Four months after the hunter-nin encounter, Sasuke's eyes began their final transformation.
He'd isolated himself in a sealed chamber—Team Taka standing guard outside, under strict orders not to disturb him unless the base was under direct attack.
Inside, Sasuke sat in meditation, his chakra network in flux.
The Eternal Mangekyo pattern flickered constantly now. Ripples spreading across the red iris, fading, returning stronger each time. His entire ocular structure was reorganizing itself at the genetic level.
Pain flowed through his eyes like liquid fire. Not the degradation that came with normal Mangekyo use—this was evolutionary agony. His body was rewriting itself, ascending to the next stage.
Uchiha plus Senju, he thought through the pain. Indra plus Asura. The cycle completing. Just like Madara. Just like Hagoromo.
His Hashirama cells worked overtime, providing the chakra and regeneration needed to survive the transformation. Without them, this process would kill him. With them, he was merely suffering.
Hours passed. Then days.
His vision shifted between states—normal black eyes, three-tomoe Sharingan, Eternal Mangekyo, and brief flashes of something else. Something more.
Purple. Ripples. Divine sight.
Almost there, Sasuke gritted his teeth. Just a little more...
Day three of the transformation.
Sasuke's eyes snapped open.
Purple. Complete. Stable.
Rinnegan.
Six tomoe arranged in ripples across both eyes, the iconic pattern of the Sage of Six Paths himself.
But different. His Rinnegan showed traces of all his absorbed dojutsu—faint hints of the fifty-five Sharingan patterns underlying the ripples. The lavender-blue tint of his eleven Byakugan bleeding through the purple. His draconic pupils from the Dragon Vein visible in the center.
This wasn't standard Rinnegan. This was something unprecedented.
Hybrid Rinnegan, Sasuke named it mentally. All my collected power merged with Six Paths evolution.
He stood carefully, testing his body. The transformation had enhanced everything—his chakra reserves felt infinite now, dwarfing even what the Dragon Vein had provided. His physical strength had increased beyond measure. His senses had expanded to encompass everything.
But most importantly—the abilities.
Sasuke activated the Deva Path. Gravity manipulation flooded his awareness. He could feel every object's mass, every force acting on it. With a thought, he lifted every item in the chamber simultaneously, suspending them in mid-air.
Perfect control. No learning curve. The knowledge just... exists in my mind.
He tested the other paths mentally:
Asura Path—mechanized weaponry and body modification.
Human Path—soul extraction and mind reading.
Animal Path—summoning without contracts.
Preta Path—chakra absorption.
Naraka Path—restoration and interrogation.
Outer Path—life and death manipulation, connection to the Gedo Statue.
All of it available. All of it instinctive.
"And I still have my original abilities," Sasuke murmured, switching his Rinnegan back to Eternal Mangekyo momentarily. The transformation was voluntary—he could shift between forms at will.
Eternal Mangekyo blazed. Then back to Rinnegan. Then combining both—Rinnegan with Mangekyo patterns visible within the ripples.
Unprecedented. No one in history has been able to switch between Sharingan evolution stages freely. But my Takama-ga-hara lets me maintain multiple dojutsu states simultaneously.
He activated his Byakugan alongside the Rinnegan. Purple eyes with lavender-blue tint and 360-degree vision.
"Three supreme dojutsu active at once," he said aloud, marveling at his own capabilities. "Rinnegan for Six Paths techniques. Byakugan for sensory perfection. Sharingan patterns for genjutsu and absorption."
A knock on the chamber door interrupted his testing.
"Sasuke?" Karin's voice, concerned. "You've been in there for three days. Are you—"
He opened the door.
Karin's words died in her throat.
Sasuke's eyes were pure Rinnegan—purple with six tomoe ripples, draconic pupils gleaming in the center. The sheer pressure radiating from him made the air feel heavy.
"The transformation is complete," he announced. "I've awakened Rinnegan."
"That's... that's impossible." Karin backed up instinctively. "Only the Sage of Six Paths and his descendants—Rinnegan takes decades to awaken even with perfect genetics—"
"Decades if you're starting from nothing. I had Eternal Mangekyo Sharingan, fully integrated Hashirama cells, and fifty-five absorbed Sharingan accelerating the evolution." Sasuke's voice was calm but carried weight that made her flinch. "What should have taken decades took months. Efficient."
