto immediately went over the instructions on how to make his own weight seals. He however stayed far away from the suggested 50 pounds per leg. He tried that the first time and found himself pretty much glued to the ground.
He also told her about the idea of her to try when she was ready to use at least one Kage Bunshin no Jutsu as it will help her accelerate her training.
"We are making progress." said Naruto.
"Yes.I guess... what will you do after the chiunin exams are over?" asked Hinata.
"I have a mission." said Naruto. It was still the truth.
"You never told me what kind of missions ?" asked Hinata.
Naruto still didn't want to talk about what he is doing and quickly change the conversation.
"You're so much more talkative. You...barely had a personality back at academy." said Naruto.
Hinata instantly felt her mood crash downward.
"I'm quite shy. I still am triyng to change that. You have been a great help in that regard, but I still get nervous. I'm sorry to have been so bland before." Hinata muttered dejectedly.
Naruto immediately seemed to realize the impact his words had had on the girl.
"I shouldn't have said it that way. I just meant that you were really quiet is all. Not everybody is as loud and obnoxious. As I use to be. Please don't feel bad." he said frantically. Hinata's darkened expression slowly gave way to a long gaze.
"You never change, Naruto-kun. Even now, you're still the same." Hinata said wistfully.
"What do you mean?" Naruto frowned and made a failed attempt to decipher the meaning behind her words.
"Even since we were children, although you ran around, telling people how much better than anybody else you were, you thought otherwise. I had my time to think about it after you left. So don't deny it. More than telling it to others, you were trying to convince yourself. But when trying to prove it, you ran into this low confidence and failed, being further convinced that, indeed, you were not good enough." said Hinata.
Hinata continued when she realized that he was without a response. "You hate it when other people are in pain. So much so that you immediately tear yourself down to make them feel better by comparison. I've seen you do it a thousand times, even when all you get in return is a glare and an insult."
"I dont know what you are talking about." said Naruto trying to avoid this subject.
"I really should have recognized it as a sign of how much you were hurt inside. I've never heard you say something nice about yourself. Even when you preach about wanting to become Hokage, it's always about others, not yourself." said Hinata.
"Yeah, so what? Even if you know now its to late for regrets. The reality keeps moving front." said Naruto.
"Yes it would have. Don't you know I'm watching over you?" Hinata snapped.
For a time, Naruto did not respond. It was a predictable reaction. She was making him question his decisions and a lot of things.
"Don't hate yourself Naruto. Whatever the village or anyone may say. I know you are a good person. And I want you to let me be there for you. Your not alone." said Hinata.
Naruto stayed silent and then a little laugh full of happiness come out.
"To believe someone so quiet like you... can make me a person who talk so much like me... speechless." said Naruto.
She have seen right through him all along. And telling him that he is not alone. And she actually knew all along and understands what he did and why.
Some days later
The days flew by very fast. Finally, the day came for the Chunin exams.
Naruto, Honoka and Haku went to the Chuunin Exam.
When they reached the second floor Naruto just wanted to continue to the third.
He wondered why so many leaf genin where here, Naruto knew the building like the back of his hand from his days as a student and a prankster. Even if some teams graduated a few years earlier, the nearby one with a Hyuuga boy should surely know this was not the room 301.
They later stepped into room 301, only to find about 200 ninja from various villages.
They put in a corner and they watched the other teams.
Looking around, Naruto quickly noticed Teams 8 and 10.
Hinata know who he was but they chose to no interact when there were other people around.
Not much time has pass as team 7 come to.
Then out of the ninja in the room, a particular blonde-haired kunoichi that Sakura knew all too well lashed her arms around Sasuke.
"Oh Sasuke, you're late" Ino said, blushing and smiling.
"Get away from Sasuke, Ino-pig!" Sakura shouted as Sai tried to get out of the way of the incoming cat fight.
'So her nickname is Ino-pig.' thought Sai.
The entire rookie 9 were here.
Naruto and his team was to a close corner from where they watch the interaction. The only one he didn't recognize was the boy who come with Sasuke and Sakura.
"You guys are rookies just out of the academy right? Screaming like schoolgirls… geez… this isn't a picnic."
A silver-haired genin approach. Despite his hair, he only appeared to be a few years older. "So you're the rookies that just graduated from the academy, correct?"
