The power of the Mangekyō Sharingan was indeed immense. Not only were perception and genjutsu abilities greatly enhanced, but even Uchiha Hikaru's own chakra had undergone a massive increase.
The exhilarating rush of this newfound strength was intoxicating—no wonder the "Four Mad Laughters of the Uchiha" lived up to their name.
Even Uchiha Hikaru himself had gotten lost in the sensation, his usual vigilance dulled.
"Earth Style: Earth Wall!"
"Lightning Style: Lightning Ball!"
The moment the voices rang out, the surroundings transformed. Four earth walls suddenly rose around Uchiha Hikaru, boxing him in, and a lightning-style jutsu came crashing down from above with blinding speed.
He had been so immersed that he failed to notice someone approaching, even at such close range. But panic now was pointless.
After all, who was the real prey here wasn't up to the ambushers to decide.
Uchiha Hikaru glanced indifferently at his attackers. His Mangekyō Sharingan opened silently.
Chakra erupted around him—tangible, heavy—and rapidly formed into a massive skeletal structure that enveloped his body.
It was the divine power that the Uchiha Clan took pride in—Susanoo.
Although Uchiha Hikaru disliked the idea of using such an overkill technique to swat mosquitoes, he had no other suitable defensive ninjutsu available.
As for whether he would be exposed by using it? He wasn't worried. As long as he eliminated the "mosquitoes" quickly, there would be no witnesses.
And without witnesses, even if others talked, there would be no proof.
Before the thought had even finished forming, the Lightning Style: Lightning Ball collided with Susanoo's skeleton.
It was like an egg striking a boulder—completely ineffective. The lightning dissipated into the air without leaving a scratch.
The surrounding Earth Walls also crumbled with a thunderous crash. Uchiha Hikaru stood silently within Susanoo, watching the fleeing figures in the distance.
The assailants were cursing their luck. They were spies from the Hidden Cloud Village.
They had chosen this location because it was remote, right on the edge of the Uchiha compound—perfect for avoiding the surveillance of the Anbu.
After all, the outer edges of Konoha were not only more heavily patrolled, but also surrounded by a protective barrier.
Ironically, this place—so close to everything—was the blind spot beneath the lamp, and thus safer.
Their original plan was to quickly exchange intel and leave.
But then, a massive chakra spike had erupted nearby, startling them.
They waited a bit longer, but no one showed up. Thinking it was safe, they resumed their intel exchange.
Then it happened again.
They began to suspect that Konoha might be conducting some secret experiment. Curiosity won out—they decided to investigate.
One went ahead, the other stayed behind.
If it was a trap, the one in front would be sacrificed, allowing the other to escape with the intel.
When they reached the source of the chakra, all they saw was a plain-looking house.
While hiding near it to observe, they witnessed Uchiha Hikaru activate the Mangekyō Sharingan.
Due to the similarity of its appearance to the Three-Tomoe Sharingan, they misjudged.
But that didn't stop them from wanting to eliminate this genius for the sake of their village.
Hikaru looked no older than six or seven. A child with the Three-Tomoe already? Another Madara in the making?
That alone prompted these intel agents to unanimously agree: Uchiha Hikaru must be eliminated.
To them, he was just a kid. How strong could he be?
Even a Kage could be assassinated if caught off guard—let alone some Uchiha child.
And so, they launched their ambush… only to be met with the terrifying sight of Susanoo standing tall on the earth.
In today's shinobi world, it had only been about ten years since Hashirama Senju and Madara Uchiha disappeared.
As elite spies, they naturally recognized Madara's signature ability.
That alone was enough to send them fleeing without hesitation.
They had to report the appearance of a new Mangekyō Sharingan user in Konoha. That intel alone was worth a great deal.
The two fled in different directions, using Body Flicker techniques repeatedly. In no time, they had put considerable distance between themselves and the threat.
'Did we escape?!'
As the thought crossed their minds, pure white flames suddenly erupted around them.
Before they could scream, they were reduced to charred corpses in an instant.
Uchiha Hikaru's Mangekyō slowly spun, gazing toward their retreat path.
