Chapter 156 – Offending the Old Guard
Uchiha Fugaku was in a surprisingly good mood today.
After his conversation with Uchiha Kei, though some matters had left him uneasy, overall things seemed to be progressing in the right direction.
Feeling upbeat, he planned to change clothes and head to the Police Force headquarters once his wife, Uchiha Mikoto, returned home.
As clan head and Police Force commander, Fugaku's schedule was relatively flexible.
But he hadn't expected that as soon as his wife came home—having just walked Itachi to school—she would bring up an awkward topic.
"Fugaku, I just ran into Kei outside," Mikoto said as she helped straighten his clothes.
"I remember Itachi mentioning you wanted Kei to become his teacher. But Kei seems to keep refusing him, and you don't seem to bring it up anymore."
"Kei's killing intent is too strong," Fugaku replied, frowning slightly. "He's someone who spent seven or eight years fighting on the front lines. Right now, Itachi isn't suited to train under someone like him."
Though he was reluctant to say more, Fugaku didn't want to burden his gentle wife with details.
After learning that Kei had awakened the Mangekyō Sharingan, how could Fugaku possibly allow his son to grow close to such a dangerous man?
Kei's Mangekyō was proof of his extraordinary talent—but also of the extreme risk he posed.
Fugaku couldn't feel at ease letting his son be around someone like that, especially before he fully understood Kei's capabilities.
"Is that so?" Mikoto asked softly, pulling his collar into place with a gentle smile.
"I've heard people say Kei-kun is actually very kind. But if you've decided this, I'll trust you. It seems Kei-kun isn't eager to take on a student anyway. Now hurry along—you'll be late."
"Thank you, Mikoto."
For once, a rare smile appeared on Fugaku's face—something he only showed at home.
A loving, gentle wife; a bright, gifted child—these were the things he, as clan head, felt he had to protect.
Even if it meant risking his life.
Even if it meant making dangerous alliances.
Yes… to him, Uchiha Kei wasn't just a threat—he was like a tiger, or worse, a venomous snake.
After saying goodbye to Mikoto, Fugaku stepped out of his house into a bright, pleasant morning.
But he quickly sensed something was off in the clan compound.
Groups of Uchiha were whispering anxiously among themselves, an ominous sign that something unusual had happened that morning.
Frowning, Fugaku was about to ask what was going on when Uchiha Jun appeared at his side.
"Clan Head," Jun greeted him with a deep bow. "The Great Elder wishes to see you."
"The Great Elder?" Fugaku asked, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. But he kept his composure. "Understood. I'll go see him right away."
"Clan Head…" Jun lowered her voice as they began walking.
"This morning, Vice Commander Kei ordered his squad to assemble, but they deliberately stalled. Then I heard he decided to dismiss the entire squad. When they resisted, Kei used that as justification to act. The details are unclear, but word is there was bloodshed."
"I see."
Fugaku sighed quietly. Though he looked troubled, he wasn't surprised at all.
In fact, this was a result he had already considered—and perhaps even hoped for.
With this information, Fugaku now knew exactly how to handle his meeting with the Great Elder.
After instructing Jun to "keep monitoring the situation," he headed to the elder's residence.
Fugaku had never liked the Great Elder.
The man had once served as his father's right-hand, accomplishing much for the clan.
But after his father's death and Fugaku's rise to power, the elder had slowly changed—becoming increasingly greedy and obsessed with control, convinced that only he was right, trying to manipulate everything from behind the scenes.
Fugaku despised such people.
Yet he knew he still needed their support.
Soon he arrived at the elder's house. After being formally announced, he was finally granted entry—prompting another quiet sigh.
"Fugaku-kun, you've come," the elder said tonelessly from where he sat kneeling by a low table. "Sit down. Have some tea."
"Yes, Elder." Fugaku knelt obediently across from him.
"What did you wish to discuss?"
"Fugaku, you're being too distant," the elder said with a soft sigh.
"But as clan head, maintaining this kind of detached composure is understandable. Staying impartial and not getting too close to anyone is the right choice for you."
