Konoha: Starting by giving Hinata the Tenseigan!

"Battle Status!"

"Eight people participated in the battle. Five fainted, two became paralyzed and one went insane."

"Results!"

"The Giant of Light is completely unharmed. The transformation user, Choji Akimichi, only ceased fighting after his father called him home for lunch."

"Have we found anyone who can activate the eleven transformation devices we have in hand?"

"No!"

"What are the test results?"

"Thirty-three participants conducted round-the-clock testing for 24 hours. Not a single one was activated, and three of them went insane."

"Damn it!!!"

In an underground chamber, Danzo flew into a rage after listening to the Root member's report.

He swept his arms across the table, scattering documents everywhere.

"Report! Lord Danzo! The Hokage requests your presence for an urgent matter!"

"Tell him I won't see him!!!"

...

"Another member of Konoha's new generation has risen to show their power."

"Indeed."

"Several more from the clan's aggressive hawks have quieted down. They've shifted their stance to neutral."

"Good!"

"Is that Giant of Light really immune to Ninjutsu?"

"Probably not. It's just that those ninjas' attacks were too weak to break through his defenses."

"Then his defense should be incredibly strong. Would there be a way for us to break through it's defences if we were to face him?"

"There might be. I'm not sure without trying, and that's assuming I've mastered my new power. Itachi, the Sharingan can evolve beyond the three-tomoe stage."

"Really? Shisui, isn't the three-tomoe the limit? Its power is already quite strong."

"No, after the three-tomoe, a qualitative change can occur, called the Mangekyo. Its power is immense, even capable of manifesting a Susanoo that could rival that Giant of Light. Want to try it out?"

"Yes!"

Deep within a forest far from Konoha, Uchiha Itachi and Uchiha Shisui met once again for secret training.

Moments later, a translucent green, half of an armored giant materialized in the forest.

It was Shisui's Susanoo.

"Attack me with your strongest technique."

"Alright, be careful."

In the next instant, 360 shuriken shot out in all directions.

Following a chorus of crow cries and a fierce blaze of fire (a combined assault of Genjutsu and Fire Release), another swathe of the Konoha forest was leveled.

Yet, the green Susanoo remained completely unscathed.

"So strong! As expected of you… I can't find a single weakness. Could my eyes ever achieve such power?"

Itachi couldn't help but exclaim.

"...They can, but it requires a catalyst. Itachi, I truly hope you never awaken the Mangekyo."

Shisui stared at Itachi for a long moment before responding with a hint of sadness.

"Why? The more I grow, the more I feel my shortcomings. I've honed my shurikenjutsu and hand seals to perfection, yet my power is still far from enough to protect others."

"Alas, the price for such growth is too steep. Perhaps one day, you'll understand. Let's stop here, someone's coming. Next time, let's meet at the other usual spot."

"Okay!"

With that, Shisui vanished instantly.

Itachi donned a Tengu mask and disappeared as well.

He was eleven years old, having recently joined the Konoha ANBU.

Lately, the Hokage had been overwhelmed with various matters.

Who knew how much longer Konoha's peace would last.

Not that Konoha had ever been truly peaceful!

...

"Get out! I'm not seeing anyone! We haven't collected any transformation devices!"

"Danzo, don't play coy with me. I'm just asking you to loan just three. I presume you're also eager to learn how to activate these devices?"

"I won't lend them! Which of the things you've borrowed have you ever returned?"

"Ahem, let's not talk about that. Haven't I compensated you plenty?"

"Besides, don't bother yourself with activating the devices. I can communicate with the Akimichi Clan myself."

"Unfortunately, the Akimichi Clan has always been my staunch supporter. They're currently refusing visitors from outside the Hokage's office."

"Heh!"

"What are you laughing at? Put away your dirty tricks. The Akimichi Clan is under the protection of our ANBU."

"Give half a street's worth of businesses to my Shimura Clan, in exchange for three transformation devices."

"You're asking for too much! If my original thirty-plus devices hadn't been destroyed, would I need your help? I'll just send people to collect more myself."

"Hahaha, so you don't have any transformation devices anymore. As for whether you can collect more, you know the situation better thean me. There weren't many scattered devices to begin with. One street's worth of businesses! Take it or leave it. Either we make the trade or get out, I need to rest."

"You're raising the price now, you bastard…"

"Sarutobi, as old friends, don't think I don't know what you're planning. Others might care about the individual Giant of Light each device summons, but you're thinking about cracking the technology and mass-producing them! If you succeed, heh…"

"Sigh… Fine! One street it is. But you have to show me all the transformation devices you have. We can research them together and share the results."

In the dark room, the two old men negotiated late into the night…