Naruto: Before Chakra Emergence

The air felt charged with anticipation as the clan leader began to explain the ancient and mysterious techniques known as Sage Arts. Shiori, with his usual curiosity, listened intently, eager to understand this new world that had been laid out before him. His body ached from the previous day's training, but his mind was sharp, and he couldn't wait to begin this next chapter of his journey.

"Shiro, Michu..." The clan leader's voice broke through their musings, his tone steady and calm. "Before I begin teaching you Sage Arts, let me explain briefly about the history of Sage Arts in our clan."

Shiori tilted his head, his interest piqued. "Didn't you already tell us that Sage Arts are the insight of sages?" he asked.

"Correct, but what I'm going to tell you is the brief history of Sage Arts within our clan," the clan leader replied, his eyes gleaming with the weight of knowledge.

Michi bounced on her heels, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "I can't wait to hear it!" she exclaimed, barely able to contain her enthusiasm.

The clan leader nodded, acknowledging their eagerness, and began speaking with a deep, resonant voice. "Sage Arts, in our clan, there have only been fifty recorded Sage Arts. Yes, compared to jutsu, it is fewer, but it is a great feat considering that many other clans have not even reached a fraction of this number. However, during the Sagehood Era, this was considered a mere dust in the wind."

Shiori nodded, processing the information. "I get it. Since creating a Sage Art requires your own insight, only sages can create them. I wonder about the other sages…" His thoughts wandered, imagining what kind of incredible powers and abilities other sages might possess.

"That's correct," the clan leader affirmed. "Answering your question is difficult, especially as it relates to the downfall of the Sagehood Era. But let's start with the basics first. Let me introduce you to the five fundamental Sage Arts in our clan."

Shiori's heart raced with excitement. He couldn't wait to hear about these unique techniques.

The clan leader took a deep breath, his voice unwavering as he began. "The first is Candle Ember Sweat Sage Art, the second is Spring Water Finger Sage Art, the third is Fleeting Cloud Walk Sage Art, the fourth is Slender Young Bamboo Sage Art, and the fifth is Heavy Light Body Sage Art."

Michi's eyes widened, and she leaned forward eagerly. "Wow, they all sound so bizarre! Slender Young Bamboo Sage Art? Does it have something to do with Mokuton… I mean, wood style?"

The clan leader chuckled softly at Michi's enthusiasm. "Ah, you know of Mokuton, don't you? Mokuton is indeed rare, but the Slender Young Bamboo Sage Art is different. It's not related to Hashirama Senju's abilities, though he was once an ally of our clan. Hashirama was an outsider, but he proved trustworthy, so we gifted him one of our Sage Arts: Thousand Branches Sage Art. However, it's forbidden. It uses the user's vitality, not their lifespan, as fuel to create natural energy. Hashirama was able to use it to create his own version of Sage Mode, one that differs from the three Holy Lands because of Mokuton."

Shiori's eyes sparkled with admiration. "That's so cool! I can't even imagine how powerful he must have been…"

"Indeed," the clan leader replied, his voice heavy with respect. "But remember, the path of Sage Arts is not one to be taken lightly. Now, let's get back to our own training. Do you have any questions before you choose your first Sage Art?"

Shiori thought for a moment, his gaze flicking to Michi before turning back to the clan leader. "Do we have our own Sage Mode?" he asked, his voice filled with curiosity.

The clan leader's expression softened, his eyes filled with a quiet understanding. "No, our clan does not possess a specific Sage Mode like the ones you've heard about. Instead, we focus on the natural arts that reflect our understanding of the world around us. We are different from those who seek power for power's sake. Our art is subtle, and its strength lies in its flexibility."

Shiori nodded thoughtfully, taking in the weight of the words. He wasn't sure what it meant for him yet, but he understood that there was more to Sage Arts than just raw power.

"Now," the clan leader continued, "you've heard about the five basic Sage Arts. They are the foundation of what you'll be learning."

Shiori's attention sharpened. "Alright, what are they again?"

The clan leader repeated the names, this time with a bit more emphasis. "Candle Ember Sweat Sage Art, Spring Water Finger Sage Art, Fleeting Cloud Walk Sage Art, Slender Young Bamboo Sage Art, and Heavy Light Body Sage Art."

Shiori quickly thought about his options. "They all sound a bit weird, but... Heavy Light Body sounds like something I could handle. It doesn't sound too difficult, and I think it could be useful."

Michi immediately jumped in with her own excitement. "I choose Slender Young Bamboo! It sounds fun!"

The clan leader gave a small smile, his eyes approving of their choices. "Good choices. Both of you have picked wisely. The first step of Sage Arts is to understand your body and the natural energy around you. It will take time, but it will also take patience."

Shiori felt a spark of excitement. This was it—the beginning of something incredible. He could feel the natural energy all around him, though it still felt faint compared to chakra. The first steps of understanding and manipulating the energy were already making his mind race with possibilities.

The training began immediately. The clan leader guided them through the first steps of their chosen Sage Arts. For Shiori, the Heavy Light Body Sage Art involved learning to manipulate the natural energy within his body in such a way that he could either lighten his weight or increase it. It was difficult, especially with the aches in his muscles from all the previous training, but he felt the potential.

"Focus," the clan leader instructed. "Feel the energy around you and draw it in. Let it circulate within your body. Once you've established that connection, begin to experiment with your weight. Imagine yourself lighter, as if you were floating."

Shiori closed his eyes, focusing on the energy within and around him. It was a strange feeling at first, like trying to grasp something intangible. Slowly, he began to imagine his body becoming lighter, as if the natural energy was lifting him from within.

At first, nothing happened. He felt nothing different, and his frustration began to grow. But then, something shifted. He felt a slight lightness in his limbs, a subtle sense of buoyancy. It wasn't much, but it was a start.

"Good," the clan leader said, watching closely. "You're on the right track. Continue to meditate and focus. The more you connect with the natural energy, the more control you'll have."

Shiori took a deep breath, pushing his frustration aside. He continued the meditation, focusing on the feeling of lightness, and slowly but surely, he felt his body begin to respond. His feet felt less heavy against the ground, and his movements became a little easier.

Meanwhile, Michi was having her own struggles with the Slender Young Bamboo Sage Art. She was trying to make her body more flexible, stretching her limbs in ways she had never thought possible. It was painful, but there was a determination in her eyes that matched Shiori's.

"This is harder than I thought," Michi admitted, wiping sweat from her brow as she twisted her body into a difficult position.

"You'll get it," Shiori encouraged, though he was struggling himself. "Just focus on your flexibility. We're both going to get this, no matter how tough it is."

As the day stretched on, both Shiori and Michi continued their training, determined to master their respective Sage Arts. The weight of the clan leader's words hung in the air: patience, dedication, and wisdom.

By the end of the day, they were both exhausted, their bodies aching from the exertion, but their spirits were high. They had taken the first steps down the path of the Sage, and though the road was long, they were ready to walk it together.