At a critical turning point in Part II of Masashi Kishimoto's Naruto, when the series' titular protagonist was reeling from the loss of his mentor and the threat of an adversary with god-like power, Sage Mode was an introduction that changed the game entirely. From a short-term standpoint, this empowered state permitted Naruto to blow past his limits and completely eclipse the strength of his peers, contributing heavily to his defeat of Pain.