Mangekyo Sharingan Ability

A full moon hung overhead, and a faint night breeze stirred the flags and torches atop the high walls.

Several armored ninja, standard-issue tachi at their waists, were scattered throughout the Heno River granary. Judging by the clan crests on their backs, they were clearly members of the Uzumaki Clan.

On the outermost wall stood a tall figure clad head to toe in armor. He appeared to be in his thirties, broad-shouldered and broad-backed, wearing red armor and possessing eyes as sharp as a hawk's. He had the bearing of a great general.

His name was Ise Uzumaki, son of Uzumaki Ashina, the current head of the Uzumaki Clan. His biological younger sister, Uzumaki Mito, had married Senju Hashirama, making him Hashirama's brother-in-law.

A personal guard slowly approached Ise and said softly, "Lord Ise, it's very late. Why don't you go back and rest first?"

Ise gave a slight wave of his hand. "This is no time to rest. A great battle is imminent, and this is when we must be most vigilant. Besides, this is our most important rear supply depot. Nothing can happen here."

The guard understood that, but he could not help saying, "But my lord, we're deep in Senju Clan territory. Who would take such a huge risk to attack us?"

Ise shook his head, his expression grave. "The odds may be low, but they aren't zero. If something truly happens, neither of us can bear the responsibility. It's always better to be cautious. You go back first. I'll stand watch tonight."

The guard laughed when he heard that. "My lord, don't you know me? If that's the case, I'll stay with you. Let me do my part too."

"Hmph, you..." Ise smiled slightly, just about to say something when his brows suddenly furrowed. He immediately gripped the sword at his waist, staring fixedly into the boundless darkness beyond the wall. "Someone's coming!"

Tap, tap, tap...

Footsteps rang out from the night, drawing nearer at an unhurried pace. They were not particularly heavy, yet they clearly reached the ears of every ninja atop the wall, like massive hammers pounding against their chests.

The ninja on night watch quickly assembled, taking up defensive positions as if facing a great enemy!

Tap, tap...

Soon, a figure emerged from the darkness. He was tall and straight, dressed in black night attire, with a sword hanging at his side.

"Who is that?" Ise narrowed his eyes. Visibility was too poor at night to make out the newcomer's face, but the aura he gave off made it clear that he was no nobody.

The guard said uncertainly, "He looks like... someone from the Uchiha Clan?"

"Uchiha?" Ise considered it. "Someone with that kind of presence should be Uchiha Izuna, but why would he dare come here alone? Everyone, stay alert! The enemy likely has an ambush force!"

Just as everyone stood ready for battle, the newcomer suddenly stopped about a mile beyond the wall and began forming hand seals!

Fire Release: Great Dragon Flame Technique!

Boom—

A muffled thunderclap erupted beyond the silent wall. The pitch-black night was instantly illuminated by orange flames soaring into the sky, turning night into day!

A gigantic dragon of flame roared forward with overwhelming force. The heat it carried even distorted the surrounding air. From the front, it looked like a meteor falling from the heavens!

Rumble—

The fire dragon slammed into the barrier above the wall with a deafening crash. Flames spread, and firelight surged toward the sky. In an instant, the barrier was forcibly blasted open, and the remaining flames fell upon the wall, immediately throwing the defenders into chaos!

"Don't panic! Everyone, hold your positions!"

Ise roared, then stomped hard against the ground and shot into the air. His Uzumaki Clan's signature red hair flew wildly behind him, making him look like a crimson demon of the night as he landed directly before the intruder!

Whoosh—

Ise landed with both feet, kicking up a cloud of dust. Only when he lifted his head slightly did he clearly see the newcomer's face. A flicker of confusion crossed his eyes. "Who are you?"

"Uchiha Yan Hong," Yan Hong answered truthfully. There was no point in concealing it, nor was there any need.

"Uchiha Yan Hong? Uchiha Madara's third younger brother?"

Ise's brows drew together tightly. Everyone knew that Madara had two younger brothers. Izuna was active on every major battlefield, his strength comparable to Tobirama Senju, the Senju Clan's second-in-command.

But although people had heard of Uchiha Yan Hong, the other brother had never appeared on the front lines. Thus, rumors claimed that Madara's third younger brother was weak and far inferior to his two brothers, only fit for logistical work.

Yet now, looking at Yan Hong's soaring presence, Ise wanted to rush over and question those people. You called this weak?

"So it is Lord Uchiha Yan Hong. I have long heard of your name. I never expected the Uchiha Clan to be hiding such a great dragon as you. But to launch a surprise attack on Heno River alone, aren't you being a little too overconfident?"

"Whether I'm overconfident or not, why don't you try me and find out?"

Yan Hong wasted no more words and formed the Horse hand seal!

Fire Release: Majestic Destroyer Flame!

Boom—

A sea of fire surged toward the heavens, burning away everything in its path. Flames rose into towering waves, becoming a wall of blazing fire that covered the sky and blotted out the sun as it charged toward Ise with world-destroying force!

Ise did not panic in the slightest. As the young clan head of the Uzumaki Clan, his strength naturally ranked among the best in the Shinobi World. After forming hand seals, he pressed one palm before him!

Sealing Jutsu: Flame Sealing!

Whoosh—

Obscure runes appeared before the wall of fire like a spiderweb. The vast sea of flames seemed to collide with a swamp, gradually breaking apart and dissolving until it vanished completely, becoming no more than a wisp of breeze!

"Good!"

Seeing their young clan head display such might, the Uzumaki Clan members behind him could not help cheering loudly. The tension in their hearts eased somewhat.

Yan Hong was also taken aback by the technique. He could not help sighing, "The Uzumaki Clan truly deserves its reputation as a first-rate clan. Your Sealing Jutsu is indeed unmatched under heaven."

Ise smiled confidently. "Heh, our clan's Sealing Jutsu can seal away all ninjutsu in the world. So, sir, you should surrender without resistance. If you do not resist, I guarantee I won't kill you."

"Heh heh." Yan Hong laughed scornfully. He did not deny Ise's words. On the battlefield, living people were far more valuable than corpses. But asking him to surrender without resistance? Heh...

Delays bred complications, so Yan Hong said no more. The chakra throughout his body suddenly surged!

Swoosh—

In Yan Hong's eyes, the tomoe of his Sharingan spun and merged, transforming into a strange pattern resembling sickle blades. At the same time, a tear of blood slowly flowed from the corner of his left eye as he fixed his gaze on Ise in the distance!

Dojutsu: Kagami no Mitama!

Buzz—

A mysterious ripple shook the entire space. Ise's heart suddenly trembled, and a terrible premonition rose within him!

Kagami no Mitama, the Mangekyo Sharingan ability of Yan Hong's left eye. Its effect was plunder. Depending on the gap in strength between both sides, it consumed a certain amount of ocular power to instantly discern every ability the opponent possessed and plunder any one of their Release techniques, secret techniques, genjutsu, or dojutsu for five minutes!

During those five minutes, the opponent would lose that technique and be unable to use it. Yan Hong, on the other hand, could use the plundered technique without limit and without consuming his own chakra. The technique's power would automatically adjust according to his own strength!

Yan Hong sensed his body, and a red gleam flashed in his eyes. "What a fine ninjutsu!"

Then he pressed one hand against the ground!

Ninja Art: Adamantine Sealing Chains!