Naruto: Sukuna's Jinchuriki, I am Uchiha

Chapter 10: I Challenge You, Fugaku

At the Fugaku residence.

Now seven and a half years old, Uchiha Kagami stood around 150 cm tall. Wearing a loose, navy-blue robe for the celebration, his features were sharp, with a faint, ever-present smile at the corners of his mouth.

Two-year-old Shisui trailed behind him, wide-eyed and curious.

"Brother, there are so many people here. What's happening?"

"It's to celebrate the birth of a child," Kagami replied calmly, his gaze indifferent as he looked at the baby in Mikoto Uchiha's arms.

"Kagami, you're here," said the older Uchiha Jinhi, approaching with a wry smile.

He glanced over at Fugaku's family, who were hosting the other clan members, and sneered, "I heard some people calling that kid the 'young clan leader.' Hmph."

"The Uchiha aren't like the Hyuga, with this nonsense about a single bloodline inheritance. Even Lord Madara only received the title of young clan leader after proving his talent."

"And a baby in swaddling clothes deserves that title?"

…

"If he grows up well, he might be worthy," Kagami responded calmly.

He didn't like Itachi Uchiha but wouldn't deny his talent.

"Sometimes I think your eyes can see the future," Jinhi sighed, smiling as he patted Kagami on the shoulder.

"In a few years, you might be able to defeat Fugaku. When that time comes, I'll initiate a clan duel. You're the one fit to lead the Uchiha!"

Kagami shook his head.

In a year or two, the Third Great Ninja War would break out, and skirmishes on the borders were already frequent.

In the original timeline, the Uchiha didn't get involved in the Mist Village battlefield until the end of the war.

And the clan wasn't unified; although the radicals held sway, some still sided with the village.

Take Obito, who joined Minato's team—he was just one of the more notable examples.

Where did Danzo get his Sharingan for the massacre night?

Looking deeper, Kakashi's retention of his Sharingan was likely a compromise made by the Uchiha clan with the Fourth Hokage.

For a thousand years, the Uchiha's iron law was that no outsider should covet the Sharingan.

For this, they'd go to any lengths to hunt them down, relentlessly!

Without Madara, the Uchiha were no longer the mighty clan they once were, reduced to targets of oppression.

As of now, Fugaku probably hadn't awakened his Mangekyou, which he did during the Third Great Ninja War.

If he only had the three-tomoe Sharingan…

"I'll challenge Uchiha Fugaku today."

!!

Jinhi's eyes widened. "So suddenly?!"

"It's not a big deal."

Kagami's gaze swept over the crowd, and he added, "While everyone's here, let's get it over with. I'm not ready to be clan leader yet."

Fugaku was a fence-sitter, not fit to lead the Uchiha, but he'd do for now as a transitional leader.

Kagami intended to step up as clan leader at the start of the Third Great Ninja War, when the Third Hokage's faction would be too preoccupied to target him.

This celebration of the clan leader's child brought together all those qualified for clan council, as well as many ordinary Uchiha members.

At the banquet.

Fugaku offered a toast to Jinhi's table.

"Elder Jinhi, thank you for your contributions to the clan."

"Kagami, little Shisui, Itachi is your younger brother. Please look after him."

The Uchiha's internal divisions were increasingly evident. Currently, the village's policy toward the Uchiha was one of appeasement, and Fugaku leaned toward peaceful coexistence.

Most of the Uchiha in the police force were on the dovish side.

It was only later, under intense pressure, that the radicals gained dominance.

At the founding of the village, the Uchiha were weary of war and even betrayed Madara.

Kagami set down his juice and stood up.

"Clan Leader, on this day celebrating new life, I'd like to ask you for some guidance in ninjutsu."

…

Fugaku's smile didn't waver. "Of course, I'll meet you at your usual training ground tomorrow."

Kagami's lips curled slightly, his smile faint. "Shall I make myself clearer? I challenge you, Uchiha Fugaku."

…

…

If it were any other Uchiha kid, no one would take him seriously.

Just like a certain Uchiha boy who constantly declared he'd be Hokage—did the Third Hokage take him seriously?

But Kagami was different…

The Uchiha revered strength, and awakening the Sharingan was a benchmark. Each tomoe added represented another level.

Any Uchiha with a three-tomoe Sharingan was acknowledged as a jonin-level combatant.

…

"Kagami, saying this here is a bit inappropriate, isn't it?" spoke an elder, trying to give Fugaku a way out.

Kagami looked at him calmly. "Since when did the Uchiha care about the occasion for a fight?"

"Has our peaceful life made you more like the Hyuga?"

If there was one thing the Uchiha agreed on, it was disdain for the Hyuga, their rival clan.

Compared to the Sharingan, the Byakugan just didn't hold up.

The Hyuga's belief in bloodline purity and the Uchiha's brashness often clashed.

Kagami's words silenced the elder.

Fugaku's eyes darkened slightly, motioning for Mikoto not to worry.

He looked at Kagami solemnly and said, "You're not even a registered ninja yet. Challenging me is premature."

Kagami turned and walked toward the door, his wooden sandals echoing in the hall.

He glanced back, his three-tomoe Sharingan swirling as a fierce chakra radiated.

"Clan Leader, I'll give you a minute."

…

"Such powerful eyes… These aren't ordinary three-tomoe Sharingan!"

"As expected of Kagami. He'll definitely reach the Mangekyou level!"

No one blamed Kagami for disrupting the celebration.

To them, whatever a genius did was reasonable and forgivable.

Even the most rational Uchiha valued strength above all else!

In the large open area outside Fugaku's residence, Kagami stood opposite him.

"I'll be honest. If you truly wanted to be clan leader, I'd be willing to train you for a few years to better prepare you for the responsibilities."

"You're still young and can't handle village affairs yet. I know Elder Jinhi's influence affects you, but some things aren't as simple as they seem…"

"You misunderstand, Clan Leader." Kagami shook his head.

"I simply want to measure my own worth."

"Besides…"

Kagami assumed a stance, smiling.

"Things aren't as complicated as you think. In this world…"

"The strong make the rules, don't they?"

Swish!

An invisible slash cut through the air.

Fugaku sidestepped, but the trees behind him were sliced, toppling with a loud crash.

A flash of crimson appeared in his eyes.

"As a new father, I'll treat this as a lesson for Itachi."

A surge of overwhelming ocular power filled the space, pressing down on Kagami.

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