Kazuki said, "Moreover, Mount Myōboku's Sage Mode also has some unique characteristics that are worth my study."
"The Sage Mode of the Three Great Sage Regions conforms to the Sage Mode of three animals, and it is not the most suitable for humans. Their research into Sage Mode is more in line with their own nature."
Minato nodded thoughtfully and asked, "So, Sage Mode isn't particularly suitable for us humans?"
"That's right, but the boost it gives to a ninja is immense. For example, if an elite jonin learns Sage Mode, then for the duration that Sage Mode is maintained, they will possess the strength of a Kage, or even be among the top tiers of Kage-level ninja."
Kazuki patiently explained, "However, similarly, Sage Mode isn't perfectly compatible with us humans. Some imperfect Sage Modes can cause the user to exhibit animalistic features. For example, in Mount Myōboku's Sage Mode, one's body might take on the appearance of a toad."
Minato couldn't help but shiver at the thought of his own body potentially resembling a toad.
If it was that ugly, would he still want to learn Sage Mode?
"Compared to an unsightly appearance, the power boost is immense. At least, in my opinion, it's worth it. Moreover, as one refines their Sage Mode, it will become increasingly suitable for humans." Kazuki continued.
"It's just a pity that my Sage Mode, you may not be able to learn."
"Why?" Minato was dumbfounded.
He had originally planned not to learn Mount Myōboku's Sage Mode, but rather Kazuki's. After all, Kazuki barely held anything back from them. Kazuki was truly dedicated to nurturing them. He considered himself a disciple of Kazuki, even if not formally.
Kazuki said earnestly, looking at Minato, "My Sage Mode is more perfect, and the difficulty of learning is unknown amounts greater than the Sage Mode of the Three Great Sage Regions."
Kazuki no longer considered himself a Ninja World person, he was now a standard Ōtsutsuki. He now also felt that the gap between himself and ordinary humans and ninjas was enormous.
Not to mention Kazuki himself, even ordinary ninjas and humans could no longer be considered the same species.
Minato nodded understandingly. The more powerful a jutsu, the higher the difficulty of learning. He could understand this point. Kazuki's Sage Mode was very difficult, but its completeness was likely also very high.
"When the time comes, you can first go learn Mount Myōboku's Sage Mode. After you're done, I will then help you improve your own unique Sage Mode." Kazuki continued to add.
"The Sage Modes of the Three Great Sage Regions each have their own characteristics. Theoretically, everyone's Sage Mode should also be like this. For example, my Sage Mode is different from the First Hokage's Sage Mode. This needs to be viewed dialectically at that time."
The benefits of this trip to Mount Myōboku were considerable. Kazuki decided that if he had the chance, he could visit Ryuchi Cave, as he imagined the Sage Mode there could also provide him with some assistance.
As for the so-called powerful Sages, Kazuki didn't pay too much attention to them. With his current strength, he could go almost anywhere he wanted in the Ninja World.
A mere White Snake Sage was nothing to the current Kazuki. If the other party was ignorant, he wouldn't mind playing with her a little.
If Kazuki was displeased, it would be a clean cut, and if he was still unhappy, she could be cut into even more pieces.
It's not to say that Kazuki was preparing to fuse the Sage Modes of the Three Great Sage Regions to then merge them into Six Paths Sage Mode. In reality, that wasn't the case. Six Paths Sage Mode was the Sage Mode belonging to the Sage of Six Paths, and he had only learned Mount Myōboku's Sage Mode.
It's just that he had a close relationship with the Ten-Tails. Even without becoming the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki, he and the Ten-Tails could be considered a "father-son" relationship. A significant portion of his power came from the Ten-Tails.
Referencing the Ten-Tails' situation, and combining it with Sage Mode, he created his Six Paths Sage Mode.
"I understand." Minato nodded thoughtfully.
...
Hanaku was a gentle and refined man who appeared to be in his early forties.
Perhaps because he had been in the Daimyo's mansion for a long time, Hanaku didn't seem like a ninja at all. Instead, he looked more like a nobleman.
It seemed that during his time in the Daimyo's mansion, he had truly integrated himself into the enemy's ranks.
As Kazuki observed Hanaku, Hanaku was also observing him. This Uchiha, his daughter Tsunade's disciple, whom Nawaki treated as a brother, and whom even his grandmother praised endlessly, reportedly nurturing him like a godson.
Nawaki always complained that Mito treated Kazuki even better than she treated him.
All signs pointed to Kazuki's uniqueness. If nothing unexpected happened, the next Hokage of Konoha would be the person before him.
Hanaku had no resistance towards the Uchiha. Having grown up by Hashirama's side, he was well aware of the relationship between his father and Madara.
Despite Madara's desperate fight against Hashirama, Hanaku still felt some nostalgia for the old days. In fact, Madara had been quite kind to him back then.
Even though his uncle told him to be wary of Madara, his father was very close to Madara. His father had said more than once that Madara was a good person who yearned for peace. Even after the great battle with Madara, Hashirama still believed this.
If the other party hadn't threatened Konoha's safety, Hashirama wouldn't have tried to kill Madara.
During their final battle, Madara seemed more like a child who had received a new toy and was showing it off to his old friend.
If Madara had only sought to fight Hashirama, Hashirama would not have tried to kill him. But Madara's biggest mistake was destroying Konoha and using Konoha to threaten Hashirama. This was the first time Hashirama had tried to kill Madara.
In fact, after the battle ended, Hashirama regretted it.
Perhaps at that time, Madara was just saying upsetting things?
After all, Konoha was something they had created together.
Why would Madara want to destroy Konoha for no reason?
Perhaps at that time, Madara was just angry that he hadn't chosen to trust him?
Konoha, or anything else, might no longer have been important. What was important was that Hashirama was going to kill Madara.