Star City, Medical Research District, Seventh Biological Adjustment Room.
The air was filled with the faint scents of disinfectant and a special nutrient solution, mixed with the low hum of precision instruments in operation.
The lighting in the room was soft, primarily from built-in wall lights and the cool glow of numerous screens displaying complex data streams.
This was one of the Land of Stars' highest-level biotechnology laboratories, dedicated to cutting-edge 'genetic modification surgery' projects involving Kekkei Genkai and human potential.
In the center of the room, on a white experimental bed, Shisui slowly opened his eyes.
He felt a slight dizziness and weakness, the exhaustion following intense cell-level adjustments, but following that was a clearer, stronger perception.
More mighty Chakra surged through his limbs and bones, and a strange feeling of warmth and fullness came from deep within his eyes.
Supporting himself on his still somewhat weak arms, he sat up on the bed.
Dozens of thin wires and sensor patches attached to his body rustled softly with his movement.
The other ends of these wires connected to the precision instruments around him, and the curves and values that had been jumping violently on the screens were gradually stabilizing.
"How do you feel? The adaptability for the seventh-stage genetic modification surgery should have stabilized." A voice spoke beside him, carrying a tone of scientific zeal.
Shisui turned his head and saw Hiruko in a white straitjacket standing by the bed.
He was holding a tablet computer as thin as paper, on which Shisui's physical data from just now was rapidly scrolling.
Hiruko's face had an almost obsessive research expression as he scrutinized the data, then looked up at Shisui's eyes, especially the pair that had just undergone enhancement.
"The data feedback is very ideal." Hiruko handed the tablet to Shisui, his fingertip tracing several key parameters marked in red.
"Your Ocular Power has increased by 57%, and the fusion degree of cell activity and Chakra Pathway has also reached a new threshold. Especially the synchronization rate of the transplanted eye in your right... tsk tsk, truly astonishing adaptability. I believe you can feel the changes most directly yourself."
Two medical personnel in sterile uniforms quietly stepped forward, skillfully and gently removing all monitoring patches and wires from Shisui.
Shisui moved his somewhat stiff neck and shoulders, reached for the blue and white striped patient's clothes placed on the chair beside the bed, and calmly put them on.
He didn't answer Hiruko immediately, but slightly closed his eyes, sinking his consciousness into his body, carefully experiencing that refreshed feeling of power.
The flow of Chakra was smoother and more vigorous. His body felt lighter, full of explosive power.
And most importantly, the change in his eyes.
With a thought, when he opened his eyes again, his black pupils had already changed!
On a crimson base, three black tomoes quickly appeared, rotated, and then their form further twisted and stretched, transforming into a more complex pattern with a unique pinwheel-like design.
Mangekyo Sharingan!
However, looking closely, one could see subtle differences in this Mangekyo Sharingan.
The pattern in his left eye was more solid and stable, emitting a deep and powerful Ocular Fluctuation. That was his original eye.
The pattern in his right eye was somewhat 'unfamiliar', and the flow of Ocular Power seemed slightly weaker than the left eye, carrying a trace of artificially 'cultivated' trace.
This right eye was one of the ordinary Two-Tomoe cloned Sharingan he had transplanted back then.
Although those cloned Sharingan had quickly evolved to three tomoes due to emotional stimulation, barely allowing use of some basic Sharingan abilities, they were far from as adept as his original eyes.
It was not until several genetic modification surgeries continuously stimulated and strengthened them that this right eye finally broke through its limit, awakening the Mangekyo, allowing his strength to finally return to its peak and continue to climb.
Now, activating the Mangekyo again, Shisui clearly felt that the Ocular Power in both eyes was more than a notch stronger than before the surgery!
The faint 'sense of barrier' in his left eye, caused by its loss and recovery, had almost completely disappeared. The artificially induced sluggishness in his right eye had also greatly diminished. The linkage between the two eyes was tighter and more harmonious.
He could even vaguely feel, deep within that mighty Ocular Power, as if touching a layer that was more solid and more vast!
Behind that barrier seemed to hold infinite power.
As if... eternal radiance.
"It feels... good." Shisui finally spoke, his voice steady. "The growth in Ocular Power is obvious, and the resonance between the two eyes is stronger. It seems... I have already touched that threshold."
