Sage Mode is an empowered state that can be entered by blending natural energy with one’schakra, creating senjutsu chakra. Sage Mode allows users to tap into the natural force of the world, opening up new techniques to them and allowing them to power up existing ones with the new senjutsu chakra.

Sage Mode is known to be taught in two places: at Mount Myōboku by thetoads and at Ryūchi Caveby the snakes. Users of Sage Mode must possess “extreme chakra levels” to invoke senjutsu. It is also important that their bodies be strong enough to support the increased power.

In order to enter Sage Mode, the gatherer must remain absolutely still in order to be one with nature and balance the natural energy with their own physical and spiritual energies. If the user puts too little natural energy into using senjutsu, the technique will not work.  Conversely, if too much natural energy is taken in, their body will turn to stone forever; humans will also be transformed into whichever animal’s school the senjutsu was learned from.

The toads of Mount Myōboku have devised several tools to make learning Sage Mode easier. By applying a special oil, the applicant’s body will start passively taking in natural energy. This oil will evaporate if taken outside Mount Myōboku, thus rendering it useful only for learning purposes. The toads also have a special staff that, when struck with, knocks all the natural energy out of the gatherer, thus reversing any transformations before they can become permanent and the user turns to stone.