Once the defense system for the shinobi world is established, Shinji can follow the same pattern to recreate the battle he fought in the Sixth Ring World to intercept the Propagation Hegemon. If he can successfully seal a portion of the Hegemon of Terror as well, it would significantly reduce the threat to the shinobi world.
This is currently the most practical method Shinji can think of.
However, building a defense system for the shinobi world is clearly no easy task.
First, the ultimate secret of the Sixth Ring World—the Magic Ring—is inherently specialized in defense, shielding, and purification, making it the most suitable means of resisting a Hegemon's invasion. Sometimes, even Arcane, the Lampbearer, couldn't intervene in its operations.
Combined with the six Sorcerer Supremes who were close to the Six Paths Level, and the Mage Towers that resonated with their respective attributes, the entire defense system formed a stable structure where the sorcerers, the towers, and the Magic Ring complemented each other.
In terms of defensive capability alone, under the amplification of the towers and the unique properties of the Magic Ring, the six Sorcerer Supremes effectively operated at a Six Paths Level of power when fully mobilized.
In other words, during the previous battle in the Sixth Ring World, Shinji had six Six Paths Level powerhouses assisting him, helping to drastically weaken the invading Propagation Hegemon.
If Shinji wants to replicate this, he first has to solve the manpower problem. He must gather at least six Six Paths Level powerhouses and find a way to make them work in unison, turning individual combatants into a synergistic defense system.
Regarding manpower:
Currently, only Toneri fits the criteria, and that is only when taking the massive Tenseigan on the moon into account. Others, like Karin, Hikari, Shion, and Sasuke, all fall more or less short of the Six Paths Level.
As for the Karma he previously bestowed upon Karin and Hikari, Shinji is already prepared to reclaim it.
Firstly, Karma represents a foreign chakra to Karin and Hikari. As Shinji's strength continues to rise, the danger the Karma poses to them—as a tool for an Otsutsuki to hijack a "Vessel"—will only increase.
Secondly, bestowing Karma on them weakens Shinji's own strength.
When facing an enemy like a Hegemon, numbers alone are meaningless. The Storm Sorcerer Supreme of the Sixth Ring World was a prime example; once he lost the amplification of his tower and his defense dropped below the Six Paths Level, he couldn't even protect himself and was instantly mutated by the Hegemon's pollution.
When facing a Hegemon, one Kekkei Mora is far superior to a crowd of Six Paths Levels. Only by continuously breaking his own limits and narrowing the gap between himself and the Hegemons can Shinji secure even a slight chance of total victory.
Without Karma, Karin and Hikari cannot reach the Six Paths Level. And since there is only one small Ten-Tails, becoming a Ten-Tails Jinchuriki can, at most, allow one more person to break through. Therefore, Shinji must find an alternative path to the Six Paths Level.
This is why he places such high importance on the Research Institute. Whether it is Hiruko's Bloodline Fusion, Amado's Shinjutsu, or other projects—as long as they can breach the Six Paths Level, he welcomes them all.
"Toneri, Karin, Hikari, Shion, Sasuke..." Shinji tapped the table, musing: "Even if those five succeed, the numbers are still not enough."
The Sixth Ring World had six Sorcerer Supremes along with corresponding towers and the Magic Ring, yet Shinji still found the fight exhausting. The shinobi world is one person short and lacks a defense system.
"I need to gather at least six."
Shinji began calculating the sixth candidate. He first considered his own core team: Haku, Yakumo, Kimimaro, Neji, Ryuzetsu, and Chino. Currently, Haku and Yakumo are the strongest, while Kimimaro and Neji have seen their strength decrease significantly after losing their Tenseigan.
But even the strongest, Haku and Yakumo, have essentially had their potential tapped to the limit. Unless the Institute discovers a new advancement route, their path to the Six Paths Level will be extremely arduous.
Excluding his core team, the one with the most hope of reaching the Six Paths Level is undoubtedly Naruto, the "Child of Prophecy."
"Naruto..." Thinking of Naruto led Shinji's thoughts to the Sage of Six Paths.
He believed the Sage of Six Paths had seen all the changes in the shinobi world, and he even suspected the Sage might have detected the Hegemons' presence.
"The Sage of Six Paths is the second most powerful being in this world after Kaguya—the benchmark for the Six Paths Level, or rather, its peak. Even though he has lost his physical body and exists only as a spirit, he should possess the means to help those just a step away to cross the threshold."
At this stage, the Sage of Six Paths is no longer a major threat to Shinji, so Shinji can openly target his "assets." He won't force anyone; he just needs the Sage to distribute his power to Naruto and Sasuke. After all, they are the reincarnations of his sons. Giving them power is simply an old father leaving an inheritance to his children.
Similarly, Shinji could have Otsutsuki Hamura give his power to Neji and Kimimaro. However, Hamura was weaker than the Sage, and the ceilings for Neji and Kimimaro are lower than Naruto and Sasuke's, so even with Hamura's help, it would be difficult for them to cross over.
With these thoughts, Shinji used a spatial gate to reach the flying fortress and found Sasque training. Sasuke had already accepted the chakra shocks from Hikari's Yachihoko; his Rinnegan had successfully evolved into a Six-Tomoe Rinnegan. His strength had improved further, closing the gap between him and Karin or Hikari, making him the fifth strongest among Shinji's subordinates after Toneri, Karin, Hikari, and Shion.
Finding Sasuke at the training ground, Shinji looked him over and nodded with satisfaction: "Not bad."
Upon seeing Shinji, Sasuke immediately asked: "Shinji, I want to challenge Daemon again!"
Shinji replied: "Unless you have found a way to bypass his 'Reflection of Killing Intent,' I don't suggest you challenge him."
Sasuke froze: "You think I'm not his match? But I have the Six-Tomoe Rinnegan now!"
Shinji shook his head. This had little to do with the volume of pupil power. Shinjutsu is Shinjutsu. Unless one's strength reaches Shinji's level—using their own chakra to forcibly shield the connection of the reflection—even a Six-Tomoe Rinnegan is no match for Daemon.