The clan head was, of course, the father of Itachi and the future "second pillar"—
Uchiha Fugaku.
This powerful shinobi, who in the original storyline would later be slaughtered by his own son, very likely awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan as early as the Third Shinobi World War.
His strength was not to be underestimated.
Although Uchiha Mai had no idea why Fugaku had summoned him, he wasn't particularly nervous.
After more than four years of observation—combined with knowledge from the original plot—it wasn't difficult to understand what kind of person Fugaku was.
Konoha's policy toward the Uchiha had always resembled a form of entrapment.
In essence, it was a calculated push to force the Uchiha into rebellion—an open conspiracy.
Under such circumstances, the hearts of most Uchiha clan members gradually drifted away from the village. Resentment accumulated, giving rise to the clan's radical faction.
Fugaku, however, belonged to the moderate faction.
For many years, as the leader of the Uchiha, he had done everything in his power to ease tensions between the clan and the village.
He knew very clearly—
The Uchiha were not a match for Konoha.
His eldest son Itachi, as well as the clan's prodigy Shisui, would later inherit this ideology and also become moderates.
However, Fugaku was far less extreme than Itachi.
In the original storyline, when cries of "to hell with it" grew louder and louder within the clan, and resentment could no longer be suppressed, even the moderate Fugaku was ultimately kidnapped by the will of the clan and chose to stand with his people.
Compared to being a political leader, Fugaku was more like a chief steward—someone who poured everything he had into the Uchiha.
Because of that, even the radical faction respected and trusted him.
As long as you bore the name Uchiha, you never had to worry about Fugaku stabbing you in the back.
Compared to the Hyūga next door, he was on an entirely different level.
Holding little Shisui's hand, Uchiha Mai chatted casually as they made their way to Fugaku's residence.
Despite being the clan head, Fugaku's home was no more luxurious than the others.
Aside from a few rooms and some training equipment in the courtyard, there was nothing extravagant.
At the moment, Fugaku was sitting on the tatami with his wife, Uchiha Mikoto, chatting quietly.
Beside them rested a baby cradle.
Inside lay the future destroyer of the Uchiha clan, sleeping peacefully.
Babies, after all, slept most of the time.
Seeing Shisui bring Mai over, Fugaku smiled and rubbed the boy's hair, then picked up a skewer of red bean dumplings from the low table and placed it into the child's hands.
Patting Shisui on the backside, he said with a laugh,
"Here—take this and go play with your little brother Itachi."
Mikoto rose with understanding, guiding Shisui out while pushing the baby carriage, creating a private space for the two to talk.
"Clan Head, you wanted to see me?" Uchiha Mai asked.
Fugaku rubbed his forehead with a troubled expression and got straight to the point.
"I heard you beat up the Hokage's son at the Academy?"
"You found out that fast?" Uchiha Mai asked in slight surprise.
"And someone like you actually pays attention to the Ninja Academy?"
Fugaku sighed.
"The situation is special right now. I can only tell you this—newly graduated genin may very well be sent to the battlefield in the near future.
The Hokage also serves as the principal of the Ninja Academy. Under such circumstances, it's only natural that the upper ranks of Konoha are paying close attention to the school."
He didn't go into detail, but still offered an explanation to Mai.
Adults discussing the political situation with a child might seem strange in other worlds.
But in the Naruto world—especially before the events of Shippuden—this was perfectly normal.
During the Warring States Era, conflict between clans was constant. Children of seven or eight going to war was nothing unusual.
After the founding of the villages, the shinobi world never truly achieved peace—conflicts only grew larger in scale.
What were once small skirmishes had evolved into full-scale clashes between nations.
At seven or eight years old, possessing combat ability already qualified one as an "adult."
This madness wouldn't truly ease until several years after the Third Shinobi World War ended.
"It was just a normal training spar," Uchiha Mai said guiltily.
Fugaku: "..."
A normal spar, and you managed to give the Hokage's son a concussion?
"Ahem…"
Fugaku said helplessly,
"You still went a bit too far. And the Hokage himself was present at the time.
Which means—you injured his son right in front of him."
"The Hokage was there?" Uchiha Mai was startled.
"Otherwise, how do you think I found out so quickly?" Fugaku replied.
"Today, the Hokage went to inspect the Academy. After returning, he summoned me to his office.
He put his hands on my shoulders and said:
'Fugaku, you've done well. You've raised an excellent shinobi. That Uchiha Mai of yours—three punches and two kicks, and Asuma was severely injured.
You did well. Very well. You even helped me discipline that unfilial son of mine. I must properly thank you.'"
Fugaku's imitation of the Third Hokage was eerily accurate.
Yet beneath it, fear still lingered in his eyes.
Everyone in Konoha's upper ranks knew about the mess within the Sarutobi household.
Asuma had caused the Third Hokage endless worry.
The old man probably did feel a bit of genuine gratitude.
But more than that, it was a warning.
An Uchiha severely injuring the Hokage's own son—
That was far too sensitive an incident.
"I didn't expect him to be that fragile," Uchiha Mai said awkwardly.
Fugaku: "..."
So now it's his fault for being too weak?
With a bitter smile, Fugaku continued,
"Regardless, it's still impressive that you won. Asuma isn't weak.
I've already offered apologies to the Hokage. This matter is settled—you don't need to be anxious.
But in the future, if Asuma provokes you again, remember to go a little lighter.
Breaking a bone is fine.
But the brain… is simply too sensitive."
Once again, Fugaku chose to stand on the side of his clansman.
If this had been the Hyūga clan, they might have severely punished the 'culprit' or even handed him over to the Hokage for judgment.
This was the pride of the Uchiha—the number one kekkei genkai clan of the shinobi world.
The Hokage's son got a concussion?
I've already apologized. What more do you want?
"Understood," Uchiha Mai nodded.
Once that bastard Asuma recovered, he'd beat him again—minimum charge: one broken bone.
"The Hokage said you defeated Asuma using taijutsu and strategy.
Train well. The path of taijutsu holds great potential.
Our Uchiha are not limited to Fire Release and shuriken techniques."
Fugaku offered a few more words of encouragement.
In recent years, many young Uchiha had fallen into a misconception—pursuing only kekkei genkai, Fire Release, and shurikenjutsu.
It wasn't exactly wrong.
But it was unbalanced.
As clan head, Fugaku knew much of the Uchiha's history and hidden secrets.
The path of taijutsu was indeed viable.
Back then, their ancestor Uchiha Madara—and the God of Shinobi, Senju Hashirama—had both possessed terrifying taijutsu prowess.
They could overwhelm opponents with raw force alone, kicking Tailed Beasts flying.
And they could also display dazzling technique, just as intricate as shuriken arts.
At one point, their ancestor Madara was even known as—
"The Battlefield Rose."
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