Would you guys believe me if I said I still had this chapter completed in a single day? Because that's exactly what happened. Here is chapter 7, where we delve into Hinata's training to gain Sage Mode. Not much else to say so, let's go straight to the chapter.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
When Hinata was finally able to see, they were in a completely different place.
She couldn't help but actually look around, seeing how different the place looked like, compared to Konoha. Minus the roots of the tree that went everywhere. Those were here too, but simply lacked the cocoons of people.
Honestly, it was a breath of fresh air she didn't think she ever needed. But now that she saw it, she enjoyed it.
She never thought hearing frogs croaking would bring her happiness, but here she was, just happy she wasn't alone anymore.
Fukasaku noticed this and smiled lightly. And the one who'd summoned them here...
''Huh. So she's the one you spoke about, Lord Fukasaku?''
Was none other than Gamakichi. Who was standing behind Hinata, so she didn't notice him before. Now though, as he spoke, she turned behind to look at him, recognition clear on her face.
''Ah. Aren't you the toad Naruto-kun summoned, back during the War?''
''Yeah. That's me. Honestly, never expect any of this would be the end result of this war.'' he said mournfully.
''None of us did...'' and Hinata realized she didn't know his name, even when he was summoned.
''Name's Gamakichi.'' he introduced himself.
''None of us did, Gamakichi-san.'' she finished her sentence.
Fukasaku had been watching them interact, before beginning to jump off.
''Come, Hinata-girl. We've got much to do if we want you to learn what Naruto-boy was taught and have a chance at freeing everyone else. But we can't do that with an empty stomach.''
Now that he mentioned it, they did arrive during lunchtime. Hinata hadn't eaten anything and she did feel hungry.
She was rather curious as to what they prepared here.
''N-Never... never... again...''
Hinata had just puked her guts out. After politely saying she was going to take a breath of fresh air. Whatever poor plant had taken her puke, she was sorry.
She enjoyed Shima's, the second Great Toad Sage, hospitality. She truly did. But the food was just...
''...and I didn't take many provisions either...'' she thought dejectedly. She needed to make a trip back to Konoha eventually. At least her clones kept the crops going. She needed to get food from somewhere, after all.
''...am I doomed to eating bugs for the rest of my time here?''
...she felt less human, for some reason. The fact she'd even tried to stuff it down but failed made her feel that way.
She took a deep breath, and stood up from her crouched down position.
''Just... go ask them to head back to Konoha when your provisions are over. It's as easy as that. No need to eat more of... that.''
With that, she returned to the house. Making sure she looked absolutely clean as well.
''Ah, Hinata-girl. Good, now that you're back, we can head towards your training. The sooner, the better.''
And she agreed. Which was why they were now in a weird-looking place. Surrounded by toad statues with one waterfall at its center.
Gamakichi was also there, surprisingly enough. Though why she wasn't sure. Maybe he needed to tell something to Fukasaku? Or was he there to observe?
But that wasn't the current focus of attention, no, Fukasaku was standing close to the pond with the... water, she assumed. He spoke.
''Now, while I told you yesterday why the training would be harder, I never actually told you what this is all about. I told you about Senjutsu already, but I haven't told you yet that you require to keep that energy inside your body.''
Hinata listened as he spoke before speaking up.
''At first, it sounds easy. But I'm guessing that with the limited amount we can take, it will become harder?''
He nodded, ''Somewhat. The other problem is taking too much. You're new to this, but if you take too much, you're at the risk of turning into one of those.''
He pointed at the frog statue and Hinata suddenly became very aware of the sheer number that surrounded them.
She couldn't help but panic at the realization.
''T-There's a way to reverse it, right?''
He shook his head, ''No. We have no way to reverse it. However...''
He walked away for a moment before grabbing... a metal rod.
''This will make it reversible, in the case you transform. So long it isn't completed, it will work.''
Hinata could only stare at it in wonder.
''How is it supposed to do that?''
''Well, by smacking you with it.''
...oh, she was not going to enjoy this in the least. But, if this was the price... then she couldn't exactly complain, now could she?
Though with how hesitant she seemed, Fukasaku decided on something else.
''Bah. Before we begin, I'll show you.''
He skipped over towards one of the statues before seemingly doing some hand seals.
Gamakichi commented on it.
''Oh, he's gathering it.''
Upon his words, Hinata turned on the Byakugan, but she saw absolutely nothing gathering around Fukasaku. In hindsight, it was stupid or else she'd have seen said energy be absorbed by the tree roots from Konoha during the times where it was in her Byakugan's line of vision.
She de-activated it as she just watched.
When he stopped, he went on to lift the statue. And although he was struggling, he was doing it. And upon him letting it back down, the sheer force made the ground around them tremble.
