Is Uchiha Fugaku Back?
Following Uchiha Jun all the way to Uchiha Fugaku's residence, Uchiha Kai couldn't help but think to himself: if he remembered correctly, this so-called "Ten-Thousand-Year Voldemort" had gone to the front lines—and had even brought his son with him.
Now that he was back, it signaled one thing: Iwa's offensive had lost its momentum. Whatever political or military matters that needed handling would likely be resolved within a few weeks—perhaps even days.
After all, this time, hundreds of Iwa shinobi had perished, including possibly the son of the Third Tsuchikage—Kitsuchi. But Kai suspected that man had likely survived and retreated. Regardless, the Five-Tails' jinchūriki, Han, was now in the hands of Minato Namikaze. As long as Konoha held a tailed beast as a bargaining chip, it had nothing to fear. The Third Tsuchikage would never abandon such a strategic weapon without negotiation.
This was undoubtedly Minato's shining moment—a turning point where he could stockpile political capital. During his half-month stay in Konoha, Uchiha Kai had already begun to hear whispers. No matter how disciplined or dedicated he was, and no matter how tightly Konoha tried to control information, public opinion had to be managed—not suppressed.
Nobody wanted to talk about Orochimaru. Whether the rumors were true or not, Konoha's recent political maneuvers reeked of desperation. Perhaps it was his background from a more technologically advanced world, but Kai saw things with a clarity that others didn't.
At the very least, the Uchiha's political investments were bearing fruit. These things took time. Minato was still technically only a jōnin—though he often served as a squad leader at the Ninja Academy. He wasn't Hokage yet.
And becoming Hokage was no small matter. Even a powerless Hokage carried more symbolic weight than a thousand squad leaders. Titles mattered.
With these thoughts, Uchiha Kai turned his gaze toward Uchiha Jun and made a quiet observation. Initially, he assumed she was a retainer of one of the clan elders. But now he realized she reported directly to Uchiha Fugaku.
Kai couldn't help but smirk inwardly. Konoha was already politically complex enough. Who would've thought the Uchiha clan, a single family, could be even more chaotic?
The clan elders and the patriarch didn't seem to be aligned. There were deep divides: hawks vs. doves, radicals vs. traditionalists. And to top it off, much of the clan's upper echelon was hopelessly brainwashed. No wonder they ended up massacred.
"We're here, Kai-kun," Uchiha Jun said with a smile. "I'll leave you now. The patriarch wants to speak with you alone."
"Thanks," Kai replied calmly and politely before walking toward Fugaku's room on his own.
Fugaku's home was massive—the largest in the Uchiha district, befitting his role as clan head. As the face of the Uchiha, everything about him had to exude dignity and power.
Led by a servant through a quiet corridor, Kai soon arrived at a small garden pond. The water was crystal clear, with kai swimming lazily beneath the surface. A shishi-odoshi made of green bamboo filled and emptied rhythmically, producing a soothing sound that blended with the trickling water.
It was peaceful—calming, even. In a nearby gazebo, a middle-aged man sat alone, sipping tea.
Uchiha Fugaku.
He looked up and beckoned. Kai approached, unbothered. If this was to be a meeting, then so be it. The environment, at least, put him at ease.
"Patriarch," Kai greeted respectfully, bowing. Though Kai didn't particularly care about Fugaku's rank, he dared not underestimate those eyes of his.
"Kai-kun, please, have a seat. No need to be so formal," Fugaku nodded, gesturing politely. "This is our first time meeting, isn't it?"
"Yes, Patriarch," Kai replied evenly. Fugaku might've said to relax, but Kai wasn't foolish enough to do so.
"I've heard of your accomplishments on the battlefield," Fugaku said, sipping his tea. "Since returning, I've heard quite a bit about you. I must say, you've impressed not only me—but many in the clan."
Kai remained silent, listening. He already knew he'd drawn attention—both within the Uchiha and from Konoha's top brass.
But Fugaku didn't press further, and Kai knew better than to speak prematurely.
Fugaku was many things: stoic, indecisive, and difficult to read. Maybe even unstable in his own way.
"A three-tomoe Sharingan right at awakening... It's rare. Unheard of, actually," Fugaku mused, setting his teacup down as the bamboo struck stone with a crisp clack. "You awakened your Sharingan recently, didn't you?"
Kai frowned, remaining silent with a confused expression. At the same time, his mind raced. Had he slipped? As far as he knew, everyone who had witnessed his Sharingan was either dead—enemy or ally. The few who lived had only seen it later, when he no longer hid it.
"Awakening a three-tomoe Sharingan immediately... It's not in any of our records," Fugaku continued, unconcerned by Kai's silence. "And your mastery is too refined. You fought and wiped out the entire Hiiragi squad—including Shisui's cousin. Impressive."
So that's how it is.
Kai understood now. Outsiders might not know the nuances of the Sharingan. But Fugaku, who possessed a Mangekyō himself, definitely did. He knew how long it took to master it.
And Kai's sudden prowess—especially with the three-tomoe—was deeply suspicious.
"They were careless, Patriarch," Kai said evenly. "And if I had already awakened my Sharingan earlier, wouldn't I have used it sooner?"
"True," Fugaku said with a faint smile. "Maybe they were careless. And you'd certainly have no reason to refuse such an honor."
He took another sip of tea. "Regardless of how it happened, you've earned a place in the clan's history."
In the history books?
Kai sneered inwardly.
More like on a death list.