Unlocking the Hidden Power of Fugaku Uchiha: Naruto’s Overlooked Genius!

Summary

Fugaku Uchiha, the last Uchiha leader, played a key role in the narrative and left a legacy.
Fugaku’s strength rivaled the Sannin and he was considered for 4th Hokage.
Fugaku influenced Itachi and Sasuke’s characters, shaping them profoundly.

In the epic saga known as Naruto, numerous mighty clans and factions are showcased over its extensive duration. However, the narrative primarily zeroes in on a single clan – the Uchiha. Surprisingly, even with such intense focus on the Uchiha and their achievements, one crucial Uchiha character was often overshadowed. The last head of the Uchiha clan, Fugaku Uchiha, is seldom discussed within the Naruto universe. Instead, his appearances are primarily linked to the backstory of Itachi and Sasuke.

Despite Fugaku Uchiha being a highly powerful character, known as Wicked Eye Fugaku, he is not as well-known as other characters in the Naruto narrative. However, his true significance and impact on Naruto can be understood by piecing together various instances and flashbacks scattered across the series.

Who Was Fugaku Uchiha?

The Last Leader Of the Uchiha

First Appearance	Naruto, Episode 84 “Roar, Chidori! Brother vs. Brother!”
Air Date	May 19, 2004

Serving as the final leader of the Uchiha lineage, Fugaku Uchiha played a crucial part in postponing the Uchiha Uprising and preserving tranquility between the Concealed Village and his clan for as long possible. With the Mangekyo Sharingan being one of the few he wielded, Fugaku was on an equal footing with various potent ninja, a position that even earned him consideration for assuming the role of the fourth Hokage. What set Fugaku apart among the Uchiha was his inheritance of the Flame Will, evident in his decision to transfer the entire Uchiha clan to the borders of the Concealed Village to dispel any doubts about their connection to the Nine-Tailed Beast’s rampage.

Beyond that, he showed no interest in taking control, preferring instead to foster harmony between Hidden Leaf and the Uchiha clan. He served as a crucial barrier against the Uchiha Rebellion by advocating for peaceful resolutions among his kin. Although he couldn’t completely suppress the uprising, he managed to postpone it as long as possible, which granted Itachi enough time to eliminate the entire Uchiha clan. Fugaku’s unwavering spirit of Fire Duty was underscored by his choice not to intervene against Itachi, despite possessing the strength to effortlessly overpower him and halt the massacre. Instead, he respected his son’s allegiance to Hidden Leaf and asked Itachi to protect Sasuke in his stead.

The Legacy Of Wicked Eye Fugaku

Fugaku Left a Significant Impact on Naruto’s Narrative

Although Fugaku’s presence may have been limited in the Naruto series, his military achievements during the Great Ninja Wars are still widely known and reverberate throughout Shinobi history. Known as the Wicked Eye Fugaku, he gained

With my Mangekyo Sharingan, I have mastery over the Nine-Tailed Beast. This ability would only fuel their longing among my clan members if they were to discover it.

During the Third Great Ninja War, Fugaku’s Mangekyou Sharingan became active. Legend has it that witnessing a dear friend’s demise on the battlefield triggered this awakening. Yet, Fugaku concealed his Mangekyou from both his clan and the Hidden Leaf Village for several reasons. He wished to prevent suspicion about controlling the Nine-Tails and to ensure his comrades wouldn’t misuse this power. Unfortunately, no one ever saw him use his Mangekyou, leaving its unique abilities unknown.

How Fugaku Influenced Itachi and Sasuke

Fugaku Played a Role in Shaping Itachi and Sasuke

As a dedicated fan, I can’t help but marvel at the enduring impact of Fugaku Uchiha, who, though taken too soon during the tragic Uchiha Massacre, has left an indelible mark through his offspring, Itachi and Sasuke. These brothers have been pivotal figures in the storyline, and their characters were significantly molded by Fugaku in their formative years. As the eldest son, Itachi held a special place in Fugaku’s heart, receiving personal tutelage from him once he recognized his extraordinary talent. During the Third Great Ninja War, Fugaku exposed Itachi to the gruesome reality of the battlefield, presenting him with a vast expanse of fallen comrades. This chilling experience instilled in Itachi a profound understanding of mortality and the harsh truth that survival is never guaranteed in Shinobi Warfare.

There’s a chance that this event could have influenced Itachi to appreciate the significance of human life more, given his persistent efforts to reduce conflicts and save lives. Growing up, Sasuke was often overlooked while Itachi enjoyed Fugaku’s favor. Frequently, Sasuke would practice with Itachi as Fugaku refused to train or offer attention to the young boy. However, this changed when Itachi declined to be a spy in the Anbu for the Uchiha, at which point Fugaku started focusing all his attention on Sasuke instead.

Sasuke spent a significant amount of time learning from his father, not just training but also acquiring new skills. However, this special bond was tragically severed during the Uchiha Clan massacre, when Itachi brutally killed their entire family. Although these events were depicted in flashbacks within the Naruto series, they had a profound impact on both brothers and significantly influenced their characters. Without a doubt, Fugaku played a crucial role in molding these two vital figures of the Naruto universe.

How Strong Was Fugaku Uchiha?

Fugaku’s Strength Paralleled the Sannin

Due to Fugaku Uchiha having minimal on-screen presence and many of his abilities being demonstrated primarily in filler episodes, the precise extent of his power and capabilities remains somewhat unclear. Nevertheless, certain instances suggest that Fugaku’s strength might have been on par with Minato Namikaze and the legendary Sannin. Given the immense power wielded by Minato and the Sannin, it can be inferred that Fugaku Uchiha was undoubtedly a high-level shinobi, possibly even at Kage rank. Additionally, Fugaku was thought to be a potential contender for the position of the 4th Hokage.

Fugaku’s proficiency in the Fireball Jutsu and Shuriken technique is evident, but it’s his control over the Sharingan that truly sets him apart. He could foresee enemy actions and ensnare them in complex illusions with a mere glance, thanks to this powerful eye-technique. Furthermore, Fugaku was capable of activating the Mangekyou Sharingan, a more advanced form of the Sharingan, after experiencing the death of a dear friend during the Third Great Ninja War. He chose to keep this ability hidden, recognizing that revealing such a potent dojutsu would only fuel further scrutiny towards the Uchiha clan.

Given that the full power of Fugaku’s Mangekyou is yet undisclosed, it remains a mystery how potent his dojutsu actually was. Nevertheless, Fugaku asserted he could employ the Mangekyou to command the Nine-Tailed Fox, an accomplishment that even other Mangekyou wielders like Sasuke and Itachi had never achieved. Additionally, there are several accounts suggesting Fugaku’s true might, as he was renowned as the most powerful Uchiha of his era, surpassed only by Shisui once the young Uchiha unlocked Mangekyou Sharingan.

Naruto is available to stream on Prime Video.

2025-04-09 16:11