He was panting, tired as he spoke.
''Even with your Byakugan, you're not able to see or sense nature energy, Hinata-girl. For that, you will have to become one with nature.''
''...wha-?''
Gamakichi interjected.
''He means you have to die.''
''What?!''
Hinata shrieked at learning that. Since when did she have to die?!
Fukasaku looked less than amused at that. Or the fact Gamakichi seemed to be chortling at himself.
''I remember that you said that before to Naruto-boys training. But this time, you've done it on purpose, haven't you?''
Gamakichi quickly stopped his chortle, ''Alright. Yeah, it was a mean-spirited joke. But I had to see how she'd react.''
Fukasaku shook his head while Hinata was able to calm down. And although she briefly glared at Gamakichi, she let it go.
''What exactly do you mean with 'become one with nature'?''
''It's pretty simple. Sit still.''
''Just that?''
''Quite so, and it's not as easy as it seems, especially when you have to gather nature energy. Which is why...''
He jumped on top of the pond, motioning for her to come closer.
''We're going to use this oil to help you. Extend your arm to me please.''
She did as told as Fukasaku rolled her sleeve before beginning to rub the oil on it. Just a small amount as well.
''This toad oil has the property of attracting Nature Energy towards the spot where it's applied. But due to the tree roots, we will have to be careful on how it's used. Thankfully, it's only a tool used to help grasp the concept, so once you're able to get Nature energy into you to an acceptable level, we will move onto the next step.''
Hinata was carefully looking at the oil being rubbed on her skin, before noticing her arm beginning to shift in shape slowly. By that point, Fukasaku stopped rubbing the oil.
''As you can see, when used by one who is inexperienced in controlling Nature Energy, it will begin to turn you.''
Hinata looked at her slightly changed arm in slight panic. But after a bit of time, her arm turned back to normal and she sighed in relief.
''So long you don't take too much nature energy, your body will shift back to normal on its own. If you take too much...'' Fukasaku motioned towards the rod.
''Then I can use this baton to beat Nature Energy out of your body.''
She was not looking forward to that.
''Your predecessors, Jiraiya-boy, Minato-boy, and Naruto-boy each were able to use Senjutsu by the end of it. However, Jiraiya-boy still had imperfections when using his, which he took advantage of. And Minato-boy, while able to use it well once gathered, took a large amount of time to gather it, too much for it to be practical. Naruto-boy is the only one so far to have successfully used Senjutsu without the flaws.''
As he spoke, he glanced towards Gamakichi before focusing on Hinata.
''Now, the enemy you want to defeat is the one who has cast the Infinite Tsukuyomi?''
Hinata nodded, ''Yes. I want to free everyone, but for that, I'm going to need to somehow force the one who cast it. In this case, it's Madara Uchiha.''
Fukasaku had a reaction Hinata didn't quite expect. Recognition. And not because of this War, no.
''Madara... so he has returned.''
He sounded grim about it, and rightfully so. And with him behind this, Hinata knew she had quite a lot to do.
''And stronger than ever. I know he has become the jinchuriki of the ten-tails,'' she stated.
Fukasaku closed his eyes in thought, before speaking up.
''Then we must make sure you learn Senjutsu properly, and achieve Sage mode. The degree of difficulty is higher than even Pain, since Uchiha Madara was already dangerous before he took the Ten-Tails into the mix. With a beast of such power in his possession, we must make sure that you go beyond the normal limits of Senjutsu and achieve a Sage Mode that will not have its typical flaws.''
Hinata understood his implication. She needed to surpass Naruto's Sage Mode. Whatever limits he had, Hinata could not allow herself for that to happen. She'd extended her chakra reserves to what may be their limit. So now, she needed to focus on something else.
''What exactly is the typical problem with Senjutsu, once usable?'' she asked.
''There are two major problems everyone has.'' He extended his hand while raising two fingers, ''Gathering the energy, and the time limit. Both have a solvable way, but depending on the individual, some might not be possible.''
''Then...''
But Fukasaku didn't let her finish.
''One step at a time, Hinata-girl. It would be best if you had first-hand experience before I told you more.''
She wanted to deny that. Prepare now while she could. But he was the teacher.
''Now. Because of those tree roots, we need to be careful about how much Nature Energy you take. The Oil phase will likely be the longest and hardest part until you are able to at least have a general idea on how to take Nature Energy while being completely still.''
It very likely was going to be the hard part. But that didn't demoralize her or anything. It just meant she had to be patient, something she became exceptionally good at, nowadays.
It was pain.
And hard. But mostly pain.
The beginning of the day wasn't that hard, although she had to summon 50 Clones each day to then reserve summon back to Konoha. That wasn't the hard part.
