Chapter 281 – The Path of the Three Titans (Part 2)
Kei's ambitions had become clear —
his eyes were fixed squarely on the three remaining titans of Konoha.
The Third Hokage, Hiruzen Sarutobi, still moved like a shadow — subtle, patient, and dangerously calculating.
His quiet control over both the Root and the Medical Division made one thing perfectly clear to Kei:
this old man had no intention of fading away quietly.
Finding a weakness in someone like Hiruzen was troublesome.
He would have to wait for it… or create the opportunity himself.
And when that moment came, Kei would need allies ready to strike in perfect sync — to seize that flaw and crush it without hesitation.
Becoming one of Konoha's Three Titans wasn't as simple as acquiring power.
It meant aligning yourself with the ruling interest of the era —
and this was a peculiar era indeed.
Minato Namikaze had vision and skill, yes.
He had the means to lead Konoha into a new age.
But Kei's interference — subtle, well-timed, and deliberate — had won Minato's deep trust.
Not absolute trust, perhaps, but certainly far more than anyone else in the village.
And under Kei's quiet influence, Minato had taken a road that diverged sharply from Hiruzen's.
That choice had severed his connection to the old power network the Third Hokage had built for decades.
Now, Minato's hand was nearly empty — no solid faction, no entrenched council behind him.
All that remained were the allies Kei had personally placed there.
The Uchiha Clan, unified in their loyalty.
The hidden Senju bloodline through Kenta Imai.
And the hesitant but vital Hyūga support through Ayaka — fragile, yet meaningful.
Minato's foundation — the very structure of his power —
was Kei's creation.
But Kei knew this wasn't enough.
Not even close.
If they wanted to stand among Konoha's ruling giants,
their reach had to grow larger — their grip on the system, deeper.
At present, only the Uchiha Clan truly met that standard.
Thanks to Kei's reforms, the Konoha Police Force had expanded faster than anyone anticipated.
Given time, it would become the single most powerful authority within the village —
the de facto law and military enforcement arm of Konoha.
But power must be divided wisely.
Kei would command the police and security apparatus — the military arm.
Kenta Imai, through his lineage and cunning, would rise to control the Mission Assignment Department,
the beating heart of Konoha's economic and tactical system.
He was still at the beginning of his climb, but Kei saw the path clearly.
With patience and political dexterity, Kenta would earn influence among the lesser clans —
many of whom still revered the legacy of the Senju name.
If he avoided stepping on too many toes, his ascendancy was inevitable.
That left Ayaka Hyūga —
the only piece that didn't quite fit.
As a branch family member, her potential was shackled by the Caged Bird Seal.
That seal didn't just limit her freedom — it throttled her future.
Still, Kei didn't regret recruiting her.
If anything, he preferred her to any Hyūga from the main house.
The main family would never share his goals.
They'd resist him, negotiate, betray.
A branch member, though… one with ambition and resentment?
That, Kei could work with.
If she's bound by a hand around her throat,
then I'll simply remove the hand.
Or force its owner to let go.
But even Kei knew this was a gamble.
Breaking the Hyūga's ancient curse was a dream, a theory — and a dangerous one.
Still, he'd rather chase an uncertain miracle than abandon a potential ally.
If that day ever came, the Hyūga clan's balance would collapse —
and Ayaka would emerge as a power in her own right.
---
"Kei-kun, this idea of yours is dangerous," Ayaka said at last, her pale eyes narrowing.
"The Three Titans — it sounds enticing. But tell me, who are you suggesting those three should be? Us?"
"Exactly," Kei said simply.
"I control the Police Force," he continued. "You both know its growth potential.
Kenta's influence will spread through the Mission Division — it's only a matter of time.
And as for you—"
Ayaka laughed softly.
"I'm just a branch family member, remember? I suppose this is your way of telling me I'll get good news soon.
You must have a lot of faith in my future experiments."
"Don't you?" Kei countered calmly. "You've already planted the seed of victory in yourself.
I'm merely choosing to believe in it."
In truth, he didn't want to see the Tenseigan come into existence —
that would be too unpredictable.
But if Ayaka could free herself from the cage of the Hyūga curse,
that would be a victory he did welcome.
A freed Ayaka would be a force of nature —
and a powerful ally to have when the storm finally broke.
"So then," Ayaka tilted her head, "which division do you expect me to control? Administration? Finance? Or…?"
"The Medical Division," Kei answered without hesitation.
"That's where I want you."
She blinked, taken aback.
"The Medical Division?"
"Exactly. It's Hiruzen's lifeline," Kei said, his voice low. "Control that, and we control every shinobi's survival instinct.
No ninja wants to die from wounds that could have been healed.
No one wants to return from a mission alive, only to die because there's no treatment available."
It was true — the Medical Division had once been opposed by Hiruzen himself,
only to be forced into existence by Tsunade's persistence.