Though Fugaku's expression remained calm, a flicker of anger rose inside him.
Was this supposed to be a warning?
Did they really still see him as that same boy who once had to rely on this old man for everything?
Uchiha Fugaku silently stared at the elder in front of him, without any desire to speak. He was genuinely curious to see what kind of act this man—someone he once called uncle—would put on today.
"Uchiha Kei may be a genius," the elder finally spoke, unaffected by Fugaku's silence. He sipped his tea slowly before continuing, "In both strength and intellect. But he's still too young—his ways are impulsive and immature. He's someone worth cultivating, yes, but not someone we should grant too much power to."
"He can bear it. And I trust him," Fugaku responded, his expression grave and sincere. No longer interested in playing polite, he looked directly at the elder. "Kei survived years on the battlefield. He has his own way of handling things—and I support him."
"You've made a mistake, Fugaku," the elder sighed.
"As clan head, you should remain impartial. Your favoritism isn't befitting of your position. To rectify your error, I believe Tsubasa and Chisai will bring him here soon. When the time comes, I hope you'll make the right choice. Shu is a solid candidate—and that position was meant for his brother anyway."
Fugaku said nothing. His gaze locked coldly onto the elder.
After a long pause, he finally lifted his cup and took a sip. "Then let's wait and see."
The elder shook his head with a heavy sigh. He was about to speak again when suddenly, there was a knock at the door.
The elder's face lit up with a smile—until a middle-aged man leaned in and whispered something in his ear. Instantly, his expression darkened.
---
Outside—
"You say you will offend me?" Uchiha Kei's icy gaze fixed on the two men before him. "Let's not pretend. You've never respected me from the start—so why the fake apology now?"
"Then we have indeed offended you, Vice Commander," Uchiha Chisai replied coldly. His and Uchiha Tsubasa's Sharingan eyes flared a deep crimson. "Let the elder decide who's right."
"Hmph." Kei snorted. His chakra-infused blade gleamed with an even sharper blue light.
Everyone around them stood in stunned silence. No one had expected things to escalate like this—right inside the Police Force headquarters!
Three squad leaders clashing—who could've predicted it?
And more shockingly, none of them imagined Uchiha Kei would be this powerful.
They had always known he wasn't ordinary. After all, anyone holding that position couldn't be simple. But their jealousy—especially over Kei's rare three-tomoe Sharingan—had blinded them.
They thought, "If only I had that talent or luck, maybe that seat would've been mine."
But now? Kei's strength was undeniable—he was truly deserving of being one of the top three captains.
---
Not far off, Uchiha Asahi and Uchiha Kawa nervously watched as Kei squared off against the other two captains.
They had already firmly chosen to back Kei, so naturally, they hoped he would win.
Though they didn't fully understand his methods, they had no choice but to grit their teeth and follow through—praying he would succeed.
---
Tsubasa and Chisai were no pushovers. The moment the hostility was confirmed, they flanked Kei—one left, one right—executing a coordinated pincer attack.
Their crimson Sharingan eyes locked tightly onto him as they drew kunai, knowing Kei had a sword in hand.
In a flash, the three clashed. Kei's chakra-infused blade met their kunai in a flurry of sharp metal clashes. Sparks flew.
Tsubasa and Chisai's coordination was nearly flawless. And being at the peak of their physical and mental prowess, they were formidable opponents.
Kei had to be cautious. His youth worked against him in sheer strength and chakra reserves—but that was the only disadvantage.
And soon, Kei noticed something.
They were using their Sharingan to cast genjutsu on him.
He nearly laughed.
Against me? A Mangekyō wielder?
The very idea was ridiculous.
As he sensed the foreign chakra entering his brain through his eyes, his body suddenly froze. His expression became slightly vacant.
"Got him!"
"Grab him!"
Tsubasa and Chisai finally exhaled in relief. Kei's earlier pressure had been overwhelming—they didn't dare go all out.
But still, no matter how strong Kei's genjutsu resistance was, even he couldn't hold out against two coordinated assaults.
Or so they thought.
Just as they approached, Kei's blade moved.