Mangekyo Sharingan Ability

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

Several armored shinobi, standard-issue tachi hanging at their waists, were stationed 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 powerfully built. His red armor and hawk-sharp gaze gave him the bearing of a great general.

This man was Uzumaki Ise, son of Uzumaki Ashina, the current Uzumaki Clan leader. His biological younger sister, Uzumaki Mito, had married Senju Hashirama, which made him Hashirama's brother-in-law.

A personal guard slowly approached Ise and said softly, "Lord Ise, it's 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 approaching, and this is the most critical time. More importantly, this is our most vital 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 stern. "The odds may be low, but they are not zero. If something really happens, neither you nor I can bear the responsibility. It is always better to be cautious. Go back first. I'll stand watch tonight."

Hearing that, the guard laughed. "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 faintly and was about to say something when his brows suddenly furrowed. He immediately pressed a hand to the sword at his waist, his eyes fixed on the boundless darkness beyond the wall. "Someone's coming!"

Tap, tap, tap...

Footsteps emerged from the night, neither hurried nor slow as they drew nearer. They did not sound particularly heavy, yet they reached the ears of every shinobi atop the wall with perfect clarity, like a sledgehammer striking their chests.

The shinobi on night watch quickly gathered, assuming defensive formations as if facing a formidable enemy.

Tap, tap...

Soon, a figure emerged from the darkness. He stood tall, dressed in black nightwear, with a sword hanging at his side.

"Who is that?" Ise narrowed his eyes. The visibility at night was too poor to make out the newcomer's features, but the aura emanating from him made it clear that he was no nobody.

The guard said uncertainly, "He seems to be... from the Uchiha Clan?"

"Uchiha?" Ise considered it. "Someone with that kind of presence should be Uchiha Izuna. But why would he dare come alone? Everyone, stay alert! The enemy may have an ambush waiting!"

Just as everyone braced themselves, the newcomer suddenly stopped about a li outside the wall and began forming hand seals.

Fire Release: Great Dragon Flame Technique!

Boom—

A muffled thunderclap erupted beyond the deathly silent wall. The black night was instantly illuminated by surging orange flames, as bright as day!

A colossal dragon of fire came roaring forth with overwhelming force. The heat it carried distorted the surrounding air, and from the front, it looked like a meteor falling from the heavens!

Rumble—

The fire dragon crashed into the barrier above the wall with an ear-splitting boom. Flames spread in every direction, their light shaking the sky. In an instant, the barrier was forcibly shattered, and the remaining flames fell upon the wall, throwing the place into chaos!

"Don't panic! Hold your assigned positions!"

Ise roared, then stomped both feet against the ground and shot into the air. His signature Uzumaki red hair flew wildly behind him, making him resemble 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 see the newcomer's face clearly. A trace of confusion flashed through his eyes. "Who are you?"

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

"Uchiha Enkō? Uchiha Madara's third younger brother?"

Ise's brows knitted tightly. Everyone knew Madara had two younger brothers. Izuna was active on the various battlefields, and his strength rivaled that of Tobirama Senju, the Senju Clan's second-in-command.

But while people had heard of the other brother, Uchiha Enkō, he had never appeared on the front lines. Thus, rumors spread that Madara's third younger brother was weak, far inferior to his two brothers, and could only handle logistical work.

Yet now, looking at Enkō's towering aura, Ise truly wanted to rush before those people and question them. You call this weak?

"So you are Uchiha Enkō. I have long admired your name. I never expected the Uchiha Clan to be hiding such a great dragon as you. However, coming alone to launch a surprise attack on the Heno River—aren't you being a little too overconfident?"

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

Enkō stopped wasting words and formed the Horse hand seal!

Fire Release: Majestic Destroyer Flame!

Boom—

A sea of fire surged forth, scorching everything in its path. Flames rose into waves several yards high, forming a blazing wall that blotted out the sky as it charged toward Ise with world-destroying force!

Ise did not panic in the slightest. As the young leader of the Uzumaki Clan, his strength naturally ranked among the finest in the Shinobi World. After forming hand seals, he pressed one palm forward!

Sealing Jutsu: Flame Sealing!

Whoosh—

Obscure runes appeared before the wall of flames like a spiderweb. The vast sea of fire seemed to crash into a mire, gradually breaking apart and dissolving until it vanished completely, becoming a faint breeze!

"Excellent!"

Seeing their young leader display such might, the Uzumaki Clan members behind him burst into cheers. The tension in their hearts eased somewhat.

Enkō was also startled by his opponent's methods and could not help sighing. "The Uzumaki Clan truly deserves to be called 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 beneath heaven. So, you should surrender now. If you do not resist, I guarantee that I will not kill you."

"Heh heh." Enkō gave a disdainful laugh. He did not deny Ise's words. After all, on the battlefield, living people were far more valuable than corpses. But asking him to surrender without a fight? Heh...

The longer this dragged on, the more likely something would go wrong. Enkō stopped wasting words as the chakra throughout his body suddenly surged!

Shing—

Within Enkō's eyes, the tomoe of the Sharingan spun and fused, transforming into a strange pattern resembling sickle blades. At the same time, a bloody tear slowly ran down from the corner of his left eye as he fixed his gaze upon Ise in the distance!

Dojutsu: Kagami no Mitama!

Hum—

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

Kagami no Mitama was the Mangekyo Sharingan ability of Enkō'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, then 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. In contrast, Enkō could use the plundered technique without limitation and without consuming his own chakra. The technique's power would automatically adjust according to his own strength!

Enkō 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!