Over the next few days, Shinji, having harnessed the Rinnegan, continued to explore its abilities.
The Rinnegan's powers were incredibly versatile, enough to be distributed across the 'Six Paths of Pain' that Nagato created using six corpses.
Of course.
Nagato split the Rinnegan's abilities into the 'Six Paths of Pain' not only to conceal his true identity but also because of his limited mobility.
With his Uzumaki clan Sage Body, a leg injury would normally heal easily.
However, after summoning the 'Outer Path Statue' and channeling most of his chakra to sustain it in preparation for reviving the Ten-Tails, Nagato became emaciated, delaying his recovery.
This was evident in his later battle, when resurrected by Kabuto's 'Impure World Reincarnation,' against Naruto and Killer Bee, two perfect Jinchuriki.
In that fight, Nagato, free from the burden of the 'Outer Path Statue,' used the Rinnegan's chakra absorption ability to quickly heal his legs and effortlessly overpower Naruto and Killer Bee, two of the Shinobi Alliance's top fighters.
If Itachi hadn't sealed him with the 'Totsuka Blade' at the critical moment, the history of the shinobi world might have been rewritten.
Shinji, unburdened by the 'Outer Path Statue' and free of injuries, had no need to create his own 'Six Paths of Pain.' However, his situation was more complex than Nagato's, who had gained the Rinnegan through transplantation.
After over a decade of adaptation, Nagato had mastered nearly all of the Rinnegan's abilities, except for the ultimate dojutsu hidden deep within each pair. Shinji, however, harnessed the Rinnegan through his 'Susanoo Tomoshibi' dojutsu, and with his weaker Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan, he couldn't fully access all of the Rinnegan's powers, making his mastery far inferior to Nagato's.
"I've mastered the Heavenly Path's 'Shinra Tensei' and 'Bansho Ten'in.' I can't yet use the core 'Chibaku Tensei,' but with more familiarity, I should be able to."
"I haven't gained any of the Animal Path's abilities."
"I've partially mastered the Preta Path's chakra absorption."
"I've also partially mastered the Human Path's soul extraction."
"I haven't gained any of the Naraka Path's abilities."
"I haven't gained any of the Asura Path's abilities."
"'Susanoo Tomoshibi's' harnessing has only barely accessed half of the Rinnegan's abilities, and they're all weakened to varying degrees."
After days of exploration, Shinji gained a general understanding of his control over the Rinnegan.
However, this was only the power he had gained from the Rinnegan while his Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan was significantly weaker.
As long as he could continuously draw 'All Creation Power' from the Rinnegan using 'Susanoo Tomoshibi,' his Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan would keep growing stronger.
Over these few days, he could clearly feel his long-stagnant dojutsu power starting to improve again!
With the 'Rinnegan Plan' successfully completed, Shinji had harnessed a pair of Rinnegan and was steadily drawing 'All Creation Power' from it.
Next, he would begin preparations to counter-invade the Demon Slayer world.
This was an extremely challenging task, one he couldn't accomplish alone. He needed to select a few reliable allies to join him in counter-invading the Demon Slayer world and gathering intelligence.
Regarding personnel, Shinji deliberated for a long time.
In terms of ability, Yakumo and Shion were strong, and Sasuke and Kimimaro excelled in combat. However, counter-invasion carried the risk of leaking intelligence, potentially exposing his identity as the shinobi world's 'Lampbearer.'
Since the first counter-invasion focused on intelligence gathering, after much consideration, he decided to bring Haku and Karin, his two 'attendants.'
Haku's strength was actually formidable, having consistently outmatched Shinji in taijutsu early on. It was only in the past year that Shinji had fully matured and gradually surpassed him.
Thus, Haku's strength was among the top of their peers, and his mind was sharp enough. His only shortfall was in absolute chakra reserves compared to some of the monstrous talents of their generation.
Though Karin's strength had diminished after losing the Rinnegan, she still had the Uzumaki clan's sealing techniques and 'Wood Release,' both highly effective against demons.
"Just the two of them for now. Once we've gathered enough intelligence, I'll bring in others!"
With his decision made, Shinji used 'Jikibi' to notify Haku and Karin while beginning to plan the counter-invasion.
At night.
Whoosh, whoosh.
With the sound of rushing wind, two shadows landed in a small grove.
Undoubtedly, they were Haku and Karin, who had received the summons.
Moments later, Shinji, dressed in Akatsuki garb, emerged from the shadows and asked, "Are you ready?"
"Mm!"
Both nodded in unison.
They were aware of the mission's danger and had brought every shinobi tool and piece of equipment they could carry.
Shinji emphasized, "I'll say it one last time: this is our first counter-invasion, so our main objective is to gather intelligence. Avoid combat as much as possible. Understood?"
"Yes!"
They nodded solemnly again.
Without further ado, Shinji took out the 'Lamp' and silently commanded in his mind, "Open a spatial rift and lock onto the Demon Slayer world!"
[Invasion initiating…]
[Locked onto the Demon Slayer world.]
[Opening spatial rift requires 1 gram of 'Ember.' Confirm?]
"Confirm!"
Shinji's expression hardened.
[Spatial rift opening…]
Instantly, a dim yellow halo shot out from the 'Lamp' at his waist, piercing through space and creating a distorted rift.
[Spatial rift opened. Please cross quickly.]
[10... 9… 8… 7…]
Hearing the countdown in his ears, Shinji knew that 1 gram of 'Ember' could only sustain the rift for a limited time. Without hesitation, he stepped into the spatial rift.
Though Haku and Karin felt some trepidation, seeing their leader enter the rift, they didn't hesitate and followed immediately.
Whoosh.
In an instant, as the dim yellow light faded, the distorted spatial rift quickly closed, vanishing without a trace—along with Shinji, Haku, and Karin, who had been in the grove moments before!
After an unknown amount of time, Shinji opened his eyes, gazing at the serene scenery around him, and murmured, "This is the Demon Slayer world?"