Now it was the Third Hokage's most valuable political weapon —
and the one Kei feared most.
Ayaka had already begun studying medical theory, slowly building credibility in that field.
She wasn't a master healer like Tsunade, but Kei didn't need that.
"No one ever said the head of the Medical Division had to be a genius medic," Kei continued.
"Tsunade set a precedent — but we can change it.
What matters isn't who heals the wounds, but who commands those who do."
Ayaka's role, then, would be managerial — administrative, strategic.
The one who directed research, allocated medicine, and decided who lived or died.
That kind of power was more terrifying than any jutsu.
---
"Captain," Kenta interjected, frowning, "the Medical Division is something the Third Hokage will never let go of.
And besides," his gaze flicked briefly to Ayaka's forehead, "isn't this too early to act?"
"We're not acting yet," Kei replied, amused. "We're planning.
When the time comes, we'll simply… let someone make a mistake."
He leaned back, eyes glinting.
"All we need is to be ready when they do."
Ayaka and Kenta exchanged a look, then nodded slowly.
They understood now — Kei wasn't just ambitious.
He was patient.
If the old titans were fish, he was crafting the perfect baited hook.
And when they bit, he'd be waiting with the net.
---
"But will the Fourth Hokage agree to all this?" Kenta asked after a moment. "If we topple the old three… what's to stop us from becoming the next villains?"
Kei smiled faintly.
"Ah, the classic tale," he said. "The hero who slays the dragon, only to become one."
"That's exactly why I brought you two in," he continued, his tone suddenly serious.
"No single person should hold absolute power. We'll divide it — three ways.
Each of us will serve as the counterweight to the others.
That's how stability is maintained. That's how we keep Minato's rule intact."
He stopped there. Some truths couldn't be spoken yet — not aloud.
His reform plans would shake the entire structure of the village.
Once implemented, they'd blur the lines between clans and civilians,
redefining rank and influence based purely on ninja ability.
It would break the old clan system.
And it would make enemies.
Only the Uchiha — his Uchiha — were truly prepared.
But that was for later.
For now, they needed to survive the transition —
and quietly build the foundation for Konoha's new order.
"There are things I can't say yet," Kei finally told them, tapping the table lightly.
"The scope is too wide. For now, just be ready. When the time comes, you'll know."
"Understood," Ayaka said softly. Kenta nodded beside her, though both carried lingering curiosity.
Then Ayaka remembered something.
"You promised to recommend me for promotion to jōnin, remember? But the paperwork's still not approved.
I'm guessing… that's connected to all this?"
"Sharp as always," Kei said, smiling. "Yes, it's related.
Consider it your birthday gift — a little delayed, perhaps, but I guarantee it'll reach your hands soon."
Kenta frowned thoughtfully.
"And if I become head of the Mission Department," he asked, "what kind of recruits do you want me to bring in?"
"Everyone who qualifies," Kei answered. "No clan restrictions.
The only standard…"
He paused, eyes glinting.
"…is ninja rank."
The room fell quiet again.
They understood now.
The Three Titans weren't just about political power — they were the architects of a new Konoha,
a system where ability would outweigh bloodline.
Kei was building a balance of power that mirrored his own mind —
rational, ruthless, and self-contained.
Power was a tool, not a poison.
It was only dangerous to those who let it consume them.
And Kei…
Kei had no intention of becoming another Danzō.
He could have walked that path easily — manipulated Minato, preserved Hiruzen's old systems,
and reaped endless benefits from the shadows.
But that wasn't what he wanted.
He wanted a world that he could live in —
quietly, safely, but on his own terms.
---
"So," Kei murmured finally, "we divide the power into three parts — not one.
To outsiders, it shows balance. To Minato, it shows loyalty.
And to us…"
He smiled faintly.
"It shows control."
In his mind, he could already see the future —
a stable triangle of power supporting Minato's reign,
tempering the chaos that reform would inevitably bring.
It was elegant, almost beautiful —
but it would only work if all three of them grew strong enough to uphold their corner of the triangle.
---
Later, when Kenta had recovered from his procedures, Kei planned to test his performance himself.
But before that could happen, Minato summoned him —
and sent Kakashi to fetch him.
When Kakashi arrived, his expression was oddly… hesitant.
"What's with that look?" Kei asked, frowning slightly. "Spit it out, or I'll assume the worst."
"N-no, it's nothing," Kakashi stammered, quickly changing the subject. "It's just… it's been a while.
You look even stronger than before."
"Do I?" Kei arched a brow. He didn't let up until Kakashi began to sweat.
Finally, Kei relented with a small nod. "Maybe a little. How about you? How's ANBU holding up?"
It wasn't really a question he should have asked — strictly speaking, that was classified.
But Kakashi didn't seem to mind.
