Sasuke found Uchiha Shin in a gambling den.
The former ROOT operative sat at a corner table, playing cards with three civilians. His chakra was suppressed—barely detectable even with Sasuke's Byakugan. ROOT training at work.
He knows how to hide. How to blend. Danzo trained his operatives well.
Sasuke observed from across the room for thirty minutes. Studying Shin's behavior. His mannerisms. Looking for weaknesses.
ROOT operatives were trained to suppress emotions. To function without hesitation. To kill without remorse. In many ways, they were similar to what Sasuke had become—human weapons without sentiment.
The difference is I chose this. They were conditioned into it.
Does that make me better or worse?
Irrelevant. Either way, his Sharingan is mine.
Sasuke waited until Shin left the gambling den. Followed him through the village streets. The former ROOT operative moved with purpose—heading toward the forest outside town.
He knows I'm following. ROOT training includes counter-surveillance awareness.
Good. I prefer targets who understand what's happening. Makes it more... honest.
They were fifty meters into the forest when Shin stopped.
"You're not subtle," Shin said without turning around. "I sensed you in the gambling den. Tracked you through the village. You want something from me."
"Your eyes." Sasuke's voice was cold.
Shin turned slowly. His Sharingan activated—three tomoe spinning. "Another Uchiha. With Mangekyo." He studied Sasuke's eyes, noting the unusual hybrid pattern. "Those aren't normal Mangekyo eyes. What are you?"
"A collector."
"Of Sharingan?" Shin's expression didn't change—ROOT conditioning suppressing any emotional response. "I've heard reports. Uchiha survivors being eliminated. Bodies destroyed completely. No recoverable eyes." He paused. "You're the Dojutsu Hunter."
"That's what they're calling me now? Appropriate." Sasuke's Mangekyo blazed fully. "You're target number nine."
"Nine Sharingan absorbed already. Plus those hybrid patterns suggest Byakugan integration as well." Shin's analysis was clinical, emotionless. "You've created something unprecedented. A technique for collecting bloodline limits permanently."
"Yes."
"Why?" Shin's Sharingan tracked Sasuke's every micro-movement. "What's the purpose? Power for its own sake? Revenge against the clans? Preparation for some future threat?"
"Does it matter?"
"Professional curiosity. I was ROOT. We were trained to understand enemy motivations." Shin shifted into combat stance—efficient, minimal movement. "Before you kill me and take my eyes, I'd like to understand why."
Sasuke was quiet for a moment. Then: "The Otsutsuki are coming. Gods who created all dojutsu. They consume worlds, harvest chakra. To stop them, I need every ocular power combined. Your Sharingan is one piece of that puzzle."
"Ah. So you're saving the world." Shin's tone suggested skepticism despite his emotional suppression. "Or using that as justification for your collection obsession."
"Both."
"Honest answer. I respect that." Shin's hands moved into seal position. "I won't surrender. ROOT training doesn't allow it. I'll fight until you kill me or I escape."
"I know. That's fine." Sasuke activated Ame-no-Sakahoko—black-red crystalline chakra coating his hands. "You won't escape."
Shin moved.
Fast. ROOT-operative fast. His kunai came from three angles simultaneously—wires controlled with perfect precision.
Sasuke's Mangekyo tracked them all. He dodged two, shattered the third with his crystalline chakra.
Shin was already behind him. Kunai aimed at the spine—
Sasuke's Byakugan had seen him move. He spun, lightning coating his palm. Caught Shin's wrist.
The ROOT operative didn't flinch. His other hand came up with a second kunai—
Sasuke released him and created distance. He doesn't react to pain. Doesn't hesitate. ROOT conditioning is effective.
"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!" Shin's technique was precise, controlled. The fireball flew true.
Sasuke walked through it. His Hashirama cells absorbed the heat damage, regenerating any burns instantly.
Shin's Sharingan widened fractionally—the first emotion Sasuke had seen from him. Surprise. He didn't expect me to tank a direct hit.
