"They didn't say why they came to our Uchiha grounds?" Fugaku asked, utterly perplexed.
"Uh… they just said they wanted justice from you, Clan Leader. And they mentioned Young Master Rukawa—demanding he 'pay the price' or something like that…"
Fugaku's face twitched.
He didn't even have to think—this was definitely trouble stirred up by that fake Rukawa.
Given that maniac's temperament, and now with the Hyūga Clan Leader showing up in person, it probably meant he'd beaten a few of them to near-death.
Fugaku's head throbbed.
Not only was someone impersonating his son, but now that same person was dragging his clan into conflict—and he had to clean it up.
Absolutely miserable.
Just then, the sliding wooden door behind them creaked open—Rukawa stepped out, hands in his pockets.
"Looking for me? What do those Hyūga want? I didn't even touch them," he said innocently.
Fugaku turned to him, giving a sharp look that clearly said, "Do I look like I believe that?"
Rukawa raised an eyebrow, thinking back.
"Oh, right. This afternoon I might've given a couple of Hyūga brats a tiny bit of discipline."
"All this drama over that? Talk about petty."
"A tiny bit?" Fugaku echoed skeptically.
He clearly remembered what Rukawa had called "a little lesson" at the clan meeting—that "tiny bit" had electrocuted a man half to death.
Uchiha Sōjin was still lying in the hospital recovering!
"It really was just a little," Rukawa said, looking exasperated. "You think I'm the type to go all out on some brat?"
He'd already forgotten he'd used Mangekyō-level genjutsu on Hyūga Daiki. Frankly, they were such small fry, he didn't bother remembering.
"Anyway, this is a minor issue. You handle it. If not, what's the point of being clan leader?"
Rukawa waved dismissively and turned back into the house.
Fugaku's expression twitched again.
Even to my little brother, I get zero respect.
The Uchiha messenger standing nearby had a strange look too.
Why does it feel like Rukawa's the real clan head here…?
Of course, he kept that thought to himself. No way he was saying that out loud.
"Clan Leader, sir, you should probably hurry," the messenger advised. "The clansmen are about to start a brawl."
"Ahem." Fugaku cleared his throat, trying to recover from the humiliation. He straightened his posture and said seriously:
"Fine. Take me to them."
To save face, he added, "Rukawa's gotten a little rebellious after a few days at ninja school. I'll give him a good lesson later."
The messenger quickly chimed in support:
"Totally! My brat's the same. Went to academy and now dares talk back!"
"Mhm." Fugaku nodded sagely. "Kids these days… gotta teach 'em with an iron fist."
"Exactly! Clan Leader, you speak the truth!"
Fugaku felt quite pleased with himself again.
Until—
Creak—
The door slid open again. Rukawa stepped out with hands still in his pockets.
He glanced at Fugaku and casually said, "On second thought, I'll come with you. Mainly because I'm worried you won't be able to handle this."
He walked past, glanced back, and added, "Well? You coming or what? Don't tell me your legs are cramping."
"Don't worry, I'll keep you safe. If those Hyūga get uppity, I'll make sure they leave with more than just bruises."
He waved grandly, radiating big-brother energy.
"…Huh?"
The messenger was stunned.
Forget rebellion—this kid's ready to take over the world.
Trying to help Fugaku save face, the messenger tried again:
"Um, Rukawa-sama… you really shouldn't talk to your father like that. If you're not careful, he'll show you the wrath of a father's iron fist!"
"Better apologize now before—"
"Shut it. Move," Fugaku cut in with a scowl, storming ahead.
His mood—which had just started to improve—sank straight to rock bottom.
He'd just bragged about putting his son in line, and immediately got publicly clowned.
The messenger was dumbfounded.
But I was helping you! Didn't you just say you'd teach him a lesson? Why aren't you doing it?
One glance at Fugaku's expression—face darker than the bottom of a ramen pot—and he wisely chose not to speak again.
As for why Rukawa came along?
System mission, of course.
After a long silence, the system finally chimed in.
Ding… Mission: Slap Hyūga Hiashi across the face. Reward: 2 Sign-In Attempts.
Small reward? Sure.
But easy mission? Absolutely.
A clean slap to the face of the Hyūga Clan Leader? Piece of cake.
All he had to do was provoke Hiashi enough to make him strike first—and boom, mission complete.
Perfect plan.
At the Uchiha Clan Gate
A large group of Uchiha had gathered, faces cold and eyes sharp.
The Hyūga? Coming here to stir trouble? Who do they think they are?
Across from them, the Hyūga clan, led by Hiashi himself, stood with just as much intensity.
Their gazes burned with righteous fury—as if they were confronting someone who'd stolen their wives.
Tension crackled in the air, a single word away from exploding into a full-blown fight.
"They're here! Clan Leader Fugaku has arrived!"
"Just say the word, and we'll paint the ground with those smug white-eyed bastards!"
"That's right! How dare they stir up trouble in our territory! We'll make them regret it!"
…