Chapter 329 – How Others See Kei
After the Three-Tails chakra experiment, Uchiha Kei's days finally settled into a more predictable rhythm.
Ayaka's recovery was steady—not fast, not slow—but at least she was no longer bedridden or too weak to defend herself.
Her importance to Kei at this stage was… difficult to put into words.
Yes, being understood so deeply sometimes made her a headache to deal with.
But precisely because she understood him—his logic, his intentions, his hidden meanings—she made everything easier.
Whether it was planning, research, or working through Kei's ideas, Ayaka always grasped his intentions immediately and acted before he even needed to explain.
They weren't "of one mind," but the level of synchronicity genuinely surprised him.
There had been a time when Kei seriously considered finding someone to eventually replace her.
Her status was too sensitive, her mind too sharp—dangerously sharp.
She could become a liability.
But now?
Kei had stopped thinking that way.
Finding someone else who could match him on this level—this naturally—would be nearly impossible.
Iori was indeed talented, and her potential was excellent.
Unfortunately, she was far too kind.
Kindness wasn't a flaw—not inherently.
Among ordinary people, kindness was a virtue, something that made interactions smoother.
But kindness had a place and time.
Namikaze Minato was kind too, but he used his kindness with wisdom.
Before enemies, he abandoned all hesitation.
Iori was a child who had never truly experienced war.
Even a child raised in an orphanage could not understand the cruelty and deception of the human heart.
To someone like Kei, her kindness was a burden—a liability.
Yes, she could be "trained" into what Kei needed.
Perhaps molded into a perfect tool.
But forcing such a pure girl to wear a mask…
Even Kei found the thought distasteful.
He was disappointed in her, but in her innocence he also saw something he had long lost.
He even contemplated ending her nightmares with genjutsu—to spare her from becoming a monster like them.
Kei only needed one monster beside him.
And Ayaka was more than enough.
As for how to bind her completely to his side…
He wasn't sure yet.
He had ideas, but they would depend on how the future played out.
"That's probably the biggest difference between me and Danzō," Kei thought.
"I still have a heart. I still have boundaries. I haven't erased my humanity."
With that, he put aside distractions and returned to his research.
---
Kei's Current Projects:
Kei focused on two main experiments:
1. Upgrading Susanoo — meaning developing his Sharingan to withstand even greater output.
2. Advancing his genjutsu, which he needed for future plans.
The genjutsu research had been delayed due to his unexpected detour to Kirigakure.
Now that he finally had time, he dove into it.
His progress was swift—
partly because his foundation in illusion techniques was already strong,
and partly because the Uchiha clan archives contained countless advanced manuscripts.
Within a short period, Kei had shaped the beginnings of a powerful new technique.
All that remained was refinement.
His genjutsu development pleased him greatly.
Susanoo, however… was still stuck.
Even though he could feel increased chakra activity in his eyes,
and sensed the fused cells in his body accelerating—
There had been no breakthrough.
And that meant no progress.
---
The Police Force's New Responsibilities:
Meanwhile, the Police Force finally submitted the first draft of the reforms Kei had ordered.
They had been drowning in work—
especially since the responsibilities Kei handed them were heavy and far-reaching.
Today, Kei sat in his office reviewing the documents.
Uchiha kawa, Uchiha Ryu, and Uchiha Jun waited anxiously before him.
After a long read, Kei closed the files.
"Not bad. Your initial proposal is acceptable."
The three captains exhaled in relief.
They had spent countless sleepless nights discussing, revising, and consolidating their sections of the proposal.
Only Hyūga Hizashi remained mostly silent—
he lacked administrative experience and could only contribute opinions.
"Proceed with this version," Kei instructed.
"But keep judicial discretion in mind. Don't follow the rules mechanically.
"And above all—I don't want to hear that someone came to you for help, warned you multiple times about a threat, and you ignored them.
If that happens…"
"Understood, Captain! It will not happen!" all four replied immediately.
"Good," Kei nodded.