The 'threshold' he spoke of was precisely the barrier to push the Mangekyo Sharingan to a higher level, the [Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan]!
Hiruko's gaze burned as he stared at Shisui's Mangekyo, as if admiring a perfect work of art, his tone carrying undisguised envy: "So this is one of the ultimate forms of the Sharingan? What a magnificent structure of power. To reach this level after just seven 'genetic modification surgeries', the Uchiha bloodline is indeed a natural 'treasure'."
"Ultimate form? No, it's still far from it." Shisui slowly shook his head, the Mangekyo pattern in his eyes gradually fading, returning to ordinary black pupils.
He looked at Hiruko, his tone carrying a hint of longing and clear understanding: "This is merely the Mangekyo. The legendary [Eternal Mangekyo] is still one step away. And those Rinnegan possessed by Hikari-sama are even beyond that, like a divine Dojutsu."
Shisui paused and asked a question buried deep in his heart: "If, as planned, I completed all twelve stages of 'genetic modification surgery'... could my eyes possibly reach, or approach, the level of Hikari-sama?"
He dared not hope to rival the unfathomable Shura, but as a fellow Uchiha, Hikari's achievements and strength were undoubtedly the direction of his efforts.
Hiruko, as one of the core researchers and executors of the Land of Stars' [Genetic Modification Surgery Project], even surpassed Orochimaru, who was also proficient in biotechnology, in certain aspects.
Because the foundation of this technology stemmed from the improvement and sublimation of his own developed forbidden technique, [Chimera Technique], which had unique advantages in fusing and activating Kekkei Genkai.
He had not only participated in Shura's genetic modification surgeries, but was also the primary person in charge for Hikari, Shisui, Izumi, and other Uchiha Clan's members, accumulating extremely valuable experimental data.
Hearing Shisui's question, Hiruko picked up the tablet, quickly called up the historical data curves and model predictions on it, his brow slightly furrowed, his tone becoming rigorous: "Based on your current physical data after seven surgeries, peak Chakra capacity, and the growth curve model of your Sharingan's Ocular Power... your current comprehensive value is roughly equivalent to about 80% of Hikari-sama's peak under natural growth state before she underwent surgery. Note, before surgery."
He emphasized it specifically, then pointed to a detailed sub-chart about Ocular Power, his tone carrying a hint of regret: "However, there is a key issue here. You lack your original right eye. Although the transplanted cloned eye successfully evolved into the Mangekyo under multiple stimulations, it inherently has a deficiency in original Ocular Power."
"This leads to your overall Ocular Power base, especially binocular balance, compared to an Uchiha born with both eyes intact, having a difficult to completely compensate for 'defect'. This missing 'Original Ocular Power' affects your ceiling."
Hiruko slid the screen, calling up a preset progress model: "Model extrapolation shows that based on your current physical fitness and the carrying potential of your Chakra System, you can only relatively safely undergo at most nine 'genetic modification surgeries'."
"The ninth will be your limit threshold for this body. Forcibly undergoing a tenth carries a risk of physical collapse exceeding 30%. And to rely directly on surgery to evolve the Sharingan into the Rinnegan... based on existing data and theory, the probability is less than 0.3%."
"That requires not just an accumulation of quantity, but a certain qualitative change or an extremely special opportunity. Currently, Hikari-sama is the only successful case, and the process has unique irreproducibility."
After listening to Hiruko's calm even somewhat cruel analysis, Shisui's brow furrowed slightly, his expression also growing somewhat grave.
The absence of his right eye was indeed a shortcoming that could not be ignored.
It was this shortcoming that caused him, after three genetic modification surgeries, to barely elevate the cloned eye to Mangekyo, just recovering his peak combat strength.
After another four even more dangerous genetic modification surgeries, he had finally touched the threshold of the [Eternal Mangekyo].
But to glimpse the mystery of the Rinnegan, even to touch the level of the legendary Six Paths Sage, the path ahead seemed to become more rugged and long.
However, he was not discouraged.
Even if he could only complete nine genetic modification surgeries, his current strength was already far beyond that of an ordinary Kage-level powerhouse.
In the Land of Stars, Ninjas who could withstand more than six 'genetic modification surgeries' were all elites chosen from ten thousand. Starting from the sixth, each surgery was like walking through the gates of hell.
