Tamura Hao did what he had planned. After organizing Karura's work and overseeing her new prosthetics shop, he shared his idea with Fukai and then went to meet the Third Raikage.
"Teacher!"
"Call me by my title in the village!"
The Third Raikage's eyebrows twitched imperiously. This disciple is talented, but your identity is too convoluted—stay humble, or you'll bring me scandal. The stern warning was meant to preserve his modest reputation.
Tamura Hao froze, instinctively wishing to say, "But I want to improve so much!"
"After all the years, why pursue it again?"
The Raikage frowned as he reviewed Fukai's application. Information from Konoha shinobi and the Monkey King revealed a weapon of Uchiha supremacy—but so much time has passed. Few remnants remain…
Tamura Hao spoke seriously: "I studied memories from captured Sarutobi and Uzumaki ninjas. The final battle of that legendary duel is curiously missing—no victor was recorded. Both sides may have perished. The Sharingan eyes vanished from Uchiha records and neither Senju nor Sarutobi ever noted their fate. I suspect they were sealed—but the chakra and ocular power remain. That Mangekyō's strength far exceeds a base Sharingan, and I intend to recover it."
The Raikage shook his head: "No. That place is deep within the Fire Country during a war—too risky."
"Teacher!" Tamura Hao's eyes glinted. His pupils revealed three magatama swirling faintly. I understand. I've fused with Samehada and the Little Ten-Tails. I'm like a Jinchūriki with ocular power—bestowed with enhanced vision and borrowing chakra from the Ten-Tails. With my Diamond Seal and partial Juubi integration, I can handle a prolonged engagement. I can survive."
"Sharingan...?" The Raikage and Tutai exchanged stunned looks. They had sent those Sharingan vials to Hao to test if he'd innovate—and clearly, he had.
"I gave them to Samehada to devour. Then I absorbed them with the Ten‑Tails. Now I've gained their power."
The Raikage closed his eyes:"Samehada as a Jinchūriki? That sword is a living entity from the Mist—yes, information says it was once bound to the Three-Tails. It absorbs chakra from the Three‑Tails and redistributes it. To some degree, it behaves like a tailed beast." Tutai nodded, understanding the concept. Theoretical viability: sound.
"But it's still your speculation. Go risk your life over it? No."
"I'm not going to fight," Hao countered. We'll use Samehada's devouring ability to absorb any unused ocular power without trace. We'll bring Uzumaki Tamaya—her Kagura Mind's Eye has 30 km range—to detect sensory ninjas. Even if attacked, we leave immediately. Besides, most of Konoha's elite are on the frontlines, so this sector is thinly defended."
Tutai confirmed: "Tamaya is ideal. Few Konoha sensory ninjas reach that range, especially here."
The Third Raikage thought for a moment, then nodded: "Fukai, assign three ANBU to escort him to the Jinlu River. Keep him safe."
"Yes, Raikage-sama!"
Tamura Hao bowed, elated at the opportunity to strike for the Four‑Eye Mangekyō.
"And call me by my title!" the Raikage reminded stiffly.
"Yes, Raikage-sama!" Hao nodded as he hid a sly smile.
---
That evening, Hao and his escorts quietly boarded a ship. They sailed south to Whirlpool Country, then slipped into the Land of Fire from the south—skirting heavily guarded eastern, northern, and western borders. Despite Tamaya's perception, stealth trumps detection. Sea travel left fewer traces, and the team could remain in peak condition upon arrival.
Of course, Hao continued his training at sea, focusing on mastering Thunder Flash Technique—a D-rank lightning ninjutsu crucial for his nature transformation development.