No one answered him immediately, but he continued. "You're all fooling around… this isn't a field trip."
His dismissive tone seemed to irk several of them, but Yamanaka Ino was quickest to reply. "Who are you to tell us that?" she demanded.
"I am Yakushi Kabuto," the young man answered, "and if you look around you'll see that everyone is on edge. I don't want to see you get singled out. I guess you can't help it, being rookies and not knowing anything. It reminds me of how I was when I first took the exam."
"Kabuto-san?" Sakura asked hesitantly. "Is this your second time taking the exam?"
"No," he answered. "My seventh."
"Does that mean you know a lot about the exam?" Sakura asked with a hopeful smile.
"Yes, I suppose it does." Kabuto said with an embarrassed grin.
"More like he knows how to fail the exam," Shikamaru observed in a bored tone. "If the exam is that difficult, it's going to be even more troublesome."
Kabuto seemed a little nonplussed about the abrupt dismissal, so he upped the ante. "Maybe I should give you kids some information then, with these recognition cards."
Kabuto reached into his kunai pouch, but he only pulled out some orange and black cards.
"These have information I burned into them using my chakra," Kabuto said. "I've collected information on this exam for the last four years on these two hundred cards. They appear blank, and cannot be read without my chakra."
He knelt down and began to turn one on the floor with an extended finger. After a moment, there was a soft pop and a cloud of smoke blew away from the card to reveal a map of the region. On the legend was a tally of the genin entered by each country participating in the exam.
Kabuto began to hold forth on the purpose of the chuunin exams and how they help maintain the balance of power.
Sasuke spoke up for the first time. "Are there any cards that have detailed personal information?"
Kabuto admitted that they did, and Sasuke asked to see information on Rock Lee and Gaara.
Thankfully, the sketchy information that Kabuto had regarding Gaara was enough to make anyone cautious. Completing a B-ranked mission as a genin was almost unheard of, going by Kabuto's expression. The total lack of information regarding the foreign shinobi's capabilities was also an effective warning. Concealed abilities were almost always more dangerous than known ones.
And never having been injured on a mission was downright scary.
Thankfully, the sketchy information that Kabuto had regarding Gaara was enough to make anyone cautious. Completing a B-ranked mission as a genin was almost unheard of, going by Kabuto's expression.
The total lack of information regarding the foreign shinobi's capabilities was also an effective warning. Concealed abilities were almost always more dangerous than known ones.
And never having been injured on a mission was downright scary.
To top things off on the anxiety scale, Kabuto then went into a big explanation of how five other villages sent their best genin to compete in this chuunin exam. To compete against a bunch of genin who'd only left the academy a few months ago.
Naruto saw Hinata looking down. And she was not the only one as more of them locked little hesitant.
"I'm sure all of you will do fine. I mean if even one boy who didn't manage to become genin this year somehow manage to leave the village. I believe you all should be doing fine." said Kabuto as all of them were now interested of who he was talking about.
"Oh you guys didn't know? He is even in the bingo book and I was wondering if you guys know more informations then what I found on the book." said Kabuto as he showed them his Bingo book.
Shikamaru and Hinata already know but the rest of the Rookie Nine watched that book in disbelief.
Uzumaki Naruto
A-Ranked Missing Nin
History
Unkown – Never Graduated Konoha Ninja Academy
Abilities
Can use Kage Bunshin no Jutsu and Bunshin Daibakuha
Reward
50 000 Ryo
Is only to be pursued by Konoha – Pursuit by non-Konoha ninja is to be considered an act of war on the village.
Sasuke couldn't blame him for leaving the village, he had considered it himself many times. Only the chance to learn more about his Sharingan from Kakashi kept him behind the walls of Konoha.
Still, Sasuke couldn't help but wonder how strong he had gotten without the village to hold him down. 'What the hell am I thinking, that dobe couldn't get stronger. Probably dead already.'
These thoughts were not shared by the rest of the proclaimed 'Rookie Nine', who's reaction upon hearing of his 'betrayal' ranged from anger, on Kiba's part.
They were surprised as to why he was A ranked but before anyone could show more reactions or questions there was a large puff of smoke in the front of the room.
