Fugaku

The clan head, naturally, was the father of Itachi and Second Pillar, Uchiha Fugaku.

This powerful ninja, who in the original story was wiped out by Itachi, likely awakened his Mangekyo Sharingan during the Third Great Ninja War; his strength was not to be underestimated.

Although Uchiha Mai did not know why Fugaku had summoned him, he was not particularly nervous. After four years of observation combined with his knowledge of the original plot, it was easy to read Fugaku as a person.

Konoha had always employed a policy of entrapment toward the Uchiha, essentially forcing them to rebel—a blatant, open conspiracy.

Under such circumstances, the hearts of most Uchiha clansmen drifted further and further away from Konoha, harboring deep resentment and becoming the radical faction within the clan.

Fugaku, however, was a moderate. As the leader of the Uchiha for many years, he had been trying his best to ease the relationship between the clan and the village, well aware that the Uchiha were no match for Konoha.

His eldest son, Itachi, and the Uchiha genius Shisui, would also inherit his philosophy in the future, becoming moderates themselves.

However, Fugaku was far from as extreme as Itachi. In the original story, when the cries of "screw them" grew louder within the clan and the resentment could no longer be suppressed, he—the moderate—was ultimately kidnapped by the will of his clansmen and chose to stand on their side.

It could be said that rather than a ruler, Fugaku was more like a head steward, pouring everything he had into the Uchiha. Because of this, even the radicals in the clan respected and trusted him.

As long as your surname was Uchiha, you never had to worry about Fugaku stabbing you in the back—a standard far higher than that of the Hyuuga next door.

Uchiha Mai led the little tyke Shisui, chatting along the way until they arrived at Fugaku's home.

As the clan head, Fugaku's residence was not built to be more extravagant than others; aside from a few rooms and the training facilities in the yard, there was nothing else.

At this moment, Fugaku was sitting on the tatami laughing with his wife, Uchiha Mikoto. Beside them sat a baby cradle, where the future exterminator of the Uchiha clan lay sleeping quietly.

Infants were generally prone to sleep.

Seeing Shisui bring Mai back, Fugaku smiled and ruffled Shisui's hair, then took a skewer of red bean dumplings from the low table and shoved it into the little brat's hand.

He patted Shisui on the rear and laughed, "Here, take these dumplings and go find your brother Itachi to play."

Uchiha Mikoto, understanding the situation, stood up to take Shisui and the stroller out of the room, creating space for a private conversation between Fugaku and Mai.

"Clan head, did you have something to ask me?" Uchiha Mai asked.

Fugaku rubbed his forehead in distress and got straight to the point: "I heard you beat the Hokage's son at the Ninja Academy?"

"You found out so quickly?"

Uchiha Mai was slightly stunned, then asked, "As a big shot like you, you actually pay such close attention to the Ninja Academy?"

Fugaku sighed and explained, "The situation is special now. I can only tell you that the genin who graduate in the near future will likely all be sent to the battlefield.

Since the Third Hokage is the head of the Ninja Academy, it is only natural for the upper echelons of Konoha to keep a close eye on it."

Fugaku didn't go into detail, but he had explained a few things to the little brat Mai. Discussing the political situation and logic with a child might be something many couldn't understand.

But in the world of Naruto, especially before the start of the Shippuden plot, it was perfectly normal.

During the Warring States period, the major clans were in constant conflict, and it was common for seven or eight-year-olds to be sent to the battlefield. After the era of ninja villages began, the ninja world did not usher in peace; instead, the scale of conflict only intensified.

What used to be small-scale friction had now escalated into group warfare.

At seven or eight, having the strength to fight, one could already be defined as an "adult" at that time.

This insane situation did not improve until a few years after the end of the Third Great Ninja War.

"It was just a normal sparring exercise," Uchiha Mai said, feeling a bit guilty.

Fugaku: "..."

A normal sparring exercise, and you managed to give the Hokage's own son a concussion?

"Ah..."

Fugaku said speechlessly, "You were still too heavy-handed. Furthermore, the Third Hokage was present at the time.

In other words, you beat his son into a serious injury right in front of him."

"The Third Hokage was there too?" Uchiha Mai was somewhat surprised.

"How else do you think I found out about this?"

Fugaku retorted, explaining, "The Third Hokage went to inspect the Ninja Academy today, and after returning to his office, he called me in.

He grabbed my shoulders and said, 'Fugaku, you've done well, cultivating such an outstanding ninja. That Uchiha Mai in your clan beat Asuma into a serious injury with just a few strikes.

You did well, you did very well. You taught that unfilial son of mine a lesson for me; I really must thank you.'"

Fugaku's imitation of the old Third Hokage was vivid, yet his eyes couldn't hide his lingering fear.

The messy affairs of Sarutobi Hiruzen's family were well known to the upper echelons of Konoha; that little brat Asuma had caused the Third Hokage no end of headaches.

The old Third Hokage likely meant his thanks to Fugaku, but it was more likely a warning. An Uchiha beating the Hokage's son into a serious injury was, after all, a highly sensitive matter.

"I didn't expect that kid to be so fragile," Uchiha Mai said, feeling guilty.

Fugaku: "..."

Are you blaming him for being too strong?

With a wry smile, Fugaku said with relief, "Regardless, it's not bad that you were able to win; that kid Asuma is no slouch.

As for the Third Hokage, I have already offered an apology, so let this matter pass. You don't need to worry.

Just remember to go easier on him if Asuma provokes you again; breaking a bone or two is enough. The brain is, after all, a bit too sensitive."

In this instance, Fugaku still chose to stand on the side of his clansman.

If it were the Hyuuga clan, they would likely impose a harsh punishment on the "culprit" or hand the person over to be dealt with by the Hokage.

This is the arrogance of the Uchiha, the number one Kekkei Genkai clan in the ninja world. The Hokage's son was beaten until he suffered a concussion, and his father has already apologized—what more could you possibly want?

"Understood."

Uchiha Mai nodded. Once that brat Asuma recovers from his injuries, he would beat him up again; a fracture is the bare minimum.

"The Hokage said that you defeated Asuma through taijutsu and wit.

Train well; the path of taijutsu holds great promise. Our Uchiha clan is about more than just Fire Style and Shurikenjutsu."

Fugaku offered Uchiha Mai a few more words of encouragement.

In recent years, young Uchiha ninjas have fallen into a misconception, blindly pursuing Fire Style and Shurikenjutsu to the exclusion of all else, save for their Kekkei Genkai.

This cannot be called a wrong path, but it is ultimately a bit lopsided. As the clan head, Fugaku knows much of the Uchiha's history and secrets.

The path of taijutsu is indeed viable.

Back in the day, the ancestor Uchiha Madara and the God of Shinobi Senju Hashirama both possessed taijutsu levels that were exceptional—or rather, absurd.

Not only could they use brute force to work miracles and kick over a Tailed Beast, but they could also show off flashy maneuvers just like complex Shuriken techniques. At one stage, the ancestor Uchiha Madara was even known as the "Rose of the Battlefield."