Even after death, the flames didn't disappear. They burned the bodies until only ashes remained.
Only then did Hikaru deactivate the Mangekyō. As his eyes closed and reopened, they returned to the form of the Three-Tomoe.
Just then, three figures appeared before him.
Although this was a residential area, the ruckus he caused was far from minor.
The trio were Anbu operatives. They had been sent due to a report from the Barrier Team and had no choice but to investigate.
Sharing glances, the three looked over the ruined battleground caused by ninjutsu. It was clear a battle had occurred.
However, upon seeing the Uchiha crest on Hikaru's clothing, they hesitated.
After a moment, one of them stepped forward and asked:
"We're Anbu. What happened here?"
He had just finished speaking when members of the Uchiha Police Force arrived at the scene.
Technically, this was Uchiha territory—so the fact that the Police arrived after the Anbu was a bit embarrassing.
"This matter is under Uchiha jurisdiction now. You can leave."
The current Uchiha were that forceful. The responsibilities of the Police Force overlapped heavily with those of the Anbu within the village.
After all, the Uchiha weren't foolish—they wouldn't take on a role with only risk and no benefit.
Every scheme needed bait, and Tobirama Senju certainly hadn't hesitated to provide one.
The duties of the Uchiha Police included maintaining public order, apprehending criminals, and even arresting rogue ninja and monitoring suspects.
The Anbu's authority within the village had basically been usurped by the Uchiha Police at this point.
Without the Second Hokage, the Anbu lacked capable personnel and couldn't compete.
Only later, with the rise of a man called the White Fang, did the proud Uchiha begin to relinquish some of that authority.
That was until the Nine-Tails Incident, when the village used the Sharingan's appearance in the Nine-Tails' eyes as a pretext.
They drove the Uchiha out of their territory and stripped the Police Force of most of its power. At that point, the clan was only a step away from annihilation.
But that was the future. For now, within Konoha, even the Anbu had to yield to the Police.
Though Hikaru knew his clansmen meant well, his own plans were far more important.
If he returned to the compound today, there'd be no hiding the fact he had awakened the Three-Tomoe.
Knowing the Uchiha's nature, it might jeopardize the possibility of Mito Uzumaki adopting him.
At this point in time, while the Uchiha were strong, they couldn't compare to Mito Uzumaki.
Besides, being attacked like this had already happened—might as well take advantage of it to test the Third Hokage's attitude toward the Uchiha.
After all, this wasn't an anime.
With that in mind, Hikaru turned to the arriving Police Force and said:
"Thanks for your concern, but I think it's best if Lord Hokage handles this matter."
Uchiha En responded with an arrogant sneer:
"What are you saying? This is an internal clan matter—it has nothing to do with the Hokage."
"The honor of the Uchiha doesn't need anyone else's help. Kid, you'd best come with me."
At those words—and the threatening expression on Uchiha En's face—Hikaru knew persuasion wouldn't work.
'So… sorry about this.'
As that thought formed, the three tomoe in Hikaru's eyes slowly began to spin. The pressure from his superior Sharingan overwhelmed Uchiha En in an instant.
Even without activating the Mangekyō, Hikaru's Three-Tomoe had already surpassed ordinary levels by a significant margin.
Under its pressure, En instinctively activated his own Sharingan and struggled just to stay upright.
He stared in disbelief at the tomoe in Hikaru's eyes.
'How can a brat like this have such ocular power?!'
Though the pressure rendered him speechless, Hikaru understood what he meant.
"This is a matter that concerns me directly. I should be the one to handle it."
With that, he deactivated his Sharingan, and Uchiha En collapsed onto the ground with a sigh of relief.
Hikaru turned to the three Anbu and said calmly:
"Let's go. I'll explain everything to Lord Hokage myself."
The three Anbu stared at him in disbelief. What just happened was almost surreal.
Did the Uchiha just… fight amongst themselves?
"But I'll also need your help finding someone."
A request like that was nothing to the Anbu.
"Who do you need us to find?"
"Mito Uzumaki."