Chapter 4: Uchiha Fugaku
"Three-tomoe Sharingan?" Yusuke raised an eyebrow, slightly surprised by the pleased expression of his opponent.
Within the Uchiha clan, a ninja's strength was often measured by the power of their Sharingan. Achieving the third tomoe typically marked one as a high-ranking jonin among the Uchiha.
"A guy who hasn't even awakened his Sharingan dares to stand before me? Let me show you the power of true Uchiha genjutsu!" the Uchiha shinobi thought smugly as his Sharingan spun rapidly. He cast a genjutsu at Yusuke with full confidence.
But before he could celebrate, he suddenly saw a flicker of flame in Yusuke's eyes. The next moment, a searing pain stabbed through his own eyes, as if they were being scorched by fire.
"Agh! My eyes!" the Uchiha cried out in agony, clutching his face. Blood began to seep between his fingers.
"Yingzang! Are you okay?" The only one who hadn't attacked Yusuke — the same one who had spoken up for him earlier — rushed to his side in concern.
"I… I don't know. It's like my eyes are burning… I can't open them. Am I going blind?" Yingzang's voice trembled as he spoke.
The two other Uchiha, who had been knocked aside by Yusuke at the beginning, now gathered around their injured companion. They glared at Yusuke with fury in their eyes, but after the brief exchange, they clearly understood just how wide the gap in strength was. None dared to step forward again.
"Uchiha Yusuke, how dare you harm your own clansman like this! I'll report this to the clan head! He will see justice done!" the first to attack, Uchiha Ryuya, shouted angrily.
Yusuke let out a cold chuckle. "He triggered my genjutsu defense by launching an illusion at me. It's not my fault he couldn't handle the consequences. And frankly, I've no interest in wasting any more time here. If you want to teach someone a lesson, you should first know your place."
With that, Yusuke walked straight past them and out of the teahouse. The others, intimidated by his strength, didn't dare stop him.
"Yusuke-kun, wait a moment!" called out the lone Uchiha who hadn't attacked.
Yusuke turned around, eyes sharp. While he didn't hold ill will toward this man, he was ready to retaliate if trouble came his way again.
"I'm Uchiha Souichiro. They acted out of impulse earlier — please don't take it to heart. I'd like to apologize on their behalf," Souichiro said with a respectful bow.
"It's fine. I'm not one to fuss over such things. If there's nothing else, I'll be on my way." Seeing how polite the other was, Yusuke softened his tone.
"I just hope Yingzang's eyes will be okay," Souichiro said with concern.
"I withdrew my chakra in time. As long as he rests and gets proper treatment, he should be fine. You should take him back for care as soon as possible," Yusuke replied before turning away.
"Thank you!" Souichiro called out gratefully. Yusuke waved a hand behind him, signaling not to worry.
Back in the teahouse, Kakashi sat in silence, deep in thought. Based on Yusuke's performance — his speed, strength, and resistance to genjutsu — it was clear Yusuke held the upper hand. As another all-around ninja, Yusuke felt like a version of himself, only stronger.
"Kakashi, it kinda looks like he's better than you," Asuma said bluntly, still shocked. Kurenai nodded subconsciously in agreement.
To both of them, Kakashi had always been the undisputed genius of their generation — personally trained by the Yellow Flash himself, Minato Namikaze. Yusuke, though a fellow jonin, was always assumed to be a step behind.
But the reality they had just witnessed shattered that belief.
"Like I said earlier, maybe he really is stronger," Kakashi replied in his usual laid-back tone.
Although he acted indifferent, Yusuke's strength had struck a chord deep within Kakashi. It stirred a competitive fire he hadn't felt in a long time.
"Is Uchiha Yusuke just that strong, or have I grown complacent? Am I really not his equal anymore?" he wondered.
Unaware of the silent storm he had stirred in Kakashi's heart, Yusuke had already returned home. Not in the mood to linger after the scuffle, he quietly prepared for the rest of his day.
Uchiha Clan Grounds — The Residence of Clan Head Uchiha Fugaku
"Clan Head, we're telling the truth! That Uchiha Yusuke is completely out of line! He said he was too busy to attend the clan meeting, but then we found him drinking tea at a teahouse!" Ryuya complained to a stern-looking man in a formal kimono.
"And worse — he used some weird jutsu to injure Yingzang's eyes! He almost blinded him! It was brutal and unnecessary!" another Uchiha added.
The kimono-clad man sat with closed eyes and a rigid posture, listening calmly. This was Uchiha Fugaku — leader of the Uchiha clan.
"Souichiro, what's your take?" Fugaku opened his eyes slowly, turning to the only quiet one among them.
Souichiro offered a wry smile. "Honestly… Yusuke frequently skips clan meetings, always citing other duties. But during today's fight, I could tell — he held back. Had he gone all out, things would've been far worse."
"You're siding with him?" Ryuya snapped.
"That's enough. You two may leave. Souichiro, stay behind. I have something to discuss," Fugaku said with finality.
After dismissing the others, Fugaku stepped outside to the corridor, gazing up at the moonlit sky, hands tucked inside his wide sleeves. Souichiro followed silently and stood behind him.
"What do you think of Uchiha Yusuke?" Fugaku asked.
"I don't know him well. But he seems disinterested in power struggles," Souichiro replied. "What I do know — without a doubt — is that he's very powerful. They call him the 'Blazing Blade,' but today, he didn't even draw his sword against them. Unfortunately, he shows little loyalty to the clan — he's close only to his family and keeps his distance from others."
Fugaku nodded thoughtfully. "You're right. It's time I spoke with this talented member of our clan myself."
Turning to Souichiro, he added, "Arrange a meeting. I'd like to see him tomorrow. You can head home now."
"Understood. I'll let you know once it's arranged," Souichiro replied with a respectful bow.
After he left, Fugaku remained alone under the night sky, deep in thought.
"Still up, thinking about clan matters again?" came a gentle voice from behind. It was his wife, Mikoto — mother to Itachi and Sasuke.
Her long black hair flowed over her shoulders, her features soft and elegant. The resemblance between her and their sons was unmistakable. Her belly was now slightly rounded — a few months pregnant.
"It's nothing important. You should just focus on your pregnancy," Fugaku said with a rare smile, gently wrapping an arm around her shoulders.
"You don't need to worry so much about the clan either. By the way, have you thought of a name for the baby?" Mikoto asked, resting her head against his shoulder.
"I have, if it's a boy," Fugaku replied.
"Oh? What is it?" she asked with curiosity.
"I can't say yet. Before using that name… I need permission from someone important."
The Next Morning
Yusuke had just finished his morning training and was about to head out when he ran into Souichiro on the street.
"Yusuke-kun, heading out? Good thing I came early, or I'd have missed you," Souichiro greeted with a smile.
"Yes, I have to report to the Hokage for a mission. What brings you here?" Yusuke asked, surprised by the unannounced visit.
"The clan head wishes to speak with you. I was sent to ask when you'd be available," Souichiro explained.
Yusuke thought for a moment, then shook his head with an apologetic look. "I'm afraid I can't say for sure. I'm visiting a friend first, then reporting to the Hokage. The mission details are still unclear."
"I understand. That's unfortunate timing. I'll inform the clan head," Souichiro nodded. "I wish you success with your mission."
"Thanks. Please explain the situation to the clan head for me. Once I return, I'll visit him myself," Yusuke said.
After parting ways, Yusuke headed to the southern outskirts of the village — toward a run-down orphanage. It was his first stop of the day, a place he had been meaning to visit for some time.