Currently, in the entire Land of Stars, aside from Shura, only Hikari had completed an astonishing twelve genetic modification surgeries.
After losing one Mangekyo Sharingan, Shisui's achievement of following closely with seven genetic modification surgeries already proved his talent and will.
He took a deep breath, stood up from the experimental bed, and carefully straightened the collar of his patient's clothes, as if trying to also smooth over the heavy thoughts brought by those words.
Then Shisui asked: "If I could retrieve my original right eye. If I could reunite my own pair of Mangekyo Sharingan, could my Ocular Power truly push open that door?"
He was referring to the door leading to the [Eternal Mangekyo] level.
Hiruko handed the tablet to a waiting research assistant, waved his hand to signal them to leave the room with the recorded data and instruments.
When only the two of them remained, he slowly said: "Theoretically, if you could retrieve your original right Mangekyo and 'fuse' its Ocular Power with your existing left eye and the enhanced cloned right eye, there is a high probability of compensating for your missing 'Original Ocular Power'."
"Then, with that powerful original force, the success rate of breaking through the barrier of the Eternal Mangekyo will be very high. It might even lay a more solid foundation for your subsequent evolution."
Shisui listened quietly, a glint flashing in his black eyes.
He nodded, his tone firm: "I understand. Thank you for your candor, Hiruko."
"Just my duty." Hiruko waved his hand, his attention already seeming to have returned to that precious data. For him, exploring the mysteries of power was more appealing.
Shisui said no more. He turned and left the Seventh Biological Adjustment Room, which smelled of disinfectant, with steady steps.
The heavy airtight door slid shut silently behind him, isolating the tranquility of the laboratory from the outside.
Just after walking out of the futuristic white corridor of the Medical Research District and entering the brighter, more open corridor of the Administrative District, Shisui saw a figure leaning against the window by the corridor, seemingly waiting for him.
The man wore a crisp, dark blue standing-collar uniform, the shoulder emblem inlaid with the insignia of the Deputy Minister of the Land of Stars' Police Force. It was Hyuga Hizashi.
Compared to a few years ago in Konoha, Hizashi's disposition had undergone earth-shattering changes.
The past oppression, forbearance, and acceptance of fate had disappeared, replaced by a calm, capable, and internally generated confidence.
Although his expression remained stern, there was now more of a composure belonging to a strong person between his brows.
The shackles of the Caged Bird seal from the main family had long been erased by Shura, and the fate of the branch family had been completely changed in the Land of Stars.
"Minister Shisui." Hizashi immediately stepped forward upon seeing Shisui, his tone respectful yet familiar.
"Hizashi-senpai." Shisui nodded slightly and quickly walked over. "What is it?"
Hizashi was ten years older than Shisui. Although Hizashi usually carried some of the rigid rules of a large Ninja Clan, Shisui always addressed him as 'Senpai' in private.
"Yes." Hizashi nodded, succinct: "Minato-sama just called. He wants you to go to his office immediately after your surgery. It seems there is an important mission to assign."
Shisui's expression turned serious: "Do you know what it is?"
As the highest responsible person for the Land of Stars' daily administrative affairs, any mission personally issued by Minato would be no small matter.
Hizashi's expression also grew somewhat grave. He crossed his arms over his chest and said in a low voice: "I suspect it is likely related to the upcoming 'Joint Chunin Exams' to be held in Konoha. Minato-sama might want you to serve as the general leader of the Land of Stars' mission, leading the team there."
"Leading a team to visit Konoha?" Shisui was momentarily stunned upon hearing this.
These words stirred complex ripples in his heart.
Since the [Night of Defection] five years ago, which had changed everything, he had never set foot on that land again.
Konoha, the hometown he had once sworn to protect, but ultimately had to flee under the label of 'betrayal'.
Now, he was to return as a high-ranking official of the Land of Stars, the head of a diplomatic mission, leading a luxury team capable of making any force take notice, to participate in the Chunin Exams they were hosting.
This transformation of identity, this change of circumstances, made his emotions churn for a moment, indescribable.
Was it the fear of approaching one's hometown?
Was it the emotion of things being different and people gone?
Or a certain scrutiny about paths and choices?
He himself couldn't sort it out.