On a spring afternoon, Sogen walked beneath cherry blossom trees bursting with color, the soft rustle of wind through the branches filling the air. He stopped in front of an imposing mansion, its double doors wide open. Inside, the courtyard was meticulously groomed, with neatly trimmed bushes and trees lining a path of slate-gray stone bricks that led to a sliding door.
Without hesitation, Sogen stepped inside, slid open the door, and called out, "Anyone home?"
He slipped off his shoes at the entrance and stepped onto the polished wooden corridor. This wasn't his first visit to the clan head's home. Thanks to his grandfather, an elder, he'd been here as a guest several times before. Otherwise, Sasuke wouldn't greet him so casually as "Big Bro Sogen."
While he wouldn't claim to know every nook and cranny of the house, he was familiar enough with the areas meant for guests. To the right of the corridor were the kitchen and dining room, but there was no sign of anyone bustling about. The clan head's wife was likely out.
To the left was a six-tatami-mat room, furnished neatly with a low table and cushions. Sitting at its center was the current head of the Uchiha clan—
He was a man who commanded respect. His short black hair framed a stern, rectangular face, and his expressionless features carried an almost oppressive weight. He wore a deep blue robe, the iconic Uchiha flame fan emblazoned on its back.
"Sogen, come in," Fugaku said, his voice steady.
"Clan Head, sorry to intrude," Sogen replied, stepping into the room and settling onto the cushion across from Fugaku.
On the low table sat a teapot and two cups, the tea still steaming, with green tea leaves floating gently in the liquid.
"I've heard you're aiming to replace me as clan head," Fugaku said bluntly, cutting straight to the point.
Sogen grinned. "Oh, you've already heard? I was hoping to save the big reveal for a dramatic moment, you know, like a surprise!"
"Surprise? More like a shock," Fugaku countered.
"Eh, same difference, right? Surprise, shock—it's all about the jolt!" Sogen said with a playful shrug.
"Enough nonsense, Sogen. You've always been one for wild talk," Fugaku said, his piercing gaze fixed on him, his face as stern as ever.
"Since you already know… you're not mad?" Sogen asked, curiosity piqued.
It wasn't surprising that Fugaku had caught wind of his plans. The Uchiha clan wasn't that large—about a thousand members—and secrets were hard to keep. The closer Sogen got to executing his plan, the louder the ripples became. Discovery was inevitable. But Sogen wasn't playing some shadowy game of deception. He intended to challenge Fugaku openly and claim the title of clan head fair and square.
"If this were five years ago, I'd have strung you up, given you a good thrashing, and shipped you off to the border guard so you'd never have time to stir up trouble," Fugaku said.
Five years ago? The Nine-Tails incident, Sogen thought. It was true—Fugaku's brow had grown more furrowed with each passing year, and a heavy, somber air clung to him more than ever.
"But now…" Fugaku rubbed his temples, the dark circles under his eyes betraying a sleepless night—perhaps many sleepless nights. "If you've got what it takes to replace me, it might not be such a bad thing. For me or the clan."
The growing tension between the village and the Uchiha clan weighed heavily on Fugaku. How could a clan head sleep soundly under such strain? If things were different, perhaps he and his wife would have had a third child by now, not just Itachi and Sasuke.
"But that's assuming you've got the ability," Fugaku said, his eyes locked on Sogen, each word deliberate. "You want the clan head's seat? Fine. Come and take it from me. Show me what you're capable of."
"I won't keep you waiting long," Sogen replied.
"Then I'll be watching."
Silence fell between them. Sogen picked up his teacup, sipping slowly, his gaze drifting to the lush courtyard visible through the veranda. Bathed in spring sunlight, the meticulously tended plants thrived, each branch and leaf trimmed with precision. The courtyard was flawless, harmonious, without a single element out of place.
Just like the disciplined clan head himself.
"Did you call me here just to call out my ambitions, Clan Head?" Sogen asked, breaking the quiet as he refilled his cup from the teapot.
Fugaku slid his empty cup forward, and Sogen filled it with the same clear, jade-green tea. The liquid rippled gently as Fugaku took it.
"I called you here because…" Fugaku stared into his cup, his voice measured. "Last night, I met with the Hokage. He was very diplomatic about it, but he made it clear that you shouldn't get too close to the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki. More precisely, he wants the entire Uchiha clan to keep their distance from him."
"A threat?" Sogen asked.
"Exactly. A threat. And it wasn't just the Hokage. The heads of the Hyuga, Aburame, Nara, Yamanaka, Akimichi, Kurama, and Inuzuka clans were there too. None of them want the Uchiha getting too cozy with the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki. That night five years ago is still fresh in their minds." Follow current novels on NovєlFіre.net
"The Hyuga…" Sogen mused. "I thought losing Hyuga Hizashi would've left them resentful toward the Hokage."
Fugaku's lip curled slightly, a rare hint of disdain. "The Hyuga branch family exists to protect the main family. To the main family, Hizashi's death was just… expected."
"So, what's your plan, Clan Head? Are you going to punish me for this? The Third Hokage himself praised me last night for protecting the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki, you know," Sogen said, leaning back slightly.
"Being praised by the Hokage doesn't mean you're above punishment," Fugaku replied.
"That's pretty shameless," Sogen shot back.
"I have to give the village an answer," Fugaku said, pausing before continuing. "The Uchiha are part of the village. Anything involving the Nine-Tails' Jinchuriki isn't just an internal clan matter anymore. The other clans are watching us closely. If I don't provide an explanation, even the neutral clans might turn against us."
"Neutral clans?" Sogen let out a mocking laugh. "I didn't realize there were any neutral factions in the village. Don't most of those clans have members deeply embedded in the Anbu or Root? That's what you call neutral? Maybe only the declining Kurama clan hasn't caught the eye of the Anbu or Root."
"Don't confuse individuals who join the Anbu or Root with their clans. Those people don't represent their families. Shisui's in the Anbu, isn't he? Does that mean he represents the Uchiha?" Fugaku countered.
"…Fair point," Sogen conceded. "So, what's the punishment?"