Uchiha Compound / Fugaku's House
As the sun began to set, a man walked through the streets of the Uchiha Clan compound—his face one only a mother could love, and one that made his father question if he was truly the dad. This man was none other than the clan head, Fugaku Uchiha.
As he made his way home, many clan members greeted him—some with respectful nods, others with formal bows. The compound's little ecosystem was running smoothly: traders bartered goods, children ran around playing, and guards patrolled with keen eyes. On the surface, it was a peaceful day.
But beneath that surface, tension brewed between the Uchiha and the village.
And as Fugaku stood before his door, one singular thought consumed him.
Fugaku's POV
"Tired."
I'm so damn tired. Especially today. Why can't the police force ever strike a proper balance? It's either too aggressive or too passive—just like our clan politics.
"The doves are too soft, ready to kneel and lick the boots of Konoha's leadership just to be accepted. The hawks want to seize the village like it's some prize, ignoring the fact that open rebellion would either destroy us or result in a pyrrhic victory."
I opened the door to my house—the third nicest in the clan, unfortunately. The lights were off.
"Mikoto? You home? Mikoto!"
No answer.
Where could she be? Then I remembered—this morning she said she'd be with her older sister and nephew.
"Reika and Kurogami…"
Just thinking of them brought back memories. Bad ones.
Reika Uchiha. Some call her the pride of the clan. Others whisper she's a demon in human form. But most, in private, refer to her as the second coming of Madara. Her performance in the Second Ninja War was terrifying. But to me? She was—and always will be—my first crush.
I walked further in, turned on the lights, and made my way to the bathroom for a long-overdue shower. Afterward, I collapsed onto my bed, hoping to grab a quick nap.
Looking at Mikoto's side of the bed, I couldn't stop my thoughts from drifting to her sister.
"Would Mikoto be disappointed if she knew I still had feelings for her, I still lusted after her?"
Mikoto is a wonderful woman—loyal, kind, beautiful. But compared to Reika… she just doesn't measure up. It's strange how Mikoto never seems bothered by the comparisons. Maybe she hides it well. Maybe she accepted it.
"Sometimes I wonder if Tobirama was thinking of people like Reika when he called the Uchiha cursed."
And yet I still fell for her.
I remember the first time I saw her and her team on the battlefield—leaving behind corpses like flies, their power so monstrous it made hardened warriors vomit in horror. Her teammates were infamous, sure, but Reika? She made them look like footnotes.
She once conjured a tsunami of blue flames that devastated Mist forces so thoroughly they questioned if water truly beat fire. She fought the Third Raikage using only lightning-style—and left scars on his chest and face.
The moment I fell in love? When she smiled at the news of an enemy attack. That smile lit a fire in me. For the first time, I thought arranged marriages might not be so bad.
I asked my father to arrange a meeting. I was the clan leader's son, after all—strong, capable, with a future ahead of me. At the time, I thought he hesitated because of the age gap. The way his face twitched… it looked like he swallowed a lemon.
Now I know the truth. It wasn't the age gap.
It was like watching a chicken trying to seduce a dragon, knowing it'd only get eaten.
When I confessed to her, after gaining my father's approval, the look she gave me shattered me. Her rejection was brutal. I wasn't strong enough. I'd never measure up. She wasn't housewife material. She despised politics and would rather walk around naked than be part of them—or be with me.
"Whoever said the worst she can say is 'no' is a damn liar."
I was furious—for months. At myself. At her. So I did what any bitter man might do: I used my influence to push her to the margins of the clan, only giving her the bare minimum assistance.
Looking back, I was pathetic.
I couldn't handle the rejection. I lashed out. If it hadn't been for father stepping in and arranging Mikoto to marry me—both to calm me down and to give Reika space—I would've kept spiraling.
Ironically, that heartbreak evolved my Sharingan to three-tomoe Sharingan level.
Eventually, I moved on. Or I told myself I did. Mikoto became my wife. I tried to forget. But every time I saw Reika, the flame flickered again.
And then he appeared.