"Quiet down you worthless bastards!" the new ninja said as the smoke dissipated.
Behind him stood a few dozen chinun. The man wore a long black trench coat with a Leaf bandanna. He had a few scars on his face.
Most of the Leaf ninja knew him as Ibiki, torture and interrogation specialist. "I am Ibiki Morino, the proctor for the first exam. Take your seats now before I decide to start failing people."
No body doubted him and suddenly, order was brought back to the room.
Naruto ground his teeth nervously, looking down at the almost blank piece of paper in front of him with trepidation. He hated paper tests.
The exam had started half an hour ago and he had yet to finish the test. He had managed to do one or two but the rest eluded his mind. They were just too hard! The blond looked to the left and right, not seeing anyone that he recognized. Hinata was in front, around one row, and he assumed that Honoka and Haku were behind him.
Naruto thumped his head on the desk in despair, groaning softly. But then he feel like something touched his right leg.
Looking down he saw a piece of paper made into a ball. Naruto took the paper and open it.
There he found answers to some of the questions. And begin to wonder who only to remember her words.
'Don't you know I'm watching over you?'
'Hinata… Thank you...' thought Naruto.
Naruto started to copy the answers he got then he leaned back and watched as a few teams were thrown out in the remaining five minutes.
"Times up!" Ibiki shouted. "Get ready for the tenth question!" He looked around the room, taking in the variety of facial expressions. "Before we get to the last question... I'm going to add another rule."
The Suna nin that went to the toilet came back into the room, a wide smirk on his face.
"Looks like you're in luck kid. The time you've wasted playing with dolls hasn't been put to waste. Sit down and don't worry about it." Ibiki drawled, a sardonic look on his scarred face.
"This rule... Is absolute! You will choose whether or not to take the tenth Question." He continued, still drawling.
The room remained silent, all hooked on the words of the proctor.
"Let me explain for the more thick-headed of you brats. Take the question, and answer it correctly, you have nothing to worry about. Home free, as it were. However!"
He looked around again at the room, taking in the nervous and frightened faces. "If you reject the question, not even attempting to give it a try... All points gained will be lost, and you, alongside your teammates will fail. If you take the question and fail to answer it correctly..." Ibiki smirked.
"You will forfeit all right to apply to any future Chūnin exams again... Ever!" Almost the entire room erupted in protest at the Jonin's words, a few even standing up to shout at Ibiki.
"QUIET!" He roared, slamming his closed fist into the wall behind him. "I have been upfront with you idiotic children. Let me elaborate once more, for those of you who still remain. Take the opportunity to leave with a failing grade right here, try again later in another exam. If you are remaining doubtful, be smart, and leave now." Ibiki waited a moment for the Chūnin wannabes to take his words.
"Ready? Then let's begin... Those who choose to reject the question, raise your hands. When your number has been confirmed, gather your teammates, get their numbers confirmed and leave the room quietly."
The room went silent.
"I-I... I quit! I'm rejecting the question!" A Konoha ninja shouted, standing up with his hand raised. "Genna, Inaho, forgive me."
"Number 50 Failed! Gather your teammates numbers 130 and 111, Konoha thanks you for your participation thus far." Two other Konoha nin stood up and left silently, patting the afraid genin on the back.
"M-Me too!" The wave of rejections began, ninja after ninja started leaving until only half remained.
"Is that everyone?" Ibiki asked ominously. The Special Jonin looked down with closed eyes and smirked slightly. "Well done to those who remained." He looked up and smirked wider. "You have just passed the first exam! All 54 that remain here, you just passed."
The room went silent before erupting into noise. Some were shocked, others relieved. Some were crowing in joy. In the overwhelming din of noise one could hear Sakura shout out in confusion.
"What do you mean 'passed'!" She screeched. "When did that happen? What about the tenth question?!"
Ibiki grinned. "There is no tenth question beyond the whole 'Accept or reject' thing."
"Hey!" A Suna nin protested. "Then why did we have to suffer through the other nine questions?! A total waste of our time!"
"They were not pointless. The first 9 questions already served their purpose to test your information gathering skills." Ibiki explained. "This test was designed to put pressure on the entire team as each member would have to not mess it up for their team. However, the questions on this test were much too difficult for most genin to answer alone, so everyone came up to the same conclusion….you would have to cheat to score. This test was designed to make you cheat, but in order to pass, you could not get caught."
