Navigating the complex power system of Naruto Uzumaki can feel like untangling a dense scroll. With numerous transformations like Sage Mode, Kurama Chakra Mode, and more, pinpointing specific power-ups gets tricky. You’ve probably seen Naruto in that glowing form with the distinct eye pattern and wondered, “Exactly when does Naruto learn Six Paths Sage Mode?” It’s a pivotal moment marking a massive leap in his power, but finding the precise episode or chapter amidst the chaos of the Fourth Great Ninja War can be a challenge.
Naruto Uzumaki learns Six Paths Sage Mode during the Fourth Great Ninja War after meeting the spirit of Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki. This pivotal moment occurs in Naruto: Shippūden Episode 421 and Manga Chapter 671, following Naruto’s near-death experience at the hands of Madara Uchiha.
This guide will break down precisely when Naruto acquires this god-tier ability, explore its unique powers, differentiate it from his regular Sage Mode, and discuss its status in the Boruto era. Get ready to unlock the secrets behind one of Naruto’s most iconic transformations.
Key Facts:
* Divine Origin: Six Paths Sage Mode is a divine transformation gifted directly by Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki (The Sage of Six Paths), not learned through traditional training. (Narutopedia)
* Specific Trigger: Naruto receives this power after Madara Uchiha extracts Kurama, leaving him near death during the Fourth Great Ninja War. (Game Rant)
* Debut Timing: The transformation officially debuts in Naruto: Shippūden Episode 421 (“The Sage of the Six Paths”) and Manga Chapter 671 (“Naruto and the Sage of Six Paths”).
* Unique Abilities: It grants access to Truth-Seeking Balls, flight, enhanced sensory perception capable of detecting invisible threats like Limbo clones, and mastery over all basic nature transformations plus Yin-Yang Release. (Narutopedia, Game Rant)
* Distinct Appearance: Unlike regular Sage Mode’s orange eye pigmentation, Six Paths Sage Mode features yellow irises with cross-shaped pupils (combining Sage Mode and Kurama’s patterns) and no pigmentation around the eyes. (Narutopedia – Color discrepancy notes)
What Exactly is Six Paths Sage Mode in Naruto?
Six Paths Sage Mode represents a significant leap beyond Naruto’s standard Sage Mode, placing him on a power level comparable to the Sage of Six Paths himself. Six Paths Sage Mode is a divine transformation gifted to Naruto Uzumaki by Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki. It combines Naruto’s Sage Mode with the Six Paths Senjutsu, granting immense power, enhanced sensory abilities, mastery over nature transformations, and the ability to use Truth-Seeking Balls. This isn’t just an enhancement; it’s a fundamental change stemming from receiving half of Hagoromo’s chakra.
This mode utilizes Six Paths Senjutsu, a special form of senjutsu wielded by Hagoromo and his brother Hamura. (Narutopedia – Six Paths Senjutsu) It allows Naruto to tap into natural energy more effectively and grants him intuitive understanding of chakra, rivaling the Sage himself. The transformation visually manifests with Naruto gaining yellow, cross-shaped pupils and lacking the orange pigmentation around his eyes typically seen in his Mount Myoboku Sage Mode. His skin doesn’t undergo toad-like changes, indicating a different, more refined connection to natural energy.
Furthermore, when combined with his Kurama Chakra Mode, Naruto gains a glowing yellow chakra cloak, sometimes with the distinct pattern associated with the Sage of Six Paths appearing on his back – a Rinnegan symbol above nine magatama. This fusion represents the pinnacle of power Naruto achieved during the original series.
Key Differences from Regular Sage Mode
It’s easy to confuse Six Paths Sage Mode with the standard Sage Mode Naruto learned from Fukasaku at Mount Myoboku, but they are fundamentally different. Regular Sage Mode uses natural energy gathered traditionally, resulting in toad-like features. Six Paths Sage Mode is granted by Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki, uses Six Paths Senjutsu, provides Truth-Seeking Balls, and features distinct cross-shaped pupils without toad pigmentation. Understanding these distinctions highlights the massive power jump involved.
Here’s a breakdown of the core differences:
| Feature | Regular Sage Mode | Six Paths Sage Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Source | Training at Mount Myoboku | Gifted by Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki |
| Senjutsu Type | Standard Senjutsu (Toad Style) | Six Paths Senjutsu |
| Acquisition | Learned through rigorous training | Granted via chakra transfer |
| Appearance | Orange eye pigmentation, toad pupils | Yellow cross-pupils, no pigmentation |
| Key Abilities | Enhanced strength, speed, durability, Frog Kata | All of the above PLUS Truth-Seeking Balls, flight, Yin-Yang Release, enhanced sensing (Limbo) |
| Chakra Basis | Blending personal chakra with natural energy | Hagoromo’s chakra (Yang half) + natural energy |
| Weakness | Need to remain still to gather energy | Less reliant on stationary gathering |
Essentially, regular Sage Mode is about learning to harness natural energy, while Six Paths Sage Mode involves being given a divine form of senjutsu directly from its progenitor.
