"Sorry… I'm sorry."
Uchiha Fugaku stared at the teacup on the low table, its steam long since vanished. After a long, heavy silence, he forced a smile as he turned to Uchiha Kai. "That sort of slip... is unbecoming."
Itachi Uchiha was visibly taken aback. He had never expected his father—always composed and dignified—to show such a rare crack in his demeanor.
Sharp as ever, Itachi remained silent. But he engraved a single name into his mind—Madara Uchiha. The name that had made his father falter.
"Kai-kun," Fugaku said, regaining his composure, "do not speak that name again." His voice was steady, but his eyes remained fixed on the table. "I don't know where you encountered it, but it is best left buried."
"I understand, Patriarch," Kai replied, his face calm. But inwardly, he sighed.
Madara Uchiha... even in death, his shadow looms over the clan. His presence is still too powerful to ignore.
No one dared deny Madara's strength, not even decades after his supposed death. And when he returned in the future as an Edo Tensei... he would prove once again just how justified that fear had always been.
Kai respected Madara's power, even admired it. But he didn't fear him—not anymore. Not like the others did. After all, even Madara had met his end.
As for the future… Kai wasn't concerned with it right now. He had his own path to walk, and strength wasn't something that came easily.
He was not Sasuke Uchiha or Naruto Uzumaki—children blessed with power, destiny, and plot armor. But Kai wasn't without his own edge. He believed that even if he could never surpass them, he could at least rise to the level of someone like Uchiha Itachi.
"Please, continue, Kai-kun," Fugaku said quietly as Itachi poured a fresh round of tea.
"Yes, Patriarch." Kai nodded and resumed, "Ever since that shinobi left Konoha… the seeds were planted, weren't they? On the surface, many of the Second Hokage's policies appeared directed at all ninja clans. But if you look closely, the real target seems obvious—it was always the Uchiha."
"What makes you say that?" Fugaku asked after a slow sip.
"The Konoha Military Police Force." Kai's lips curved slightly. "Established by the Second Hokage himself. On paper, it was an honor—a symbol of trust. But in practice, it confined the Uchiha to a single role: law enforcement. Punishment. Surveillance."
He gestured slightly. "The Police Department and the detention facilities were built together. Convenient, isn't it? It placed us close to the criminals, and far from the heart of Konoha. They didn't give us authority. They gave us isolation."
Kai paused, watching Fugaku's face. As expected, the man remained unreadable. Still, his silence was permission enough.
Beside them, Itachi's expression had shifted. He was deep in thought.
Is this what they mean by a Hokage's mindset developing early? Kai frowned slightly. No… he looks mature, but he's just a naïve kid. He doesn't understand the clan at all. I don't like him.
But Kai kept his thoughts to himself. He was just getting started, and some truths were best delivered in pieces.
"The real reason seems clear, doesn't it?" Kai said, his tone even. "At the last clan meeting, I could sense it. Some of the elders surely felt it too. The Second Hokage feared another Madara would emerge. That was why he wanted us segregated—to monitor us, to control us. If a second Madara rose up, they'd know where to find him."
"That's enough, Kai-kun." Fugaku interrupted softly but firmly. He exhaled. "I understand what you're saying."
Of course Fugaku understood. Tobirama Senju had fought the Uchiha for years. He had personally witnessed the destruction Madara caused when he turned against the village. Hashirama had stopped him at the Valley of the End—but even that victory cost the First Hokage his life.
Tobirama had every reason to fear the Uchiha. Every reason to view them not as citizens—but as a threat.
In Tobirama's mind, the Uchiha were a cursed clan. Fugaku had heard it before, murmured among the elders. And yes, some among them had indeed once admired Madara Uchiha.
"That's enough for today, Kai-kun," Fugaku said at last. His voice was quiet but decisive.
"Yes, Patriarch. It was only my speculation," Kai replied, bowing slightly.
What, you think I'm stupid enough to blurt everything out? I'm not suicidal.
This was also the reason Kai hadn't insisted on Itachi leaving the room. Let the kid hear it. Maybe it would plant a seed. Maybe it would bloom. Maybe not. It didn't matter. Kai just wanted to annoy the little prodigy.
Let's see what happens when this Itachi grows up and starts asking real questions. If the Third Hokage panics and tries to silence him… now that'd be something to see.
Will he fight back? Will he submit? Or will the old man just smile and twist his words like always? Either way, if my little gamble works… he'll have to act.
And if it failed? So what? Kai could disappear. He was good at that. He wouldn't go down with the ship.
Looking at Fugaku now, Kai could tell—he was making progress. This time, he had shown more political insight than before.
"Kai-kun." Fugaku's voice pulled him from his thoughts. He was staring at Kai with uncharacteristic intensity.
"Yes, Patriarch?" Kai immediately straightened, feigning respect.
"You don't need to pretend, Kai-kun. In your eyes… I must seem like a failure, don't I?" Fugaku's words were bitter.
Kai almost laughed. Yes. And you're a cold, calculating lunatic too.
But he wasn't that reckless.
"No, Patriarch. It's only my speculation. Please don't take it to heart."
Fugaku chuckled softly. "You're cautious, Kai-kun. That's good."
Then his expression sharpened. "Tell me… have you ever considered becoming a teacher?"
Kai blinked. "A… teacher?"
"To guide a fledgling," Fugaku said, tone unreadable.
"…"