Uchiha Fugaku was in a good mood today. His earlier conversation with Uchiha Kai had left him with a mix of concern and quiet satisfaction. Though certain remarks had unsettled him, the overall direction of their dialogue had been positive.
He had just finished changing clothes when his wife, Uchiha Mikoto, returned from walking their younger son to the Academy.
As the head of the Uchiha clan and the Konoha Police Force, Fugaku held significant power—but he also knew the value of managing his time well. Still, he hadn't expected Mikoto to bring up a matter that would cast a shadow over his morning.
"I ran into Kai at the gate," Mikoto said softly, helping straighten Fugaku's collar. "Itachi mentioned before that you were considering having Kai mentor him… but now it seems Kai is distancing himself. And you haven't brought it up again."
Fugaku's brow furrowed. "Kai's killing intent is too strong. He's been on the frontlines since he was barely out of the Academy. That battlefield mindset… it isn't something I want influencing Itachi."
The words hung in the air. Mikoto, ever gentle, gave a small smile.
"Really? I've heard from others that Kai-kun is polite and calm," she said. "But if that's your judgment, I'll support you. Perhaps Kai-kun simply doesn't want to take on a student. Anyway, don't be late for work."
"Thank you, Mikoto."
Fugaku gave a rare smile. It was only at home—among his family—that his stern exterior softened.
He had a kind wife and a prodigious son. These were treasures he had to protect, even if it meant allying with danger.
And that was exactly what Uchiha Kai represented to him.
No, not a tiger… Fugaku thought grimly. More like a viper.
After leaving his home, Fugaku noticed the clan grounds were unusually tense. Groups of Uchiha were gathered in hushed conversation.
He frowned. Something had happened.
Before he could question anyone, Uchiha Jun appeared before him.
"Patriarch," Jun said with a respectful bow. "The elder has summoned you."
"The elder?" Fugaku's voice was steady, though his mind sharpened. "Very well. I'll see him now."
As they walked, Jun leaned closer and whispered, "This morning, Captain Kai assembled his entire unit. But the squad intentionally delayed their arrival. It's said Captain Kai dismissed them all—and when they resisted, he used force. There was blood."
Fugaku didn't respond right away.
He had anticipated this.
In fact, he had counted on it.
"Keep monitoring the situation," Fugaku instructed quietly, then turned toward the elder's estate.
Uchiha Fugaku did not like the elder. The man had once served under his father and wielded considerable influence. But in recent years, that influence had turned toxic—driven by greed, ambition, and the illusion of moral superiority.
Fugaku needed his support, but he resented every moment of it.
When he arrived at the elder's home, the old man was already seated, sipping tea.
"Fugaku-kun, you're here," he said flatly. "Sit. Have some tea."
Fugaku knelt and accepted the cup with practiced politeness.
"I assume you called me here for a reason."
"You're still cold, I see," the elder said with a sigh. "But perhaps that's proper for a clan leader. Distance can be a virtue. You don't let yourself grow too close to anyone."
Fugaku remained silent. He saw through the elder's condescension, but he would not rise to it.
"Uchiha Kai… he has talent," the elder continued. "But he's rash. Emotional. He lacks the maturity to be given true power."
"If he can bear the weight of that power," Fugaku said evenly, "then I'll support him."
The elder's eyes narrowed.
"That's where you're wrong, Fugaku. You're showing favoritism. And that undermines your leadership."
He placed his cup down.
"To correct this, I've asked Uchiha Chiya and Uchiha Tsubasa to bring him here. When they do… I expect you to act wisely. He needs discipline—and that seat he holds was once his brother's."
Fugaku didn't flinch. He lifted his tea and took a measured sip.
"Then let's see what happens."
Before the elder could reply, a knock came at the door.
A middle-aged Uchiha entered and whispered something into the elder's ear.
The elder's face changed immediately—darkened with a scowl.
Meanwhile...
"You claim to be offended?" Uchiha Kai's tone was icy, his Mangekyō eyes sharp. "I think you've simply forgotten who I am."
Uchiha Chiya's Sharingan flared in response. "Let the elders decide. You've overstepped, Vice-Captain."
"Hmph."
Kai's grip on his chakra-coated blade tightened. Blue light shimmered across the edge.
Around them, members of the Konoha Police Force stood frozen in disbelief.
No one had expected things to escalate like this—three high-ranking captains, openly clashing within the clan's own headquarters?
The younger officers had always envied Kai's rise, his reputation as a battlefield prodigy who awakened the three-tomoe Sharingan under real combat. But they had underestimated him.
Uchiha Asahi and his son, Chuan, watched anxiously. They had thrown their support behind Kai. Now, everything hinged on the outcome of this confrontation.
Chiya and Tsubasa made their move, striking simultaneously.
Twin pairs of Sharingan locked onto Kai as they circled to flank him. Kunai flashed in their hands, while Kai's chakra-forged blade met their attacks in a shower of sparks.
The two were seasoned and well-matched. Kai, by contrast, bore the wear of war. Though his chakra reserves were lower, his mind was sharper.
They tried to trap him in genjutsu, but Kai didn't even blink.
Child's play.
His Mangekyō effortlessly unraveled their illusions the moment they were cast.
But then, for a moment, he froze.
His body slackened. His face turned pale. Chiya and Tsubasa seized the moment.
"It worked!"
"Take him down!"
They lunged—believing they had Kai under their illusion.
Too late.
The flicker of a smirk appeared at the edge of Kai's lips.
The moment they closed in, his sword moved—so fast it blurred.