Sage Mode is an advanced chakra stage utilized in the world of Naruto, which very few shinobi can enter. This chakra stage allows a user to absorb the nature-based chakra around them.
Considered one of the most potent abilities, Sage Mode drastically amplifies its users and grants them incredible strength, speed, and heightened perception. However, it can only be maintained for a fixed amount of time. Strong as it is, only a handful of shinobi have entered this honored state, and even fewer have perfected its usage.
Updated on May 8th, 2022 by Olivia Subero: This list has been updated to fix some out-of-date information and address a few other minor errors.
10 Fukasaku Is A Formidable Opponent
Fukasaku is one of the elder toads from Mount Myoboku, a well-known master of Sage Mode. He's passed down his teachings to multiple generations, most notably Jiraiya and later Naruto Uzumaki. Although he's not as strong as the characters mentioned above, Fukasaku is still a fearful opponent.
Fukasaku is skilled at Frog Kumite, which enhances the user's speed, stamina, and reflexes during combat. Fukasaku can also trap his opponents in strong genjutsu. He could even restrict the Six Paths of Pain using his Sage abilities to some degree. Despite all of his feats, Fukasaku is much better at teaching his techniques than putting them into practice.
9 Gamakichi Is A Master Of Sage Mode
Like Fukasaku, Naruto's summoning toad Gamakichi is well-versed in Sage Mode. He's continued to help Naruto throughout his journey and can even pass his knowledge to future generations.
It's unknown when Gamakichi learned Sage Mode since the story doesn't focus much on him. However, his progress was prevalent during the Fourth Great Ninja War, when he helped Naruto deduce Obito's susceptibility to Senjustu chakra. His younger brother, Gamabunta, is also just as strong and talented.
8 Jugo Operates From A Rage-Like State
Jugo comes from an enigmatic clan. He can automatically absorb natural energy, allowing him to achieve Sage Mode without training for it. While this ability is formidable, it's a Kekkei Genkai that has brought immeasurable suffering for its members, especially Jugo.
For some reason, the continuous absorption of Sage chakra causes clan members to enter a rage-like state. This Kekkei Genkai is a fantastic way to achieve Sage Mode if controlled. Orochimaru studied Jugo's body once, and the secrets of his transformation led him to Ryuchi Cave.
7 Mitsuki Has Massive Potential
Orochimaru's only son, Mitsuki, is a synthetically-made human often described as 'perfect.' Even at 13, his powers are equal to an average jonin, which speaks volumes about his ability. Much of that has to do with his Sage Mode.
Using Jugo's Kekkei Genkai from Orochimaru, Mitsuki can achieve Sage Mode without training. However, his strength isn't powered by rage. According to Orochimaru, when unleashed at full capacity, Mitsuki's potential surpasses that of the Legendary Sannin.
6 Jiraiya Can Maintain Sage Mode Indefinitely
Also known as the Toad Sage, Jiraiya is one of the most accomplished shinobi in the Naruto series. As a member of the Legendary Sannin, his skills far surpass that of an average ninja. One of his skills is Sage Mode, although he doesn't like to rely on it too much. According to him, it makes him look "ugly" and "unpopular" with the ladies.
Jiraiya's Sage Mode is imperfect, and thus, he undergoes a frog-like transformation. But he gains enhanced mobility and a more resilient body. Jiraiya uses Fukasaku and Shima to collect nature chakra during battle, allowing him to maintain his Sage Mode for as long as he wants.
5 Kabuto Yakushi Became A Force To Be Reckoned With
After Orochimaru's death, Kabuto Yakushi lost himself. Despite devouring his master's remains, he quickly became power-hungry, injecting himself with various Kekkei Genkai, one of which belonged to Jugo. He secluded himself in Ryuchi Cave, where he learned the revered Sage Art, finally surpassing Orochimaru's skill level.
Jugo's Kekkei Genkai helped Kabuto maintain his form for as long as possible. The others gave him the strength to challenge both Sasuke and Itachi head-on. Even though he lost in the end, Kabuto's Snake Sage Mode was a force to be reckoned with, thanks to the Uchiha brothers' quick wit and teamwork.
4 Minato Namikaze Uses Sage Mode Perfectly
Minato, Konoha's Fourth Hokage, was Jiraiya's student and was described by many as one of the strongest. He excelled in using the Flying Thunder God Jutsu, earning him the "Yellow Flash" moniker. Interestingly enough, Minato was also a perfect Sage Mode user, signified by the markings around his eyes.
However, since Minato preferred to wrap fights up with speed, he usually never entered this state. It was an arduous task for him to maintain this form. Nonetheless, Minato could enter Sage Mode almost instantaneously, so his skill with this art was impressive, to say the least.
3 Hashirama Senju Left A Powerful Legacy
Konoha's founder and first Hokage, Hashirama Senju, was the strongest ninja of his time, mainly due to his superior ninjutsu skills and Kekkei Genkai. Thanks to decades of training, Hashirama also became a Sage Mode user.
It's believed that Hashirama achieved Sage Mode in the Shikkotsu Forest, and his proficiency was second to none. After combining it with his wood-release chakra, he became powerful enough to simultaneously take on the Nine-Tailed Fox and Madara Uchiha. It shows how frightening of a ninja Hashirama was in his prime.
2 Naruto Uzumaki Conquered His Limitations
Naruto Uzumaki is hailed as the strongest shinobi and the "Child of Prophecy." Over the years, he has managed to gain a multitude of powers, one of them being Sage Mode. After training at Mount Myoboku, under Fukasaku's tutelage, Naruto perfected his Toad Sage Mode in a short amount of time.
Although Naruto's Sage Mode initially had a time limit, this limitation was crushed once he became a perfect Jinchuriki. By using Kurama to gather Sage Chakra, Naruto's powers gradually improved. He also inherited the Six Paths Sage Mode from Hagoromo Otsutsuki, making him a more formidable threat.
1 Hagoromo Otsutsuki Awakened The Six Paths Senjutsu
Introduced later in the Naruto anime, Hagoromo Otsutsuki is a Toad Sage user from Mount Myoboku. He attained this state after training under Gamamaru. When used with his Six Paths Powers, Hagoromo awakened the Six Paths Senjustu, a heightened version of the Sage Mode.
Hagoromo's skill with this form of Sage Mode made him comparable to his mother in terms of power. Hagoromo can pass this power to future generations — such as his son Ashura, and then Naruto Uzumaki — thanks to his godly status.