Uchiha Shinji had a knack for simplifying complex issues. In his understanding, Kimimaro's unexpected temporary Tenseigan state boiled down to a few key factors:
First, Kimimaro had pushed his 'Shikotsumyaku' chakra to its absolute limit, which was likely the root of his Bloodline Limit disease.
Second, he received a massive chakra surge in a short time.
Third, this chakra was delivered via the other half of the 'bio-exoskeleton,' which had near-zero rejection.
Fourth, the delivered chakra consisted of Byakugan chakra, complementary to Kimimaro's, and Tenseigan chakra, capable of elevating the fused chakra.
Though the fourth point seemed most critical, the first three were indispensable.
Without Kimimaro maximizing his 'Shikotsumyaku,' the 'bio-exoskeleton's' vast chakra reserves, and the seamless cooperation of the two halves mitigating rejection, even Neji's Byakugan and Tenseigan chakra couldn't have wrought that miracle!
Having clarified this, Shinji gave Kimimaro a deep look.
As he had sensed, the ninja world's prime candidate for awakening the Tenseigan wasn't the Byakugan-wielding Hyuga clan but Kimimaro, a peerless genius of the Kaguya clan, also bearing Hamura Otsutsuki's blood!
Hinata, Hanabi, and Neji of the Hyuga clan paled in comparison.
Only after Shinji finished his questions did Kimimaro ask, "My lord, what happened to my eyes earlier?"
Shinji shook his head, offering no answer.
Neji, who had visited the moon and seen the giant Tenseigan, knew Kimimaro had briefly achieved the Tenseigan state. But seeing Shinji's silence, he held back.
As someone entrusted by ancestor Hamura Otsutsuki to save the ninja world, Neji's feelings were complex, seeing his hard-fought goal so easily attained by Kimimaro.
Kimimaro, sensing the mood, didn't press further.
Soon, Karin and Ido completed their reconnaissance, reporting to Shinji.
With Karin's enhanced strength, her 'Kagura Mind's Eye' range had expanded, detecting tails behind them. Ido, scouting from the air, confirmed they were Hidden Leaf Anbu.
"Seems the Third hasn't made up his mind…"
Shinji sighed in relief, then led the team to continue their retreat without delay.
He tasked Ido with disrupting the Anbu's pursuit, allowing her to return to Yakumo's body at the right moment, as her spiritual form couldn't stray far from her host.
With Ido covering their rear, Shinji's team swiftly evaded the Anbu, safely distancing themselves from the battlefield and reaching a secluded valley before nightfall.
Spreading out a map, Shinji instructed, "From now on, we split up and withdraw!"
He assigned routes: Karin, the strongest, would head north, detouring through the Land of Waterfalls. Haku and Sasuke would cross the Land of Grass-Fire border directly. Kimimaro and Neji would go south, looping through the Land of Rain.
He deliberately omitted destinations to protect identities.
Karin and Haku's identities remained unexposed, known only to Shinji.
Ido's identity was known only to Karin.
Sasuke had inadvertently revealed his, and while many likely suspected, Shinji wasn't sure how many had confirmed it.
Kimimaro and Neji likely knew each other's identities.
For now, Shinji didn't want his subordinates fully aware of each other's identities.
A single leak could unravel his carefully built organization in an instant—a risk he couldn't afford before completing his 'Rinnegan Plan' and 'Tenseigan Plan.'
After sending everyone off, Shinji spent the night alone in the valley, then reverted to his true appearance and returned to the battlefield.
As a member of the reconnaissance unit, he needed to be near the battlefield to avoid suspicion.
He also needed the latest intelligence to confirm what had transpired since his retreat.
Half a day later, Shinji reached the battlefield.
"Shinji!?" Yakumo rushed to him. "Where've you been? I looked for you all day!"
Shinji smiled. "The battlefield was too dangerous—I had to stay clear! Didn't my shadow clone meet you yesterday?"
Yakumo nodded eagerly. "Thanks to your intel, we knew Akatsuki and the 'Upper Ranks' were clashing here!"
"What was the outcome?"
Shinji feigned curiosity.
Yakumo sighed, recounting yesterday's battle and today's developments.
As Shinji expected, the Third hadn't attacked during his retreat, preventing further escalation.
The Anbu sent to track them returned empty-handed—neither Shinji's group nor Nagato's were easily tailed by ordinary Anbu.
As for the ghosts.
When Nagato destroyed the 'Infinite Castle,' the sunlight-fearing ghosts fled underground, scattering to hide.
By the time the five great villages' forces regrouped, only battlefield cleanup remained.
Yakumo concluded, "With the 'Upper Ranks' defeated, the conflict in the Land of Grass has largely subsided. Even the monster 'Go' from the 'Box of Paradise' mysteriously vanished yesterday."
Shinji asked, "Was the 'Box of Paradise' found?"
Yakumo shook her head. "I don't know."
After chatting, Shinji followed Yakumo to the ninja army's camp.
In the medical area, he saw Tsunade treating the Fourth Kazekage.
Relieved to see Shinji unharmed, Tsunade said, "Uchiha Shinji, your performance was outstanding. I'll recommend you for commendation in the village!"
"Thank you, Lady Tsunade!"
Shinji bowed politely.
He cared little for accolades. His focus was on completing his 'Rinnegan Plan' and 'Tenseigan Plan,' then traveling to the Demon Slayer world to eliminate the mysterious person and uncover their true motives for invading the ninja world.