Shortly after nightfall, Wakaho, the future Uchiha clan leader, and Obito, the future Hokage, finally returned home.
"Huh?" Before even reaching home, Wakaho sensed something was off.
Usually, Grandma would sit by the door to catch the breeze and save on the electricity bill. But today, Grandma was missing, and the lights inside were on.
"Visitors?"
Wakaho quickened his pace and, as he approached the door, overheard Grandma's voice.
"Old age has made my mind a bit fuzzy. If there's anything, just tell my two grandsons..."
Trouble? Who dares to cause trouble at the Uchiha household!?
Wakaho burst into the house, but upon seeing the figures in the living room, he immediately calmed down.
It was none other than the former clan leader and his wife.
"Auntie, you're looking well!" Mikoto said with a smile as she sat beside Grandma.
Fugaku noticed the two brothers at the door and greeted them with a cheerful smile. "Look, the two men of the house are back. Grandma was just praising how considerate you both are."
"Greetings, Clan Leader. Hello, Auntie Mikoto."
Wakaho greeted them politely and patted Obito on the back of his head.
"Greetings, Clan Leader. Hello, Auntie Mikoto." Obito followed suit.
After greeting, the brothers stood by Grandma, one on each side.
Grandma turned her gaze to Wakaho.
"Little Wakaho... Grandma heard from Fugaku that you and Obito got into a fight again today?"
Obito tensed up.
Grandma hated it when they got into fights. No matter the outcome, they would always get scolded when they returned home.
Wakaho calmly glanced at the two scrolls and gifts on the coffee table, then nodded.
"Mm, a few of those day-time bullies tried to bother Obito, so I used Fire Release to send them to the hospital."
"It was day-time bullies? That's fine then... Nobody was killed, right?"
"No, but they won't be out of bed for at least three to five months."
"Such a pity..." Grandma shook her head.
Fugaku's eyes twitched slightly.
So this is the way the old lady educates them?
"Well done, kid," Fugaku said, praising Wakaho openly.
"I heard about what happened today. To win a one-on-three battle and still send your opponents to the hospital is impressive."
Fugaku's praise was unabashed as he pointed to the two scrolls on the table.
"I heard you've already started using Fire Release today? Here are two C-rank Fire Release techniques you can practice. If you have any questions, you can always come to the Konoha Guard Department... Even if I'm not there, the seniors there will be happy to help."
Fugaku's admiration and support were clear and unhidden.
Fugaku clearly came to gain favor.
In the original timeline, perhaps Shisui received similar treatment and "coincidentally" met Itachi skipping class, becoming his true mentor?
However, while some might quickly fall for such "sweet words," Wakaho was not so easily swayed.
To Wakaho, Fugaku was not a competent clan leader, or else the Uchiha wouldn't have faced annihilation.
The entire clan was wiped out—old, young, women, and children, not one left alive.
Though Itachi was the one who carried out the act, the responsibility fell squarely on Fugaku as the clan leader.
Even if Fugaku couldn't stop his son, he still needed to be responsible for his people, right?
Of course, even if Fugaku had tried, he still ultimately failed against Itachi.