Highlights

Mitsuki's Sage Mode is a mysterious and powerful ability that surpasses even Orochimaru's strength in some aspects.
As a genetically-engineered shinobi, Mitsuki has the unique advantage of effortlessly using Sage Mode and its accompanying powers.
Despite the risks of using Sage Mode, Mitsuki has learned to tolerate its effects and now wields it as a formidable trump card in battle.

Boruto: Naruto Next Generations has expanded the franchise's character roster quite a bit, and one of its most intriguing additions is Mitsuki. As a synthetic human and a clone of Orochimaru, Mitsuki naturally harbors unprecedented strength, yet he still possesses a secret power that lies dormant within — Sage Mode. Mitsuki's Sage Mode largely remains a mystery, as using this power would result in his stay in the Hidden Leaf coming to an abrupt end.

Still, a glimpse of his power has been witnessed throughout Boruto's run, and each instance has revealed the unrivaled power that remains bottled up within this genetically-engineered shinobi. Despite being induced through unconventional means, Mitsuki's Sage Mode rivals its Senjutsu counterparts, even surpassing Orochimaru’s strength in some regards.

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The Origins of Mitsuki’s Sage Mode

First Appearance	Boruto: Naruto Next Generations, Episode 39, "The Path Lit by the Full Moon"
Debut Date	December 27, 2017

Similar to Mitsuki’s own origins, his Sage Mode is a result of inorganically forcing his body to enter Sage Transformation. Since Mitsuki was conceived via Orochimaru’s own DNA, he naturally possessed Sage Transformation, a technique that was borrowed from Jugo’s Kekkei Genkai. Sage Transformation infuses Senjutsu chakra into the user’s body, though this results in drastic physical changes.

Mitsuki was initially only able to perform Sage Transformation, yet Orochimaru forced him to enter Sage Mode through constant attempts. Orochimaru would erase Mitsuki’s memories after every failed attempt, and it wasn’t till his sixth try that the synthetic ninja finally invoked Sage Mode due to the emotional pressure. Instead of training under the mystical sages, Mitsuki’s Sage Mode is a result of his Sage Transformation, deeming it an inorganic method of attaining this power.

The Extent of Mitsuki’s Sage Mode

Mitsuki’s Sage Mode powers largely remain a mystery, since revealing his powers to the Leaf could lead to him being deported to the Hidden Sound Village. However, Mitsuki has used Sage Mode in a few battles in secret, revealing merely a fraction of the true extent of his senjutsu prowess.

Since this Sage Mode is a result of Sage Transformation, Mitsuki isn’t bogged down by the tedious process of accumulating Senjutsu chakra through meditation and focus. Instead, his genetically-engineered body is already attuned to absorbing Sage Mode chakra, coupled with his Sage Transformation that lends him an added dose of nature energy.

The Powers Granted By Sage Mode

Mitsuki’s primary power in this mode is untraceable speed, enough to rival some of the fastest shinobi in all of Naruto and Boruto. Mitsuki’s incredibly fast speed even went unnoticed by Orochimaru in one instance, where he was able to snatch a scroll from his “parent” without him even noticing.

Entering Sage Mode also grants Mitsuki a shroud of chakra, which is often accompanied by a den of snakes surrounding him. These ethereal snakes extend the range of his attacks, even biting opponents independently. His empowered state is even thought to surpass the legendary Sannin, as surmised by Orochimaru himself.

The Powers of Sage Transformation

mitsuki sage mode boruto two blue vortex tbv 7

As a precursor to Mitsuki’s Sage Mode, Sage Transformation is rather easy for the shinobi to use, especially since this anomaly has been genetically imbued into him. In this state, Mitsuki is surrounded by an aura of cyan-colored chakra, accompanied by a few changes in his appearance. He grows a horn on his forehead, coupled with a scaly appearance on his face, reflecting his Snake Sage Mode.

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Apart from his increased agility and speed, Mitsuki gains immense strength and endurance under the influence of Sage Transformation. His Soft Physique Modification is also empowered in this state, allowing him to elongate his body much further than before. The bulk of his Sage Transformation power lies in empowering his regular attacks and making his snakes more potent, turning him into an unstoppable menace on the battlefield.

The Unrefined Nature of this Power

Mitsuki never learned Sage Mode from the Sages, as his power stems from his genetically modified Sage Transformation. This deemed his power highly unstable, as his body could not endure the strain of both Sage Mode and Sage Transformation for extended periods. Doing so would lead to Mitsuki’s organs deteriorating, with him ending up on life-support. This is another reason why Mitsuki had to refrain from using Sage Mode on multiple occasions, as it risked his cells being torn to shreds by the Senjutsu chakra.

If I use this power, I won't be able to remain here.

In part 2 of Boruto, Mitsuki gains enough tolerance for the adverse effects of Sage Mode. He can now remain in this empowered state for prolonged periods of time, without risking his body succumbing to fatal damage. However, the looming risk of Sage Mode’s deteriorating effects still remains, though this side effect could eventually be negated altogether with enough research and experimentation on Orochimaru’s part. For now, Mitsuki’s Sage Mode remains a highly volatile power, yet it continues to serve as his trump card in all manner of dire situations.

Boruto is available to stream on Prime Video.