After returning to his apartment that evening, Uchiha Shinji was still pondering the events of the day.
Through this experience, he gained a deeper understanding of the unique nature of Tenseigan chakra, profoundly realizing the difference in level between Tenseigan chakra and other chakras.
In other words.
The colossal Tenseigan on the moon was the only Six Paths-level treasure he could currently access.
Thus, the value of that giant Tenseigan went far beyond merely allowing Neji to borrow some Tenseigan chakra.
Its existence was, in itself, a guide!
Shinji could observe and study that colossal Tenseigan to gain early insight into what the vague concept of 'Six Paths-level' truly meant.
Reining in his thoughts, Shinji's mind returned to the half-sentient 'biological exoskeleton' on Neji, and he unconsciously rubbed his forehead.
His greatest concern now was whether the unexpected sentience of the 'biological exoskeleton' would affect his 'Tenseigan Plan.'
However, with limited information at hand and little knowledge about Tenseigan chakra granting sentience to inanimate objects, he pondered for a long time but reached no conclusion.
"Looks like I can only take it one step at a time."
He sighed and lay down on his bed.
Be it the 'Rinnegan' or the 'Tenseigan,' both were powers surpassing Kage-level, serving as keys to unlocking the 'Six Paths-level.'
At his current level, attempting to master such powers would inevitably lead to all sorts of unforeseen complications.
Thus, he adjusted his mindset once more, adopting the perspective of a seeker, humbly learning and understanding these forces that transcended his level.
While Shinji was quietly troubled, at the other end of Hidden Leaf Village, another person was also troubled—or rather, seething with anger!
That person was none other than Sasuke, who had lost to Kimimaro again today.
Boom!
A fist slammed heavily into a tree trunk, Sasuke's expression twisted with frustration: "Why!?Kimimaro was clearly so sick he looked half-dead, so why couldn't I beat him!"
Not far away.
Perched on a tree, Kakashi glanced at Sasuke, still wrestling with his own frustrations, and shook his head slightly before returning his gaze to the copy of Icha Icha Paradise in his hands.
As a fellow genius, he could somewhat empathize with Sasuke's current mood.
In truth.
Sasuke, not yet ten years old, would have been an undisputed prodigy in Kakashi's own ninja academy days. Even Kakashi, recognized as a genius back then, was noticeably outshone by him.
So it wasn't that Sasuke wasn't strong—there were simply far too many monstrous talents in this generation of the ninja academy.
Thinking of prodigies like Shinji, Yakumo, Kimimaro, Neji, and Naruto, who combined innate talent with immense potential, Kakashi couldn't help but lament Sasuke's luck.
"This might be for the best," Kakashi chuckled to himself. "If there weren't so many geniuses in the academy holding him back, with his personality, he'd probably have gotten cocky enough to soar into the heavens!"
Then, his thoughts turned to Uchiha Shinji, and the smile on his face gradually faded.
Having transplanted his friend's Sharingan, Kakashi had always hoped the Uchiha clan could truly reconcile with the village and fully integrate.
This was why he actively sought to arrange a mentor for Shinji—because with only two Uchiha survivors left, it was the perfect opportunity for the clan to blend into the village.
However, despite all his calculations, he hadn't anticipated that the advisory council of elders would also set their sights on Uchiha Shinji, dragging the Uchiha clan back into the village's power struggles!
"Hm!?"
As he quietly sighed over the Uchiha clan's ill-fated path, Kakashi suddenly noticed a change in Sasuke's aura nearby.
He lifted his headband, focusing intently, his expression growing grave.
He recalled that during the pursuit of the mysterious enemy who abducted Neji, Sasuke had briefly exhibited this same chilling, heart-stopping chakra.
"Could it be…"
Because the Akatsuki organization included too many mysterious Mangekyō Uchiha, the village had unsealed all the Second Hokage's research data on the Sharingan.
As an elite Jōnin with a Sharingan, Kakashi naturally gained access to these classified documents.
From the Second Hokage's research, he learned that the awakening of the Mangekyō Sharingan was tied to the intensity of the emotional trauma an Uchiha experienced.
The clan most capable of love was often also the most adept at hatred!
Such was the Uchiha!
At this moment, Kakashi's face lost its earlier ease. He stared intently at Sasuke, his expression deeply conflicted.
"If he can awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan before even reaching ten, just how much trauma has this kid endured!?"
Even the prodigious Uchiha Shisui had awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan around this age, hadn't he?
After a long while.
The chilling, unsettling aura emanating from Sasuke finally subsided, just as it had last time.
Kakashi let out a sigh of relief, but deep down, he began to weigh whether he should report this to the Third Hokage.
He knew how desperately the village longed for a Mangekyō Uchiha of its own. Yet, he worried that if the village learned Sasuke might awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan, they might act rashly, artificially stimulating Sasuke to hasten the process.
The problem was, such an approach would be hard to calibrate.
If something went wrong, the consequences would outweigh the gains.
Even if they succeeded by some fluke, once Sasuke learned the truth, it could fracture the trust between a Mangekyō-wielding Sasuke and the village.
"Sigh…"
Kakashi let out a heavy sigh, his heart weighed down.
The two surviving Uchiha orphans were now entangled in turmoil: one had become the disciple of the advisory elders, drawn into the village's power struggles, while the other showed signs of awakening the Mangekyō Sharingan, poised to become a new Mangekyō Uchiha who could challenge the village's authority.
In the foreseeable future, these two Uchiha survivors would undoubtedly be swept into all manner of conflicts.
This stirred a sense of destiny in Kakashi, as if the Uchiha clan was inherently bound to strife!
"No matter what, I have to do my best to protect Sasuke!"
Kakashi silently resolved.
For now, Sasuke's talent still surpassed Shinji's. So, if a choice had to be made between the two Uchiha orphans in the future, Kakashi would prioritize ensuring Sasuke's safety.
As for Shinji.
He could only hope that Shinji never awakened the Sharingan. That way, he might avoid being entangled in the upper echelons' schemes and live a peaceful life.
Of course, he knew this was wishful thinking.
Because the talent Shinji displayed was barely inferior to Sasuke's. In fact, aside from not having awakened the Sharingan, Shinji surpassed Sasuke in nearly every other aspect.