Chapter 53: Uchiha Fugaku
Uchiha Fugaku… has returned?
Walking alongside Uchiha Jun toward Fugaku's residence, Uchiha Kei couldn't help but wonder to himself. If memory served him right, this "eternal bottom-dweller" had been dispatched to the frontlines — and he had taken his son with him.
His return could only mean one thing: Iwagakure's offensive was losing steam. Perhaps in just a few months — maybe even weeks — the negotiations would conclude.
After all, this time, hundreds — possibly thousands — of Iwa shinobi had perished, reduced to wandering spirits. Among them could have been Ōnoki's own son, Kitsuchi. Then again, Kei figured that guy had likely already retreated.
But it didn't matter — Konoha still had the Five-Tails' jinchūriki in Minato's hands. With such a powerful bargaining chip, Konoha held all the cards. A strategic weapon like that was not something the Third Tsuchikage would be willing to give up easily.
This was Minato Namikaze's moment in the spotlight — the perfect chance to build his political capital. Even within just half a month of being back in Konoha, Kei had begun to hear whispers.
No matter how much Kei tried to remain low-key, no matter how well Konoha tried to cover it up, public opinion was something you guided — not silenced.
Then there was the incident with Orochimaru. No one truly believed the official story. Whether it was true or not, the poor judgment displayed by the higher-ups made it obvious: they were desperate.
Maybe it was just a difference in mindset. Kei, coming from a world steeped in advanced science and technology, saw things a little more clearly.
At this rate, his investment was finally paying off. Of course, the real returns would take time — after all, Minato was still only a squad captain, not yet Hokage.
And the title of Hokage… that was something else entirely. Even a powerless Hokage held more symbolic weight than a mere squad captain.
As Kei mulled this over, he turned to glance at Uchiha Jun. He suddenly realized something interesting.
He had initially assumed she was merely a subordinate of one of the clan elders. But that didn't seem to be the case. Her loyalty, it appeared, was directed at Fugaku.
Kei couldn't help but smirk inwardly.
The small village of Konoha was already amusing enough — who would've thought the even smaller Uchiha clan would be just as tangled?
The clan elders and the clan head were clearly not of one mind. Add in the ongoing clash between the hawks and doves, and then the fact that even the elite had been brainwashed… No wonder the clan had eventually been wiped out.
"We're here, Kei-kun," Jun said with a gentle smile. "I'll take my leave. The clan head wishes to speak with you alone."
"Thank you," Kei replied calmly and politely, then stepped forward alone into Fugaku's residence.
The house was massive — the largest in the entire Uchiha district. But that was to be expected from the clan head.
As the face of the Uchiha, Fugaku couldn't allow even a sliver of disgrace to fall on their name.
Led by a family servant, Kei passed through a corridor and arrived at a small pond. The water was clear, teeming with leisurely fish. Nearby, a small bamboo fountain filled and tipped with a crisp, rhythmic clack as water struck stone. The serene soundscape, accompanied by the rustling of green bamboo, was unexpectedly soothing.
In the gazebo beside the pond, a middle-aged man sat alone, sipping tea. That man was Uchiha Fugaku.
He looked up, spotted Kei, and beckoned him over.
Without hesitation, Kei walked over. Since the meeting was inevitable, he might as well face it head-on — besides, the environment was quite comfortable.
"Clan Head," Kei greeted him respectfully, giving a slight bow. He didn't care about Fugaku's status, but those eyes of his… Kei couldn't afford to underestimate them.
"Kei-kun, take a seat. No need to be so formal," Fugaku said, gesturing toward the seat across from him. "This is our first time meeting, isn't it?"
"Yes, Clan Head," Kei nodded with due politeness. Though Fugaku had said to relax, Kei had no intention of doing so.
"I heard about your performance on the battlefield," Fugaku said after taking a sip of tea. "And Jun has spoken highly of you since I returned. I must say — I'm impressed. And it seems quite a few others in the clan are, too."
Kei remained silent, simply listening. After all, he already knew.
It wasn't just the Uchiha who were shaken — even Konoha's higher-ups had taken notice.
But Fugaku didn't elaborate, and Kei didn't act clever by bringing it up either.
When it came to stoicism, Fugaku was unmatched. When it came to indecisiveness? Still him. And as for being a cold, calculating freak? He might just take the crown there too.
"A three-tomoe Sharingan… interesting. Quite unbelievable," Fugaku said, setting down his teacup. The soft clack of bamboo striking stone echoed again. "You had already awakened your Sharingan before the war, hadn't you?"
Kei furrowed his brows but didn't respond. He looked at Fugaku with feigned confusion, opting to remain silent.
At the same time, he was scanning through his memories, trying to identify any slip-ups. But as far as he could tell, no one had seen his eyes before — at least, no one who was still alive.
Everyone who had seen his Sharingan before he openly used it had died — whether enemies or teammates.
Only after awakening the Mangekyō had he stopped hiding it — partly because it was getting hard to keep it secret.
"Opening your eyes with three tomoe right away… That's never been recorded in the clan's history," Fugaku continued, undeterred by Kei's silence. "And you wielded it with such skill — far beyond a first-time user. You even wiped out the Ishimizu squad. Fascinating."
Ah, so that's what tipped him off.
It made sense. Outsiders unfamiliar with the Sharingan might not notice, but the clan head — a Mangekyō user himself — certainly would.
A Sharingan wasn't something one mastered overnight. And Kei had not only awakened it at full power but used it to obliterate a renowned enemy unit. Of course it would raise eyebrows.
"They were careless, Clan Head," Kei replied coolly. "Besides, if I had awakened the Sharingan long ago, why wouldn't I have used it earlier?"
"Indeed. Maybe they were careless," Fugaku chuckled. "And you truly have no reason to turn down such glory. Regardless of how or why — you'll go down in history."
Go down in history?
Kei sneered inwardly.
More like a spot on the future hit list.
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