The Clan Leader was, of course, the father of Itachi and the future Sasuke: Uchiha Fugaku.
This powerful shinobi, who would eventually be slaughtered by his own son in the original timeline, likely already possessed the Mangekyō Sharingan by the time of the Third War. His strength was not to be underestimated.
While Mai wasn't entirely sure why Fugaku had summoned him, he wasn't particularly nervous. Combining four years of observation with his knowledge of the original plot, it was easy to read Fugaku's character.
Konoha's policy toward the Uchiha was essentially "entrapment"—pressuring the clan until they revolted. It was a blatant power play.
Against this backdrop, most clansmen had grown distant from the village, their resentment simmering until they became the "Radical Faction."
Fugaku, however, was a moderate. As the head of the Uchiha, he had spent years trying to bridge the gap between the clan and the village, fully aware that the Uchiha were no match for the combined might of Konoha.
His eldest son, Itachi, and the young genius Shisui would eventually inherit this philosophy.
Yet Fugaku wasn't as extreme as Itachi. In the original story, when the cries of "rebellion" became too loud to suppress, he allowed himself to be hijacked by the clan's will, choosing to stand with his people.
In short, Fugaku was more of a "steward" than a boss, giving everything to the Uchiha. It was why even the radicals respected and trusted him.
As long as your name was Uchiha, you didn't have to worry about Fugaku stabbing you in the back. In that regard, he was leagues ahead of the Hyuga clan next door.
Mai led the little "button" Shisui through the district, chatting idly until they reached Fugaku's home.
Despite being the leader, Fugaku's residence wasn't more ostentatious than any other. Aside from a few extra rooms and training facilities in the yard, it was quite modest.
Inside, Fugaku and his wife, Uchiha Mikoto, were sitting on the tatami mats, sharing a light conversation. Beside them sat a baby cradle, where the future executioner of the Uchiha clan lay sleeping soundly. Infants generally slept a lot.
Seeing Shisui bring Mai back, Fugaku smiled and ruffled Shisui's hair. He picked up a skewer of red bean dango from a low table and handed it to the boy.
"Here," Fugaku said, patting Shisui's bottom with a chuckle. "Take these and go play with baby Itachi."
Mikoto, catching the hint, stood up and guided Shisui out while pushing the baby carriage, leaving Fugaku and Mai alone in the room.
"Clan Leader, you asked for me?" Mai prompted.
Fugaku rubbed his forehead, looking slightly troubled. He cut straight to the chase. "I heard you beat up the Hokage's son at school?"
"You found out that quickly?" Mai was slightly taken aback. "Does a high-ranking figure like you really pay that much attention to the Academy?"
Fugaku sighed. "The situation is... delicate. I can only tell you that soon, even newly graduated Genin will likely be sent to the front lines. The Hokage is also the Principal of the school. Under these circumstances, it's only natural for the higher-ups to keep an eye on things."
Fugaku didn't elaborate, but he had at least given Mai an explanation. In many worlds, adults discussing politics with children would be absurd. But here—especially before the start of the Shippuden era—it was normal.
In the Warring States period, seven-year-olds on the battlefield were common. Even after the hidden villages were formed, peace was fleeting. Conflicts had simply evolved from skirmishes into large-scale military campaigns. If a child was seven and had the power to fight, they were, for all intents and purposes, an "adult."
"It was just a normal sparring exercise," Mai said, sounding a bit guilty.
Fugaku: "..."
A normal exercise results in a concussion for the Hokage's son?
"Ah..." Fugaku spoke with a touch of exasperation. "Your hand was a bit too heavy. And what's more, the Hokage himself was watching. You essentially beat his son into a pulp right in front of his eyes."
"The Hokage was there?" Mai was genuinely surprised.
"How else do you think I knew?" Fugaku countered. "The Hokage inspected the school today. When he got back to his office, he summoned me. He squeezed my shoulder and said, 'Fugaku, you've done well. You've raised a fine shinobi.
That Uchiha Mai from your clan crushed Asuma in three moves. You've done well—you've taught that unfilial brat a lesson for me. I really must thank you.'"
Fugaku's imitation of the Third Hokage was uncanny, but his eyes betrayed a hint of lingering fear.
Everyone in the high command knew about the drama in the Sarutobi household; Asuma was the primary source of the Third's headaches.
The old man probably was a little grateful, but the gesture was mostly a warning. An Uchiha severely injuring the Hokage's son was a sensitive matter.
"I didn't think he'd be so easy to break," Mai muttered.
Fugaku: "..." So it's your fault for being too strong?
With a wry smile, Fugaku added, "Regardless, winning is good. Asuma isn't weak. I've already offered my apologies to the Hokage, so the matter is settled.
You don't need to worry. However, if Asuma provokes you again... try to be a bit gentler. A broken bone or two is fine. The brain is just a bit too sensitive of an area."
Fugaku had chosen to side with his clansman. Had this been the Hyuga, they might have punished the "culprit" severely or handed him over to the Hokage.
This was the pride of the Uchiha, the world's premier bloodline clan: I've already apologized for my kid beating up yours. What else do you want?
"Understood," Mai nodded. Got it. Next time Asuma starts something, the minimum price is one broken bone.
"The Hokage said you defeated Asuma using Taijutsu and intelligence. Keep training. The path of Taijutsu has great potential. We Uchiha aren't limited to just Fire Style and Shurikenjutsu."
Fugaku offered a few more words of encouragement. In recent years, young Uchiha had fallen into a rut, obsessing over Fire Style and ninja tools to the exclusion of all else.
It wasn't "wrong," but it was lopsided. As Clan Leader, Fugaku knew the hidden history of the Uchiha.
The path of Taijutsu was more than viable. Their ancestor, Uchiha Madara, and the "God of Shinobi," Hashirama Senju, both possessed terrifying physical combat skills.
They could kick a Tailed Beast aside through sheer force and move with surgical precision. At one point, Madara was even known as the "Rose of the Battlefield."
*I'll drop one bonus chapter for every 10 reviews (leave a review/comment!)
*One bonus chapter will be released for every 50 Power Stones.
*Read 60+ chapters ahead on P@treon: patreon.com/MasterStudios(Luffy Pfp)