Fugaku

The clan leader was naturally Uchiha Fugaku, the biological father of Itachi and Sasuke.

In the original story, he was a powerful ninja who was killed along with his entire family by Itachi. He had probably awakened his Mangekyō Sharingan during the Third Shinobi World War, and his strength was not to be underestimated.

Although Uchiha Mai had no idea why Fugaku had summoned him, he wasn't particularly nervous. After observing Fugaku for over four years and taking the original story into account, it was easy to understand what kind of person he was.

Konoha had always baited the Uchiha into breaking the law, essentially trying to force them into rebellion. It was an open scheme.

Against this backdrop, most Uchiha gradually grew distant from Konoha, their resentment running deep. They became the clan's hardliners.

Fugaku, on the other hand, was a moderate. For years, as the Uchiha's leading figure, he had done everything he could to ease tensions between the clan and the village. He knew full well that the Uchiha were no match for the village.

His eldest son, Itachi, and the Uchiha prodigy Shisui would also inherit his ideals and become moderates.

However, Fugaku was nowhere near as extreme as Itachi. In the original story, when the cries of "to hell with them!" grew louder within the clan and the resentment could no longer be suppressed, even he was swept along by the will of his people. In the end, he chose to stand with the clan.

Rather than a decision-maker, Fugaku was more like a devoted steward, giving everything he had for the Uchiha. That was why even the clan's hardliners respected and trusted him.

As long as you had the Uchiha name, you didn't need to worry about Fugaku stabbing you in the back. He was leagues better than the Hyuga next door.

Uchiha Mai brought little Shisui along, chatting with him as they made their way to Fugaku's house.

As the clan leader, Fugaku's home wasn't any grander than the others. Apart from a few rooms and the training equipment in the courtyard, there was nothing else.

At that moment, Fugaku and his wife, Uchiha Mikoto, were sitting on the tatami, chatting and laughing. A baby cradle stood beside them, with Konoha's future destroyer lying quietly asleep inside.

Babies tended to sleep a lot.

When Fugaku saw Shisui return with Mai, he smiled and ruffled Shisui's hair. Then he picked up a skewer of red bean dumplings from the low table and handed it to the little brat.

He patted Shisui on the bottom and said with a smile, "Here, take these dumplings and go play with your little brother Itachi."

Uchiha Mikoto, understanding at once, stood up and led Shisui out of the room, pushing the baby carriage along with her. She left Fugaku and Mai alone to talk.

"Clan Leader, did you want to see me about something?" Uchiha Mai asked.

Fugaku rubbed his forehead, looking troubled, and got straight to the point. "I heard you beat up the Hokage's son at school?"

"You heard about it so quickly?"

Uchiha Mai was slightly taken aback, then asked, "For someone as important as you, I didn't expect you to pay so much attention to the Ninja Academy."

Fugaku sighed and explained, "Things are unusual right now. I can only tell you that the Genin who graduate in the near future may well be sent to the battlefield.

"Lord Hokage is also the head of the Ninja Academy. Given that, it's only natural for Konoha High Command to keep an eye on the school."

Fugaku didn't go into detail, but he still explained a few things to Mai, a little kid. Many people might find it hard to understand adults discussing the state of the world and reasoning with children.

But in the Naruto world, especially before the Shippuden story began, it was perfectly normal.

During the Warring States Period, the great clans were constantly fighting one another. It was commonplace for children of seven or eight to go to war. The Ninja Village era brought no peace to the Ninja World; if anything, the scale of the conflicts had grown.

What had once been small skirmishes had now escalated into full-scale clashes between forces.

At seven or eight, a child who could put up a fight was already considered an "adult."

This insane state of affairs wouldn't improve until several years after the Third Shinobi World War ended.

"It was just a normal sparring match," Uchiha Mai said guiltily.

Fugaku: "..."

A normal sparring match, and you still gave the Hokage's own son a concussion?

"Ah..."

Fugaku said helplessly, "You did hit him a little too hard. And Lord Hokage was there at the time.

"In other words, you gave his son a serious injury right in front of the Hokage."

"The Hokage was there?" Uchiha Mai asked in surprise.

"Otherwise, how do you think I found out?"

Fugaku asked rhetorically, then explained, "Lord Hokage went to inspect the Ninja Academy today. When he got back to his office, he called me over.

"He put his hand on my shoulder and said, 'Fugaku, you've done well. You've raised an outstanding ninja. That Uchiha Mai from your clan beat Asuma to a pulp in just a few punches.

"'Well done. Very well done. You taught that unfilial son of mine a lesson. I'll have to thank you properly.'"

Fugaku's impression of the Third Hokage was uncannily accurate, though he couldn't hide the fear in his eyes.

Everyone in Konoha High Command knew about the mess in Sarutobi Hiruzen's family. That little brat Asuma had given the Third Hokage more than his share of headaches.

The old Third Hokage probably was genuinely somewhat grateful to Fugaku, but more than anything, he was issuing a warning. The Uchiha beating the Hokage's own son so badly was simply too sensitive an issue.

"I didn't expect that kid to be such a pushover," Uchiha Mai said guiltily.

Fugaku: "..."

So now it was your strength's fault?

Fugaku gave a wry smile, then said with some satisfaction, "Regardless, it's impressive that you won. Asuma's no slouch.

"I've already apologized to the Hokage on your behalf. The matter is settled, so there's no need to worry.

"But if Asuma provokes you again, go easy on him next time. A broken bone or two should be enough. The head is just too sensitive a spot."

This time, Fugaku had chosen to stand with his clan member.

If it had been the Hyuga Clan, they might have severely punished the "culprit" or handed him over to the Hokage to deal with.

That was the pride of the Ninja World's foremost Kekkei Genkai clan. The Hokage's son had gotten a concussion, and Fugaku had already apologized. What more did they want from him?

"Got it."

Uchiha Mai nodded. Once Asuma recovered, he would beat that bastard up again. One broken bone, minimum.

"Lord Hokage said you defeated Asuma through Taijutsu and cleverness.

"Train hard. There's a lot of potential in Taijutsu. The Uchiha have more than just Fire Style and Shurikenjutsu."

Fugaku offered Mai a few more words of encouragement.

In recent years, the Uchiha's young ninjas had fallen into a misconception, pursuing Fire Style and Shurikenjutsu to the exclusion of everything else besides their Kekkei Genkai.

It wasn't exactly the wrong path, but it did leave them lacking in other areas. As clan leader, Fugaku knew a great deal about the Uchiha's history and secrets.

Taijutsu was indeed a viable path.

Their ancestor Uchiha Madara and the God of Shinobi, Senju Hashirama, had both been outstanding at Taijutsu—or, rather, absurdly good.

They could not only rely on sheer strength to kick a Tailed Beast flying, but also pull off flashy moves like a master of shuriken throwing. At one point, their ancestor Madara had even been called the "Rose of the Battlefield."