The two weeks of recovery felt like torture.
Sasuke spent his days in the medical wing, confined to bed rest. His eyes slowly healed—the inflammation decreased, the constant throbbing faded to occasional aches. But the forced inactivity grated on him.
He filled the time with planning. Obsessive, detailed planning.
His journal expanded to three volumes. Every page covered in notes about dojutsu, absorption techniques, target profiles, tactical approaches. He mapped out the next six months of operations with military precision.
"You're going to burn yourself out," Karin said on day eight, visiting with medical supplies. "You haven't stopped working since you woke up."
"I'm resting. Physically." Sasuke didn't look up from his notes. "My mind needs to stay active."
"Your mind needs rest too." She set down the supplies and checked his IV. "Kabuto says your eyes are healing well, but the stress you're putting on yourself mentally isn't helping."
"I'm fine."
"You're not fine, Sasuke-kun." Karin's voice was quiet. "You haven't been fine since we started this. You're... changing. Becoming colder. More distant."
"I'm becoming focused."
"You're becoming obsessed." She met his gaze—his eyes were still slightly bloodshot, the lavender patterns in his Mangekyo visible even when deactivated now. "Do you even remember why you're doing this anymore?"
"Power. Ultimate power." Sasuke's tone was matter-of-fact. "I've always been clear about my goals."
"But why? What's the point of all this power if you lose yourself acquiring it?"
Sasuke was quiet for a long moment. Then he set down his journal.
"I'm not losing myself. I'm finding myself." His eyes—those hybrid Uchiha-Hyuga eyes—fixed on her. "I know exactly what I am, Karin. A transmigrator. Someone who shouldn't exist in this world. Someone who stole Sasuke Uchiha's life and body."
Karin's expression shifted to confusion. "What are you—"
"I'm a thief. A collector. My entire existence is built on taking what belongs to others and making it mine." Sasuke's voice was cold but certain. "The original Sasuke? Gone. Consumed. Hashirama's cells? Taken. Every Byakugan I've absorbed? Stolen. This is what I am. And I've accepted it completely."
"That's..." Karin struggled for words. "That's not healthy, Sasuke-kun. You're talking about yourself like you're a monster."
"Because I am." Sasuke picked up his journal again. "And that's fine. Monsters have power. Monsters achieve things humans can't. I'd rather be a powerful monster than a weak human."
Karin stood there for a moment longer, then quietly left.
Sasuke returned to his notes without emotion.
On day ten, Kabuto cleared him for limited activity.
"Your eyes have stabilized," Kabuto reported after comprehensive examination. "The Hyuga genetics have fully integrated with your Mangekyo pattern. Both eyes are now permanently hybrid—Uchiha and Hyuga merged at the fundamental level."
"Can I activate my Sharingan?"
"Basic three-tomoe, yes. But no Mangekyo for another four days. The advanced pattern needs more time to stabilize after such a powerful absorption."
"Fine." Sasuke stood from the medical bed. Two weeks of rest had left him restless. "I need to train. Test my new capabilities."
"Light training only. No sparring, no high-intensity combat. Just technique practice and mobility exercises."
Sasuke headed to the training grounds. His body felt weak from the extended bed rest, but his eyes were sharp. Clear. The world looked different now—he could see chakra with unprecedented clarity even without activating his Sharingan.
He activated his basic three-tomoe Sharingan.
The world exploded into detail. Chakra everywhere—in the air, in the ground, in the trees. The Byakugan's sensory capabilities merged with Sharingan's perception created something new. Something beyond either bloodline individually.
He could see 360 degrees. Not quite as perfect as pure Byakugan, but close. Maybe 340 degrees of clear vision. The blind spot was minimal—a tiny gap directly behind him.
And through the Sharingan's enhancement, every detail was crystal clear. He could see individual chakra points in his own body. Map his chakra network with perfect precision. Track the flow of energy through every pathway.
"Remarkable," Orochimaru's voice came from behind him.
Sasuke turned. "Observing?"
"Always." Orochimaru descended from a nearby tree. "Your eyes have evolved significantly. Even without Mangekyo active, they're beyond standard Sharingan."
"The Byakugan integration changed them permanently." Sasuke deactivated his Sharingan. "Both eyes are now hybrid. Uchiha and Hyuga merged."
"Show me your Mangekyo. I want to see the evolution."
"Kabuto said—"
"I know what Kabuto said. But I need to see what you've become." Orochimaru's eyes gleamed with scientific curiosity. "Just for a moment. Brief activation."
Sasuke hesitated, then activated both Mangekyo simultaneously.