A few of the candidates got the purpose right away. "Now, mixed into the group were a few chunin who had already taken this exam and knew the answers. This was to help you guys out and to give you accurate information. This is because…" Ibiki said, removing his bandana, only revealing a bunch of scars covering his entire head. "Sometimes, information is more important that life, and on the battlefield people give their lives to acquire such information."
Everyone saw the scars and screw holes on Ibiki's head and cringed a little at the image.
"If the enemy notices you, there is no guarantee the information you obtain will be accurate" Ibiki stated. "Remember this as accurate information can be a powerful weapon for you and your comrades. This is why we had you gather information through cheating. This clearly separated those who did and did not have the right abilities."
"Wait, then what about the 10th question?" Temari asked.
"Ah, but the tenth question is the true purpose of this test. The 'take it' or 'not take it' decision" Ibiki paused momentarily. "Let's say you become chunin and your mission is to steal an important enemy document. You don't know the number or skill of the enemy. Do you accept the mission? Because you don't want to die…Because you don't want your comrades hurt? Can you avoid this dangerous mission? The answer is NO!"
Ibiki let out a slight grin. "Those who aren't willing to put their lives on the line. Those who cling to the uncertain future of 'there is always next year', and then walk away from their chance. Those pieces of trash who can only make cowardly choices, don't deserve the right to become chunin. That's how I feel!" Ibiki said. "You have made it through the entrance of the first test, I wish you guys luck."
Naruto right now had just learned something new from Ibiki. But he didn't have much time to think to as suddenly, a black bundle came crashing through the window and a black poster was unraveled on the back wall. Out of the bundle crawled a lady with short purple hair in a ponytail and a mesh shirt underneath her jacket.
"This is no time to be celebrating. It is now time for the second test. I am Anko Mitarashi, the proctor. Now, follow me!" Anko said as Ibiki face palmed himself repeatedly.
Author Note (warning: potential spoilers)
And this is another chapter. I think is the longest I write so far.
Someone once asked me if Naruto will have a Sage mode which is not with toads.
After that when I searching for what Sage mode Hashirama is using I found 3 theories on google:
1: There are only 3 places known for being sage areas, places with abundant nature energy to train in its usage.
The Shikkotsu Forest is the only sage area we have yet to see its sage introduced officially. The Shikkotsu forest is Katsuyu's domain. Tsunade's summon is Katsuyu. Tsunade is Hashirama's spoiled granddaughter. Shikkotsu forest/wood. Just to stretch it, there is no other area that could create sage animals or users. Just toads, Snakes and most probably Slugs.
2: Well, Narutopedia puts it succinctly: "Wood and plants can be produced from any surface, including the user's own body, as the user's chakra is literally converted into a source of life."
Some how, some way, Hashirama managed to create nature chakra and developed the wood release from that. From there, he made himself a constantly ready vessel for the full brunt of nature energy. Hashirama didn't make a contract with anyone and no one taught him how to gather nature chakra or how to balance it. He just did it, all on his own, because he could. Hashirama's sage mode is himself. He is nature chakra, the living embodiment of the will of life, the will of chakra to create and sustain.
3: Hashirama eyes are the same as Enma's during sage mode, just like how Naruto's eye is like the toad's eye, and kabuto's eye is like a snake's eye.
Hiruzen's summon is Enma, a monkey, and Hashirama was once become his sensei aside from Tobirama. A possibility that he might have gotten Enma from Hashirama.
Hashirama's main jutsu is wood, he makes trees, and the most fitting animal with that jutsu is a monkey. Kishimoto might have made this symbolic, "monkey king in a forest".
If you connect the dots, it's more logical that it's a monkey than "his own sage mode."
Not sure which theory is for sure. But you guys can tell me in review on which to choose to work for this story...
It's not important at the moment but it will be in the future.
Who has ideas about things I could add more in next chapters you can tell me in review.
Kage Bunshin no Jutsu = Shadow Clone Technique
Jūken = Gentle Fist
Henge no Jutsu = Transformation Technique
Bunshin Daibakuha = Clone Great Explosion