Reaching this level of power is far from easy. Numerous complex obstacles stand in Uchiha Kai's way—many of which are difficult to resolve.
For example, Uchiha Kai wants to prepare "materials" like Uchiha Obito did to awaken the Mangekyō Sharingan. But even after obtaining the necessary eyes, operating and maintaining them presents its own set of challenges.
He also needs someone capable of monitoring his body's physical responses—chakra levels, visual acuity, neurological feedback—but that kind of medical or scientific support isn't easy to come by in Konoha, especially for something as taboo as Mangekyō evolution.
Still, Kai refuses to give up. He has come this far by relying on sheer tenacity and the instinct to survive, and as a result, he's achieved his dream—the Mangekyō Sharingan.
But this is only a partial victory. Considering the terrifying figures that will emerge in the future—like Nagato, Obito, and eventually Uchiha Madara—if Kai remains stagnant, death is certain.
"I already have an idea for the 'material.' With luck, I can get it. But what do I do after that?"
Kai frowned, rubbing his temples. Looking at the Uchiha compound in the distance, he sighed and muttered,
"Forget it. If it's really impossible, I'll just intercept Orochimaru during his defection… or maybe raid one of his hidden labs?"
Facing Orochimaru is no small matter. At this point in time, Orochimaru is not the weakened version that Itachi once subdued with a single Tsukuyomi. He's already begun research into the Curse Seal and possibly the fundamentals of senjutsu.
Even if Kai could defeat him in combat, killing him might be impossible—Orochimaru's regenerative abilities and backups make him a nightmare to finish off. So perhaps raiding one of his abandoned hideouts could yield valuable resources.
"Maybe... catch him when he's injured?"
Kai's brow furrowed again.
"The only complication is the Third Hokage."
Kai remembered that Hiruzen Sarutobi had been present during Orochimaru's defection. He hesitated back then and let Orochimaru escape, sending Anbu after him instead.
Sighing, Kai realized he'd have to take things step by step. No sense charging into a fight without a plan.
His thoughts returned to the Mangekyō. While he had a grasp of its power, the Eternal Mangekyō Sharingan (EMS) was on another level. Based on Uchiha Madara's notes—and Kai's own deductions—he theorized that there were two primary types of Mangekyō:
Eyes that enhance physical coordination and perception.
Eyes that enhance chakra reserves and ocular power.
Kai believed that when two different types of Mangekyō were fused, the resulting Eternal Eyes would benefit from both attributes. This theory was supported by the case of Sasuke and Itachi.
Although Itachi's Mangekyō abilities like Tsukuyomi and Amaterasu were powerful, they seemed oriented toward perception and precision. Sasuke's, with his use of Kagutsuchi and later Susanoo, appeared to boost chakra-based power.
Though Madara once commented that Sasuke's eyes were agile, by then, Sasuke had already transplanted Itachi's eyes and awakened the EMS.
"So if I want to create Eternal Eyes," Kai mused, "I need someone whose Mangekyō leans toward chakra amplification. Shisui? Itachi?"
After a moment's thought, he dismissed both.
Itachi's Mangekyō leaned toward perception—same as his. Shisui's Kotoamatsukami, while powerful, was a genjutsu ability suggesting his Mangekyō was also in the perception category.
"Useless to me," Kai muttered. "I need the opposite type."
That left only one viable candidate: Uchiha Fugaku, head of the clan.
Kai didn't even want to consider fighting him. Fugaku was a seasoned shinobi, possibly already in possession of a Mangekyō Sharingan, as hinted in the manga when he tells Itachi he too awakened it during the Third Shinobi War.
Could Kai take him down? Maybe, if he struck at the perfect moment, launching a surprise Kamui-level technique or Tsukuyomi-tier genjutsu. But even if he succeeded…
The consequences would be catastrophic. Kai would have to flee the Uchiha clan and likely be branded a rogue ninja. Root might take him in—but at the cost of his freedom and soul.
"Not worth it," he muttered, shaking his head.
And even if Fugaku had the right kind of eyes… what then? Could Kai simply transplant them and expect results?
No—he would need to perform tests, experiments. He would need a controlled environment and safeguards in case of failure. But he didn't have that.
"I can't just shove someone else's eyes into my sockets like a madman," Kai scowled. "One mistake, and I go blind."
He sighed.
"If only I had a pair of brothers with potential... capture them, force one to awaken the Mangekyō through trauma, and then kill him. Keep the other alive, unconscious, as a 'host' to nurture the Eternal Eyes…"
But where could he find brothers like that? And even if he did, where would he get the medical equipment to preserve the body and suppress consciousness? How would he sustain their body as a vessel?
And more importantly—where would he get the money?
Rubbing his eyebrows in frustration, Kai's thoughts were interrupted when someone blocked his path.
"Yu Uchiha?" Kai tilted his head. "Why are you standing in my way?"
"I need to speak with you," Yu sneered. "Don't flatter yourself—I wouldn't waste my breath otherwise."
Kai's eyes narrowed.
"If you're here to pressure me to take a side in the clan's politics, you can shut up right now."
Yu's expression turned dangerous.
"Watch your mouth, brat. If we weren't in the middle of the Uchiha compound, I'd shut it for you."
But Kai's gaze was just as sharp.
Maybe… this guy could be a useful experiment?