"I'll have administration convert this draft into policy. Once the Fourth Hokage signs off, it becomes official."
Kei despised negligence—
especially under his watch.
The Police Force's reputation was finally improving.
The slightest scandal would be magnified by the old Third Hokage faction still lurking in the shadows.
He had to stay vigilant.
Because even if he didn't make mistakes, his subordinates certainly might.
And many leaders throughout history had died because their subordinates failed them.
"Now—how is the operation to root out Kirigakure spies progressing?"
This mission was a crucial step to expanding the Police Force's authority.
Uchiha kawa spoke first:
"With Captain Hizashi's help, we've made great progress.
He faced Mist shinobi directly during the war and understands their habits.
Combined with several of our officers who fought in Uzushiogakure… our efficiency increased significantly."
Kei turned to Hizashi.
"Captain Hizashi, since your team played the largest role, you'll give the report."
"Yes, Captain," Hizashi replied calmly.
"So far, we have uncovered five Kirigakure spies.
Some disguised as merchants, some as civilians—
one had even become a full-fledged Konoha shinobi."
Kei nodded.
"That level of infiltration is impressive.
All five have been handed over to the ANBU?"
"Yes, Captain."
"Good. You've all worked hard.
I expect even better results next time."
---
Early one morning, Uchiha Shisui arrived at the training grounds.
Fukuhiko Kōhei—Kei's former mentor—was already waiting.
After meeting the Third Hokage and facing his own internal conflict,
Shisui had mixed feelings.
But Kei's former jōnin instructor…
he genuinely respected.
Many believed that Kei's achievements were due largely to Kōhei's guidance.
He had been Kei's longest-serving squad leader—
and one of only two jōnin who ever commanded him.
Kei's first instructor had died on a mission, saving their team—
the event that began Kei's "ominous star" reputation.
Every jōnin who subsequently led Kei died in war.
But Kei survived.
The only jōnin who ever led Kei and lived to tell the tale…
was Fukuhiko Kōhei.
Among Kei's teammates, only Imai Kenta and Ayaka survived as well.
Hiruzen had assigned Shisui to Kōhei, but Shisui didn't know why—
nor did he care.
He only wanted two things:
1. To understand how someone like Fukuhiko Kōhei produced a monster like Uchiha Kei.
2. To learn who Uchiha Kei truly was behind the rumors.
"Call me Captain," Kōhei said kindly.
"You're the second Uchiha I've ever mentored.
The first was Kei—the Police Force Head now.
I hope you can become as exceptional as he is."
"Yes, Captain," Shisui replied respectfully.
"You're a late addition to the team," Kōhei continued.
"Your two teammates are older—just like Kei's were."
"Just like Captain Kei…?" Shisui murmured, wide-eyed.
Everyone knew Kei's squad composition.
Three "disaster stars"—
yet they had formed the foundation of Konoha's victory in the war.
And now they were among the most celebrated shinobi of the village.
Shisui envied them.
He wanted to become like Kei—
a leader of the Uchiha,
someone who could change the clan's future.
Even if he knew that reality made such ambitions difficult…
he believed he could do it.
Although the Third Hokage had subtly implied that he did not trust the Police Force Head—
Although the Third Hokage clearly distrusted Kei, Shisui—
as a member of the Uchiha—
could not help but respect and admire the man who had become the clan's pillar.
After a moment of hesitation, Shisui finally gathered his courage.
"Captain Fukuhiko… may I ask you something?"
"Hm? Go ahead," Fukuhiko Kōhei replied with an easy smile.
"Captain… how well do you know Captain Kei?"
"Kei, huh?"
Kōhei rubbed his chin in mild surprise.
"I didn't expect you, an Uchiha, to ask that. Don't tell me you don't know the genius your clan practically worships?"
Shisui could only offer an embarrassed smile.
The truth was—he didn't.
Not the real Kei Uchiha, the one who came out of the war.
He still remembered Itachi's words…
How even a prodigy like Itachi couldn't earn Kei's acknowledgment.
