While the Hokage's office was in chaos, Aizen stood quietly in front of the experimental bench, staring at the scarlet eyeball sealed in a transparent box.
The eye was suspended by chakra, surrounded by various instruments, and the only sound in the room was the subtle hum of electronics.
Through different devices, Aizen could clearly see the chakra circulation pathways deep within the eye, as well as a strange power, different from ordinary chakra, preserved deep inside it.
"So, this is what the Uchiha clan calls doujutsu?"
Aizen habitually adjusted his thick-rimmed glasses, his eyes thoughtful, with a hint of curiosity.
Chakra, this versatile energy, significantly boosted productivity, to the point where, despite this world's social structure still being in a standard feudal period, technological development advanced in leaps and bounds as if completely unrestricted.
In this process, the ninja world also gained a deep understanding of various energies.
Chakra, natural energy, religious divine power, sacred land senjutsu... and doujutsu was one of them.
However, this power could not exist independently like natural energy; instead, it required a large amount of chakra as its foundation.
"A marvelous power."
"And, as long as there is chakra to support it, anyone can use it, regardless of whether they possess Uchiha blood..."
Aizen put down the instrument, but his mind subconsciously thought of his 'friend'—Hatake Kakashi.
If there was a way to let him awaken the Mangekyo Sharingan too, that would be great.
"If the ordinary Sharingan merely completes the awakening process by utilizing special chakra secreted in the brain after a strong stimulus..."
"Then, the Mangekyo Sharingan takes it a step further."
"While maintaining the state of secreting this special chakra, with a strong belief, combined with the powerful Yin Release ability to 'create matter from nothing,' this thought is instilled into the soul and finally imprinted in the eyes."
"This is the essence of Mangekyo doujutsu."
"Ultimately, it forms the unique special patterns of each Mangekyo Sharingan."
"Thus forming unique doujutsu."
Aizen sat at the desk, thinking silently while recording his observations and further searching for problems in the archives.
"It's a pity that this Mangekyo doujutsu seems to be a one-time product, maintained entirely by the strong belief born at the moment of awakening."
"Each belief of the awakener corresponds to a type of doujutsu."
"If the doujutsu power is exhausted, the Mangekyo will naturally become completely abandoned (Abandoned -Abandoned - obsolete/discarded)."
"This aligns with the Root's records that prolonged use of the Mangekyo Sharingan leads to blindness."
"So, how can these eyes be used continuously?"
At this point, Aizen's pen paused.
Whether collecting Sharingan or collecting God Tree factors, it was all to create his own 'Zanpakuto' and thus gain the power to protect himself.
Aizen did not want what he created to be a one-time weapon like the Mangekyo.
However, all experiments must be based on reality; no one can complete a full research project through pure thought.
"I need to observe the evolution from Sharingan to Mangekyo Sharingan up close."
"If there's an opportunity, I even need comparative experiments with multiple Mangekyo."
"Uchiha Itachi... is it?"
Aizen's pen tapped on the paper, seemingly having thought of something, revealing an amused smile.
It seems the plan needs to be accelerated.
"Knock knock."
As he was quietly contemplating, there was a soft knock on the door of the room above ground.
Aizen only sensed it for a moment before realizing who it was, not too surprised.
He tidied his clothes and expression, left the underground secret room, returned to the room above ground, and opened the door.
Appearing before him was Kurenai Yuhi, inexplicably wearing a grumpy expression.
"Kurenai? Why are you...?"
Pushing open the door, Sousuke, dressed in loose casual clothes, seemed to freeze when he saw her, wearing a bewildered expression.
"Sousuke! You didn't forget, did you!"
Kurenai Yuhi put one hand on her hip, feigning anger: "We agreed to go to the Kurama clan today to treat that young lady!"
"Ah, sorry, sorry!"
Sousuke then seemed to just remember, covering his forehead and apologizing awkwardly: "Wait a moment, I'll get ready and be right out!"
"You better be quick!"
"Yes, yes!"
In a short while, the two, dressed in formal attire, left the house and walked towards the Kurama clan's compound.
Along the way, Kurenai Yuhi also explained the current situation to him.
Since ancient times, every few generations, the Kurama clan would awaken a member with a powerful genjutsu kekkei genkai talent.
In its peak period, they could even rival the strength of the Uchiha clan's strongest members with the power of this one individual.
In this generation, the one with this kekkei genkai was the eldest daughter of the Kurama clan.
Kurama Yakumo.
When the child was very young, her parents noticed her talent and hired the famous genjutsu ninja, Kurenai Yuhi, as a tutor, attempting to cultivate her into an outstanding ninja.
However, during the training process, Kurenai Yuhi keenly noticed that her body was very frail, and the kekkei genkai placed an extremely heavy burden on her body, making her unsuitable to become a ninja.
In recent years, the Kurama clan head had invited various experts for treatment to solve this problem, but there had been no signs of improvement.
Recently, the clan head and his wife had even begun to consider giving up.
"Lord Kumogumo, Lord Rin."
Upon arriving at the Kurama clan's compound, the Kurama clan head and his wife sat opposite Sousuke and Kurenai, with Kurenai, as the main host, introducing steadily:
"This is Aizen Sousuke-sensei, currently the head of the Third Section, who two years ago developed a unique kekkei hijutsu derived from Yin Release—Kagayaki Release."
"He has profound expertise in Yin Release research and is one of the few researchers in Konoha who directly explores the soul level."
In a formal setting, Kurenai Yuhi was clearly not as casual as she was in private.
Kurama Kumogumo and Kurama Rin, both jonin, looked at the young-looking Aizen Sousuke with some surprise.
Creating a new kekkei hijutsu was no small matter, even in the entire ninja world.
This was also the fundamental reason why Aizen was able to be promoted to jonin despite his seemingly weak strength.
According to rumors, this was supposed to be a genjutsu-type kekkei genkai that, by utilizing the Yin Release's nature of 'interfering with reality with spirit as the source,' created light and shadow out of thin air to disrupt an enemy's vision.
This achievement alone was enough to imagine his proficiency in the Yin Release domain.
The only thing they hadn't expected was that the creator was so young.
Perhaps, there really was hope?
Thinking of this, the Kurama couple immediately bowed in greeting:
"Aizen-kun is truly young and promising."
"I have also heard of the name Kagayaki Release."
"We humbly request Aizen-kun to do his best today; if you can eradicate our daughter's illness, the Kurama clan will be eternally grateful and never forget."
Aizen Sousuke still wore his gentle, refreshing smile, returning the bow steadily: "It's just a minor technique; I dare not accept such a grand gesture from Lord Kumogumo."
As he spoke, he turned to look at the timid young girl hiding behind her parents, smiling:
"This must be Miss Yakumo?"
"Yes."
Hearing the other party call out her name, Kurama Yakumo sat up straight, kneeling beside her parents, looking a little shy.
However, there was a hint of hope in her eyes as she looked at Aizen.
Becoming the powerful ninja her parents hoped for was the greatest dream in the young girl's heart.
Even with just a little hope, she was unwilling to give up.
Aizen Sousuke quietly looked at her.
Manipulating the five senses, illusions becoming reality.
Truly... a surprising power.