"Well, well, look who's recovering nicely—Fugaku."
It seemed trouble always found its way around. Just as Ichiro returned to the Uchiha compound, he ran into Uchiha Fugaku.
At Ichiro's words, Fugaku's wound ached faintly. He hadn't truly recovered. Even with medical ninjutsu, it wasn't something that could heal overnight—Ichiro's blade had nearly gutted him.
"Do you even realize what you've done, Uchiha Ichiro?" Fugaku demanded, forcing down the pain. "You've offended every single clan in the village! Do you have any idea how much trouble you've brought down on the Uchiha?"
Ichiro narrowed his eyes. So, it wasn't a coincidence. Fugaku had deliberately waited here, and judging by the number of Uchiha gathered, he'd brought them along too.
"Offended them? Do you think the Uchiha should fear offending others?"
Ichiro let out a cold chuckle.
"Our Uchiha clan deserves to stand above the rest. Even if we've angered every other clan in the village—who dares speak against us?"
"Well said!"
"Lord Ichiro is right! We're the Uchiha! Who are we supposed to be afraid of?"
The pride and arrogance of the Uchiha were well known. Call it self-confidence or call it delusion, they never lacked for bravado. While to others Ichiro's speech sounded insane, to the Uchiha, it made perfect sense. Fear other clans? Not a chance.
This exact mindset was why the Uchiha had no allies in Konoha.
Fugaku's face darkened. Were they all brain-dead?
He'd gathered these clansmen here hoping to strip Ichiro of his popularity and reclaim support for himself as the rightful clan head. But clearly, he didn't understand his own people.
Ironically, Ichiro understood the Uchiha better than Fugaku ever could.
Even some who had been on Fugaku's side were now nodding along with Ichiro.
With a heavy huff, Fugaku turned and left in frustration.
"Brothers," Ichiro announced boldly, "I will lead the Uchiha to trample every clan in Konoha beneath our feet! We will show the entire shinobi world who truly stands at the top!"
The fiery proclamation stirred the emotions of many present. Those who had previously stayed neutral now stepped forward in support of Ichiro.
"Idiots..." Ichiro muttered inwardly as he walked away.
"If I really do become clan head, I'll need to change the entire clan's attitude. What's the point of arrogance without power?"
If they all had Madara-level strength, he wouldn't care how arrogant they were. But that wasn't the case.
Instead of heading home, Ichiro turned toward the elder's residence.
"What are you doing here?" Mikoto Uchiha's expression stiffened when she saw him. She looked flustered and conflicted, unsure how to face Ichiro.
"I missed you, of course."
She tried to brush his hand away, but his next words made her freeze.
"Think of your grandfather."
That whisper slithered into her ears like a devil's temptation.
Everyone suspected Ichiro had orchestrated the deaths of the Second and Third Elders. If he could kill them, what would stop him from killing the Grand Elder?
"I was going to eliminate the Grand Elder too… but then I thought of you. So I spared him. You saved him, Mikoto."
Ichiro leaned in and kissed her cheek, murmuring into her ear.
"Please… don't hurt my grandfather…"
"That depends on you."
Letting her go, Ichiro strolled into her room. Mikoto hesitated, then followed after him.
"I'm sorry… I didn't have a choice…"
Though she was Fugaku's fiancée, the one who'd raised her—her grandfather—was far more important in her heart.
She wasn't married yet. Had she truly been Fugaku's wife, she would have chosen death over betrayal.
"…"
[Ding! Congratulations, host has acquired: Fire Style – Majestic Flame Destroyer. Evil Points +30,000]
While not as rewarding as last time, this still netted Ichiro more points than anything else recently. He looked at Mikoto—what a hidden treasure she was.
"Not bad. You were surprisingly cooperative this time. I'm impressed."
Now fully dressed, Ichiro once again presented himself as a man of principle.
But Mikoto knew better. Beneath that handsome face was a devil in disguise.
To her, those words weren't praise—they were mockery. She'd only gone along for the sake of protecting her grandfather.
As for Fugaku? All she could do now was whisper an apology in her heart, her eyes tinged with guilt.
But along with that guilt… there was something else—something dangerous. A spark of defiance against past restraints. A thrill born of breaking the rules—though she hadn't yet realized it.
"Ichiro… What are you doing here?"
The Grand Elder's voice broke the moment as he stepped into the room and saw Ichiro.
"Grandfather, you're back?"
Mikoto's panic was evident. It felt like she'd been caught red-handed. She instinctively grabbed the hem of Ichiro's robe.
The Grand Elder's eyes narrowed. Noticing her flustered state and flushed face, he immediately guessed the worst.
That damn Ichiro… had he defiled his granddaughter?
No wonder Mikoto had seemed off lately.
Ichiro, unfazed by the elder's glare, remained calm. He was already neck-deep in villainy—what was one more crime?
"I had a lovely conversation with Mikoto. We'll talk again soon," he said casually.
Then, turning to the Grand Elder with a polite nod, he added, "I'll take my leave now."
As Ichiro left, Mikoto couldn't even lift her head in front of her grandfather. Her shame weighed heavily.
The Grand Elder's face shifted between fury and despair.
Looking at Mikoto—so timid, like a startled bird—he sighed. He knew she wasn't the type to do such things willingly.
She must have been coerced. She was the victim.