"Your Hashirama cell integration is more complete than reports suggested," Shin observed. He was already forming new seals. "Regeneration, enhanced durability, massive chakra reserves. You've gone beyond simple Mangekyo evolution."
"I've gone beyond human." Sasuke closed the distance. Chidori formed in his hand. "You're facing something new."
They exchanged blows. Shin fought with ROOT precision—no wasted movement, every strike calculated for maximum efficiency. But Sasuke's hybrid eyes gave him too much advantage. Byakugan saw attacks before they landed. Mangekyo predicted Shin's predictions.
After two minutes, Sasuke had Shin pinned against a tree. Chidori through the shoulder—chakra network disrupted.
"It's over," Sasuke said.
"Yes." Shin didn't struggle. ROOT training—accept death when defeat is inevitable. "Do it quickly."
"Eleven seconds. Not quick, but not torture either." Sasuke's hand moved to Shin's face.
"Wait." Shin's voice was calm despite his situation. "If you're really collecting power to fight the Otsutsuki—if that's true and not just justification—then don't waste what I know."
"What do you know?"
"Danzo has eleven Sharingan implanted in his right arm. All from the Uchiha massacre. Plus Shisui's Mangekyo in his right eye socket." Shin's expression was emotionless. "If you're collecting Sharingan, that's twelve more right there. Including a Mangekyo with Kotoamatsukami—the ultimate genjutsu."
Sasuke's interest sharpened. "You're telling me this why?"
"Because ROOT loyalty was to Danzo, and Danzo is dead." Shin's tone was matter-of-fact. "He died three weeks ago. Assassination by unknown assailants. His body is currently sealed in a ROOT facility beneath Konoha. If you can infiltrate and retrieve it, you gain twelve Sharingan in one operation."
Danzo is dead? That's... unexpected. Canon hasn't happened yet. This is different.
"How do I know you're telling the truth?"
"You don't. But I have no reason to lie. I'm about to die. Giving you this information costs me nothing." Shin's Sharingan met Sasuke's Mangekyo. "If you want those eyes, you'll need to infiltrate Konoha. High risk. High reward."
"Where exactly is this ROOT facility?"
"I'll tell you. In exchange, make my death quick and painless." Shin's voice was steady. "Deal?"
"Deal."
Shin provided coordinates. Building layouts. Security protocols. Everything needed to locate Danzo's sealed body.
"Thank you," Sasuke said when Shin finished.
"Don't thank me. Just make sure those eyes serve a purpose." Shin closed his eyes. "Do it."
Sasuke's hand pressed against his face. Mangekyo blazed.
Takama-ga-hara activated.
Eleven seconds. Shin's three-tomoe Sharingan transferred smoothly. The ROOT operative didn't struggle, didn't fight the process. Just... accepted it.
When the absorption completed, Shin's eyes faded to black.
"Quick and painless," Sasuke confirmed. Lightning blade formed. Strike through the heart. Death was instant.
Fire Release burned the body completely.
Sasuke stood over the ashes, processing what he'd learned.
Danzo is dead. His body sealed with eleven Sharingan plus Shisui's Mangekyo. Twelve eyes waiting to be collected.
That's... significant. Shisui's Kotoamatsukami alone is worth the risk. Perfect genjutsu that rewrites will without being detected.
But infiltrating Konoha is suicide. Even with my current power level, facing an entire village is impossible.
Unless...
Unless I wait. Build more power first. Absorb the remaining Uchiha survivors. Then plan a precise infiltration—in and out before they realize I'm there.
His Mangekyo activated. Nineteen nodes filled now. Ten lavender Byakugan, nine red Sharingan. The pattern was over half complete.
Nine more Uchiha on the immediate list. Then Danzo's collection if I can reach it. Then Itachi.
Everything is accelerating. The collection approaches completion.
He turned and walked back toward Sound Village.
The hunt continued.