The Source: Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki’s Power
The origin of Six Paths Sage Mode lies directly with Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki, the legendary figure known as the Sage of Six Paths. Naruto received Six Paths Sage Mode after meeting Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki, the Sage of Six Paths. As the reincarnation of Asura, Naruto was given the Six Paths Yang Power, constituting half of Hagoromo’s chakra, enabling this transformation. This wasn’t something Naruto could achieve through training alone; it was an inheritance.
Hagoromo, sensing the impending threat posed by Madara Uchiha and later Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, intervened from the afterlife. He recognized Naruto and Sasuke Uchiha as the current reincarnations of his sons, Asura and Indra, respectively. Believing they were the ones destined to finally end the cycle of conflict, he bestowed upon them portions of his power. Naruto, embodying Asura’s spirit of cooperation and love, received the Six Paths Yang Power, granting him immense physical energy, vitality, and the ability to use Six Paths Sage Mode. Sasuke, the Indra reincarnate, received the Six Paths Yin Power, awakening his Rinnegan. This division of power was crucial for them to eventually seal Kaguya.
When Does Naruto Learn Six Paths Sage Mode?
This is the core question many fans ask! Pinpointing the exact moment requires looking at a critical phase of the Fourth Great Ninja War. Naruto learns Six Paths Sage Mode during the Fourth Great Ninja War, specifically after his near-death encounter with Madara Uchiha. He receives this power from Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki in Naruto: Shippūden Episode 421 and Manga Chapter 671.
The acquisition happens after Madara Uchiha, having become the Ten-Tails’ jinchūriki, succeeds in extracting the Nine-Tails (Kurama) from Naruto. This act is normally fatal for a jinchūriki. As Naruto lay dying, his consciousness drifted into a spiritual plane where he met the spirit of Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki. It was during this ethereal meeting that Hagoromo explained Naruto’s heritage and bestowed upon him the power necessary to combat Madara and the looming threat of Kaguya. Upon returning to the battlefield, infused with this new power, Naruto immediately activated Six Paths Sage Mode.
The Critical Moment: Encounter with Madara Uchiha
The trigger for Naruto receiving this immense power was a moment of absolute desperation. The catalyst for Naruto learning Six Paths Sage Mode was Madara Uchiha ripping Kurama from his body during the Fourth Great Ninja War. This act left Naruto dying, leading to his spiritual encounter with Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki. Prior to this, even with the combined power of Sage Mode and Kurama Chakra Mode, Naruto and the Allied Shinobi Forces were struggling against the overwhelming might of Madara as the Ten-Tails’ jinchūriki.
Madara’s extraction of Kurama was intended to be the final blow, removing the Nine-Tails from the equation and ensuring Naruto’s death. This brutal act, however, inadvertently created the condition necessary for Hagoromo’s intervention. It pushed Naruto to the brink, allowing his spirit to connect with the Sage of Six Paths in a unique metaphysical space. Without this near-death experience facilitated by Madara, Naruto likely wouldn’t have met Hagoromo or received the Six Paths Yang Power.
Meeting the Sage of Six Paths
The meeting between Naruto and Hagoromo wasn’t a physical encounter but a profound spiritual one. While near death, Naruto met Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki in a spiritual plane. Hagoromo explained Naruto’s heritage as Asura’s reincarnate and bestowed upon him the Six Paths Yang Power, directly granting him the ability to enter Six Paths Sage Mode.
Inside this shared consciousness, Hagoromo revealed the long history of conflict stemming from his sons, Indra and Asura, and their subsequent reincarnations over the centuries. He identified Naruto as the current inheritor of Asura’s will and chakra. Seeing Naruto’s unwavering determination and “iron faith,” Hagoromo deemed him worthy of receiving half of his own power – the Yang half, representing physical energy and life force. He performed a transfer, infusing Naruto with this power. Simultaneously, Hagoromo appeared to Sasuke, granting him the Yin half, awakening his Rinnegan. This meeting was the direct conduit through which Six Paths Sage Mode was transmitted to Naruto.
