Reversal

As the fight continued, each man realized the other would be difficult to handle.

'How is he this fast?!'

There was a vast difference between the perception of a Mangekyo Sharingan and an ordinary three-tomoe Sharingan. Even while displaying only three tomoe, a Mangekyo wielder's eyes offered far greater perception than a normal Sharingan in that state.

Yet even pushing his three-tomoe Sharingan to its limit, Fugaku could barely track Hiruko's movements, much less anticipate them.

That was far beyond what he had expected.

'He can keep up with me? Is his perception really that sharp?'

Hiruko was just as surprised.

The Akatsuki's intelligence had described the Uchiha clan head as unremarkable. In fact, the organization's assessment of Fugaku was so poor that he sounded thoroughly mediocre.

Fugaku had shown no exceptional ability during Hiruko's time in Konoha either. Hiruko had dismissed him from the start.

Now that they were fighting, he was proving far harder to deal with than expected. He was maddeningly elusive, much like Homura Uchiha had been during the Kekkei Genkai fusion ritual.

Nearby.

Watching the two fighters, Koharu Utatane frowned. "This isn't how I remember Hiruko. What happened to him?"

"And he's transplanted two Sharingan!" Homura Mitokado added.

Konoha had secretly conducted many human experiments. The most notorious involved transplanting the First Hokage's cells, but the village had also experimented with Sharingan transplants.

The results had been disappointing.

For all their power, the Sharingan placed a punishing burden on shinobi without Uchiha blood. Even someone as gifted as Kakashi struggled with a single eye. Transplanting two would weigh the recipient down rather than increase their combat strength.

That was why, despite the many people who coveted the Uchiha's eyes, very few had actually stolen a Sharingan and turned it into a power they could control.

After considering it for some time, the Third said, "It may have something to do with his human experiments. As far as I know, before he defected, he was researching a forbidden technique that could steal other people's Kekkei Genkai."

Koharu and Homura exchanged glances.

Judging by his performance, Hiruko had clearly succeeded. For the shinobi world, that could mean a terrible wave of bloodshed to come.

"He must have used Swift Release and Dark Release in the office," the Third continued. "With the Sharingan as well, he may possess three Kekkei Genkai."

Just then, the fight changed.

Hiruko took a kunai strike from Fugaku without dodging, clapped his palms together, and shouted, "Storm Release: Demon Dragon Storm!"

Massive black storm clouds swelled overhead. Thick bolts of lightning lit the dark sky in violent flashes.

Fugaku sensed the danger and immediately withdrew to a safe distance.

He was now certain he could not defeat Hiruko without using his Mangekyo Sharingan. Yet something about the man felt strange: his attacks, his defense, the rhythm of his fighting, even the way he used his Sharingan.

It was as though he had little experience fighting at this level.

Otherwise, Fugaku, unable to use his Mangekyo here, might never have lasted so long.

"Steel Release and Storm Release as well, apparently." The Third shook his head. "Hiruko now has five Kekkei Genkai. Fugaku probably can't defeat him. We'll have to act together."

Koharu and Homura both nodded.

Standing beneath the black clouds, Hiruko spread his arms. "It's time you regretted your decision back then, Lord Hokage!"

The Third summoned Enma and said firmly, "Hiruko, stop making the same mistakes. You can still turn back!"

"Mistakes?!" Hiruko's face twisted. "Why is everything I do wrong? Because I refuse to be ordinary?"

As if responding to his emotions, the storm clouds grew more turbulent. The lightning within them thickened and flashed ever more frequently.

Hiruko surveyed the Konoha shinobi around him. "Today, you'll find out who was wrong!"

He swept his hand down, and countless bolts poured from the clouds, striking the ground.

The lightning was blindingly fast. In a heartbeat, his Storm Release struck scores of shinobi, leaving them sprawled across the ruins.

Then the Third swung his Adamantine Staff at Hiruko.

Confident in his Steel Release, Hiruko did not dodge. "None of your attacks can hurt me!"

Thud!

Before he finished, the tremendous force of the staff sent him flying.

"D-damn you!"

Hiruko clambered to his feet, his embarrassment turning to fury.

The blow had done little to him. He was virtually unhurt. But being knocked away so easily had humiliated him, and the last person he wanted to humiliate himself in front of was the Third Hokage.

Before he could retaliate, several chains hidden beneath the rubble snapped upward and coiled around his feet, briefly pinning him in place.

At the same time, Homura Mitokado closed in behind him carrying a scroll about half his height. He shook it open while forming hand seals, apparently preparing a sealing technique.

The fusion ritual had greatly improved Hiruko's sensory abilities. When he felt the chakra building behind him, dread seized him.

He knew he would die unless he acted immediately.

Without another moment's hesitation, he severed both his legs to escape the chains. Planting his palms on the ground, he vaulted high into the air and landed on the composite summoning beast that had been circling above the ruins.

"Go!"

The moment he landed, he frantically ordered the beast to retreat.

He had never imagined that one careless lapse could reverse the battle so completely.