Sasuke returned to Sound Village after the fifth absorption. Two months had passed since he'd begun hunting Hyuga. His eyes had fundamentally changed—the Mangekyo pattern now carried a faint lavender tint that hadn't been there before. The absorbed Byakugan genetics were manifesting visually.
Kabuto examined him immediately.
"Remarkable," Kabuto said, studying the chakra scans. "Your eye's structure has evolved. The Byakugan's 360-degree network has integrated so thoroughly it's affecting the Mangekyo's base pattern."
"Is that a problem?"
"Unknown. But it's fascinating." Kabuto pulled up comparative scans. "Your eye is becoming... hybrid. Uchiha and Hyuga merged at a fundamental level."
Sasuke activated his left Mangekyo. The pattern glowed, but now with that subtle lavender undertone. When he pushed for Byakugan vision, it came easier than before. Smoother. More natural.
He could see 360 degrees. Through the walls. Into the corridor beyond. Kabuto's chakra network was crystal clear—every tenketsu point, every pathway junction.
"Sixty-five percent effectiveness," Sasuke assessed. "Close to two-thirds of full Byakugan capability."
"How many more do you estimate you need?"
"Five to seven more absorptions should bring me to full Byakugan equivalent. Maybe ten to exceed it." Sasuke deactivated his Mangekyo. "But there's a problem."
"What problem?"
"Targets are becoming harder to find." Sasuke pulled out his mission reports. "The first five were isolated. Easy. But I've been checking Kabuto's intelligence updates. The Hyuga clan is recalling isolated members."
Kabuto nodded. "We've noticed increased communication from the Hyuga compound. They're aware something is happening."
"What do they know?"
"That five branch family members have died over two months. All stationed in remote locations. All killed with Fire Release." Kabuto pulled out intercepted intelligence. "They're treating it as a targeted assassination campaign. Possibly political. They don't know about the absorption."
"Good." Sasuke studied the intelligence. "They think it's standard shinobi warfare. Someone with a grudge against the Hyuga. That gives us operational cover."
"For now. But they're adapting. New protocols—no more solo assignments for branch family. Everyone gets paired up or reassigned to group posts."
"Then I adapt too." Sasuke stood. "I bring Team Taka. We hit paired targets. They handle interference while I perform absorption."
"That increases visibility. More witnesses potentially."
"No witnesses if we kill everyone." Sasuke's tone was matter-of-fact. "Total elimination. Burn the sites. Make it look like raids rather than targeted assassinations."
Kabuto adjusted his glasses. "Orochimaru-sama will want to approve this escalation."
"Then get his approval." Sasuke headed for the door. "I need ten more Byakugan minimum. I'm not stopping until I have them."