Kurogami's father. A man who saved Reika and her team from death with a few healing potions. He had no chakra, no bloodline, no power. And yet... she fell for him.
Why him!?
I remember confronting her. The elders and I—none of us approved. The clan didn't mind outsiders marrying into the clan usually… but for someone like Reika, a legend among the Uchiha? She needed to marry within. Especially with how the hawks idolized her.
Her response?
Mockery.
She spat in our faces—told us it was none of our business. Claimed the man was stronger than me in ways I'd never understand.
I was furious.
The man himself didn't help. Calm. Mocking. His eyes told me I was beneath him. If he hadn't been a civilian, I'd have struck him right then and there.
But Reika wouldn't let that happen.
She challenged me to a private duel.
She beat me down. Humiliated me. Stepped on my head like I was a mutt. My Sharingan evolved again to the legendary Mangekyō Sharingan—but not from pride. From rage. From heartbreak.
I remember yelling that the elders would never approve of her relationship.
And the next night? They gave their blessing.
The look in their eyes when I protested… it was like they'd stared into the face of death itself. She threatened them, I know it.
That was the moment I stopped loving her.
All that was left was bitterness. A twisted desire to break her—like the Cloud Village way and make her mine.
And when Kurogami was born?
I felt nothing but despair.
"I am Fugaku Uchiha, leader of the clan—but I will not bully a child for the sins of their parents."
Still, I didn't stop the rumors.
Half-breed. Illegitimate. A disgrace born from genius and trash.
Let the elders whisper. Let the village judge.
Whatever Kurogami becomes—prodigy or failure—it's her burden. Not mine.
She had a choice. First wife. Second wife. She chose neither.
None of it matters now.
I closed my eyes, hoping for a nap before heading back to my private study to file away reports and deal with complaints about the police force .
But then—
"REIKA! GET BACK HERE, YOU PYROMANIAC BITCH! I'LL RIP OUT YOUR EYES!"
Tsunade.
I rubbed my eyes, exhausted.
"So much for rest… if Tsunade's screaming like that, Reika must've done something outrageous again."
I headed to the living room and turned on the lights. Made some hot green tea—enough for myself and Mikoto. She'd surely be back soon, a firsthand witness to whatever chaos had just unfolded.
A moment later, the door opened.
Mikoto walked in, and I gestured to the seat across from me.
"Come, sit. I made your favorite."
She smiled tiredly and took a long sip—like it was the last drink she'd ever have.
I smirked.
"That bad, huh?"
She paused, thinking. Her Sharingan activated.
I raised an eyebrow.
"…Something wrong?"
She narrowed her eyes.
"I'm checking for gray hair or early baldness."
I stared at her flatly.
"…The fact you're checking means it's really bad."
She sipped again and set her cup down.
"There's good news and bad news. Which do you want first?"
My eyes widened. "There's good news? From Reika? There is a god. Give me the good news."
She smiled.
"Reika finally broke the tie with Tsunade. She proved she's stronger."
I leaned back, satisfied.
"Ah, finally. A Uchiha defeating a Senju—especially that Senju. Granddaughter of the First Hokage, student of the Third. A win for the clan. More acknowledgement of our supremacy."
Mikoto smirked.
"Yep. My sister still has fire in her."
I finished my tea.
"Alright… hit me. What's the bad news?"
Mikoto took a deep breath.
"I'll start from the beginning. You'll want the full story."
I listened calmly—until the end. My jaw slowly dropped open in disbelief.
I rubbed my temples.
**"So let me get this straight. Reika and Kurogami insulted Tsunade by calling her a cow… and then Reika publicly claimed to beat her in a private duel. But that wasn't enough. She used a genjutsu—in front of civilians and shinobi alike—to make Tsunade drop to all fours, moo like a cow, and pretend to milk herself... in the middle of the shopping district?"
Mikoto calmly nodded.
"Yes, dear."
I set my cup down.
"I need a drink."
Because tonight... I had an appointment at the Hokage's office.
And then the bar. Sage help me.
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