From that moment on, Shisui had been endlessly curious about the man.
On the surface, Kei was polite, gentle, approachable.
But Shisui could feel something cold hiding beneath the facade.
A chilling aura that didn't belong to a kind, friendly man.
Kei had spent years on the battlefield.
He was known to be ruthlessly uncompromising when it mattered—
the very same man who had been involved in one of the Uchiha clan's darkest internal incidents.
How could Shisui possibly claim to "understand" such a contradictory person?
If anyone could, it would be the clan head, Fugaku.
The trust between Fugaku and Kei was extraordinary—
and Kei repaid that trust tenfold.
Together, the two men grasped the reins of the entire Uchiha and led the clan to unprecedented stability.
"Honestly," Kōhei began after thinking a moment,
"I don't understand Kei much better than anyone else."
His tone softened, as though speaking about someone he cared for.
"When I first took over that team, Kei struck me as calm.
Very calm.
And frighteningly intelligent."
"Calm and smart…" Shisui nodded.
Traits shared by every successful shinobi.
"But Kei also felt… unnaturally mature for his age."
Kōhei chuckled and sat down on a nearby stump.
"And no, I don't mean in the romance sense—though I hear he and Ayaka have gotten close. Good for them, really."
He waved the thought aside.
"I mean battlefield maturity.
He always had a special way of analyzing missions—
a unique eye for danger, strategy, information.
But he never voiced his concerns.
Instead, he'd drop a hint or two during the mission to avoid disaster."
Kei would be speechless if he heard this.
Back then he simply wanted to avoid dying unnecessarily—
not that Kōhei's misunderstanding mattered now.
Shisui, however, absorbed every word.
He had never heard any of this.
So Kei had been that perceptive even as a child?
No wonder he survived when so many others didn't.
"But… what was he worrying about?" Shisui wondered quietly.
Kōhei continued, unaware of Shisui's thoughts.
"And deep down, the kid always had kindness in him.
Even when he killed enemies, it never sat well with him."
"K-kindness…? Captain Kei…?"
Shisui's eyes widened.
Kei, killing with hesitation?
Kei, feeling discomfort?
It seemed impossible, yet the sincerity in Kōhei's voice left no doubt.
War had forced Kei to bury his compassion—
but it had never vanished.
"I never expected," Kōhei sighed,
"that he and his team would be forced into a suicide mission… and complete it perfectly.
You know the story—his legendary rise began there."
"Yes… everyone in the clan knows that mission."
Shisui nodded softly.
"But I never knew the story behind it."
"Well, Kei was always polite, respectful, and principled.
I'll never forget—my younger brother once made a terrible mistake.
Kei saved his life.
And later, when he became Deputy Captain of the Police Force, he personally made sure my brother could join."
Kōhei smiled proudly.
"But in front of enemies, he shuts all that away.
That is what makes a true shinobi.
I'm proud to have been his mentor, even just for a while.
Probably the thing I'll be proudest of in my entire life."
Shisui nodded firmly.
The praise didn't sound exaggerated at all.
Kei was that kind of shinobi.
But Kōhei's words also convinced Shisui of something else:
If Kei was kind, principled, perceptive—
then why did he treat their own clan members like enemies?
This question gnawed at him—more than ever.
After a long moment of thought, Shisui made a bold decision.
He would go see Kei personally.
He had been afflicted with a dangerous jutsu and didn't know how much time he had—
so he needed answers now.
Standing, he bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Captain Fukuhiko.
I've learned what I needed.
I look forward to serving under you and meeting my teammates.
"But it's getting late—I should return."
"Go on," Kōhei waved with a gentle laugh.
"I'll notify the team when the next mission comes in."
"Goodbye, Captain," Shisui said respectfully before turning to leave.
Kōhei watched the boy disappear into the distance, a complicated expression slowly forming on his face.
After a long sigh, he murmured:
"Uchiha Shisui… I hope you handle this well.
Because I've taken on a mission I can't refuse—
and perhaps… perhaps you'll be the one to help me."
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