Suigetsu and Jugo appeared behind Karin, drawn by the commotion.
"Holy shit," Suigetsu breathed. "Your eyes are purple. You actually did it. You actually awakened god-tier eyes."
"Not just awakened. Mastered." Sasuke demonstrated by switching between forms—Rinnegan, Eternal Mangekyo, Rinnegan with Byakugan overlay. "I can access all my previous abilities plus all Rinnegan paths. I've essentially become what the Sage of Six Paths was. Possibly more."
"More?" Jugo's voice was quiet. "How could you be more than the Sage—"
"Because the Sage didn't have fifty-five Sharingan and eleven Byakugan absorbed into his eyes. He didn't have Dragon Sage Mode. He didn't consume an entire planetary natural energy source." Sasuke's smile was cold. "I've taken the Sage's template and improved on it. Evolution beyond the original."
He walked past them into the main area. His team followed, clearly shaken by the transformation.
"Sasuke-kun," Karin said carefully, "what are you going to do now? With Rinnegan, you're... you're beyond anything in the Five Nations. Beyond most of Akatsuki. You could—"
"I could do many things," Sasuke interrupted. "Destroy villages. Control tailed beasts effortlessly. Reshape reality with the Outer Path. But I'm not interested in random destruction."
"Then what?" Suigetsu asked.
"Tenseigan." Simple answer. "The next step in my collection. The Otsutsuki clan's ultimate dojutsu. Byakugan's evolution, equivalent to Rinnegan for Sharingan."
"How do you even know about Tenseigan?" Jugo asked. "That's not in any records I've ever—"
"Ancient Uchiha texts. References to the Otsutsuki clan and their power." Lies built on future knowledge. "Tenseigan requires pure Byakugan in massive quantities. I have eleven absorbed already. I need more. Many more."
"You're going to hunt the entire Hyuga clan," Karin whispered.
"Eventually. But not yet." Sasuke's Rinnegan blazed. "First, I test my new capabilities. Understand their limits. Master the Six Paths techniques. Then I move on the Hyuga."
"The Hyuga are in Konoha. One of the major clans. They're protected—"
"By what? Jonin? ANBU? The Hokage?" Sasuke's laugh was cold. "I have Rinnegan. I can control gravity, absorb any chakra-based technique, extract souls with a touch, summon massive creatures without contracts. What exactly is Konoha going to do to stop me?"
Silence.
Because they all knew the answer: nothing.
Sasuke with Eternal Mangekyo had been Kage-level. Sasuke with Rinnegan was beyond Kage-level. He'd entered territory where only legendary figures operated—the Sage of Six Paths, Madara at his peak, the Otsutsuki themselves.
"When?" Suigetsu finally asked. "When do you move on Konoha?"
"Not immediately. I need to consolidate my power. Master these new abilities. And..." Sasuke paused. "I need to deal with Akatsuki."
"Deal with?" Karin looked worried.
"Pain has Rinnegan too. His are implanted—not his original eyes. But they're real Rinnegan, which means they're valuable." Sasuke's expression was calculating. "I could take them. Absorb them into my collection. Gain whatever unique properties his eyes possess."
"You'd betray Akatsuki?" Jugo asked.
"I was always going to betray them. They were temporary allies, nothing more." Sasuke's tone was matter-of-fact. "The question is timing. Do I eliminate Pain now and take his eyes? Or wait until he's more useful?"
"If you attack Pain, the entire organization will turn on you," Karin pointed out.
"Let them." Sasuke's Rinnegan glowed with confidence. "I could fight all of Akatsuki simultaneously and win. Kisame is strong but predictable. Deidara's explosions can be absorbed. Kakuzu's hearts can be destroyed faster than he regenerates. Hidan's immortality is meaningless if I seal him. Zetsu is a spy, not a fighter. The only real threat was Pain, and now I have the same eyes he does."
"You've thought this through," Jugo said slowly.
