Uchiha Gen's funeral wasn't just attended by members of the Uchiha Clan—representatives from all the major clans of Konoha came. Even the Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, made an appearance.
After the funeral ended, Hiruzen patted Fugaku on the shoulder.
"My condolences. Your father and I were old friends. If you ever run into trouble, don't hesitate to come see me."
Old friends? That was nonsense. Hiruzen and Uchiha Gen had never gotten along. It was just something to say for appearances. Still, if Fugaku ever lost his footing in the struggle against Ichiro, Hiruzen wouldn't mind lending him a hand.
Though Fugaku was older than Ichiro, Hiruzen didn't think very highly of him.
"Thank you, Lord Third," Fugaku replied with cold indifference.
He knew perfectly well what kind of "friendship" his father had with Hiruzen.
Many who attended the funeral looked solemn on the surface, but were smiling inwardly.
Ichiro, for one, was in an excellent mood.
That old bastard Gen had constantly tried to trip him up in the past.
"I've been so focused on getting stronger I never took time to appreciate beautiful women… She really is stunning."
Ichiro's gaze landed on a woman in a black kimono—gentle and elegant in both posture and presence.
Uchiha Mikoto. In the original timeline, she was the mother of Itachi and Sasuke. A true Yamato Nadeshiko—a traditional, ideal Japanese wife. Right now, she was Fugaku's fiancée.
The Uchiha Clan was certainly filled with beautiful people.
Feeling Ichiro's stare, Mikoto turned her head and glanced over.
Her brows creased slightly. His gaze made her uncomfortable—as if he could see through her clothing.
She tightened her kimono and quickly looked away.
Mikoto didn't want anything to do with Ichiro. She knew all about the feud between him and her fiancé. There was no doubt in her mind—they were destined to be enemies.
"Captain, did you take a liking to Uchiha Mikoto? Want me to go snatch her for you?" Ken leaned over with a sly grin, noticing Ichiro's lingering gaze.
"Mikoto's the number one beauty in our clan. She'd suit you far better than that ugly bastard Fugaku ever could."
"You think I need your help to take her?" Ichiro replied blandly.
"Heh." Ken chuckled. The captain hadn't denied it. That meant he really was interested in Mikoto.
Great. Not only did he want the clan head position, but now he wanted Fugaku's fiancée too.
Ken cast a pitiful glance at Fugaku. A green leaf happened to fall and land perfectly on Fugaku's head—an unintentionally mocking sight.
The day after the funeral, Fugaku began working on claiming the position of clan head.
Truth be told, he had wanted to seize the title right after the funeral, but too many voices opposed him.
Among the three elders of the Uchiha Clan, only the Great Elder supported Fugaku. The other two were waiting—waiting to be bribed.
If Fugaku gave them enough, they'd support him. If Ichiro did, they'd switch sides without a second thought. All they cared about was profit.
And so, Fugaku's hopes of becoming clan head yesterday had ended in disappointment.
Today, he planned to meet with the two "vampire" elders to try to buy their support.
While Fugaku was running around chasing power, Ichiro paid a visit to Mikoto's home.
Her parents were long dead. She lived with her grandfather—the Great Elder—but today, the elder was out accompanying Fugaku.
"What are you doing here?" Mikoto's expression turned cold as she opened the door.
She remembered the way Ichiro had looked at her yesterday. It had made her deeply uneasy.
"Are you here to see my grandfather?"
"No. Why would I care about that old fossil? I came to see you, Mikoto."
Ichiro raised his hand and cupped her chin.
"Let go of me, Uchiha Ichiro. Show some respect."
Though Mikoto had a gentle temperament, she was not weak. Calm on the surface, but steely underneath, she swatted his hand away without hesitation.
"That's assaulting the head of the Konoha Police Force, you know," Ichiro said casually, sliding an arm around her waist and pulling her in. "You know I'm Fugaku's biggest rival for the clan head position, right? All you have to do is agree to one condition… and I'll withdraw from the race."
"What condition?" Mikoto asked.
"You're smart. I'm sure you can guess what I want."
Ichiro's tone was filled with layered meaning as his gaze lingered on her face.
"You… You're despicable."
Mikoto's eyes flared with shame and fury. Of course she'd guessed.
"I didn't think you were this kind of person, Ichiro. I won't agree to anything you say."
She hadn't thought Ichiro was evil before. After all, it was natural for men to admire beautiful women—and Ichiro was undeniably handsome.
Even in a clan of good-looking people, Ichiro stood out.
But today, her view of him had been shattered.
"Why not? Compared to Fugaku, I'm better in every way, aren't I?" Ichiro said with amusement, admiring the way her angry flush made her even prettier.
Mikoto didn't reply. She only wanted to get him out of her home.
She admitted Ichiro was superior in both looks and strength, but her engagement to Fugaku had been arranged long ago.
Though they weren't married yet and hadn't taken that final step, in her heart, Mikoto already considered Fugaku her husband.
She would never betray that.
Even if Ichiro threatened her with the clan head position, she would not back down.
Besides, Fugaku still had a real chance of winning. His father had been the previous clan head—that alone was a powerful advantage.
"Looks like that threat won't work on you. Then how about your grandfather? Don't you care what happens to him?"
Mikoto's breath hitched. Her Sharingan activated in an instant—three tomoe whirling in her crimson eyes—as she stared Ichiro down.
"What do you intend to do to my grandfather?"
Ichiro raised an eyebrow, mildly impressed.
"You actually awakened the three-tomoe Sharingan?"
That meant Mikoto had jōnin-level ability at least. Many Uchiha jōnin couldn't even reach the three-tomoe stage.
For most clan members, this was their limit.
Ichiro grinned.
She was just getting more interesting by the second.