After browsing an extensive amount of information in Virtual Space, particularly regarding ninjutsu and governance systems, Middle-Aged Sasuke finally couldn't hold back his thoughts.
"Excuse me... sir."
Although he wasn't certain of Shin's exact identity, the Akatsuki ring he wore was a clear indicator that his status was anything but ordinary.
Realizing Shin likely had more knowledge than he could imagine, Sasuke asked directly, "When can we return to our world?"
Even though Sharingan had a photographic memory-like ability, Sasuke's Rinnegan elevated his recall to another level. In a short span, he had already memorized countless high-level ninjutsu and governance techniques. His primary goal now was to return and implement these changes before it was too late.
Shin smirked. "There's no need to rush. You brought your own device for returning, right?"
"Yes, but—"
"Good. The Red Queen is currently analyzing it. Once the research is complete, you'll be free to return."
Boruto's eyes widened in alarm. "Wait—you're studying Karasuki?! What if you break it?!"
Shin gave a reassuring—if not entirely honest—smile. "Relax. We wouldn't recklessly damage such a rare item."
That, of course, was a lie.
Thanks to his Munch-Munch Fruit, Shin could consume and analyze any object, memorizing its structure perfectly. Even if Karasuki was disassembled beyond recognition, he could restore it completely.
Despite its appearance as a strange turtle, Karasuki was more akin to an advanced AI rather than a living being. There was no risk in breaking it down for research.
There was also no way Shin was giving it back without first learning how to recreate it.
Boruto and Middle-Aged Sasuke, however, didn't see it that way. Anxiety was evident on their faces.
"Karasuki is a high-tech device," Sasuke argued. "It's not something that can be reverse-engineered so easily."
Hinata crossed her arms and scoffed. "Do you two even know who Brother Shin is? He created the Virtual Space itself. If he says he can analyze it, he can analyze it."
"What?!" Both Boruto and Sasuke blurted out simultaneously.
Boruto turned to Young Sasuke in disbelief. "Wait—you don't even know who your own Akatsuki Leader is?!"
Young Sasuke rolled his eyes. "He's extremely low-key and mysterious. Outside of Akatsuki members and a few select individuals, almost no one knows his real name."
This wasn't an exaggeration. Shin had no recorded surname, a rarity in the ninja world. Many clans saw this as disgraceful, though Shin himself never cared. Nonetheless, his name was rarely spoken as a result.
"You'll be able to go back in a year or two at most—and once you return, the time difference will be negligible. In the meantime, you may as well use this chance to learn something."
Hearing this, Middle-Aged Sasuke had no choice but to accept the situation. He knew there was no point in arguing.
As for Boruto? He had already been humiliated in battle and wasn't about to make things worse for himself.
Despite the uniqueness of Future Sasuke and Boruto, their true value lies in research potential. One possessed Rinnegan, while the other wielded the Jougan—an intriguing mutation of the Byakugan.
Yet, compared to Otsutsuki Urashiki, they were nothing more than side dishes.
Shin had interacted with them out of curiosity, but after a while, he lost interest. He ordered the Red Queen to keep an eye on them while he focused on something far more important—Otsutsuki Urashiki.
Absorbing him with the Munch-Munch Fruit was the simplest method, but Shin wanted more. He needed to ensure that Urashiki's bloodline potential was fully unlocked before he consumed it.
After all, Shin's Otsutsuki bloodline had originally come from Kaguya—a branch lineage from the main family. There were subtle differences between his power and that of a pure-blooded Otsutsuki like Urashiki.
It took months of careful study, but eventually, Shin succeeded in enhancing his own bloodline—granting himself the same purity as a true Otsutsuki.
At the same time, he ensured that none of his other abilities were negatively impacted.
With each bloodline, Devil Fruit, and body modification he absorbed, Shin's abilities had become increasingly complex. Further enhancements only became more difficult.
It was like painting on a canvas—at first, a blank slate. But as more layers were added, each new stroke had to be deliberate or risk ruining the entire picture.
If not for the Munch-Munch Fruit's ability to revert any transformation, Shin knew he would have long since destroyed himself.
Yet Shin didn't stop at himself.
As a token of trust and investment, Shin granted a select few of his Otsutsuki bloodline modifications—including Hinata.
Thanks to this enhancement, Hinata awakened the Tenseigan.
Although her resonance with the Virtual Space's core Tenseigan played a role, it was undeniable proof that she was approaching the Sixth Path Level.
If she weren't still relatively young, with a lack of chakra reserves, Hinata would have already reached the Six Paths tier. In fact, among all the enhanced individuals, she was the closest to surpassing humanity's limits.
Aside from Shin himself and the Otsutsuki Clan, she could very well become the first legitimate Sixth Path-level being.
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