"I think everything through. That's why I'm still alive." Sasuke moved toward the exit. "But I'll wait. Pain is useful for now. He's collecting tailed beasts, which I want to study. He's antagonizing the Five Nations, which distracts them from me. When he's no longer useful, I'll take his eyes and move on."
"And then?" Karin's voice shook. "After Pain? After the Hyuga? After Tenseigan? When does this end?"
Sasuke looked back at her, his purple Rinnegan eyes utterly inhuman.
"It doesn't end. Collection never ends. There's always more power to gather. More eyes to take. More evolution to achieve." His voice was empty of emotion. "I've told you before—I'm building toward godhood. Rinnegan is a milestone, not a destination. Tenseigan is the next milestone. Then comes the fusion of both. Then comes surpassing even the Otsutsuki themselves."
"You're insane," Suigetsu said flatly.
"I'm ambitious. There's a difference." Sasuke turned away. "Rest. Recover. In one week, we leave for a new hunt. There are more Byakugan users to collect. And now that I have Rinnegan, extracting their eyes will be even easier."
He walked away, leaving his team in stunned silence.
Later that evening—Akatsuki Meeting.
Pain summoned all members for an emergency gathering.
When Sasuke entered the chamber, every eye turned to him. Then widened in shock.
"Your eyes..." Konan breathed. "That's—"
"Rinnegan. Yes." Sasuke didn't hide it. No point. "The natural evolution of Eternal Mangekyo combined with Senju genetics. It awakened four days ago."
Pain's own Rinnegan blazed as he studied Sasuke's eyes. "That shouldn't be possible. Rinnegan awakening takes decades, even for those with perfect bloodlines—"
"Apparently not when you have the genetic advantages I possess." Sasuke met Pain's gaze directly. Two sets of Rinnegan, facing each other. "Surprised?"
"Concerned," Pain corrected. "You already possessed power rivaling most Akatsuki members. Now you have Six Paths abilities. You've become..." He paused. "You've become what I am. Possibly more."
"Definitely more," Sasuke said without arrogance, just stating fact. "Your Rinnegan are implanted. Mine are natural evolution. Your body is degrading from the strain. Mine has adapted perfectly. We're not equivalent, Pain."
Tension filled the chamber. Every Akatsuki member could feel it—the shift in power dynamics. Sasuke was no longer just a strong member. He was potentially stronger than their leader.
"Are you challenging me?" Pain's voice was dangerous.
"No. Not yet." Sasuke's smile was cold. "You're still useful. You have knowledge I want. Resources I need. The Gedo Statue I wish to study. Challenging you now would be inefficient."
"'Not yet,'" Pain repeated. "You're planning to eventually—"
"Of course. When you're no longer useful, I'll take your Rinnegan and absorb them into my collection. Just like I took Itachi's Mangekyo. Just like I took Shisui's abilities from Danzo's arm. Just like I've taken every other dojutsu I've encountered." Sasuke's tone was completely casual, like discussing the weather. "But that day isn't today. So relax."
The chamber was dead silent.
"You just admitted you plan to kill me and steal my eyes," Pain said slowly.
"I admitted I'm honest about my intentions. Most people would lie, play loyal, wait for the perfect moment to betray you. I'm telling you directly: you're a future target. Consider it professional courtesy." Sasuke's Rinnegan glowed. "You can try to kill me first. But we both know how that would end."
"Do we?"
"Yes. Because I awakened Rinnegan naturally, which means I have talents you don't. I have Dragon Sage Mode enhancing my physical capabilities beyond yours. I have Flying Thunder God for instant escape if needed. I have fifty-five Sharingan and eleven Byakugan merged with my Rinnegan, giving me abilities your eyes don't possess." Sasuke listed advantages like items on a grocery list. "You might damage me. You won't kill me. And trying would cost you your most powerful member."
Pain stared at him for a long moment.
Then, incredibly, he laughed.
"You're the most dangerous kind of ally. The kind that admits they'll eventually betray you."
"But the kind that won't betray you until it's logical to do so." Sasuke shrugged. "As long as Akatsuki serves my purposes, I'm loyal. The moment that changes, I'm gone. It's transactional. Honest. Clean."
