"If I am to grow stronger at all costs to oppose that clan, then ocular power is indispensable."
"Whether it's a single Sharingan or a pair, whether they belong to the original owner or not, all of this determines the completeness of the ocular power."
Orochimaru, however, had a deeper perspective on the matter.
At the top floor of Amegakure's tower, Naruto, who had just ended Danzō's life, immediately sought an audience with Orochimaru.
The topic revolved around eyes, and Orochimaru began to share his insights.
"Whether or not the eyes belong to the original owner only becomes relevant at the level of the Rinnegan," Orochimaru explained. "As for the Sharingan, the Uchiha clan naturally possesses bodies compatible with it. For those outside the clan, even if they transplant a Sharingan, it imposes a tremendous burden. To put it in simple terms, it's like installing a new plugin on hardware with fixed performance—it inevitably creates additional load."
"But," Orochimaru continued, his vertical pupils gleaming, "there are rare exceptions among two clans—the Senju and the Uzumaki. Among their most exceptional members, there exists a unique compatibility. After an adaptation period, they can wield the Sharingan as if it were their own, with no difference from the original owner."
"In other words, Naruto-kun, you are now equivalent to the original owner of Shisui's eye."
"I see," Naruto replied.
Orochimaru's conclusion reassured Naruto. At the very least, he no longer needed to worry about Orochimaru performing any unnecessary experiments on his body.
But then, Orochimaru changed the subject. "However, when it comes to transplanting the Rinnegan, no matter how well you adapt, Naruto-kun, or how close you come to the original owner, you still cannot truly become their equal."
"Ah, I understand that," Naruto said, removing his mask.
"That's why," he continued, "I intend to awaken my own Rinnegan."
Boom!
Outside the tower, a bolt of lightning streaked across the sky, and the rain intensified.
Orochimaru's vertical pupils sparkled with intrigue.
Naruto partially covered his right eye, where the Sharingan resided. From between his fingers, the black pupil spun, revealing three tomoe.
"The Sharingan, the Mangekyō Sharingan, the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan, and finally the Rinnegan—this is the progression of Uchiha ocular power. From the three-tomoe stage onward, each step requires incredibly stringent conditions."
"I already possess a Mangekyō Sharingan equivalent to its original owner," Naruto said. "Additionally..."
Reaching into his cloak, Naruto retrieved a vial.
Inside the vial, suspended in a culture solution, was his spoils of war from the battle with Danzō—Uchiha Kagami's right eye.
Pushing the vial toward Orochimaru, Naruto said meaningfully, "I've heard that awakening the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan requires transplanting eyes between a father and son or between brothers."
Orochimaru picked up the vial, examining it closely. His vertical pupils deepened with thought. "During times of war, it was rare for clans to have members spanning more than two generations meet. The Uchiha were no exception, which is why eye transplants were typically conducted between brothers or fathers and sons. However, based on my years of research, as long as the blood relation is within three generations, it is possible to trigger the fusion of Mangekyō Sharingan to awaken the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan."
Setting the vial down, Orochimaru added, "Uchiha Kagami was Shisui Uchiha's grandfather, which places him exactly within the three-generation range."
Naruto's gaze deepened. "So, the conditions for awakening are met, correct?"
Orochimaru nodded. "Yes, the conditions for awakening the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan are fulfilled. However, as for the next step—the Rinnegan—I still haven't fully grasped the true requirements for its awakening."
Naruto's voice dropped. "That, I already know."
"!?" Orochimaru's face lit up with astonishment.
Naruto shifted his posture in his chair.
"Very well," he said. "I'll tell you about Asura, Indra, and their reincarnations."
Orochimaru listened intently. The more he heard, the brighter his eyes became, and even his breathing quickened.
In just ten minutes, his understanding of the truth had advanced by at least ten years.
"To awaken the Rinnegan, the power of Asura must be combined with the power of Indra," Naruto explained. "Of course, this must also be on the foundation of having already awakened the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan."
Orochimaru connected the dots. "I see. Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha were the previous generation's Asura and Indra. That's why Madara, after obtaining Hashirama's power, was able to awaken those eyes!"
"And you, Naruto-kun, and Sasuke-kun, are this generation's Asura and Indra. Once your respective powers awaken and merge, theoretically, both of you could awaken those eyes."
Naruto nodded. "That's correct."
Orochimaru's gaze turned sly. "Then, when Naruto-kun awakens the Rinnegan, will it require… eliminating Sasuke-kun?"
Understanding Orochimaru's implication, Naruto fell into deep thought.
Because this matter involved his past life, Naruto withheld some details from Orochimaru.
In his previous life, when he was gravely injured and near death, Sasuke had obtained Hashirama's cells from Kabuto and received a portion of Hashirama's chakra. With this, Sasuke successfully awakened the Rinnegan.
As for the Yin Power granted to Sasuke by the Sage of Six Paths, it wasn't the key to awakening the Rinnegan. It merely expedited the process. Without it, Sasuke might have awakened the Rinnegan only at the brink of death, like Madara.
This proved one thing: the power of the previous generation's Asura could aid the current generation's Indra.
So, could the reverse also be true?
Could Naruto, as the current generation's Asura, bypass Sasuke and instead borrow the power of the previous generation's Indra to awaken the Rinnegan?
The previous generation's Indra was none other than Madara Uchiha.
Or perhaps, through some means, he could meet Indra himself.
The reason for such roundabout thinking was simple—Naruto would never harm Sasuke, no matter what.
Returning from his thoughts, Naruto said firmly, "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it."
Orochimaru chuckled. "Shall we proceed with transplanting Kagami's right eye immediately?"
"Transplanting just one eye is meaningless," Naruto replied. "I'll wait until I have both. Shisui's eyes, Kagami's eyes…"
As he spoke, Naruto replaced his mask over his face. "By the way, Orochimaru, can you implant eyes into hands?"
Orochimaru grinned. "That technique is already quite advanced. By opening slots in the palms and connecting them to the optic nerves through the arms, it's entirely possible."
"Is that so?" Naruto said calmly. "Then once I've gathered both eyes, let's transfer Madara's Rinnegan into my palms."
Orochimaru's grin widened. "Not just your hands—other parts of your body could work too."
"Too grotesque," Naruto replied, shaking his head. "It doesn't align with my aesthetic."
Naruto stored Kagami's eye back in his cloak and stood up.
"Orochimaru, thank you for helping rebuild Hidan's body. Without Hidan's abilities, taking down Obito wouldn't have been so simple."
Naruto stepped forward, gazing at the rain outside the tower, his expression heavy. "Obito won't stop. If I were in his position, I'd gather both eyes. Together, their power would be unimaginable—on par with the Rinnegan in some ways."
"Additionally, Kabuto holds another trump card of SSR-level significance."
Boom!
Thunder roared, and rain poured down.
Naruto turned back, his gaze sweeping over the map of the ninja world.
"It's time to continue advancing my plans. This time, I'll aim to acquire the secret techniques of Iwagakure and Kirigakure in one decisive move."
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