Why Jiraiya Did Not Teach Naruto Sage Mode and How It Affected the Plot

In the Naruto series, the choice of whether to teach Naruto sage mode primarily falls on the shoulders of Jiraiya. This decision raises several questions and considerations. Why did Jiraiya not teach Naruto sage mode, and why was it passed on to Nagato instead? This choice has significant implications for the plot and the overall narrative development. Let's explore these aspects in detail.

The Urgency of the Mission and Character Development

The urgency of the mission is one of the most important factors in this decision. The series had a specific plot direction, focusing on the rivalry between Sasuke and Naruto. Kitachiomi carefully crafted a storyline where Sasuke remained a wild card until the very end. This approach necessitated that Naruto become strong enough to face Sasuke, but not to the point where Sasuke's journey was overshadowed.

Thus, the logic behind Jiraiya not teaching Naruto sage mode was largely driven by the need to maintain the balance of power. If Naruto had sage mode early on, he would have been an even more formidable opponent. The series needed Sasuke to remain a formidable and unpredictable figure for as long as possible, making the final confrontation more impactful. The absence of sage mode provided Naruto and Jiraiya more time to focus on other aspects of strength, such as the fuuton and working with Mount Myōboku to improve their summoning abilities.

Training Time and Skill Development

Another crucial factor was the limited training time and the skills Jiraiya believed would bear more fruit. It is suggested that Jiraiya prioritized the fox's chakra control and other fundamental skills that would benefit Naruto more in the long run. Given the two and a half years of training, the argument could be made that the fox tail route would be more beneficial. However, halfway through the time skip, it became evident that this route would not be the most advantageous.

Considering the potential for divergence in the path of learning, Jiraiya could send Naruto to Mount Myōboku to learn sage mode from Ma and Pa while Jiraiya recovers. This would provide Naruto with a significant boost in power while also diversifying his summoning abilities. This approach would be a win-win scenario, offering Naruto both a powerful technique and a practical advantage in summoning.

In essence, the decision to not teach Naruto sage mode was a strategic choice that aligned with the overall narrative and ensured the balance of power in the story.

Author's Intent and Sage Mode Development

A possible explanation from the author's perspective, Masashi Kishimoto, is that sage mode might not have been part of the narrative when the story was initially conceived. This change in the plot development post-time skip suggests that Kishimoto did not initially consider sage mode as a key element. Therefore, the decision to not have Naruto learn sage mode aligns with the narrative as it stood at that point in time.

In universe, Jiraiya's incorrect estimation of the learning time for sage mode can be attributed to his limited knowledge of Naruto's capacity. Jiraiya based his assumption on his own and Minato's experiences, but both of these had significantly different learning curves. Minato, a perfect sage, still considered himself bad at sage mode, suggesting it took him a considerable amount of time to activate the transformation. Therefore, Jiraiya's incorrect estimation is plausible, leading him to focus more on fundamental skills over sage mode.

In conclusion, the decision to not teach Naruto sage mode was a combination of strategic plot development and the evolving narrative. Jiraiya's approach, while it might have been different under different circumstances, aligns with the overall direction of the story, ensuring the preservation of Sasuke's importance and the balanced power dynamics.