He knew Kei's relationship with the Hokage,
and how easily Kei could have found that information elsewhere if he wanted to.
The fact that he asked directly meant he was showing respect.
"ANBU's stabilizing," Kakashi replied. "We've merged several units.
The new chief is still transitioning out, though — no set handover date yet."
"I see." Kei nodded, smiling faintly. "Then you'd better work hard.
When that seat opens up, Minato and I both want you in it."
Kakashi blinked.
"That's… a lot of pressure."
"No pressure, no progress," Kei said simply, patting his shoulder.
"Come on, Kakashi — our road's still long.
And the higher you climb, the more interesting the world becomes."
Kakashi gave a stiff nod, quietly taking a half-step back from Kei's intensity.
"Got it," he said finally. "I won't let you down."
Kei smiled again.
They both knew what that meant — pressure was the crucible of growth.
---
Later that week, Kei met Minato in the Hokage's office.
The blond Hokage greeted him with his usual warmth.
"Kei-kun, your jōnin promotions have been approved," he said, placing four files on the desk.
Kei glanced down — Ayaka Hyūga, Kenta Imai, Uchiha Kawa, and Uchiha Ryu.
All four had been nominated by him, and all four had passed.
"You've been busy, Hokage-sama," Kei said lightly, taking the folders. "I imagine it wasn't easy getting these through."
"You're right," Minato admitted with a small laugh. "Shikaku came by the other day — he'd already noticed something unusual.
You know how sharp he is."
At the mention of Shikaku Nara, Kei smiled faintly.
Of course Shikaku had noticed.
That man's mind was as sharp as a blade — perhaps the sharpest in Konoha.
Only his son would one day surpass him.
Of course, that man — Shikaku Nara — had died later in the Fourth Great Ninja War, obliterated by the Ten-Tails' Tailed Beast Bomb.
But before his death, he had proven himself a strategist without equal.
And truthfully, between him and his son, it was still debatable which of the two Naras had been the sharper mind.
As head of the Administrative Division, it was only natural that Shikaku kept a close eye on Hokage Minato's movements — advising, analyzing, and occasionally intervening.
That he noticed something out of place was hardly surprising.
"So, what did you tell him?" Kei asked quietly, his brow slightly furrowed. "Or rather, what did he figure out on his own?"
Minato exhaled, smiling faintly.
"He noticed something when I ordered the consolidation of the Special Jōnin registry.
Most wouldn't think twice about it — but Shikaku… he's sharp."
Leaning back in his chair, Minato continued.
"A few weeks ago, I held a small meeting to discuss improvements to the jōnin compensation system.
He connected the dots almost immediately.
And of course," Minato added wryly, "he wasn't alone — Choza Akimichi came with him."
"I see," Kei murmured, nodding.
That made sense. Choza had fought alongside Minato for years.
The Ino–Shika–Chō trio had always acted as one — and their families' quiet support of the Hokage was well known.
They hadn't yet declared their stance publicly, but…
Kei's lips curved slightly.
"They've made their choice, haven't they?"
"Yes," Minato admitted with a faint smile, brushing a hand through his blond hair.
"They hinted at their position — nothing overt, but enough to understand.
Honestly, I'm relieved. The Ino–Shika–Chō are an old and steady alliance.
But I didn't reveal too much. I wasn't sure how you wanted to handle it."
Kei could tell — Minato was still careful.
He understood the risks.
The bond between the Ino–Shika–Chō clans and the Third Hokage ran deep.
Minato didn't know just how much they'd seen…
or how much they'd say, if pushed.
And more importantly, he didn't want the Uchiha to feel betrayed.
That was something Minato simply could not allow.
The Uchiha Clan had done too much for him — had given him his foundation, his authority, his peace.
Without them, his seat as Hokage would be far less stable.
And Minato Namikaze was not the kind of man who forgot a debt.
He would never turn around and sneer, "Ah yes, the Uchiha — those red-eyed troublemakers,"
as so many others in the village once had.
His integrity wouldn't allow it.
---
Kei thought for a moment, then spoke in a calm, deliberate tone.
"If you haven't told them everything yet, don't."
Minato looked up.
"A raised hand," Kei said, "is more frightening than a hand that's already struck.
As long as it hovers, people remain cautious — respectful.
But once you bring it down, they know exactly how hard you can hit.
"Give them hints. Let them wonder. Let them speculate.
But don't give them the full picture.
Keep them curious — not complacent.
"The Ino–Shika–Chō trio will be invaluable allies when the time comes.
Feed them just enough to understand your direction.
That way, when you finally move, they'll believe they chose to support you on their own —
and they'll be grateful for it."
Minato was silent for a moment, then smiled faintly.
He understood perfectly.
Kei didn't speak often,
but when he did — his words had the clarity of a blade drawn in moonlight.
---