Episode and Chapter Confirmation
For fans wanting to witness this pivotal moment themselves, the specific episode and manga chapter are key. Naruto first activates and displays Six Paths Sage Mode in **Naruto: Shippūden Episode 421, titled “The Sage of the Six Paths,” and in Manga Chapter 671, titled “Naruto and the Sage of Six Paths.”**
In both the anime and manga, these installments cover Naruto’s meeting with Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki in the spiritual realm after having Kurama extracted by Madara. They detail Hagoromo explaining the history of his sons and granting Naruto the Six Paths Yang Power. The chapter/episode culminates with Naruto returning to consciousness on the battlefield, immediately entering Six Paths Sage Mode, and saving Might Guy from Madara’s attack, showcasing his newfound speed and power.
What Abilities Does Six Paths Sage Mode Grant Naruto?
Acquiring Six Paths Sage Mode wasn’t just a visual change; it granted Naruto a staggering array of new and enhanced abilities, elevating him to god-tier status within the series. Six Paths Sage Mode grants Naruto mastery over all nature transformations, Yin-Yang Release, enhanced senses to perceive threats like Limbo clones, immense physical strength and speed, flight, and the ability to wield Truth-Seeking Balls which nullify ninjutsu. This suite of powers allowed him to fight on par with Madara and Kaguya Ōtsutsuki.
Here’s a closer look at the key abilities:
- Truth-Seeking Balls (Gudōdama): Perhaps the most iconic ability. Naruto gains nine black, malleable orbs composed of all five basic nature transformations and Yin-Yang Release. These orbs float behind him and can be shaped for offense (staffs, projectiles) or defense (shields). Crucially, they negate nearly all forms of ninjutsu upon contact.
- Flight: Naruto gains the ability to levitate and fly freely, greatly enhancing his mobility.
- Enhanced Physical Prowess: His strength, speed, reflexes, and durability are dramatically increased far beyond his previous forms. He could effortlessly react to attacks that previously overwhelmed him.
- Enhanced Sensory Perception: Naruto gains sensory abilities on par with the Sage himself. He can sense chakra across vast distances, differentiate chakra signatures, and, most importantly, sense threats in other dimensions, such as Madara’s Limbo clones, which were previously invisible and undetectable.
- Mastery of Nature Transformations & Yin-Yang Release: The Six Paths Yang Power grants Naruto an intuitive understanding and mastery over all five basic nature transformations (Fire, Water, Earth, Wind, Lightning) as well as Yin-Yang Release, the combination of spiritual and physical energy. This allowed him to heal others and restore life forces, demonstrated when he saved Might Guy and restored Kakashi’s eye.
- Augmented Jutsu: All of Naruto’s existing techniques, particularly his Rasengan variations and Shadow Clones, are significantly empowered by the Six Paths Senjutsu.
Key Takeaway: Six Paths Sage Mode provides a comprehensive power boost, granting unique divine abilities like Truth-Seeking Balls and flight, alongside dramatically enhancing Naruto’s physical attributes, sensory perception, and mastery over chakra itself.
Truth-Seeking Balls Explained
The Truth-Seeking Balls (Gudōdama) are among the most potent and defining abilities of Six Paths Sage Mode. Truth-Seeking Balls are black, malleable orbs usable by those with Six Paths Senjutsu. Composed of all five nature transformations and Yin-Yang Release, they can nullify any ninjutsu they touch and be shaped for offense or defense. They represent the ultimate mastery over chakra manipulation.
These orbs are incredibly versatile. Naruto typically had nine floating behind him, which he could manipulate at will. He could:
* Form them into a staff for close combat.
* Expand them into shields capable of blocking powerful attacks.
* Launch them as high-speed projectiles.
* Infuse them into his Rasengan variants for devastating effect.
Their most fearsome property is ninjutsu nullification. Any technique lacking senjutsu chakra or stemming from Six Paths power simply disintegrates upon contact with a Truth-Seeking Ball. This made them an almost perfect defense against most shinobi techniques and a terrifying offensive weapon, as even a glancing blow could potentially disintegrate matter.
Enhanced Sensory and Physical Prowess
While Truth-Seeking Balls are flashy, the fundamental enhancements to Naruto’s senses and physical abilities provided by Six Paths Sage Mode are equally crucial. This mode grants Naruto unprecedented levels of speed, strength, and sensory perception, allowing him to react to attacks from god-level opponents and perceive phenomena beyond normal comprehension, such as Madara’s Limbo clones.
His speed became immense, allowing him to intercept Madara’s Truth-Seeking Ball attack aimed at Might Guy almost instantly after activating the form. His strength allowed him to physically contend with opponents channeling the Ten-Tails’ power. Perhaps most significantly, his sensory abilities transcended normal limits. He could sense the invisible Limbo clones existing in a separate dimension – something only a Rinnegan user could typically perceive. This heightened awareness was vital for countering Madara’s most dangerous techniques. This form essentially elevated all of Naruto’s base stats to an entirely different dimension.
