Having experienced the dangers of insufficient control, Shinji understood that his strength needed to grow step by step. Simply relying on wielding external powers or becoming the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki wouldn't allow him to skyrocket to a level far beyond his current capabilities.
Especially with the Ten-Tails, which could be considered the most powerful force in the shinobi world today.
In his current state, unable to fully master his Six-Tomoe Rinnegan, attempting to wield the Ten-Tails would inevitably lead to an imbalance of power.
Thus, before becoming the Ten-Tails Jinchuriki, Shinji needed to stabilize his own condition.
Drawing from the experiences of ordinary jinchuriki, Shinji concluded that only those with sufficient strength could hope to control a tailed beast and become a perfect jinchuriki.
If this was true for ordinary tailed beasts, it was even more critical for the Ten-Tails.
Shinji needed to possess strength capable of at least contending with the Ten-Tails to wield its power effectively. Otherwise, he risked repeating Uchiha Madara's mistake—being overwhelmed by the Ten-Tails' power and becoming a mere tool for reviving Kaguya Otsutsuki.
With the Hegemon's potential arrival looming and the Akatsuki possibly launching their final war at any moment, Shinji had little time left to fully master his Six-Tomoe Rinnegan.
Exhaling, Shinji carefully stored the removed Rinnegan and Koryugan.
For the time being, he wouldn't need them. Instead of letting their ocular power slowly drain in nutrient containers, it was better to return them to Karin and Yakumo, allowing them to nurture and develop the eyes.
Just as he hadn't fully mastered his Six-Tomoe Rinnegan, neither Karin nor Yakumo had fully mastered their respective eyes.
Returning the eyes to them would not only boost their strength but also allow their development to enhance the eyes' ocular power.
When Shinji eventually took them back to wield, the results might be even better than now!
With a thought, Shinji used Jikibi to contact Karin, instructing her to prepare at home for the eye transplant surgery.
He then returned to the village, donned A's attire, and quietly slipped into Karin's apartment.
"Leader!"
Seeing Shinji, Karin quickly stepped forward to salute.
Shinji waved dismissively.
Karin asked, "Leader, what happened during the day? Why did your chakra suddenly vanish?"
Shinji explained, "I was attacked by a member of the Dark Akatsuki. He used a space-time ninjutsu to transfer me to an alternate dimension, which is why you couldn't sense my chakra."
"I see!"
Karin nodded in realization.
Shinji continued, "Be cautious in the future. He might be hiding in the shadows, ready to strike unexpectedly!"
"Yes!"
Karin responded solemnly.
Shinji pointed to the bed in the room. "Lie down."
Without further words, Karin obediently lay on the bed, preparing for the eye transplant.
Regaining her Rinnegan was undoubtedly exciting for her. Having grown accustomed to the terrifying perception of the Rinnegan, using her original eyes felt deeply uncomfortable in a way others couldn't understand.
In less than a minute, Shinji completed the eye transplant.
After placing Karin's original eyes in a small nutrient container, he packed up the surgical tools and said slowly, "Every pair of Rinnegan likely hides a space-time dojutsu, and yours should be no exception. You'd better master your Rinnegan quickly and uncover the space-time dojutsu within. Only then can you handle enemies who wield space-time ninjutsu with ease."
Karin's Kagura Shingan wasn't infallible. For instance, Shinji could easily fool it by altering his chakra signature with sealing techniques.
Moreover, Kagura Shingan had a delay issue.
Relying solely on Kagura Shingan to defend against Obito's Kamui was highly risky—one misstep could lead to disaster.
Karin's expression turned serious. "Rest assured, I'll work hard!"
Shinji nodded and vanished from the room.
After circling the village and shedding his disguise, Shinji quietly returned to his apartment, taking over from the shadow clone that had been covering for him against surveillance.
Since Yakumo wasn't in the village, her Koryugan couldn't be swapped for now.
After handling the eye transplant, Shinji activated Jikibi as usual to contact his various subordinates.
When he reached Kimimaro, Kimimaro reported that Guren had sought his help, asking him to join the Hidden Leaf Police Force to find a chance to contact Orochimaru.
Shinji chuckled inwardly and instructed, "Do as she says."
Kimimaro could only agree.
After closing Jikibi, Shinji tapped the table lightly with his fingers, planning his next steps.
Kabuto's suggestion for Kimimaro to join the Hidden Leaf Police Force was something Shinji, as its captain, could easily approve.
However, finding a way for Kimimaro to contact Orochimaru wasn't straightforward.
Given Orochimaru's danger level—having nearly killed the Third Hokage during the Chunin Exams—the village kept him under tight security. Shinji's Police Force, being more of a skeleton crew, might not have the means to reach Orochimaru.
Suddenly, a thought struck him.
Ordinary excuses wouldn't grant access to Orochimaru, but investigating the Cursed Seal on Sasuke could justify a request to interrogate him.
After all, the Cursed Seal concerned Sasuke's safety, and since Orochimaru developed it, he was the best person to address it—the one who tied the bell must untie it!
As for what Kabuto planned to do after contacting Orochimaru, Shinji wasn't yet certain.
In his view, the best outcome would be Orochimaru teaching Kabuto how to break the Dead Demon Consuming Seal, then letting Kabuto handle the operation.
That way, there'd be no need to release Orochimaru.
Releasing Orochimaru carried risks, as no one could guarantee he'd cooperate obediently.
The next morning, as expected, Shinji received Kimimaro's application to join the Hidden Leaf Police Force.
Since the Police Force currently consisted only of Shinji's peers, Kimimaro's application didn't draw the village's attention.
Shinji promptly approved it and assigned Kimimaro to Sasuke's team.
After concluding the day's Takamagahara session, Shinji called Sasuke aside and asked, "How's the Cursed Seal on you lately?"
Sasuke's face darkened. "Same as always—impossible to remove."
Shinji, needing only an excuse, nodded. "Prepare yourself. I'll request a special interrogation of Orochimaru from the village!"