It was the morning breakfast. Shima was so hospitable that Hinata didn't have it in her to ever refuse. So, it at first led to her puking her guts out. Now, her stomach somehow held it all inside.
She felt less and less human each day. (And a pat on the back by Fukasaku who'd noticed how her stomach didn't hold the food well at first)
Regardless of that... questionable breakfast. She was off to gather Nature Energy.
The first step of those sessions was getting soaked by that oil. It meant she was better off with a swimsuit. Then, she had to gather it.
During the first days, she had to sit still. It wasn't as hard as it looked with practice. But then, more times than not, she got smacked by the baton since she nearly always turned into a frog when gathering the energy.
That was the morning routine.
The afternoon routine had her switch locations. Or else, she'd have the initial training place killed with no life.
But before that, came lunch... was more needed to be said?
Either way, it was the same routine. Of course, she had to get soaked in the oil but it was the exact same place, even if relocated.
It's past December, now January. She's 20 now.
And that's when she finally succeeds. One second, nothing seemed to really happen, but the next, slight outlines of a blue color circle around her eyes. And her Byakugan seemed to also shift its form slightly.
More small, although its color didn't change. However, outward appearance didn't matter to her as her eyes widened.
''I... I did it!''
She cheered as she could sense the Nature Energy around. And if she tried to turn on her Byakugan, she'd also have been able to see it.
She didn't. But regardless, Fukasaku looked on proudly as he looked at one of the statues.
''It's time for a break, Hinata-girl. Let's eat.''
All of her joy just vanished in a second at the mention of 'eat'.
She had eaten that for months, every single time she couldn't make a provision run for normal food and still, she despised it. Not that she could refuse Shima's hospitality each time, she didn't have it in her. Her stomach no longer would puke that out. Didn't mean she liked it. She'd much rather... eat anything else.
She didn't feel human anymore.
Regardless, It was after their break they returned straight to work.
''Now then, I want you to raise the stone frog.'' he stated, ''First, try using only your ninjutsu chakra.''
She knew exactly what would happen, but she did as requested.
She was unable to lift it. At all. Fukasaku had seen enough when nothing happened.
''Alright. Now mold some Sage Chakra and try again.''
She did as told, soaking herself slightly in the oil as she stood still. Eventually, enough Nature energy came for her to mold.
She stood up, walking towards the stone frog, and took a deep breath. Then, she lifted.
It took effort, but slowly, she was able to lift it up with both of her arms. The frog stone right on top of her.
''Nice, Hinata!'' Gamakichi, who'd periodically come and go to see how she progressed, congratulated her.
Hinata, although able to lift it, decided to lay it back down. Not sure for how much longer she could have held it up there.
Fukasaku was watching this when he spoke up.
''I want you to do this a few more times today. Tomorrow, we will go through with the next step.''
Without the need of using the oil anymore, Hinata could wear her normal clothes again. Something she was quite happy about.
Fukasaku had led them to a curious place. A location filled with spires.
''The next step for you, is to gather Nature Energy without oil. For that, we shall use this.'' he jumped to grab ahold of a wood plank, long enough for her to sit on it.
''I... don't have to do what I think it is for...?''
When he nodded, she knew she was in for a hard time.
Sit cross-legged on the plan, while on top of a spire.
This was going to be hard.
And she was right. It was indeed hard because it was one thing to sit still on a steady ground. It was another to do so when the only thing keeping it balanced was a small, thin spike.
But she was managing. It took time, but she was doing it. It was taking time, but it was giving results.
And eventually, it did.
She was focusing, unmoving, and absolutely calm when it happened. When she was able to take enough Nature Energy that it had an effect.
Fukasaku could see it, that the Nature energy was going inside her with a good balance. And Hinata could sense it.
Blue markings began to form on her, covering the outer edges of her eyelids as it extended first towards the back of the ear and then went up before stopping at her hair.
When Hinata Hyuga opened her eyes, it wasn't met with its pale color. But instead, her Byakugan had turned into a golden color.
This was Hinata Hyuga's sage mode.
And that's it with this chapter. We've pretty much covered her entire Sage Mode training arc. But we're not done with Mount Myoboku or its inhabitants yet. No, there are still a few things to do.
You guys have no idea how unsure I was, on how her Sage Mode would look like.
Hinata's Sage Mode is based around a mixture of what the Gold color the Otsutsuki's seem to gain when consuming a Chakra fruit (cannibalism), heavily focused on Momoshiki in that one. And Naruto's actual appearance in his Kurama Chakra Cloak.
The color of the mark is a darker shade of blue, and acts somewhat like Naruto's whiskers. Anyone who's read the Boruto Manga, you likely all noticed how the upper Whisker of Naruto in Kurama Chakra cloak bents upwards? Imagine that but the starting point is her eyes, and ends going upwards from the side of the head.