Did Naruto Master Six Paths Sage Mode?
This is a point of discussion within the Naruto fandom. Did Naruto truly “master” this god-given power? While Naruto effectively uses Six Paths Sage Mode’s core abilities, debate exists on whether he fully “mastered” its absolute potential compared to Hagoromo. He demonstrated incredible proficiency, but some argue he didn’t explore its full capabilities, especially in adulthood.
Naruto undeniably wielded the power effectively during the Fourth Great Ninja War, utilizing its speed, strength, sensory abilities, flight, and Truth-Seeking Balls to combat Madara and Kaguya. He showed remarkable aptitude immediately after receiving the power. However, “mastery” often implies complete understanding and utilization of every facet of a power. Compared to Hagoromo, who presumably had centuries to understand and refine these abilities, Naruto’s time with the power during the war was relatively short.
Some fans point to instances in Boruto: Naruto Next Generations where Naruto doesn’t seem to utilize the full range of Six Paths abilities (like the Truth-Seeking Balls, which are notably absent) as evidence that he either lost aspects of the power or never fully delved into its potential beyond the immediate needs of the war. Others argue that the narrative simply shifted focus, or that certain abilities were tied specifically to the Yang Seal he later lost. As noted in one analysis, even as an adult prior to recent events, we likely never saw Naruto truly “maxed out” in this form. (Quora Discussion Snippet)
Tip: Think of it like being given a highly advanced toolkit. Naruto learned to use the main tools (flight, enhanced stats, sensing, TSBs) extremely well very quickly, but perhaps didn’t have the time or necessity later to explore every specialized attachment or function.
Does Naruto Still Have Six Paths Sage Mode in Boruto?
The status of Naruto’s powers in the sequel series, Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, is a frequent topic of debate, especially after recent significant events. Yes, Naruto technically still possesses the Six Paths Sage Mode chakra gifted by Hagoromo in Boruto. However, its usage and potency might be affected by the loss of Kurama, as Kurama’s chakra often complemented his transformations. The precise impact remains debated.
The Six Paths Sage Mode itself stems directly from the Six Paths Yang Power gifted by Hagoromo. This power source is separate from Kurama. Therefore, even after losing Kurama following the use of Baryon Mode against Isshiki Ōtsutsuki, the fundamental chakra enabling Six Paths Sage Mode should theoretically remain within Naruto. Hagoromo gave him that power directly.
However, the performance and appearance might be altered. Throughout Shippuden and early Boruto, Naruto often used Six Paths Sage Mode in conjunction with Kurama Chakra Mode (KCM). This synergy provided enormous chakra reserves and potentially amplified the effects. Without Kurama, accessing and sustaining the form might be more taxing, and the combined KCM + Six Paths Sage Mode appearance (glowing cloak, etc.) is no longer possible. Furthermore, the conspicuous absence of the Truth-Seeking Balls in Boruto has led to speculation about whether that specific ability was lost or simply hasn’t been needed/utilized.
Impact of Losing Kurama
Losing Kurama was undoubtedly the biggest “nerf” Naruto has experienced. Losing Kurama likely impacts Naruto’s overall chakra reserves and stamina, potentially affecting how long or effectively he can sustain Six Paths Sage Mode. The core Six Paths chakra from Hagoromo remains, but synergy with Kurama’s chakra is gone.
Kurama provided Naruto with a vast wellspring of potent chakra that synergized incredibly well with his own abilities and Sage Mode. This massive reserve allowed Naruto to use powerful techniques repeatedly and sustain demanding transformations for extended periods. While Six Paths Sage Mode itself comes from Hagoromo, the fuel tank provided by Kurama is now empty. This means Naruto likely has significantly less stamina and raw power output when using the form compared to his prime during the war or early Boruto era. He still has the engine (Six Paths Sage Mode), but much less gas (chakra).
Six Paths Sage Mode vs. Baryon Mode
Comparing Naruto’s ultimate forms requires understanding their distinct sources and costs. Baryon Mode is Naruto’s strongest form but relies solely on consuming his and Kurama’s life force, making it a temporary, last resort. Six Paths Sage Mode stems from Hagoromo’s chakra, offering immense power without the fatal drawback.
Baryon Mode was a unique transformation accessible only through a specific process involving Naruto and Kurama essentially fusing their chakra like nuclear fusion. It granted power surpassing even Isshiki Ōtsutsuki momentarily but came at the cost of Kurama’s life and drastically shortened Naruto’s own lifespan with its use. It was a one-time, all-or-nothing gamble.
