Deep within Asgard's grand library, Kurogai immersed himself in the ancient tomes and scrolls of magic. Days blurred into weeks as he devoured knowledge, ignoring events beyond these walls.
Even Earth, with all its turbulence, felt distant. He knew that for now it was safe. Even if Thanos had begun his search for the Infinity Stones, it would take time to track down their whereabouts. That window of time belonged to Kurogai—time he intended to use to grow stronger.
At last, after countless hours of study, he set down a glowing manuscript. A message echoed in his mind, one he had been waiting for:
"The second pupil ring is fully saturated. Do you wish to advance?"
Kurogai's lips curved into a rare smile. "Finally… I've waited long enough."
The exhaustion of relentless study fell away, replaced by a thrill he hadn't felt in years. The second pupil ring had reached the threshold of perfection.
"Once perfected, its power will be unrestricted. That's the beauty of completion," he murmured. "And more importantly, every perfected ring means the Ultimate Pupil itself moves closer to true completion. One-twelfth, one step closer to absolute power."
He knew this truth well. When the fourth pupil ring had achieved perfection, its ability had evolved into something devastating. The once-limited Byakugan transformed into the Tenseigan, capable of feats like slicing through a planetary mass. Perfection erased boundaries, allowing the pupil's full potential to manifest without restraint.
If even a single perfected ring could unleash such terrifying might, what would happen when all twelve reached completion? The thought alone burned like fire in his chest.
Kurogai closed his eyes and gave the command. "Ultimate Pupil… elevate them all."
The response was immediate. A surge of warmth coursed from the depths of his being, traveling along the optic nerves to his eyes. His body shuddered.
When he opened his gaze again, his irises glowed a brilliant crimson. A bird-shaped sigil shimmered within, alive with otherworldly energy.
Kurogai exhaled slowly. "The Future Eye…"
He knew this ability. Among the five legendary Mystic Eyes, the Future Eye was revered and feared. It allowed glimpses beyond the present, showing flashes of what was yet to come.
But it came with flaws. The visions appeared without command, uncertain and unpredictable. In other wielders, the strain could stunt physical growth, dye hair and eyes violet, or erode the body over time.
For Kurogai, however, these weaknesses meant nothing. His perfected body and the vast energy of the Ultimate Pupil negated such costs.
He did not hesitate. The transformation continued, pulling deeper. Another current of energy rose, flooding through his meridians and seeping into every fiber of his being.
This change was different from the raw empowerment of the Cosmic Storm or the surge from the Power Stone. This was subtler, internal, reshaping him from within. His flesh, his essence, even his spirit began to ascend.
The totem of the Ultimate Pupil manifested faintly upon his forehead, its presence ancient and overwhelming. Time itself seemed to bow before it, radiating an aura of endless ages.
Around the totem, twelve rings circled like constellations. Most remained dim, yet two now gleamed. The fourth ring burned steadily, its glow like an eternal flame. The second, once lifeless, flared to life as intricate patterns lit across its surface, igniting like a divine spark.
The Ultimate Pupil had advanced. Two rings perfected—one-sixth of its full glory awakened.
Kurogai's eyes snapped open, glowing with newfound brilliance. Power surged in him like a tide, and he whispered, almost reverently:
"This is just the beginning."