Pupil Power Hegemony

Returning home, he tossed his clothes into the closet, which was filled exclusively with garments bearing the Uchiha clan crest. He picked one out at random and headed for a shower, leaving his discarded clothes to soak; they weren't expensive, and a full closet was enough to last him half a year anyway.

In the bathroom, Uchiha Gen soaked in the tub while playing Honor of Kings. As a shut-in, he couldn't go a day without gaming. Of course, Honor of Kings didn't exist in the ninja world, but Uchiha Gen possessed Genjutsu! If he wanted, he could conjure a Genjutsu of Peace Elite or Genshin Impact at any time. The immersive experience was even more thrilling than the mobile games of his past life.

Hm? Did I forget something?

Forget it, it couldn't be anything important. If I pick Gongsun Li and drive the S-Class Optimus Prime, there's no way I won't win!

At the Uchiha Fugaku residence...

"Mikoto, prepare a bit more food today. We have a guest coming later," Uchiha Fugaku said, pouring himself some sake.

"Understood," Uchiha Mikoto replied, continuing her work in the kitchen.

"Father, what kind of guest? Have I met them before?" Uchiha Itachi asked, his small face—already marked by faint tear-trough lines—looking at the contemplative Uchiha Fugaku with confusion.

"Ah, Itachi, you should have seen him. He's Uchiha Gen from the Police Force. You see him often during daily patrols, don't you?" Uchiha Fugaku said, offering a rare smile.

"Uchiha Gen? I've run into him while out grocery shopping with Mother, but we only exchanged greetings. We haven't really spoken," Itachi answered honestly.

"Oh, then you should try to get closer to Gen in the future. After all, he is so powerful that perhaps only our ancestor, Madara Uchiha, could compare to him," Uchiha Fugaku mused, recalling the Susanoo from that night. Both possessed the Mangekyo Sharingan and the Susanoo, so why did his own Susanoo look severely malnourished while Gen's looked like it was on steroids? Gen didn't even have siblings! How could he possibly have attained eternal light like that man? Was there some secret hidden within? It seemed he would have to ask when Gen arrived.

An hour later...

The Fugaku family had gathered at the dining table early, waiting for a long time, but there was still no sign of Uchiha Gen.

"Um, dear, could you have remembered the time wrong?" Uchiha Mikoto asked, looking at Fugaku with doubt.

"Impossible. Dihuo just said that Gen would come over after tidying up at home!" Fugaku stated firmly.

"Father, should I go check?" Uchiha Itachi stood up and asked.

"Hm, that might be best. Perhaps Gen was delayed by something. It's better than us just sitting here waiting," Uchiha Fugaku decided; it was better than guessing.

At the Uchiha compound... Uchiha Gen's home!

"Damn it, are you a moron? Are you so stupid you're sabotaging yourself?" Uchiha Gen's first Shadow Clone glared at the original body in a rage.

"Are you rebelling? Do you think you're any better? Aren't you just as stupid for cursing yourself?" the original body retorted shamelessly.

"Um... is Lord Uchiha Gen home?" A young, timid voice called out from outside the door.

Hm? Who would it be at this hour? As a shut-in, he didn't have any friends.

"Who is it? Just a moment!"

He hurried out of the tub, wiped himself off, and threw on the Uchiha clan's signature high-collared uniform.

As the door opened, he blinked. Who was this little brat? The future pole-dancing maniac? The great Uchiha filial son, Itachi? What was he doing here?

"Oh, Itachi? Is something the matter?" Uchiha Gen asked, puzzled.

Uh, is something the matter? Seeing this, it seemed his clan brother had completely forgotten about the invitation to dinner. Fortunately, he had come to check, or his family would have been waiting forever!

"Didn't Senior Gen promise to come to my house for dinner?" Uchiha Itachi asked, his small face darkening slightly.

"Ah? Ah! Yes, yes, that's right. I just got back from Sunagakure, and I didn't want to show up at your place all dirty, so I was just finishing my shower and getting ready to head out!" Uchiha Gen lied with practiced ease.

Oh? So that was it? It seemed he had misunderstood. Seeing Uchiha Gen's still-damp hair, Uchiha Itachi filled in the blanks himself.

At Uchiha Fugaku's home...

"Clan Head Fugaku, sorry for the intrusion. I just returned from outside and was quite covered in grime, so I was delayed a bit. My apologies," Uchiha Gen said with a hint of regret.

"It's fine, I understand. Sit down. I hope the food is to your liking," Uchiha Fugaku said with a smile.

"Gen-kun, would you like some sake?" Uchiha Mikoto asked from the side, holding a decanter.

"Thank you, but no," Uchiha Gen politely declined.

"Mikoto, if Gen doesn't want any, just pour me some!" Uchiha Fugaku chimed in.

After the meal, Mikoto brought out dessert and then withdrew with Itachi.

Sigh! When will I find a wife as virtuous as her? That Pakura doesn't have a shred of wifely attitude! Watching the mother and son leave, Gen sighed inwardly.

"Clan Head Fugaku, if there's something you wanted to discuss by calling me over, please, speak plainly," Uchiha Gen said, sipping his drink casually.

"If I'm not mistaken, the technique Gen-kun used that night was the Susanoo, right? That is a ocular technique that can only be unleashed by the highest level of the Mangekyo Sharingan within the Uchiha clan. Even in our clan, only our ancestor Madara Uchiha possessed such a Mangekyo Sharingan decades ago," Uchiha Fugaku asked, also sounding casual.

"Oh? Is that so? Doesn't Clan Head Fugaku possess such eyes yourself?" Uchiha Gen replied bluntly.

"Hm?" The atmosphere froze instantly.

"Oh? How did Gen-kun know? My own Mangekyo Sharingan is something I haven't even told Mikoto, let alone anyone else! Could it be? Is the source of your information related to the ocular technique of your own Mangekyo Sharingan?" Fugaku speculated.

"Ah, something like that," Uchiha Gen didn't deny it.

Seeing Uchiha Gen's reaction, Fugaku stopped pressing; after all, everyone's secret techniques were their own private business.

"I do indeed possess such eyes, but compared to Gen-kun, the difference is like heaven and earth. With your ocular power, you could fully rival the ancestor Madara Uchiha. However, Madara Uchiha relied on his own brother's Mangekyo Sharingan to obtain eternal light to reach that state. As far as I know, Gen-kun has no siblings. Could you perhaps enlighten me?" Uchiha Fugaku asked with earnest sincerity.

"Hm~ that question touches upon personal privacy," Uchiha Gen activated his five-pointed star Mangekyo and stared directly into Uchiha Fugaku's eyes.