Board Thread:Theories and Speculation/@comment-25093611-20160821131910/@comment-734582-20160827173254

And the server ate my lengthy reply. Oh well, i'll type it again.

Like i said earlier, Power Creep is part of any story and it's not necessarily a problem. I think however that there are two reasons this is the case in Naruto:


 * Kishimoto wanting an end. Between the Pain Assault and Gokage summit Kishimoto likely picked his number (700 to continue his 7=lucky theme) and worked towards it. This isn't a bad thing, in fact i think it's great Kishimoto realized his manga needed an actual end. However, it seems Kishimoto forgot to add sufficient spacing in time, making his power creep seem far, far worse than it would've been with some timeskip or a little more spacing.


 * Kishimoto was aware of his love for symbolism and restrained himself. This prevented the necessary contrast from existing to give characters notable strengths and weaknesses. E.g. logically Hashirama would be very weak against an assassination-style ninja who could cut him down before he could whip out his toys. However, he made his rules as guidelines (just like everything else is guided by themes rather than hard rules and facts). This is great (it clearly resonates with many people) but also has weaknesses (virtually invincible characters like Madara).

I would fix the problem by making the price for power clearer (even Kishimoto did such things, e.g. with Danzo, but seemed to have given up on this possibly to avoid seeming "lame"), making the sources of power clearer, and making the themes and their weaknesses clearer.

Clarity in Sage themes: The basic form of Sages is the ability to use nature energy, which enhances ninjutsu and adds a connection to the surroundings at the cost of greater focus. There would be 4 basic powers, two internal and two external (as observed in Naruto). When internally balanced, Senjutsu becomes more controlled and more powerful, and the transforms of chakra become easier. When out of balance, the flesh becomes easier to mold and form but chakra is harder to control. Externally, when balanced subtle shifts become apparent that lead to great sensing, whereas unbalanced chakra imbues one's will. I would use the three Sage Nations and a fourth "plant" sage mode not aimed at an animal kingdom but rather aimed at the connection nature.

This all leads to four Sage Modes which have different ideas of senjutsu, and each uses different amounts of nature energy. Toads aim at control and balance (ninjutsu/sensing), Snakes aim at power (tranform/ninjutsu). Slugs aim at great understanding (sensing/animation). Plants aim at a strong connection (Animation/transform).

Biju: They would largely be the same. However, Jinchuriki would focus more on "biju animal magic" and less on raw power. each would have a kekkei genkai. The Gedo would be classified as the "zero tails" (which Kishi likely didn't do because of the movie), controlled by Obito and Madara would be it's jinchuriki as he gets revived.

A list:
 * Gedo "zero tails". Nature elemental. lacks chakra, uses natural energy exclusively to sustain itself but has poor control and little sentience.


 * Shukaku: Sand elemental. KKG: Magnet Release. Coats the jinchuriki in sand as they transform
 * Matatabi: Fire elemental. KKG: Scorch. Coats the jinchuriki in flames as they transform
 * Isobu: Coral elemental. KKG: Ice Coats the jinchuriki in ice as they transform
 * Son Goku. KKG: Lava. Special: lava chakra mode. (armor)
 * Kokuo. KKG: Boil. Special: Boil chakra mode (enhanced movement)
 * Saiken. KKG: Blast. Special: Slime, soap bubbles.
 * Chromei: KKG: Wind+Lighting. Special: Scale powder, cocoon webbing, flight
 * Gyuki: KKG: Storm. Special: Ink Release (ink as water release)
 * Kurama: KKG: Fire+ lightning. Special: Emotion sensing.


 * Juubi. The Juubi is made of zetsu-like plant/human hybrid flesh. The Kekkei Genkai are lost when combined into a superior one: Truthseeking orbs. It absorbs and controls raw nature energy.

I'm not a big fan of how the KKG are divided, but changing them would change a whole damn lot and i could write an article on that alone. Judging by what we have, i'd expect Wind+Lightning to be light and Fire + lightning to be plasma.

I'd keep the style of grabbing power for oneself, but do it more clearly. Sakura would experiment with Hashi's cells and gain yamato-level powers. She learns Slug Sage Mode afterwards. I'd make it clear her fine chakra control and medical knowledge is what allows her this enhancement, but her natural body is what limits it.

Kakashi would gain noticeable skills after each opponent (e.g. Zabuza -> water release, Kakuzu -> enhanced reserves), but his inner doubt is what stops him from taking major steps, while his pride is what keeps him from blatantly copying everyone. He gleans from Nagato the knowledge to use Mangekyo much more efficiently and basically becomes a good all-round fighter.

Naruto would use his post-Nagato time to become a better jinchuriki, using partial transforms and using his own "ashura mode" with chakra arms. From Obito he gains Six Paths Sage Mode, the ability to use raw natural energy.

Sasuke would use his post-nagato time for experimentation. He gleans much from Itachi's body to learn to keep his eyes healthy and strong, but eventually gives into the Eternal mangekyou. He uses Obito's research to strenghten himself with zetsu cells, granting healing powers, while he gleans Snake Sage Mode from curse seals and Kabuto to become a proper Snake Sage. Eventually gets Rinnegan from Kabuto.

I'm not sure how to approach the Six Paths power and Rinnegan stuff yet. Sakura and Kakashi however would eventually get Six Paths power (without special KKG, to demonstrate it's base powers), once i figure things out.