The spiral patterns blazed. Red and lavender swirled together, the absorbed Byakugan genetics creating intricate designs within the main vortex. Both eyes displayed identical patterns—six sharp points converging inward, but now with lavender channels weaving between them. The hollow centers had begun to fill slightly, representing the collected power.
Orochimaru stepped closer, studying the patterns. "Beautiful. Terrible. Both at once. Nine Byakugan absorbed, and the pattern shows it clearly. Each absorption has added to the design."
"When it's complete, the entire pattern will be filled." Sasuke deactivated his Mangekyo after five seconds. "Every dojutsu represented. Every power collected."
"And how close are you to completion? For Byakugan at least."
"Ninety percent effectiveness currently. One more main family absorption should push me to full capability. Maybe even exceed natural Byakugan." Sasuke's eyes—returned to normal now—gleamed. "Then I move to Sharingan collection."
"I've compiled more information on Uchiha survivors." Orochimaru pulled out a scroll. "Eighteen confirmed sightings across five nations. Most are weak—one or two tomoe Sharingan at best. But three are potentially significant."
Sasuke took the scroll. Unrolled it.
The first profile was Uchiha Shin—the one he'd seen before. Former ROOT operative. Estimated three-tomoe Sharingan. Last confirmed location: Land of Sound, ironically close to their current position.
The second profile was new: Uchiha Naka, a branch family member who'd been away on a mission during the massacre. Two-tomoe Sharingan. Currently operating as a mercenary in the Land of Water.
The third made Sasuke pause.
Uchiha Fugaku's research notes—hidden laboratory.
"What is this?" Sasuke asked.
"Your father's private research facility. Hidden beneath the Uchiha compound in Konoha." Orochimaru's smile was sharp. "He was investigating Mangekyo Sharingan awakening. Specifically, attempting to understand the mechanics behind it. His notes might still be there—if Konoha hasn't discovered and destroyed them."
"You want me to infiltrate Konoha? Break into the Uchiha compound?"
"I want you to consider it. Those notes could contain valuable information about Mangekyo evolution. About Eternal Mangekyo. About things even I don't fully understand." Orochimaru's eyes gleamed. "And if the compound has been left mostly undisturbed, there might be preserved Sharingan as well. Your clan had a tradition of preserving the eyes of fallen members."
Sasuke's mind raced. The Uchiha compound. His father's research. Potentially dozens of preserved Sharingan waiting to be collected.
"That's suicide. Konoha's security—"
"Is focused on external threats, not internal infiltration. Especially not into an abandoned clan compound that holds only painful memories for the village." Orochimaru pulled out building layouts. "I've had agents mapping the area. The compound is largely deserted. Minimal patrols. No active security on the underground sections."
"Why would there be underground sections?"
"Because your father was paranoid. And smart. He hid his most important research where even his clan members wouldn't find it." Orochimaru spread out the layouts. "There's a hidden entrance here. Connects to the old Uchiha meeting halls. Leads to a laboratory beneath the compound."
Sasuke studied the layouts. His transmigrator knowledge confirmed some details—he knew the Uchiha compound had secrets. But the specific location of Fugaku's laboratory was new information.
"When would this infiltration happen?"
"After your eyes fully stabilize. After you complete your Byakugan collection." Orochimaru rolled up the layouts. "This is a long-term goal. But worth considering. The knowledge in that laboratory could accelerate your path to Eternal Mangekyo significantly."
"And the risk?"
"Substantial. If you're caught, Konoha will mobilize everything against you. Every jonin. Every ANBU squad. Every resource they have." Orochimaru's smile widened. "But by the time you're ready for this mission, you'll have full Byakugan capability, strengthened Mangekyo, and potentially several more absorbed Sharingan. You'll be powerful enough to escape even if discovered."
Sasuke considered it. The risks were enormous. But the potential rewards...
Fugaku's research on Mangekyo awakening. Preserved Sharingan from fallen clan members. Knowledge that could accelerate his entire plan.
"I'll consider it," Sasuke said finally. "But first, I complete Byakugan collection. Then hunt Uchiha survivors. Then—maybe—infiltrate Konoha."
"Smart. Build power first, take the biggest risks last." Orochimaru started walking back toward the main compound. "Oh, and Sasuke-kun? Team Taka has been waiting for you. They want to know when the next mission is."
"Four days. Once Kabuto clears me for full Mangekyo usage." Sasuke followed. "The next target will be another main family Hyuga. Then Byakugan collection is complete."
"And then the real hunt begins."
"Yes." Sasuke's eyes gleamed. "Then I start collecting Sharingan."