In the season when ice and snow melt, everyone is preparing for the new year.

Team leaders such as Yamashiro Aoba and Shiranui Genma are worried about their students' Chunin Exams. Gekko Hayate is preparing to officially become a teacher at a ninja school and also helps take care of the children in her free time.

Most of the Konoha ninjas are still living their lives as usual.

Shuimu has a lot of things to do, but most of the more urgent ones have already been dealt with.

In addition to work, Mizuki will try his best to spare some time to tutor Sakura in her training. After some time, there may not be much time left.

Sakura's practice of Sage Mode was slightly smoother than Mizuki's.

This is not because Sakura is more suitable for Sage Mode than Mizuki, but more because Mizuki is paving a new path on his own, while Sakura is moving forward step by step on the mature path.

With the foundation of controlling the chakra of the tailed beasts, he hardly encountered too many obstacles in the practice of sensing natural energy. He was also not like Mizuki, who had defects in perception due to the differences in their souls.

With the assistance of Shuimu, the two-pronged practice method did not make rapid progress, but it did not lead to any detours.

A master is someone who teaches, accepts students and resolves doubts, but this is limited to ninjutsu. Mizuki can't help a young girl with her troubles at all.

If possible, Mizuki still hopes to let Sakura practice Sakura Mode after a year or two to minimize the risk.

But the situation is beyond our control. If Sakura's strength cannot be improved quickly now, she will just be a supporting role in the Fourth Ninja World War.

Seals, barriers, and medical ninjutsu might be somewhat useful, but combat power really isn't that useful.

Of course, one cannot practice the Sage Mode in Konoha Village. The fluctuation of huge amounts of chakra will definitely attract the attention of certain people.

The country of the sea is closer to the marine climate of the south, which results in vibrant greenery all year round. Even in the cold early spring, the air here is warm.

"This isn't the Fire Country anymore!"

The obviously different scenery surprised Sakura who was suddenly brought here by Mizuki.

"This is the Kingdom of the Sea!"

This is the ruins that were abandoned after Shuimu destroyed Tianzhi's laboratory.

"Space-time ninjutsu is so convenient. I can reach a thousand miles away so quickly!"

While I was still in a daze, I went abroad.

"Just find a place to sit!"

In this obviously abandoned fishing port, Sakura found a clean wooden stool, and saw Mizuki take out a large chair with a backrest from the space-time warehouse and sit down, enjoying the sea breeze with a comfortable expression, as if he was out traveling to relax.

"What's wrong?"

"nothing!"

Sakura quickly shook her head.

Mizuki didn't care much. He took out a cup of hot coffee, drank a few sips, and then said to Sakura contentedly:

"According to the plan, I should teach you how to practice Sage Mode today."

"Is it possible now?"

"It's okay! But in the future, don't try it by yourself before I agree that you can practice alone. Sage Mode is different from other ninjutsu. If something goes wrong, you will die. Even if you survive by chance, it may be more painful than death!"

"knew!"

Mizuki has emphasized the danger many times.

"The principle of Sage Mode is very simple. Ninjas refine their physical and mental strength to obtain chakra that can perform ninjutsu. Sage Mode is to mix mental strength, physical strength and natural energy in the same proportion to obtain senjutsu chakra and then perform Sage Mode!"

After saying this, Shuimu squinted his eyes and drank coffee quietly!

After a moment of silence, Sakura couldn't help but ask:

"Is it that simple?"

I had been so cautious in my previous practice, and had practiced with trepidation for several months, not expecting that it would be all over with just one sentence at the last moment.

"Isn't that what ninjas are all about? The truth is just a few words!"

"So should I just continue practicing like this?"

“I don’t think so!”

"I knew it!"

The little girl grumbled in dissatisfaction, if it was really that simple, why were there so few ninjas who could reach Sage Mode?

"Be patient! Before I formally teach you Sage Mode, there is some knowledge I want to teach you. I hope you will remember it firmly. It doesn't matter if you don't understand it now, but if you want to go further on the ninja path, you will use it sooner or later."

"Please give me some advice!"

"Don't be nervous! It's still too early to tell you this, but I'm afraid I won't have time to teach you in the future, so I'm telling you in advance."

Mizuki paused.

"After you learn the Sage Mode, you will encounter some problems that only elite jonin who can't find their way forward will encounter. To describe it in a word you can understand, that is the way of the ninja!"

"Ninja Way? I know this, the Will of Fire. My teacher taught me that when I was in Ninja School!"

"Well, it can't be said to be wrong, but it's still a little different from what I said!"

Mizuki hesitated before speaking.

"Chakra is the power to perform ninjutsu, but it is only a superficial application. When a ninja reaches the limit of conventional strength, sooner or later he will have to find a breakthrough from the spiritual level, and this is when the true function of chakra will be used - the link that connects spiritual power. When you become a jonin, spiritual practice is more important than ninjutsu practice. At this time, you must have a strong mind that is strong enough to support yourself to take one step further."

"There's nothing wrong with the Konoha spirit and the will of fire, but they are taught to you by others. Everyone's understanding may be different. You have to find your own true thoughts."

The reason why he agreed to take Sakura as his disciple was not just because of Kakashi Hatake's request, but also because of Sakura's strong will and spiritual qualities that were worthy of cultivation.

"Your own thoughts?"

"You have to ask yourself this! What exactly do you want to do by becoming a ninja, learning ninjutsu, and taking great risks to learn Sage Mode?"

"I can't answer such a sudden question!"

"Take your time to think about it. I can wait!"

It’s not that Shuimu wants to pry into the little girl’s privacy, but once the practice of Sage Mode begins, the oppression of the spirit by natural energy will not stop. If there is not a strong enough will to resist, it will be a big problem.

With the help of practicing controlling the chakra of the tailed beasts, Mizuki is also controlling the progress at all times. The damage to Sakura from the natural energy should not be too great, but this still requires enough awareness. She needs to practice the Sage Mode with the attitude of learning powerful ninjutsu. The pile of stone frogs on Myoboku Mountain and the losers who have turned into the excrement of the Snake Sage are a lesson for her.

Shuimu, who had anticipated this scene, had already prepared food, clothing, housing and transportation. Spring in the south is really a great place for vacation!