Sage Mode


 * Name:
 * Type: Senjutsu, No rank, Supplementary
 * Users: Jiraiya, Naruto Uzumaki
 * Toad Familiars: Fukasaku, Shima
 * Debut (Manga): Chapter 376

Hermit Mode is the result of using Senjutsu's natural energy along with a ninjas normal chakra in perfect balance.

Methods of Learning Senjutsu
To learn the Senjutsu, one must first learn to draw in the Natural Energy around them by remaining perfectly still. By stopping their own flow as a creature, they will begin to harmonize with the flow of nature. After feeling the flow, one must then learn to balance the external Natural energy with their own internal Physical and Spiritual Energy. Once this balance is achieved, they will enter a state called Hermit Mode, allowing them to use Senjutsu. The fastest method of learning to balance the three energies is applying the Secret Toad's Oil from the Myobokuzan Mountain onto one's skin. It can help the user feel the Natural energy around them before they learn to remain perfectly still. However, there is a great risk in implementing the oil and drawing in Natural energy. If one draws in too little, Hermit Mode cannot be achieved. If one draws in too much, they will turn into a Toad. If one attempts to continue the Senjutsu training and fail, they will turn into solid stone. They essentially become a part of nature. Furthermore, moving while drawing in Natural energy causes an uncontrollable inflow of Natural energy, thus initiating the Toad Transformation as well.

Imperfect Hermit Mode
Though he was capable of fully utilizing the abilities of Senjutsu, Jiraiya never fully mastered the art of balancing his own internal chakra with that of the external natural energy he took in. As a result Jiraiya took a frog-like appearance when using Hermit Mode, which is the reason he didn't like to use it as it "scared off the ladies". Such a transformation is an Imperfect Hermit Mode.

When Jiraiya was using Hermit Mode, he drew additional lines on his cheeks and summoned the two Toad Elders, Shima and Fukasaku to assist him in battle. When the toad elders arrived, Jiraiya's appearance was altered (he has a bigger nose, a goatee and his eyes are like a toads). The Toad Elders were also fused to Jiraiya's shoulders. In this form, Jiraiyas' strength and speed are increased.

Further transformational attributes include him crouching and his body taking on even more toad-like qualities: his hands and feet become toad-like, the lines on his face also become much thicker, taking over each side of his face. He also takes a frog-like stance, increasing his speed, power and chakra. Also, while Jiraiya is in Hermit Mode, he will be able to use various jutsu that are extremely powerful compared to his original arsenal.

This form was used by Jiraiya in his battle with his former student, Pain

True Hermit Mode


Naruto later learns to enter Hermit Mode, albeit at first through the Secret Toad Oil, in his effort to learn Senjutsu. He seemed to be more skilled when training, being said to be learning faster than Jiraiya did (this could be attributed to his Shadow Clone training). Unlike Jiraiya's Hermit Mode, that changes his body to be more frog-like in appearance, the only changes in Naruto are his eyes, which Fukasaku mentions, are always present in Hermit Mode, and is the sign of a true hermit. It has also been revealed that in Hermit Mode, the user's body becomes more durable towards physical attacks, such as when Naruto falls off a cliff onto stone spikes, it did not hurt him at all. Another effect of Hermit Mode is the ability to sense everyone else's chakra in the area. Fukusaku also stated that the natural energy surrounding Naruto became a part of his body, and his attacks are more dangerous and have a greater reach than usual.

Advantages of Hermit Mode

 * As stated above, activating Hermit Mode substantially increases a person's physical strength, speed, and durability.
 * The User's current Ninjutsu, Genjutsu, and Taijutsu become more potent and powerful.
 * The User can have the natural energy surrounding them become an extension of their body, increasing the reach of their Taijutsu.
 * The User gains the ability to sense Chakra.

Weaknesses of Hermit Mode
Hermit Mode only has three known weaknesses to be aware of: First, because the user is moving, the Sage chakra cannot be replenished, which means the user can't stay in this mode for extended periods of time. Second and most important, in order to gather enough Natural energy to initiate the transformation into Hermit Mode, the user must remain perfectly still. Because of that, the user can be an easy target for an opponent. Thirdly, as soon Hermit Mode ends the user is left in an exhausted state, and can easily be attacked.

Overcoming the Weaknesses
In order to balance out the weaknesses, Shima and/or Fukasaku must fuse to the user's shoulders, after which they help gather the Natural energy required to sustain Hermit Mode. In other words, they can remain still while the user can move and not be defenseless. Fukusaku attempted to fuse with Naruto so that he could gather Natural energy without having to stay still. However, the Nine Tails inside Naruto prevents Fukusaku from fusing with him. Naruto decided to learn how to gather Natural Energy while moving. When Fukusaku tells Naruto that it is like looking left and right at the same time, Naruto gets an idea similar to the one he had during the Shadow Clone/Wind Release: Rasengan training with Kakashi.

During Naruto's fight with Pain, he reveals that he has learned how to use Shadow Clones to assist in the process of gathering Natural energy. By leaving two clones back at Myobokuzan, Naruto allows them to gather Natural energy and to maintain their Sage chakra while he engages in battle. When he is in need of more Natural energy, Naruto uses a giant scroll to "reverse summon" one of his clones and dis-spells it; transferring the clone's Sage chakra back to the original, thus allowing Naruto to re-enter Hermit Mode.

It's later revealed that this method limits the number of clones Naruto can use (ie: two clones to gather energy and three for use in battle). Using more than three clones in battle would interfere with the ones focusing Sage Chakra. This limits his ability to use Hermit Mode to a maximum of three times in the battle. It also limits his use of the Multi Shadow Clone Technique to a maximum total of five clones (while there are two clones focusing Sage Chakra) or four (while there is one clone focusing Sage Chakra) untill the last focusing clone is dispelled.

Techniques

 * Demonic Illusion: Toad Confrontation Singing
 * Hermit's Art: Amphibian Technique
 * Hermit's Art: Frog Call
 * Hermit's Art: Goemon
 * Hermit's Art: Great Ball Rasengan
 * Hermit's Art: Hair Needle Barrage
 * Hermit's Art: Wind Release Dust Cloud
 * Hermit Technique: Rasenrengan
 * Frog Katas
 * Super Great Ball Rasengan
 * Wind Release: Rasenshuriken (Perfected Version)