"Susano'o… the legendary power said to manifest only through the Mangekyō Sharingan! "
"If the clan head can summon Susano'o, then that means he's awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan! "
Among the pursuing shinobi were three Uchiha clansmen who had been dining together off-duty.
The sight of Uchiha Fugaku unleashing Susano'o left them utterly stunned.
Obito had once infiltrated the Uchiha compound to recruit Shisui Uchiha, only to be rejected, leading to a fierce battle.
During that fight, Shisui had revealed his own Susano'o. Many Uchiha had witnessed it, learning of the power firsthand.
"Clan Head Fugaku has awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan? "
"So Shisui isn't the only one—another in our clan has attained the Mangekyō! "
The words of the three clansmen left the other pursuing shinobi in shock.
"No wonder the Wood Release user was forced to flee. Fugaku-sama's power is on an entirely different level! "
Their earlier doubts dissipated instantly.
It wasn't that the infamous Wood Release wielder was weak—Fugaku was simply too strong. Even a shinobi of that caliber had no choice but to run.
"Such a troublesome opponent! "
From the ruins of the collapsed house, Obito phased out and bolted away.
Fugaku's single blow had leveled the entire structure, denying Obito any chance to teleport during the chaos.
As he fled, a deep frown creased Obito's brow.
Izanagi's duration was almost up, yet he still hadn't escaped Fugaku's relentless pursuit.
Then he spotted a crowded street up ahead and hatched a plan, veering toward it.
"No!"
Realizing Obito's intent, Fugaku tried to intercept him, but there was nothing he could do.
In his intangible state, Obito phased cleanly through civilians, while Fugaku was forced to slow down, unwilling to harm innocents.
Whoosh, whoosh!
Obito grabbed two civilians and hurled them straight at Fugaku before melting back into the crowd.
Using the people around him as a living barrier, his body twisted into a vortex—Kamui's teleportation beginning to activate.
Thud—
Fugaku reached out, catching the thrown civilians to keep them safe.
As captain of the Konoha Military Police, he bore the responsibility of protecting the villagers. Sacrificing civilians was out of the question—doing so would undo all the progress he had made in restoring the department's reputation.
Even as Obito vanished into the swirling void, Fugaku could only watch him escape.
"Space–time techniques…"
He frowned grimly.
Such powers were exceedingly difficult to counter. He had broken Obito's Kamui intangibility earlier only by exploiting True Genjutsu—hardly a true countermeasure.
In cases like this, where Obito teleported away, Fugaku was helpless to pursue.
"I know the Flying Thunder God Technique, but without innate space–time affinity… If only I could acquire a body with that talent."
Fugaku's mind turned over the possibilities.
He knew of four individuals gifted with true space–time talent: Uchiha Sasuke, Uchiha Obito, and the Second and Fourth Hokage.
Sasuke was an ally and untouchable.
Obito remained elusive.
And as for the Second and Fourth Hokage—after so many years, their remains had long since decayed, leaving nothing of use.
"Clan Head Fugaku! "
The pursuing shinobi finally caught up.
From other directions, additional reinforcements who had responded to the alert arrived, converging on the scene.
"Fugaku-sama, was that truly the Wood Release bloodline user? "
One ninja couldn't help but ask.
Despite recognizing the signature Kamui teleportation, he still needed confirmation. Shock colored his voice—tinged with both respect and awe.
Defeating such a legendary threat would mean Fugaku possessed even greater power.
"Yes. It was him," Fugaku confirmed with a curt nod.
"It really was! "
A collective ripple of astonishment passed through the assembled shinobi.
The legendary Wood Release user had been driven off—by Fugaku alone.
"Clan Head, have you awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan? "
The three Uchiha clansmen stared at Fugaku, barely able to contain their excitement.
"I have," Fugaku answered plainly.
In truth, he had already decided to establish his prestige—not only within the Uchiha clan but throughout all of Konoha.
And nothing earned respect like overwhelming strength on full display.
This battle provided the perfect opportunity. He had revealed the Mangekyō Sharingan before both clansmen and villagers, solidifying his reputation.
The three Uchiha were left speechless, overwhelmed with pride.
Their clan head had truly awakened the Mangekyō—and with such power that even the Wood Release shinobi, a foe who had bested Shisui and eleven elite jōnin, was forced to retreat in defeat.
For them, the conclusion was undeniable: Fugaku was now the strongest in the clan.
"Clan Head! "
"Fugaku-sama!"
Members of the Military Police arrived, saluting him.
Some already knew of his Mangekyō awakening; for others, the news came as an electrifying shock.
All gazes now held deep respect.
"I'll report this incident to the Hokage. You'll handle the aftermath—compile the damage reports and send them to me."
With that, Uchiha Fugaku turned toward the Hokage Tower.
Though his ties with the Third Hokage were strained, formalities still had to be observed.