Six Paths Sage Mode, while potentially slightly less powerful at its peak than Baryon Mode’s brief zenith, is a sustainable transformation derived from divine chakra. It doesn’t inherently consume the user’s life force. Therefore, while Baryon Mode represented a higher peak of power, Six Paths Sage Mode remains Naruto’s most powerful accessible and repeatable transformation derived from Hagoromo’s gift.
FAQs About When Naruto Learns Six Paths Sage Mode
In what exact episode does Naruto get Six Paths Sage Mode?
Naruto receives the power from Hagoromo and first activates Six Paths Sage Mode in Naruto: Shippūden Episode 421, titled “The Sage of the Six Paths.”
What manga chapter does Naruto first show Six Paths Sage Mode?
Naruto’s meeting with Hagoromo and the first activation of the mode occur in Manga Chapter 671, titled “Naruto and the Sage of Six Paths.”
How did Naruto get Six Paths Sage Mode again?
He received it directly from Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki (The Sage of Six Paths) in a spiritual meeting after Madara extracted Kurama, leaving Naruto near death during the Fourth Great Ninja War. Hagoromo gifted him the Six Paths Yang Power.
Is Six Paths Sage Mode Naruto’s strongest form?
It’s arguably his strongest sustainable form. Baryon Mode achieved a higher peak of power but was a temporary, life-consuming transformation that cost Kurama’s existence. Six Paths Sage Mode offers immense, god-tier power without that fatal cost.
Did Naruto learn Six Paths Sage Mode before or after regular Sage Mode?
Naruto learned regular Sage Mode much earlier, during his training at Mount Myoboku after Jiraiya’s death (around Episode 154-159). He learned Six Paths Sage Mode much later, during the climax of the Fourth Great Ninja War (Episode 421).
Can Naruto use Six Paths Sage Mode without Kurama?
Yes, theoretically. The core power comes from Hagoromo’s chakra gift, not Kurama. However, its effectiveness, duration, and overall power level are likely diminished without Kurama’s massive chakra reserves and synergy.
Does Naruto still have the Truth-Seeking Balls in Boruto?
Naruto has not been shown using Truth-Seeking Balls in the Boruto anime or manga after the Fourth Great Ninja War. Whether he lost the ability or simply hasn’t used them is a subject of fan debate.
What do Naruto’s eyes look like in Six Paths Sage Mode?
His eyes become yellow with cross-shaped pupils (a combination of Sage Mode’s horizontal pupil and Kurama’s vertical pupil), and he lacks the orange pigmentation around his eyes seen in regular Sage Mode.
Who gave Naruto Six Paths Sage Mode?
Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki, also known as the Sage of Six Paths, gifted this power to Naruto.
Did Sasuke get a similar power from Hagoromo?
Yes. While Naruto received the Six Paths Yang Power (leading to Six Paths Sage Mode), Sasuke received the Six Paths Yin Power from Hagoromo, which awakened his Rinnegan in his left eye, granting him a different but equally powerful set of abilities.
Summary: Naruto’s Journey to Six Paths Power
Tracing Naruto’s path to achieving Six Paths Sage Mode reveals a critical turning point in his journey and the entire shinobi world narrative. This wasn’t a power earned through conventional training but a divine gift bestowed at a moment of near-absolute despair during the Fourth Great Ninja War.
To recap the key points:
- When: Naruto learns/receives Six Paths Sage Mode during the Fourth Great Ninja War.
- How: After Madara extracts Kurama, Naruto meets Hagoromo Ōtsutsuki in a spiritual plane and receives the Six Paths Yang Power.
- Debut: The transformation first appears in Naruto: Shippūden Episode 421 and Manga Chapter 671.
- What it is: A divine state combining Sage Mode with Six Paths Senjutsu, granting Truth-Seeking Balls, flight, immense physical/sensory enhancements, and chakra mastery.
- Distinction: It’s separate from regular Sage Mode (different source, appearance, abilities).
- Boruto Status: Naruto technically still possesses the core Six Paths chakra, but the loss of Kurama likely affects its performance and duration.
Understanding when and how Naruto gained Six Paths Sage Mode clarifies one of the most significant power-ups in the series, marking his ascension to a level capable of facing literal gods. It was a culmination of his heritage as Asura’s reincarnate and his unwavering will recognized by the Sage of Six Paths himself.
What are your favorite moments featuring Naruto’s Six Paths Sage Mode? Did its portrayal in Boruto meet your expectations? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
