Why Doesn't Naruto Have Six Paths Sage Mode When Sasuke Still Has the Rinnegan?

Introduction

The longstanding question that haunts many fans of the Naruto series is why Naruto doesn't have the Six Paths Sage Mode, while Sasuke still retains his Rinnegan. This article delves into the nature of powers, character development, and story focus to provide a comprehensive understanding of these abilities.

The Nature of Powers: Six Paths and Rinnegan

The Six Paths Sage Mode is a unique transformation that grants users enhanced abilities, heightened sensory perception, and the ability to use Truth-Seeking Balls. This mode was originally granted to Naruto by Hagoromo Otsutsuki, the Sage of Six Paths. However, Naruto has not utilized this mode in recent years, which raises the question of whether he can still access it.

Sasuke, on the other hand, was granted the Rinnegan by Hagoromo as a child, and it has since developed into the Kanaryūm'e no Jōgen (Pupil of the Seven Tails) in his adult form. The Rinnegan provides a variety of powerful abilities, including instant transmission, space-time ninjutsu, and the ability to access the Tailed Beast Mode.

Character Development and Reasoning

Naruto's character development has shifted from a focus on power to a focus on leadership and experience. His journey has taken him from a reckless young ninja to the leader of the Hidden Leaf Village and a respected father. This transformation has led him to prioritize other aspects of his life, such as the responsibilities of being Hokage, over constantly relying on his strongest forms of power.

In contrast, Sasuke's abilities continue to be a significant part of his character. His Rinnegan enables him to access powerful abilities that complement Naruto's strengths and are crucial for the ongoing challenges in the series. This contrast highlights the different priorities and character arcs of the two main characters.

Narrative Choices and Story Focus

The creators of Naruto have made narrative choices that explain why Naruto does not have Six Paths Sage Mode. These choices are influenced by factors such as character development, plot progression, and thematic depth. In Boruto, it is revealed that the Tailed Beasts are now wandering and do not aggregate in Naruto. This means that while Naruto could potentially access Six Paths, he chooses not to for various reasons, such as ensuring the Tailed Beasts' freedom or for plot-related reasons.

The absence of Six Paths Sage Mode is further supported by the illusory nature of the abilities. Naruto's truth-seeking orbs and rasenshuriken, which are Senjutsu-based, cannot be absorbed or shrunken. This makes them highly effective against powerful opponents like Isshiki, aligning with the narrative that Naruto prioritizes strategy and the well-being of others over raw power.

Adult Naruto and Sasuke: Powers and Abilities

Adult Naruto has not lost his access to Senjutsu, as evidenced by his ability to create Lava Rasenshuriken and use other Tailed Beast Jinchūriki's chakra. However, the Six Paths Sage Mode requires the simultaneous chakra sharing of all Tailed Beasts, which is not typically feasible in a battle scenario. This is why Naruto often avoids using Six Paths Sage Mode.

Adult Sasuke, like Naruto, has not lost his Rinnegan. However, he has also lost his massive chakra reserves, which were a result of Hagoromo's blessing during his childhood. This loss has been attributed to the loss of his Moon Seal after the Fourth Great Ninja War. Despite this, Sasuke still retains the potential to use powerful anime-exclusive abilities such as Preta Path and Summoning Path, which could have been more effective than his current abilities.

Conclusion

The absence of Six Paths Sage Mode in Adult Naruto is a result of his character development, plot progression, and narrative choices made by the creators. While Sasuke retains the Rinnegan and its associated powers, these choices ensure that the focus remains on the unique and often more strategic use of Naruto and Sasuke's abilities in the series.