"Is there a higher level of eyes beyond the Mangekyō?"
Shisui's words shocked Orochimaru, while also sparking a strong sense of curiosity in him. He had originally thought that the Mangekyō Sharingan was the peak of the Uchiha clan's evolution, but according to Shisui, it seemed there were eyes beyond that?
"I just have this feeling! But in reality, I'm not sure," Shisui hesitated for a moment before answering seriously.
He also thought the Mangekyō was the peak of the Sharingan, but after entering the Hogyoku Mode, he indeed felt that the power of the Hogyoku could enhance the Mangekyō, even making it evolve again.
But that was just a feeling.
"Also, to enter that Mangekyō Hogyoku Mode, with my current Hogyoku power, I fear it's still not enough."
Shisui added, further explaining.
"Then we'll wait for later," Orochimaru said, not insisting that Shisui show him the Mangekyō enhanced by the Hogyoku power.
Shisui's Mangekyō had already been overused, and there was no need to waste his eye power when not in combat.
However, based on his earlier performance, Shisui's combat ability had already surpassed that of an average Jonin.
"Get ready. I'll recommend you to Hokage-sama as a Jonin. If you pass the test, you might become the youngest Jonin in Konoha's history."
Orochimaru turned around with satisfaction, waving his hand at Shisui. He had seen what he needed to see and learned what he wanted to know. Now, he needed to hurry back to the battlefield.
A shadow clone that was just for show wouldn't be of much use in a real battle.
...
"Regarding your Hogyoku Mode, you should still have some power reserved, right?"
After stepping out of the Black Cavity, the two remained silent for a while before Kagetsu suddenly spoke up.
Shisui looked up at Kagetsu with some surprise. The struggle on his face and the uncertainty in his eyes were proof enough for Kagetsu's guess.
"Was I not able to hide it?" Shisui's mood immediately dropped, and he said nervously, "I just haven't decided yet whether I want to reveal this ability."
"Is it something like Kotoamatsukami, something that would make people wary?"
Kagetsu wasn't bothered by Shisui's secrecy. After spending so many years together, he knew Shisui's character well. He understood that Shisui wasn't someone who was good at hiding things or had any dark intentions.
When dealing with enemies, Shisui was certainly cold and clever. But when it came to friends and superiors, he was warm and loyal.
If Kagetsu hadn't seen the data and understood both the power of Hogyoku and the Sharingan, he might not have suspected that Shisui's ability was more than what appeared on the surface.
After all, the strength Shisui had already displayed was impressive. The appearance of his spiritual weapon bow had been shocking and eye-catching.
But that didn't mean Kagetsu hadn't sensed a deeper power.
"It's worse than that." Once exposed, Shisui didn't intend to hide it anymore. "My power isn't the bow and arrow extended from the Mangekyō Sharingan, but rather energy absorption! Especially the product formed by Hogyoku and natural energy!"
"It sounds a bit like Yahiko's ability." Kagetsu stroked his chin, thinking of the modified Yahiko.
"No, my ability is much stronger and more terrifying! It can decompose both people and chakra into energy, and then absorb it into my body, turning it into my own power! If the energy I absorb exceeds my own control limit, my appearance will begin to show traits of the one I absorbed."
Shisui didn't mind killing, even though he was a gentle person who hated taking lives. But this evil ability, which turned ninja and life into energy, was something he found hard to accept.
Why were all his abilities like this? Something that made others feel uneasy and fearful?
The power of mental projection.
There were explanations for Kotoamatsukami's abilities, but this one, which turned life into an energy source, was it really what his heart desired?
Was his heart really so dark and corrupted?
Shisui feared that this ability would be discovered by Kagetsu and the others. He was afraid that they would misunderstand him because of it and distance themselves from him.
He had even planned to keep this ability hidden and only present the spiritual weapon bow and arrow as his true Hogyoku power.
But he hadn't been able to hide it from Kagetsu.
Soul Distribution Power!
Auswählen!
A name suddenly appeared in Kagetsu's mind—one that had been vague before but instantly became clear with a flash of inspiration.
This is a high-level skill of the Quincy, a Quincy capable of absorbing and manipulating other Quincy's power as their own power!
Chakra Edible Creation!
In his memory, the Otsutsuki clan also had a similar ability. Every member of the main family usually had a guardian from the head family when going out on missions.
When necessary, this guardian would contribute themselves and be transformed into pills by the main family's Chakra Edible Creation jutsu to enhance their strength.
Or, large amounts of chakra could also be used as pills by the Otsutsuki clan.
Devouring!
Hollow power is essentially the power of devouring others of the same kind or those with similar powers, in order to level up and become stronger. It represents a lack in the soul, so the initial instinct of devouring is to complete itself.
These three different situations seem to align with what's happening with Shisui.
Strictly speaking, Hollow power represents spiritual particles. Its presence in this world is subtle, almost like a force of nature, but it hasn't been discovered by others yet or used as perfectly as chakra.
Hogyoku in Orochimaru's hands, made from the souls of many ninja, can be said to combine the powers of the Hollow, nature, and chakra.
Chakra is energy combining mind and body.
Sage Mode is a combination of mind, body, and nature.
The perfect Hogyoku mode would combine mind, body, nature, and Hollow [spiritual particles] power. Or it could be mind alone, or body alone, or combinations of mind and the other two powers.
In Kagetsu's concept, the perfect Hogyoku mode holds the potential to evolve just like the Sharingan.
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