Board Thread:Episode Discussions/@comment-25319479-20180418100138/@comment-11891028-20180423140433

Ninjachris wrote: I think Orochimaru meant SM specifically when he told Mitsuki not to reveal his true power, because if I recall correctly didn’t naruto Lose to Konohomaru because he activated SM and Mitsuki’s seems to be even more advanced than naruto’s was at the time. Yeah, in the Naruto vs Konohamaru OVA during their joint chunin exams. I guess they nerfed Sage Mode since it would give Naruto an edge over Konohamaru back then.

Although, since that's just an OVA, would they really know exactly who has access to sage mode and who wouldn't, like within the main story. I mean, I know Mitsuki exposed his sage mode during is 1v1 with Shino, but if no one knew then would they really think to nerf it? I thought the Chunin Exams were kinda like fights to the death, or at least until one collapsed from exhaustion, like how Gaara killed the shinobi in the Forest of Death back when he was considered a monster, or Sasuke tried to pierce Gaara with Chidori. Surely if it's a fight to the death then then the participants wouldn't be encouraged to hold back on their power, like with Naruto using his Nine Tails chakra against Neji.

I mean, now that Sage Mode is a bit more widely known thanks to people like Juugo and Naruto during the war so it may have been restricted as a result due to the changing times that the shinobi world is experiencing, but honestly under normal circumstances if tailed beast chakra isn't restricted then I don't see sage mode being nerfed either in a proper match.

Although I do get why it can be dangerous to use Sage Mode, especially if the user hasn't mastered it properly, as it can be quite unstable.