"And you think I'll just accept this?" Pain asked.
"I think you're intelligent enough to recognize reality. You can't stop me from leaving if I want to. You can't force me to stay loyal through threats. So you'll accept my conditional partnership because the alternative—losing me or fighting me—is worse." Sasuke's voice was utterly confident. "Am I wrong?"
Pain was silent.
Then: "No. You're not wrong."
"Good." Sasuke relaxed slightly. "Then we understand each other. I'm here until I'm not. Use me while you can. And when the time comes for separation, we'll handle it... professionally."
"Meaning you'll try to kill me and take my eyes."
"Meaning I'll try. Whether I succeed depends on variables I can't predict yet. Maybe you'll surprise me. Maybe I'll surprise you. Either way, it'll be interesting." Sasuke's smile was predatory. "But that's future concern. Present concern: the Five Nations' alliance. What's our response?"
Pain studied him a moment longer, then shifted topics. "We accelerate tailed beast collection. Hit the Five Nations before they can organize fully. Capture the remaining bijuu and complete the plan before they mobilize completely."
"Which bijuu are left?" Sasuke asked.
"Two-Tails, Four-Tails, Five-Tails, Six-Tails, Seven-Tails, Eight-Tails, and Nine-Tails." Pain's Rinnegan blazed. "Seven targets. We need to move quickly."
"I want the Nine-Tails," Sasuke said immediately.
Everyone turned to stare at him.
"Why?" Konan asked.
"Because it's the strongest. Because its jinchuriki is someone I knew. Because I want to test my Rinnegan against the most powerful tailed beast." Sasuke's reasons were half-truth. He actually wanted to see Naruto, evaluate his growth, and potentially control the Nine-Tails for his own purposes. "Assign me to the Nine-Tails capture."
"The Nine-Tails jinchuriki is in Konoha," Pain pointed out. "Heavily protected. Extracting him would require—"
"Would require someone with Rinnegan who can control tailed beasts, Byakugan to see through all defenses, Flying Thunder God to infiltrate and escape, and combat power to fight anyone who interferes." Sasuke's smile widened. "Someone exactly like me. I'm the perfect candidate for that mission."
Pain considered. "You just want to return to your home village."
"I want to show them what I've become. Yes." Sasuke didn't hide it. "Konoha knew me as a genin who abandoned them. I want them to see the god I've evolved into. Is that so wrong?"
"It's vain," Konan said.
"It's efficient. I'll extract the Nine-Tails, traumatize Konoha in the process, and gather any remaining Sharingan or Byakugan users in the village for my collection. Three objectives accomplished simultaneously." Sasuke's logic was airtight. "Unless you have better candidates for the mission?"
Pain looked around the chamber. None of the other members looked eager to assault Konoha directly.
"Fine," he finally said. "But not yet. We capture the easier targets first. Build our strength. The Nine-Tails is the final capture, when we're at maximum power."
"Acceptable." Sasuke nodded. "Then assign me to other captures in the meantime. I'll demonstrate my new capabilities."
"Two-Tails," Pain decided. "Hidden Cloud Village. The jinchuriki is Yugito Nii. Capture her and extract the beast."
"Consider it done." Sasuke turned to leave. "I'll depart in two days. Expect success."
He walked out, leaving Akatsuki in chaos.
Behind him, Pain exchanged glances with Konan.
"He's going to betray us," she whispered.
"I know," Pain replied quietly. "But he's right—we need him more than he needs us. For now."
"And when he doesn't need us anymore?"
"Then we'll face a monster we helped create." Pain's Rinnegan dimmed. "And hope we're strong enough to survive the encounter."
In the corridor, Sasuke smiled to himself.
Everything proceeding as planned, he thought. Rinnegan acquired. Akatsuki still useful. Next steps clear: collect remaining Byakugan, capture some tailed beasts, awaken Tenseigan, then eliminate Pain and absorb his Rinnegan.
The path to godhood continues.
Nothing can stop me now.
His purple eyes gleamed in the darkness—six tomoe ripples containing countless absorbed dojutsu, draconic pupils reflecting stolen power.
The Dojutsu Hunter had evolved again.
And the world had no idea what was coming.